Why Pet Shop Boys' most reflective album emerged from the height of rave culture
In short: Released in 1990, the fourth studio album by Pet Shop Boys, Behaviour, stands as a deliberate departure from the duo's synth-pop roots. Despite their intention to create an uplifting record during the peak of the rave scene, the result was a surprisingly melancholic, musical-sounding collection that remains a critical favorite.
Produced by Harold Faltermeyer at his Munich studio, Behaviour was born from a desire to move away from digital synthesisers in favor of analogue equipment. Recording took place over ten weeks in 1990, resulting in a sound that Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe later described as more reflective and less crass than their previous work. The duo drew inspiration from Depeche Mode's Violator, which they felt had raised the stakes for the genre. Despite the vibrant energy of the contemporary rave scene, the album took an introspective turn, with Tennant noting that sad songs were simply more interesting to write.
The album features notable collaborations, including guitarist Johnny Marr, who appears on tracks like 'My October Symphony'—a song addressing the decline of the Soviet Union. Orchestral arrangements were provided by Angelo Badalamenti, while the album's aesthetic was captured in videos directed by figures such as Eric Watson and Bruce Weber. Critics at the time were largely impressed, with Entertainment Weekly praising its beautiful melodies and vulnerability, while others noted its subtle brilliance that rewarded repeated listens. Q magazine later named it one of the 90 best albums of the 1990s.
Behaviour has seen several re-releases, most notably the 2001 'Further Listening' edition, which included a second disc of B-sides and unreleased material from the 1990–1991 period. This collection features tracks like 'Miserablism', a satire of Morrissey that was nearly included on the original album. While some contemporary reviewers found the album's slower tempos and lack of rhythmic intensity a departure from the duo's dance-floor hits, its legacy has only grown. It is now widely regarded as a sophisticated, haunting record that bridged the gap between pop sensibilities and a more mature, melancholic artistic vision.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Behaviour (Pet Shop Boys album)
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