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Fundamental is the sixteenth album, the ninth of entirely new music, by the British band Pet Shop Boys. It was released in May 2006 in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and was released in late June 2006 in the United States. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number five on 28 May 2006 (see 2006 in British music). In the US the album peaked at #150 selling 7500 copies in its first week. As of April 2009 it had sold 46,000 copies in the US and 66,000 copies in the UK. Fundamental earned three Grammy nominations at the 2007 Grammy Awards for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Dance Recording with "I'm with Stupid" and 2008 for Best Dance Recording with "Minimal".
The album was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Trevor Horn and it features eleven new Pet Shop Boys compositions, and "Numb", written by Diane Warren (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe originally planned to have "Numb" be one of two new tracks on PopArt, but opted instead for "Miracles" and "Flamboyant").
User Album Review
It's been too long since the Pet Shop Boys last released a stonker of a album, but the Trevor Horn produced Fundamental has been touted as the one to bring the wilderness years to a close. It's a shame then that lead single "I'm With Stupid" seems to miss the mark.
While the theatrical intro of moody ballad "Numb" gives us a glimpse of the drama we've been missing, it's "Minimal" that really excites.With a sleekness that recalls New Order, it bangs out an electro pulse that even Tiga would be proud of.
But forget everything; as far as classics go, this album is all about final track "Integral". Blistering its way through 4 minutes of power pop, this is PSB returning to their finest, with punching choruses and breakdowns aplenty.
Granddaddies of pop they may be, but they aren't ready for the disco retirement home just yet.
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