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Pet Shop Boys U.S. Release in Trouble?
Pet Shop Boys released a special message for their U.S. fans on their web site last week. "We would like to inform American Petheads that the USA release of "Fundamental" is under advanced discussion at the moment," writes the duo. "We're hoping that it will be released in the USA on the same date as the rest of the world. It is planned that Pet Shop Boys' world tour will begin in North America (Canada/USA/Mexico) in October."
The reports I have received from London for weeks now have finally been confirmed. EMI has been extremely tight-lipped about the U.S. release date of PSB's much-anticipated new album. Reasons for a push-back may include the global demand for the band, an unfinished US tour schedule or possibly the music itself.
According to an EMI rep, the duo went back into the studio to continue working on the record even though full-length advances of "Fundamental" were already distributed earlier this year. The buzz for the album has been strong, but it might have been that some tweaking was needed to satisfy the market. Additional studio time might also have been necessary to record B-sides or U.S. specific bonus tracks.
In any event, I'm hoping EMI is not making the same mistake that Mute made with Goldfrapp's "Supernature" that was released months after the European release. It sucked the life right of the momentum that the band had going, and I even dare to argue that it has spoiled a big, fat debut for Goldfrapp in the U.S..
April 3, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
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it's almost as if some labels are looking to sabotage their artists. perhaps they are a bit too challenging for the moneymaking one hit wonders that dominate store shelves? i don't get it. having a european release (in Goldfrapp's case) come so much earlier than a north american release gives the album time to be downloaded again and again. Arjan, you're right. Goldfrapp's momentum was seriously hindered by poor distribution choices made by their label.
still, quality product always wins in the end. i hope.
Posted by: craig at Apr 3, 2006 1:56:57 PM
I think the negotiations over the PSB US release has to do with PSB not actually being signed to a label in the US as opposed to some nervousness on EMI‘s part. The band have been going from label to label over the past decade, and I understand that "PopArt" never saw a US release because of the legal mess of different labels involved, but the fact that there was an announcement bodes well for “Fundamental” because the previous silence said much more. As for tweaking, or recording more there is definitely more material out there, Richard X’s site just announced that he produced (not remixed) a track that will be on a bonus disc of “Fundamental”.
Posted by: Ben at Apr 3, 2006 2:51:38 PM
i agree completely.
as much as i love mute, goldfrapp should've signed with a different label here... mut doesn't have the muscles in the u.s. that they need. but i have to say for my own selfish reasons i'm glad goldfrapp isn't huge like they are in the rest of the world. just big enough...
labels have to wake up though. sure, even just five years ago they could stagger release dates worldwide. but music is becoming more and more of an international market. staggering release dates seems to be hurting artists more than helping these days (unless they're super small).
my two cents. i'm just rambling like a loon.
Posted by: Travis at Apr 3, 2006 8:55:42 PM
Well whose fault is it really? I mean, there are no tour dates for the US and the CD was released here months ago. The whole thing is really odd. Shouldn't they be touring American clubs right now before hitting the summer festival circuit? Are they getting no backing or is there a problem at their end?
They have like 6 shows (or really just appearances) in the next 2 mos. Sounds like a botch job to me. I would not be surprised if there is a split with Mute in the works.
Posted by: xolondon at Apr 3, 2006 9:11:08 PM
The whole Goldfrapp situation has been frustrating as the story was the U.S. release was delayed 6 months so it would coincide with a U.S. Tour ... which has yet to be announced.
Posted by: Chas. at Apr 4, 2006 12:27:31 PM
This doesn't surprise me. Could it have anything to do with the 2 idiots that inspired "I'm With Stupid"?
http://virtualmatter.blogspot.com/2006/03/audio-pet-shop-boys-im-with-stupid.html
Posted by: Jordy at Apr 5, 2006 1:17:10 PM
Pet Shop Boys haven't had a new studio album released by EMI in the USA since Very. They left EMI in the US on bad terms.
Bilingual was released by Atlantic.
Nightlife was released by Sire.
Release and Disco 3 were released by Sanctuary and I was under the impression they were still with Sanctuary, so this story makes no sense.
Posted by: Jonners at Apr 6, 2006 11:03:24 AM
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Posted by: Nauman at Apr 13, 2006 9:01:48 AM
Well, this could really hurt the Boys. If the US doesnt get a release like the rest of the world, it will lead to illegal downloading of the music. By the time it gets to the US, everyone will have it already. EMI better not screw up or it could really be a mess!!
Posted by: PSBDallas at Apr 13, 2006 9:19:22 PM
Fundemental came out on time in the US, but Fundementalism did not. I was pressured to by the cd without the bonus disc because I didn't want to wait for the double disc to reach our shores. The US sucks when it comes to pop music. We have our Britney(blah), Ashlee(yuck), etc. Even Madonna's "Sorry" was ignored on US radio which is seriously tragic because the song is a brilliant piece of pop history. I have to say that the new record is good, not great. I'm exited to hear the remixes. They are always on top of the game when it comes to the remix. Madonna plays the PSB Mix version of "Sorry" on her tour! Amazing.
Posted by: Michael Schirmer at Jun 3, 2006 10:21:13 PM
