BOOK REVIEW: The Pet Shop Boys Volume

The magnetic pull of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe in their guise of synthtastic The Pet Shop Boys have engaged millions of followers since their advent in the early 80’s with hits like West End Girls, Domino Dancing and Go West. A new authorative Thames & Hudson book Volume, is a door stopping 592 page tome featuring impactful photos, enthralling words and startling artwork all reflecting on this all conquering global duo

At first glance for the occasional fan the book will be an entertaining flick as you see familiar collectibles restored to their prime. For the more avid fan there is an abundance of juicy words from the likes of Chris Heath and Philip Hoare, who wax lyrical about each enterprise undertaken, afterall the artwork come part and parcel of the appeal for the consumer, each package the band released is individually different than its predecessor, forming a catalogue so rich in its tapestry it trades blows with the likes of Depeche Mode and The Smiths . With the additional conflabs from Tennant and Lowe plus a new foreword by Jeremy Deller, the allure of the books is hard to resist.

There is so much more to the book than sleeve designs, there are glimpses into the bands lavish tour set ups and the rainbow imagery from their theatrical live shows, the clothes that so richly provide visuals feasts for their devoted fan base are also in here, you also get the sophistication of suited and booted Tennant, whilst the oft timed shades wearing Lowe with his multitude of baseball caps along with crumpled at the bottom casual jeans make multiple appearances. Graphic designer Mark Farrow is also a name to check here, his watchful eye over the simplistic yet stunning artwork through 1986-90 is as futuristic as anything the likes of Kraftwerk created a decade before.

With the likes of BOY London and the unmistakable Issey Miyake shades resembling iconic looks that are still replicated by fans and new bands alike, its hard to think of a band that gave birth in the 80’s that are still pushing the boundaries of music, forcing all doubters to admit defeat, this book is indeed their Bible of revelatory discourses.

Volume can be purchased here