Grumpy and Mr. Posh return with their first new studio album since 'Very' and it's smiles all round. At first listening you wonder whether they've blown it but as with the first single 'Before' which required several listens, the album soon begins to sparkle. Perhaps their least immediate album, 'Bilingual' is also possible their best to date, being exactly what you might hope the Pet Shop Boys to be doing in 1996.

The duo have progressed by working with a selection of talents including Danny Tenaglia, Chris Porter, Johnny Marr on guitars and the fabulous Sheboom and have, once again, come up with an intelligent and imaginative package of classy songs.

Moving from a dancey little number in the form of 'Metamorphosis' about growing up and accepting sexuality (it's almost worth buying the album just to hear the sexy Chris deadpan "It's all about Love, it's a metamorphosis"), the album continues in its laid back style and presents a more optimistic view of love that we'd come to expect from the boys and confirms their dry sense of humor.

Highlights include the first two releases and the spine tingling 'Up Against It' and the genuinely moving 'The Survivors'. The genius that is 'To Step Aside' has Neil contemplating finding his inner child, something they achieve beautifully with the aid of sampled children's voices. Once again they confirm that Brit Pop has always been here and has always been best. An album to get drunk in the park to."

Attitude, August, 1996