BEHAVIOUR
"Behaviour" is the fourth studio album by the Pet Shop Boys, released on October 22, 1990, and is widely regarded as one of their most introspective and mature works. The album was primarily recorded in Munich at Harold Faltermeyer’s Red Deer Studio, with additional sessions at Abbey Road and Sarm West studios in London. The production was led by the Pet Shop Boys themselves along with Faltermeyer, who was chosen for his expertise with analog synthesizers, reflecting their desire for a warmer, more organic sound devoid of samples.
Recording and Production
The album’s production was notable for its emphasis on analogue synthesizers, inspired by their dissatisfaction with digital samples at the time. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe aimed to craft a more musical and reflective sound, stepping away from the upbeat dance tracks of previous albums, leaning into a moodier, contemplative style. Faltermeyer’s influence added lush orchestral arrangements, as heard in the opening track "Left to My Own Devices." The album also features collaborations with guitarist Johnny Marr and arranger Angelo Badalamenti, which enhanced its cinematic quality.
"Behaviour" explores themes of melancholy, societal decline, personal reflection, and emotional vulnerability. It was influenced by the darker mood of Depeche Mode’s "Violator," released earlier that year, and reflects on the socio-political climate of the early 1990s, including the decline of the Soviet Union and the AIDS crisis. Neil Tennant’s lyrics are poetic and often poignant, reflecting on loss, nostalgia, and existential questions, while the production emphasizes deep, layered instrumentation with a distinct analogue warmth.
The album's cover art features stark, minimalist images of red roses and an empty chair, symbolizing themes of loneliness and reflection. "Behaviour" is also noted for its deliberate avoidance of typical pop conventions, focusing instead on mood and lyrical depth, making it a favorite among critics and fans alike as a "mature" pet project that demonstrated the duo’s songwriting sophistication. It was later remastered and re-released with bonus tracks, including B-sides.
In sum, "Behaviour" stands out as a deeply personal, musically sophisticated album that reflects a period of transition and introspection for the Pet Shop Boys, cementing their reputation as inventive and thoughtful artists in the synth-pop landscape.
A reflective and poignant song about friendship, loss, and growing up, underscored by warm synth layers and a mid-tempo beat. Its lyrics touching on personal loss are paired with lush, sophisticated production, making it one of the duo’s most beloved and emotional tracks.
This Must Be The Place I Waited Years To Leave
Opening with a vocoder loop and intense percussive synths, this track was initially written as a musical exercise inspired by James Bond themes. It contains references to dreams and the fall of communism, and features Tennant’s Northern English accent, adding a unique character. The production mixes layered synths with a steady electronic rhythm, creating a dreamy yet somber atmosphere.
The song deals with the emotional complexity of suspecting a partner of infidelity while clinging to denial. With colorful and intricate synth instrumentation, it allows listeners to dwell on the painful process of confronting truth, enhanced by a repetitive but evolving musical structure.
How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?
A critique wrapped in irony and dry wit, this track features sharper electronic beats and staccato synth lines. The lyrics and tone suggest skepticism about authenticity and reputation, conveyed through a more direct and punchy arrangement.
A quiet, atmospheric ballad, layered with subtle synths and minimal percussion to evoke themes of isolation and longing. Its restrained production enhances the emotional vulnerability expressed in Tennant’s vocals.
Incorporating acoustic guitar and orchestral elements, this track contemplates nostalgia and the passing of time. The arrangement builds gradually, blending organic and electronic sounds to create a reflective mood.
A danceable yet emotionally complex track about heartbreak and coping, featuring prominent piano lines, bass synths, and a catchy hook. The production balances upbeat rhythms with introspective lyrics, making it both a club hit and a thoughtful pop song.
Nervously
Starting with a stripped-down synth introduction, this song gradually adds layers including bass, brass, strings, guitar, and drums. It captures the shy, tentative excitement of a romantic encounter with delicate and nuanced electronic production.
A relatively light and melodic electro-pop tune, it serves as a palate cleanser within the album. Its catchy melody and smooth arrangement contrast with some of the darker themes elsewhere on the record.
Closing the album on a grand, dramatic note, "Jealousy" is an intense ballad about obsession and longing. The production includes orchestral arrangements and electronic brass, enhancing the song’s emotional weight and providing a fitting finale to the album.
Overall, "Behaviour" is characterized by its blend of analogue synthesizers, lush orchestral touches, emotional lyricism, and a contemplative tone. The album diverges from high-energy dance pop to explore melancholy, vulnerability, and maturity with subtlety and sophistication, cementing it as a definitive work in the Pet Shop Boys' discography.
Final thoughts….
Quite a lot of Pet Shop Boys fans rate this as their best album, I’m not so sure, it has gown on me over time, when it was released, I felt it was a bit all over the place on the quality front, I love “Being Boring”, however, I am not keen on the album version. I would probably have chosen “The End Of The World” as a single over “How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously”. The one track that I have not really liked a great deal is “My October Symphony”.
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.
Being Boring 3
This Must Be The Place I Waited Years To Leave 2
To Face The Truth 2
How Can You Expect To Be Take Seriously 2
Only The Wind 2
My October Symphony 1
So Hard 3
Nervously 2
The End Of The World 2
Jealousy 3
Score 22
FINAL ALBUM RATING 73
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
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