Essential is a 1998 compilation album by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as a limited edition in the United States by EMI/Capitol and in Japan by Toshiba/EMI.[3] Produced for only six months, early promotional versions of the album had the title Early, as the tracks featured were part of Pet Shop Boys' early catalogue.[4] The album contained remixes as well as album tracks and B-sides. The CD booklet contains an essay written by music journalist and Pet Shop Boys biographer Chris Heath.
| Essential | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 31 March 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1985–1990 | |||
| Genre | Electropop | |||
| Label | EMI/Capitol | |||
| Producer | Harold Faltermeyer Nicholas Froome Stephen Hague Trevor Horn David Jacobs J. J. Jeczalik Lewis Martineé Pet Shop Boys | |||
| Pet Shop Boys chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Pitchfork | 4.2/10[2] |
While several of the selections had not been available on compact disc prior to its original release, as of 2018, it remains the only official CD appearance of the 7" version of "That's My Impression" (all other reissues and compilations using the "Disco" mix.)
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Domino Dancing" (Alternative version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Lewis Martineé, Pet Shop Boys | 4:42 |
| 2. | "West End Girls" (Dance Mix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Stephen Hague | 6:29 |
| 3. | "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" (1985 7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | J. J. Jeczalik, Nicholas Froome | 3:48 |
| 4. | "Paninaro" (1986 7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 4:40 |
| 5. | "That's My Impression" (7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 4:48 |
| 6. | "We All Feel Better in the Dark" (Extended Mix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 6:47 |
| 7. | "It Couldn't Happen Here" (LP version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Ennio Morricone | Pet Shop Boys, David Jacobs | 5:20 |
| 8. | "It's Alright" (7" version) | Sterling Void | Trevor Horn | 4:20 |
| 9. | "Left to My Own Devices" (7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Trevor Horn, Stephen Lipson | 4:46 |
| 10. | "In the Night" (Remix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 6:28 |
| 11. | "Two Divided by Zero" (LP version) | Neil Tennant, Bobby Orlando | Stephen Hague | 3:36 |
| 12. | "Love Comes Quickly" (Dance Mix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Stephen Hague | Stephen Hague | 6:48 |
| 13. | "Being Boring" (Extended version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys, Harold Faltermeyer | 10:40 |
Personnel
edit- Evren Göknar - Mastering Engineer
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | 39,000[5] |
References
edit- ^ Allmusic, Pet Shop Boys Essential
- ^ Mohan, Aparna (31 March 1998). "Pet Shop Boys: Essential". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 22 January 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Essential Japanese release
- ^ Pet Shop Boys official website, Essential information
- ^ "Ask Billboard". Billboard.