The U.K. chart is a tad boring this week, and I'm a tad hungover from a drunken night that involved riding around shirtless with two straight guys on a golf cart (best not to ask), so instead, there's news of a new/old unreleased Pet Shop Boys track that's been made available on iTunes.You may recall that Dainton "The Bear" Connell, the Boys' longtime bodyguard and personal assistant, was killed tragically in a fatal car crash last fall. According to the duo's official site, Chris Lowe recorded a rave track in the early '90s with Dainton on vocals, and it's now up on iTunes as "It's The Bear" by The Riders Of The Night. All proceeds from sales will go to Dainton's family.
At first onset, the song is very "of its time," not sounding too unlike something 2 Unlimited or AB Logic would have offered up. Dainton certainly had a good sense of humor and knew how to ham it up. But then a typically heart-grabbing Chris Lowe pop hook is hinted at about 1:18 in, which gives way to an amazingly euphoric rave piano bit at 2:02.
As the song ends, it's sad in retrospect to hear Dainton saying, "Signing off now! Goodbye, now! See you again, now!" as he fades out overtop said emotional piano bit.
Depending on your tolerance for this genre of music -- and mine is very high! -- this is a great offering to Pet Shop Boys fans who are particularly fond of the Very Relentless era. In fact, "It's The Bear" would have sounded right at place on Relentless.ALSO SEE:
* Longtime Pet Shop Boys Assistant Dainton Connell Killed In Auto Accident
The U.K. Top 10:
1. "4 Minutes" - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake *2 weeks*
2. "Black And Gold" - Sam Sparro
3. "American Boy" - Estelle Feat. Kanye West
4. "Wearing My Rolex" - Wiley
5. "Cry For You" - September
6. "Low" - Flo Rida Feat. T-Pain
7. "Love In This Club" - Usher Feat. Young Jeezy
8. "Heartbreaker" - Will.I.Am
9. "Mercy" - Duffy
10. "Heartbeat" - Scouting For Girls