BILINGUAL
The Pet Shop Boys' sixth studio album "Bilingual",
released on September 2, 1996, showcases a significant evolution in their sound
by infusing Latin American and world music influences into their synth-pop
style. Their exposure to Latin rhythms, particularly during their 1994
Discovery Tour across South America, notably impacted the album’s thematic and
sonic palette. The duo began work on the album in 1994, starting at Unique
Studios in New York, revisiting the studio where they originally recorded
"West End Girls." This geographically diverse recording process also
included sessions in London, New York, and Moscow, reflecting the global
inspirations behind the album.
"Bilingual" was partly conceptualized around
the idea of bilingualism, mixing English with Spanish and Portuguese lyrics, as
heard on tracks like "Discoteca," "Single-Bilingual," and
"Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)." This cultural blending added
fresh rhythmic textures and vocal harmonies to the album, further enriched by
live percussion from specialists such as the Scottish samba ensemble SheBoom
and Brazilian-inspired instruments like the berimbau and cuícas. The album
continues the richly layered production and vocal harmonies that the Pet Shop
Boys had embraced since their previous album "Very."
The album’s track list includes standout singles that
successfully charted in the UK top 20, such as "Before," "Se a
vida é," and "A Red Letter Day." These songs feature a
combination of catchy melodies, sophisticated electronic production, and
internationally influenced rhythms. The production team included longtime
collaborator Chris Porter and club DJ Danny Tenaglia, who added dance music
credibility and contemporary rhythmic elements to the record.
Noteworthy is the album’s innovative packaging,
designed by Mark Farrow, which used frosted, sandblasted CD cases that mirrored
the artistic ambition of the music itself. "Bilingual" reached number
four on the UK Albums Chart and received gold certification, confirming both
critical and commercial success.
An extended special edition was later released, adding
bonus discs with remixes and previously unreleased tracks that expanded on the
album’s dancefloor sensibility and world music inspirations.
Overall, "Bilingual" represents a mature work that
blends Pet Shop Boys’ signature synth-pop with diverse world music influences, particularly
Latin American, while continuing their tradition of clever lyricism and
sophisticated productions, making it a distinctive and influential chapter in
their storied catalog.
Discoteca
Opening with lively Latin rhythms,
"Discoteca" blends English and Spanish lyrics, embodying the album's
Latin dance influence. The track features pulsating percussion, electronic
synths, and a club-ready beat, with lyrics celebrating dancefloor escape and
cultural fusion.
Single-Bilingual
This track continues the bilingual theme with smooth,
catchy synth-pop infused with dance beats. The lyrics explore themes of
independence and nonconformity within relationships, with vibrant production
mixing Latin percussion layers and electronic textures.
Metamorphosis
A more introspective and atmospheric track,
"Metamorphosis" plays with a dreamy synth arrangement and layered
vocals. The theme centers around personal transformation and change, enhanced
by subtle production that contrasts with the album’s more rhythmically intense
songs.
Electricity
Up-tempo and driven by a rich house beat,
"Electricity" invokes the power and intensity of dance music culture.
The production is sleek, blending classic synth-pop with contemporary '90s club
sounds, reflecting the duo’s dancefloor roots.
Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is)
Drawing from Brazilian rhythms, this track features
Portuguese lyrics and live percussion instruments like the berimbau. It
presents an optimistic outlook on life’s unpredictability and resilience, with
production that integrates authentic Latin sounds and textured synth layers.
It Always Comes as a Surprise
A longer, more expansive composition, the song uses a
sample from Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto and features percussion samples
like cuícas, emphasizing jazz and samba influences. Its contemplative lyrics
about love and unexpected emotional shifts are matched by a rich, layered
instrumental backdrop.
A Red Letter Day
This song integrates electronic beats with backing
vocals by the Choral Academy of Moscow, adding a dramatic, almost anthemic
feel. Lyrics convey hope and optimism amidst uncertainty, supported by
production that melds classical choir elements with synth-driven pop.
Up Against It
Featuring a steadier groove and vibrant synth
patterns, "Up Against It" carries themes of confrontation and
resilience. The production balances dance beats and pop sensibility, creating a
track that is both energetic and direct.
The Survivors
This track has a reflective, mature tone with themes
of endurance and perseverance. The arrangement uses gentle synth pads and a
steady rhythm, underscoring the song’s contemplative mood without overwhelming
energy.
Before
Produced with club legend Danny Tenaglia,
"Before" is one of the album’s definitive dance tracks. It features
strong house beats, layered vocals, and catchy hooks, with lyrics reflecting
anticipation and longing.
To Step Aside
This song includes a sample of Spanish gypsy music,
blending traditional sounds with electronic production. It has a smooth,
danceable beat and explores themes of moving on and seeking new directions.
Saturday Night Forever
A vibrant closing track, it combines classic synth-pop
melodies with upbeat rhythms suitable for the dancefloor. Themes revolve around
celebration and continuity, a fitting finale that embodies the album’s
optimistic spirit.
Overall, "Bilingual" is defined by its
fusion of Latin and world music elements with the Pet Shop Boys' signature
synth-pop, seamlessly combining thoughtful lyrics with diverse rhythmic and
instrumental textures. The album highlights the duo’s experimentation with
bilingual lyrics, live percussion, and collaborations, creating a richly
layered and culturally expansive work within their discography.
Final
thoughts….
I found this
album tough to get into when it was first released and my opinion hasn’t
changed, in addition some of the choices for singles is questionable too, not
an album I tend to play a great deal.
TRACK RATINGS
Each track on
the album is scored on the following basis, an excellent tracks scores 3
points, a good track scores 2 points, an ok track scores 1 point and an awful
track, scores no points, the total is added up and divided by the maximum
number of points that would be available and then times that by 100 to get your
overall score. For example if an album
scores 20 points and there are 10 tracks on the album, that means it can
achieve a maximum score of 30, so divide 20 by 30 and times it by 100, it gives
you a figure of 66.66, which is the final score rating for the album, in this
case you would round it up to 67, if it was 66.33, you would round it down to
66. In the event there is a tie, the album with the most tracks rated at 3
ranks as higher.
Discoteca 1
Single-Bilingual 1
Metamorphosis 1
Electricity 0
Se A Vida E (That’s The Way Life Is) 3
It Always Comes As A Surprise 2
A Red Letter Day 2
Up Against It 2
The Survivors 2
Before 1
To Step Aside 2
Saturday Night Forever 0
Score 17
FINAL ALBUM RATING 47
Current Album
Chart
1. Actually - 80
(6 Tracks Rated As 3)
2. Please - 80
(5 Tracks Rated As 3)
3. Introspective
- 78
4. Behaviour - 73
5. Very - 69
6. Bilingual 47
