![]() |
Flamboyant is the second single release off the Pet Shop Boys career retrospective Pop Art, released late in 2003. You might think that by now the combination of Neil Tennant's vocals, as if delivered to your ear over a futuristic cell phone, and Chris Lowe's electronic washes of sound would get tiring, but the magic has not worn off yet. The subject matter of Flamboyant is nothing new to the Pet Shop Boys. How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously comes to mind as a past reference point. In recent years Neil Tennant has become much more relaxed in his cultural observances, particularly of the gay community. This time he takes aim at outward excess with wit and wisdom. Lyrics like 'Just crossing the street / Well, it's almost heroic / You're so flamboyant' can produce both smiles and a knowing nod of recognition. In his usual aptitude for rhyme, Tennant even finds a way to fit fashion designer Issey Miyake into the scheme. The remixes available translate Flamboyant for use in a variety of club environments, but in all it is the lyrical content and instant familiarity of Neil Tennant's voice that sit front and center. Of particular note, however, is the inclusion of the Flamboyant video on UK CD single 2. The video is amusing in its depiction of Japanese commercial excess including Neil and Chris taking part in realistic and funny television commercials. That Pet Shop Boys music shelf of yours might be groaning, but there is always room for one more like this. |

