The Most Incredible Thing cover

The Most Incredible Thing

Pet Shop Boys · 2011

83 min · 21 tracks · house music

An ambitious blend of theatricality and electronic pop, merging narrative storytelling with lush synths and pulsating rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Grind Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its rhythmic pulse and lyrical themes of competition, embodying the overarching concept of striving for greatness.
  • →
    The Competition — This track encapsulates the spirit of rivalry that permeates the album, featuring a catchy hook paired with sharp social commentary on ambition and success.
  • →
    The Miracle (Ceremony) — This piece serves as a pivotal moment within the album's narrative arc, blending ethereal vocals with orchestral elements to evoke a sense of wonder and celebration.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's narrative structure and cohesive sound showcase Pet Shop Boys' artistic evolution.

What we noticed

  • The album features a narrative structure, with tracks divided into sections that correspond to different acts of a story.
  • Several tracks are interludes or transitions, such as 'The Clock' segments, which create a continuous flow rather than standalone songs.
  • The use of lush synths and rhythmic elements is consistent throughout, creating a cohesive sound palette that supports the theatrical themes.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • theatrical narrative experiences
  • long immersive listening sessions
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • reflective and contemplative moods
  • gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — This album represents a shift towards musical theater, diverging from their established sound.
Themes
theatrical ambition· competitive desire· ballet-inspired narratives
Career context
Released in 2011, The Most Incredible Thing marks Pet Shop Boys' exploration into musical theater and is a follow-up to their 2009 album Yes. At this point in their career, the duo was transitioning from pop icons to artistic collaborators, as they composed the score for a ballet adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale, showcasing their versatility beyond traditional pop music.
Stylistic neighbors
Erasure· New Order· Depeche Mode
New to Pet Shop Boys? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Prologue 1:48
  • 2 The Grind Start here 7:10
  • 3 The Challenge 3:55
  • 4 Help Me 2:09
  • 5 Risk 5:30
  • 6 Physical Jerks 3:41
  • 7 The Competition 6:46
  • 8 The Meeting 2:52
  • 9 The Clock 1/2/3 5:47
  • 10 The Clock 4/5/6 4:00
  • 11 The Clock 7/8/9 6:24
  • 12 The Clock 10/11/12 6:29
  • 13 The Winner 2:15
  • 14 Destruction 4:10

Disc 2

  • 1 Back to the Grind 5:18
  • 2 The Miracle (Ceremony) 1:48
  • 3 The Miracle (Revolution) 2:45
  • 4 The Miracle (Resurrection) 2:16
  • 5 The Miracle (Colour and Light) 2:59
  • 6 The Miracle (The Meeting reprise) 2:00
  • 7 The Wedding 3:22

What to play next

Elysium
Listen next

Elysium

2012

Continues the theatrical and electronic themes with a more introspective tone.
Yes
Go back to

Yes

2009

Leads into the ambitious sound and narrative style found in The Most Incredible Thing.
Full Pet Shop Boys discography Where to start with Pet Shop Boys Artists like Pet Shop Boys
new wave synth-pop

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

The Fame

The Fame

Lady Gaga

Shares theatrical pop elements and explores themes of ambition and fame through a vibrant electronic palette.

Head First

Head First

Goldfrapp

Combines lush electronic soundscapes with a playful yet competitive spirit, echoing the theatricality of Pet Shop Boys.

Night Work

Night Work

Scissor Sisters

Merges danceable beats with narrative-driven lyrics, capturing a similar blend of ambition and performance.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata