Disco de Pet Shop Boys: “Please [Limited]”

When one looks at the history of musical acts that can be categorized as "Dance Music" or "Disco", there are few acts that have achieved the success and longevity of the Pet Shop Boys. The Pet Shop Boys have been making music for over 20 years - releasing an album usually about every one or two years. In the UK, the Pet Shop Boys have consistently produced Top 10 albums. They haven't had quite the same amount of success on American shores, but nonetheless they have still maintained a solid following. It actually didn't start out like that for the Pet Shop Boys in the U.S. They actually burst on to the music scene in 1986 with a #1 song entitled "West End Girls". They would then follow "West End Girls" up with another hit - "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)". These two songs would be part of the debut - and most successful album by the Pet Shop Boys "Please".

Just because this album was the most successful album by the Pet Shop Boys doesn't mean that their career went downhill afterwards. In fact, I would subscribe to the theory that "Please" would lay their foundation for the next two decades following its 1986 release. It might be that many may judge the Pet Shop Boys' success in terms of the pop charts and not consider things from where their sweet spot is - the Dance charts. "West End Girls" and "Opportunities" were songs that not only got airplay on the Pop and Dance clubs, but were even songs that got some airplay on some Rock stations. Eventually the Pet Shop Boys would find their niche on the Dance charts - and would never look back. The Pet Shop Boys came along at the end of the Classic Disco album. While acts such as Madonna and Janet Jackson were emerging during this period, the Pet Shop Boys were bringing their own unique style - that being the "Euro Disco" style (i.e. a heavily electronic style in the mold of Giorgio Moroder). In a lot of ways, "Please" made the Pet Shop Boys innovators in what was a new subgenre on the music scene.

The way the songs are ordered - they follow a loose concept. The Pet Shop Boys apparently "escape" to London's West End. They explore the West End, look for ways to make money, explore the suburbs, deal with Violence, and consistently explore love and relationships, and eventually contemplate the future.

"Two Divided by Zero": This song didn't exactly ignite me on fire. I felt it was weak for an opening song. I didn't care for the computer sounding "divided by" repetitions. This song deals with looking for an "escape".

"West End Girls": This is one of those landmark songs. Neil Tennant's does most of the song as a "rap" - and it works perfectly. Tennant is fabulous with singing the chorus. The "rap" provides a narrative. While I'm not a rap, when it's used in an effective manner like in this song - it pays big. Combine this with Euro sounding synthesizers and even some horn and you have a masterpiece. One can make the argument that Madonna's "Jump" on her 2005 "Confessions on a Dance Floor" album samples part of this song.

"Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)": This song probably has a semi-autobiographic feel for Tennant and fellow Pet Shop Boy Chris Lowe. Tennant provides a very believable "pitch" to convince a partner to join him in a business venture. As per the lyrics, it appears that Tennant has had "enough of scheming and messing around with jerks" and is "looking for a partner; someone who gets things fixed". The song almost a nice quasi-orchestral start before segueing into a Euro sounding melody. I like the drum machine in this song.

"Love Comes Quickly": This has a classic "Euro" sound to it. This song took a while to grow on me, but it did. The line from this song "cause when you least expect it; waiting round the corner for you" combined with the song's title tells the whole story.

"Suburbia": This song at times at a bit more of a pop feel. The keyboards are terrific on this one - as well as the "suburban sound effects". Tennant delivers a great commentary on life in the suburbs.

"Opportunities (reprise)": This is a short reprise of "Opportunities". It is all instrumental. I wish this reprise was longer - because this song has you wanting more.

"Tonight is Forever": Not only does this song provide a classic "Euro" sound, but it also has a feel like Giorgio Moroder's music. Very good track - I'm surprised it didn't get more attention on the club scene.

"Violence": This is a nice change of pace song. For this song, the Pet Shop Boys employ a slight Funk influence. They pull off this song perfectly.

"I Want a Lover": This song has a slight classical start to it, then like "Opportunities" it segues into a "Euro Disco" sound. This is another underrated track.

"Later Tonight": This song is sung as slow ballad with some electronic instrumentation. Tennant's vocals are the story on this song as he pulls them off well.

"Why Don't We Live Together?": This song also has a "Euro" feel to it. Tennant uses the "rap" angle again flawlessly on this track. I'm also surprised this song didn't get more airplay in the dance clubs. This song was the perfect "wrap-up" to this album.

Whether one subscribes to the "concept" of what "Please" offers or not, you can also make the argument that each song stands solid on their own. I wish that the liner notes included the lyrics to each of the songs. Overall, I found this to be an outstanding album. If you especially like the "Euro Disco" sound, this would be an album I'd highly recommend.

