Pet Shop Boys - Elysium (LP)

Product specifications

Details

Album

Elysium

Artist

Pet Shop Boys

LP release year

2017

Album release date

September 10, 2012

Label

Warner Music Group

EAN

190295852771

Available

Yes

Product information

Format

LP

Quantity

1 piece(s)

Type

Reissue

Mono or stereo

Stereo

Duration

51 min

Tracks

12 tracks

Weight

180g

EAN

EAN

190295852771

Other

Limited Edition

No

Country

Europe

Genre

Synthpop

Box set

No

Remastered

Yes

Reissue

Yes

• Terrible Album Honestly

  2 out of 5 stars
  ayvAugust 16, 2025United States🇺🇸

  Terrible album, honestly...

• Dreadful Vinyl Pressing, Great Album

  1 out of 5 stars
  Ha0WibjaZwotojoqJuly 11, 2025United Kingdom🇬🇧

  In a nutshell - What a load of rubbish!------------------------------------------------------------'Elysium' appears to be an album that really splits Pet Shop Boys fans, but I'm a massive fan of it. Adore the gloomy vibes in the first two tracks and believe the songwriting is truly excellent (admittedly, not as brilliant as 'Fundamental', but still brilliant).When I received this pressing upon its release, I was honestly disgusted. Brand new, every single track sounded "wobbly and messed up" and it made track A1 ('Leaving') almost unbearable, particularly considering the hissing coming from Neil's voice was really awful. Frankly, I'm astonished at how terrible this pressing is. Parlophone are usually really good with their vinyl pressings (their Bowie reissues are insanely good too) but this. What on Earth went wrong here Parlophone? Hissing, distortion and just poor quality overall. Frankly when a record makes me want to listen to an album on YouTube instead, that shows how truly dreadful the pressing is. I am giving this pressing 1* though. While the quality of the record itself is absolutely bloody dreadful, the quality of the sleeve and the glossy finish are really damn nice.Such a shame.

• Elysium: A Growing Gem

  5 out of 5 stars
  LiumhQuihxJune 28, 2025United States🇺🇸

  Upon my initial listen to this album, I would have likely joined the crowd in giving it a low score. That's the issue with music today; people don't give albums a chance to grow on them. Instant gratification is expected. And with the Pet Shop Boys, it's even more pronounced: fans have expectations, and when they're not met, there's no mercy. That's what happened with "Elysium," an album that didn't meet expectations and failed to impress on first listen. But "Elysium" deserves much more than that; it's a true gem that needs to be viewed from a different perspective. Fortunately, there's more to Pet Shop Boys' music than albums like "Very," "Disco," "Yes," etc. I adore those albums, but life would be less interesting if that's all there was. When "Elysium" was released, I must admit, I was taken aback. Apart from the first two tracks, nothing resonated with me initially. Then I recalled my first listen to "Yes" and realized I needed to give "Elysium" time to grow on me, as initial disappointment is common. "Leaving" and "Invisible" are universally praised, so I won't dwell on them. "Winner" has been misunderstood; it's a beautiful song about enjoying fleeting moments of bliss after achievements. The melody is truly moving. "Your early stuff" is a laid-back midtempo track and a manifesto of optimism despite criticism. "A Face like That" is a sweet, light dance track, the closest to classic Pet Shop Boys on this album. It could have been a single, but it lacks commercial potential. The only flaw in "Breathing Space" is a musical phrase in the verse that echoes "Winner." Apart from that, it's another PSB ballad that never grows old. "Ego Music" might not be as aggressive as the subject matter suggests, but it's an intriguing moment unlike anything else. "Hold On" is an underrated gem. I don't understand the criticism about its musical nature. Everything is perfect to me, from the vocals to the backing track. Too cheesy? Well, a lot could be said about what's considered cheesy in Pet Shop Boys' career. "Give It A Go" could have been a third single, much like "You only tell me..." from "Nightlife." It's a beautiful ballad, and I've missed Neil's singing style. If there's one song to skip on "Elysium," it's "Memory of The Future." I've played it many times, but the magic isn't there. "Everything means something" reminds me that Pet Shop Boys always explore new territories, and after all these years, they still surprise us. Great. And lastly: "Requiem In Denim And Leopard Skin." Simply put, it transports me every time. If there's one song I play apart from the whole album, it's this one. It sounds old, but I think it's intentional. It's like a bridge to the next world, the song to play after the most intense party of your life. The kind of song that makes you shed tears, grateful for beautiful moments, moving on with no regrets and riding into the sunset. "Elysium" is a fantastic album. I felt it was time to give this marvelous record the praise it deserves, and I hope time helps everyone rediscover it.

• Decent Album, Impressive Audio Quality

  4 out of 5 stars
  halewowgibsuMay 23, 2025United States🇺🇸

  The album is alright, it just needs a bit of patience. The audio quality is impressive, particularly in the second track where the bass hits hard, the details shine through, and I can't detect any distortion, even with the elliptical stylus. I don't have much to compare it to, having only heard a stream years back. The pressing is decent, with just one tiny flaw that's barely noticeable, and it plays smoothly. I'd suggest giving it a listen. Played on: Technics SL-100C, Audio Technica VM-95C/E/ML (depending on the record's condition and personal preference), Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2, Technics SU-G700M2, Yamaha NS-777

• Shiny Sound Sensation

  4 out of 5 stars
  nsawsnxDecember 14, 2024United States🇺🇸

  Fantastic quality, it sounds absolutely amazing. Adore the shiny finishes.