Introspective is the Pet Shop Boys' third album, if you don't count remix album Disco; like that record, Introspective is comprised of six dance-focused 12"-length tracks. Opening with the sweeping strings, meaty bassline and bizarre lyrics of "Left To My Own Devices", the album moves on to the similarly whimsical "I Want A Dog" before its second single, "Domino Dancing", like many other PSB songs a bitter tale of betrayal. That's followed by Neil and Chris' version of "I'm Not Scared", a song originally written for Patsy Kensit's thankfully short-lived Eighth Wonder; then there's a wonderfully nuts version of "Always On My Mind" that starts off as a chunky house number and plummets midway into the full-on hi-NRG glory of the single's 12" mix. Finally, the Sterling Void cover "It's Alright" brings thing to a slightly cheesy close.

Introspective isn't an album for anyone who likes their pop classics bundled into tidy three minute packages but as with all PSB albums its songs are infectious and appealing, if overall a little less cleverly worded. And this reissue's bundled 11-track bonus CD, including some cracking B-sides, demos and remixes, makes it a more than worthwhile buy. --Rikki Price