I think the reason I like this album so much is because the first time I ever had cable with MTV, I turned it on and saw the video for "West End Girls" playing, and the scene there has never left my head. Strange, I thought because there were no girls in the video! But there was something about the music that hooked me, and I read someone once called the music "haunting," and in many ways it is.

The music is very electronic and the lead singer Neil Tennant is probably not what you would think of as being a great singer. However, his voice works with the lyrics, and those lyrics really make you think. They stay with you.

My favorite songs on this album in addition to "West End Girls" would be "Love Comes Quickly" and "Suburbia". I also like the very simple "Later Tonight", which I learned to play on the piano (but I am not a good musician by any stretch). The Pet Shop Boys never really made it big in America past the mid-80s and it seems after their follow-up album ACTUALLY they practically disappeared from MTV and the radio waves. But fans like me still buy their albums.

But their musical story starts here, and it is a worthwhile album to have.

I had a better review typed up and sent to amazon. But for some reason that system didnt take it. I will make this one short and sweet by saying that "Please" is an excellent debut from PSB. Especially "West End Girls", "Tonight Is Forver" and "I Want A Lover" (they have an awesome message) being that they are looking someone just like other people a guy but still someone to be with and love as well.

It is great to see a band being able to stay in the music business for so long and is a testament to how great they are and how they make music not only for us but for themselves as well and they had loads of fun doing it. An all around excellent debut disc from Pet Shop Boys and is just one of many in a long and encompassing career that continues til this very day.

I will be buying more from the guys in the future, no doubt about it. They represent a time when pop music was just getting started and are an excellent example of what it means to stay true what you do and enjoy it while you can.

Love Please and anything that they have to offer as well.

I am a HUGE Pet Shop Boys fan and anyone familiar with my reviews may know that I've given 5's to the reissued 2 CD sets "Very" and "Bilingual" as well as the criminally underrated "Alternative" and their comprehensive 2003 career-to-date compilation titled "PopArt." "Please" was the very first release that introduced a duo named PSB to the masses via the unforgettable "West End Girls," which to me captures PSB at their best and is one of the greatest songs of all time. I can't think of another group that has based its song on cold vocals, synthesized music, and dry wit to create something that sounds and makes me feel so alive. The first single was followed by the tongue in cheek yet powerful "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," the soothing (or is it?) "Suburbia," and "Love Comes Quickly" just to name my favorites.

While I like other songs on this release, with the exception of "Later Tonight" and "Why Don't We Live Together," I am not giving this release a 5 as the remastered 2 CD set released in 2001 is pricey, and unlike the reissues "Very" or "Bilingual," the "Further Listening" CD does not make this a must have set. Maybe because it only covers songs from their early years and a very limited period (1984-1986), the CD does not really have as many gems as can be found on other 2001 rereleases by PSB. Also, while there are a few winners, my favorites the moody "Jack The Lad," "the catchy "Paninaro," the punchy "In The Night," "A Man Can Get Arrested," That's My Impression" can already be found in good form in "Alternative" or "Disco." The are a few surprises as exemplified by the muscular `Was That What It Was?" (love those "drums," strings, and chorus). I wish that Neil would rerecord this song as the solo portions are not as good as all the other components. I don't think that I had heard this song before and I am really getting into it. "Suburbia (The Full Horror)" gives the original song an expanded epic dimension without taking away its original punch.

I am giving the boys "only" 4 stars as I am rating the 2 CD release and not the original release. If you have unlimited money on your hands and have already bought all the other reissues, then by all means give this a shot as you can make a great 1 CD mix from the 2 CD set. There are some songs that MAY make this a must have for you. For me just having the dance mix of "West End Girls" could have been enough; however, I also LOVE the previously unreleased (at least on CD) 12 inch version of "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)." I also replaced the previously unreleased version of "Why Don't We Live Together" (original New York mix) as it is head and shoulders above the one in the original release.

I hope that PSB continue to do their thing for many years to come as I can never get enough of them. They are among the few acts from the 1980s that have remained relevant as PSB as the boys have so many layers to them and their music can be enjoyed on more levels than almost any act. They are not just some tongue in cheek smart alecks as their music is also romantic, melodic, and as contagious as it comes.

Hardly the most innovative or best example of 80's dance music, synth pop or new wave, this is still one great album that still sounds great today. Alot of 80's dance music has aged horribly, but this album has held up quite well.

This double CD version in particular is a must, because unless you have all the vinyl singles, you might be missing some of these remixes. And it includes all of the b-sides from the "Please" era too, including the amazing "That's My Impression", "A Man Could Get Arrested", and "Jack The Lad". It carries a high price tag but the extended 'disco' version of "Love Comes Quickly" and "...Impression" are worth the price alone. Some of the remixes are opulent or useless like the dance remix of "West End Girls" which strips the original of some of its melody and depth. But overall, this is the essentail version of the essential 80's dance-pop masterpiece.