Track Listing

1. Almost Medieval
2. Circus Of Death
3. Path Of Least Resistance
4. Blind Youth
5. Word Before Last
6. Empire State Human
7. Morale...You've Lost That Loving Feeling
8. Austerity/Girl One
9. Zero As A Limit
10. Introducing
11. Dignity Of Labour
12. Dignity Of Labour (2)
13. Dignity Of Labour (3)
14. Dignity Of Labour (4)
15. Flexi Disc
16. Being Boiled
17. Circus Of Death

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4281 in Music
• Released on: 2003-01-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

CD Description
From its vaguely disturbing cover photo to the arty gloom contained within, the Human League's 1979 debut album is considerably different from the smooth pop singles which later made them stars. Recorded by the trio of singer Phil Oakey and synthesizer players Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh--who left the band in 1980 to form the British Electric Foundationand its offshoot group Heaven 17--REPRODUCTION is a stark, minimalist postpunk document which has more in common with Joy Division than Duran Duran.
That said, it's also an interesting, sometimes fascinating slice of early electro-pop which should appeal to fans of the style's fringier elements.The engaging single "Empire State Human", a bizarre cover of "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'" and the just plain weird"Circus of Death" are particular highlights.

Customer Reviews

Classic

You can take this album on a couple of levels - the first steps along the way for a classic 80s band? The early experimentation of some pop icons? The first stirrings of a new sound? It was certainly cutting edge for it's time, with basically keyboard, vocals and electro percussion. This was the synth pop sound, not synth rock as per Duran and Depeche. And it's raw, not all polished up like the sound became by the mid 80s with Erasure etc.

Question is, why would anyone want to listen to this in 2000 and something, some 20 to 30 years on? Well, because behind some bad lyrics and some squeaky fx that are in there just for the point of it, you have some classic tunes, that still reward a listen. Blind Youth has a euphoric melody line, and a great chorus. It just gets into your head and sticks. Being Boiled is another great tune, once you get behind the slightly basic sounding keys. Empire State Human is a bit cheesy but chorus, melody etc are top notch. And that's the thing, the tunes and the sounds are put together with real art and style and they are very good indeed in parts. You will hum some of the songs for days and nobody will have a clue what you are singing.

Plus, you get the cover of You've Lost, which is deconstructed into a 9 and a half minute model of restraint. Brilliant. On the shoulders of this album, climbed any number of giants of the 80s. And it is still good to listen to today.

As an aside, I picked this after listening to the Nick Rhodes Only After Dark compilation of obscure synth rock and pop. That's great too. Check it out.

Difficult listen, but responds well to remastering - listen!
Not as immediate as Travelogue. I wasn't sure whether to buy this remaster, but am glad I did! The artwork is very similar to the original '88/'90 cd issues (transparent liner tray but no pictorial ads for the rest of their back catalogue), including the spines - and the disc is now a printed picture disc. More important is the music, ofcourse. This remaster has kept all the integrity of it's predecessor (note the CD version of "Path..." is not the original 1970's release)whilst removing a lot of the hiss and heaviness. "ESH" shines now, slightly re-eqd to improve it's punchiness, and the bonus "Introducing" is not purely lifted from a very crackly single (as per previous CD). Most of the bonuses are probably still from vinyl, but if they are someone has done a very good job in removing as much surface noise as they could. Overall this get 5 stars because of price, packaging and sound, and the fact it's made a difficult album sound a wee bit more accessible.

essential although not a masterpiece
Well, it is surprising me no one dared to review the album debut of, probably, Sheffield finest.
Forget the "Dare" sound and immerse you in one of the strong rings of the electronic/syntpop chain which started with Suicide, continued with Kraftwerk went through the Municsound and so on (put Soft Cell after Human League for continuity).
Dark, stark but enjoiable; on CD with bonus tracks from the singles too.
If you like electroclash you should love it, while you might love it without loving electroclash.
Next, you should check "Travelogue" and "The Golden Hour".
Remember: no guitars allowed!