Pet Shop Boys - Please

MM: Today we have a guest post from my online buddy Herc (of Herc's Hideaway). I will sprinkle my comments through out in italics, starting with an MM: marker. - Martin

Today (March 24th) marks the landmark thirtieth anniversary of Please, the debut album from Pet Shop Boys. The 1986 album was certified Platinum in Canada, the UK and the US where it remains the duo's best-selling album to this date. Please spent 31 weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 7. It also reached number 38 in Germany, number 21 in Sweden, number 20 in Switzerland, number 13 in Norway, number 10 in Australia, number 4 in Finland, number 3 in both Canada and the UK and number 2 in New Zealand.

Pet Shop Boys - Actually

Following their Platinum selling debut the previous year, the Pet Shop Boys released Actually in 1987 to an equally great reception. This album too went Platinum in a number of countries, including the band’s native UK, Canada, Finland and Germany. It went to number 1 in Finland and Germany, number 2 in the UK (60 weeks total on the charts) and Sweden, and number 25 in the US (45 weeks total on the charts).

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe did not vary the musical styles that brought them success with Please. They also continued to supplement their own electronic synth sounds with some guest musicians. The record produced four singles as did its predecessor. The production values, however, on the new tracks were much higher than that debut release.