All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Observer Music Monthly

The Pet Shop Boys' best album in over a decade, sitting neatly between their previous career highpoints of Very and Behaviour.

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100

E! Online

Fundamental is the group's most inspired album in nearly a decade.

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Stylus Magazine

Fundamental offers pleasure as rewarding as The Magic Mountain or Glenlivet 18--indulgences best enjoyed as you approach the half-century mark, when your imagination is keen to leisured elongations of familiar tropes or newly appreciative of exotic sumptuousness.

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Slant Magazine

It would be unthinkable to imagine a more pleasurable listen coming along in 2006.

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Playlouder

'Fundamental' will not only be rated up there among the Pet Shop Boys finest albums -- it's also arguably the best electro pop record we've heard in years.

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Entertainment Weekly

Balance[s] orchestral pomp with au courant club grooves. [30 Jun 2006, p.161]

Q Magazine

It's like 10 years of treading water never happened. [Jun 2006, p.118]

Blender

Fundamental ingeniously explores political chicanery through imaginative set pieces about private relationships. [Aug 2006, p.113]

Spin

Like Confessions on a Dance Floor, Fundamental uses squelchy electro-disco grooves that smuggle sly pop-culture commentary. [Aug 2006, p.83]

The Guardian

Focusing on New Labour's trials has reconnected the Pet Shop Boys with something of their essence.

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musicOMH.com

Fundamental is the thinking person's electropop album of 2006 so far.

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All Music Guide

The majority of Fundamental is like the majority of their great album Behavior in that repeat listens are required to do these rich songs justice.

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The Phoenix

You’re unlikely to encounter another pioneering techno-pop act entering its third decade with style and substance largely intact.

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Village Voice

Trevor Horn's production has a pleasing fullness, opening the melodies without smothering them.

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Dot Music

"Fundamental" is the sound of the Pet Shop Boys reborn, and mindful of the important role they fill in the pop family.

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Pitchfork

Much of it seems strangely blank, neither great nor at all sub-par.

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Uncut

You wish Neil and Chris had hooked up with a younger, switched-on, even more sympathetic producer. [Jun 2006, p.110]

New Musical Express

There's little on PSB's album that matches the big twizzly dunce-hatted glory of their 'Very' peak. [20 May 2006, p.33]

NOW Magazine

For every moment of cynical dance pop genius, there's a dull midtempo dirge bereft of decent hooks.

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Billboard

For greatness, look to the irresistibly melodic "Twentieth Century," the New Order-hued "Minimal" and the Diane Warren-penned ballad "Numb."

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

A politically charged album that's free of musical sparks.

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Mojo

[An] underwhelming collection of moderately sweeping, mildly elegant arena pop. [Jun 2006, p.108]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 36 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jamie M. gave it a10:
Pet Shop Boys are amazing. This latest work is no less great and fun then any of their other work over the past 2 decades (is that 3 now?) It is like a soundtrack to life. Keep it up boys!

Clifford F gave it a9:
I love the beats to the album. They are quick, hip and great to listen to anytime. Songs such as I'm with Stupid, The Sodom and Gomorrah Show and Integral are the hghlight tracks on this good achievement.

mikhail gave it a10:
Best album of the year.

James O gave it a10:
These guys are among the most under rated musicians of the past twenty plus years. Well crafted music, with intelligent lyrics. What's not to like. If some of the singles off this album get some radio play, watch out, the boys could be back.

Mary gave it a10:
One of their best.

rotten cabbage gave it an8:
Delightful, campy and endlessly entertaining.

b gave it a10:
politics+war+humor+heartache+perfect

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Fundamental

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