A collection of immaculately crafted and seamlessly produced synthesized dance-pop,
the Pet Shop Boys' debut album,
Please, sketches out the basic elements of the duo's sound. At first listen, most of the songs come off as mere excuses for the dancefloor, driven by cold, melodic keyboard riffs and pulsing drum machines. However, the songcraft that the beats support is surprisingly strong, featuring catchy melodies that appear slight because of Neil Tennant's thin voice. Tennant's lyrics were still in their formative stages, with half of the record failing to transcend the formulaic constraints of dance-pop. The songs that do break free -- the intentionally crass "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," the lulling "Suburbia," and the hypnotic "West End Girls" -- are not only classic dance singles, they're classic pop singles. [In 2018, Rhino continued their series of PSB reissues with a remastering of
Please that adds a second disc of songs plus a booklet with rare photos, lyrics, and insightful interviews with the Boys. Made up of single tracks, extended mixes and a couple of unreleased mixes including the original 7" mix of "Opportunies (Let's Make Lots of Money,)" the second disc is a worthwhile addition to their already brilliant debut.]