Dare!

I love the vocalists, and "Don't You Want Me" still holds up well above all the other tracks (1st track should get a mention). In many ways, this mirrors a lot of 80's music.

3/5

Had to sit though the entire album for the one good song. Rest was fine, a little boring. Do or Die reminded me of Macchu Picchu by the Strokes.

Not bad. Fun EDM-y vibes. Liked the last song. 3/5

Inoffensive

Of course the dynamite is saved until the very end here with the big hit. But overall this is a fair album. Mostly upbeat and pleasant to listen to. It lacks the real exclamation mark, with the exception of course of the final song, but it takes a bit too long to get there. 3/5

The Human League’s Dare stands as a definitive, if uneven, blueprint for the heavy dance-pop era, successfully blending "whacky" synth melodies with a rhythmic groove that keeps the listener engaged—at least initially. The album opens with the anthemic "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of," setting a high bar that tracks like the MJ-influenced "The Sound of the Crowd" and the impeccably mixed "Do or Die" manage to maintain through sharp production and clever instrumental layering. However, the record’s momentum is frequently hampered by a lack of vocal range and tracks that feel musically stagnant; "Open Your Heart" leans into an interesting Galactica-style sci-fi vibe but quickly becomes tedious, while "Love Action" suffers from uninspired basslines and remarkably weak lyricism. This inconsistency peaks during the album’s later half, where experimental tracks like "I Am the Law" and the overly repetitive "Seconds" leave the listener more confused than compelled. Fortunately, the album recovers with the undeniable "Don't You Want Me," a melodic masterpiece that ensures the experience closes on a high note. Ultimately earning a 3/5, Dare is a landmark of its genre that remains a "vibe" despite its technical limitations, though it ultimately leaves one wishing for more musical variety and a more dynamic vocal performance to bridge the gaps between its brilliant highlights and its more "boring" lulls.

Moving today and this was the perfect album for it, but maybe only here for 1 song.

Favorite Track: Don't You Want Me

Some good songs, some not so good songs. 3/5

Very good record but not their finest. Certainly early days of New Romantic, electronic pop, synth music. Not too complex but still a lot of fun.

As far as New Wave goes this is an entertaining listen. While Don’t You Want Me is a classic, I’m not sure I would go back to this anytime soon.

Classic 80’s sound. Electrical. Moving. A little bit dark in the middle, as if you can’t stop the vice, you keep moving with ups and downs.

So stereotypical 3/5

The major shift from Disco to the 80s we know and love. Don't You Want me (to play more Synth)

sooooo 80s. ‘don’t you want me’ was fun, don’t think i’ll revisit this one

I thought I'd like this more than I did.

Actually enjoying this one more than I expected. Usually this new wave/electropop stuff sounds really dated, but this one holds up. Also recognized Don't You Want Me, which is a classic. But still, not my style of music, just a solid album.

I've had a passing familiarity with The Human League for years, and like many, mostly only knew "Don't You Want Me" prior to listening to Dare! The Human League produces the synth pop casual listeners would expect. It's pleasant, a little cheesy, but otherwise enjoyable. Most of the music is actually fantastic, but the vocal melodies and lyricism occasionally fall short or flat. If you don't hear any earworms right away, rest assured that the album is pretty backloaded. Highlights: "Darkness", "Seconds", "Love Action (I Believe In Love)", "Don't You Want Me"

I had fun with it. This kinda started a lot of 80s sound

It's not bad.

I put this one off for a while, thinking it would be something I would despise. But I’ll admit it, I bopped along. I tapped my foot under the desk as a wrote my little reports. I felt good inside.

So good! And so energetic. Darkness is my favorite.

What I liked about this synth pop album is that it focus way more on creating interesting textures with the synthesizers instead of prioritizing more in crafting just catchy melodies. I think this approach makes the album distinguish itself from the more generic products of the style and makes it closer to acts such as Kraftwerk. However, this only really works for the synths, as the voice seems to be trying every track to create some catchy New Wave phrases. Some work, like the intro "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of", and most notably, "Don't You Want Me". The rest I think are decent performances. Some infectious hooks here and there, but nothing as memorable as the ones mentioned. And what's more about the album? Not much really. This is Minimal Wave, so there are only synths, vocals, drums and an occasional bass, so all the work here is carried by the first two elements. The second one is decent, and the first one, while they do some interesting textures with the synths, I don't think it does enough to make the album super memorable. Maybe I'm sounding like I'm contradicting myself, but I think it lacks an immersive aspect. What they do sounds nice, but I'm not here saying "I absolutely love what they are doing". So in the end, a decent synth pop album with some nice textures.

The last song is one of the greatest singles of the 80s

There is some really cool synth on here. Some of the songs I already knew so it felt quite nostalgic to hear them again. Some songs I dont really care for however, like I Am The Law.

Gave it a nonchalant listen Nice chromatic ideas, sometimes jazzy Cool diatonic play with major and minor tones, daring, maybe charukeshi.. Ups and downs

watch 2:42 minute remix on youtube called Working as a waitress in a cocktailbar

Not a bad album once again not my taste but i cant rate it any lower than 3 especially with dont you want me. Giga banger.

Just some groovy 80s music. Dont You Want Me is still a generational banger

This album smells of the ice skating rink "Antarctica" I frequented, usually with my cousin, in the 1980's. They always played Don't You Want Me. For me, this album will always be the soundtrack to chavs with mullets skating backwards to impress the girls. I could not skate backwards. I did not impress any girls (at least not as intended). I did not like The Human League. Flash forward, I don't skate any more, I don't need to impress anyone any more (by skating backwards). So what do I think of this album? Hard to tell. I definitely belongs on the list, it was really novel back then, and the sound is so recognisable (esp. the vocals). Not something I'd put on but it definitely has merit. Goes in my very broad 3* category.

Felt quite same-y. I was really waiting for the big hit to come up

This whole album sounds definitively 80’s so I was surprised to learn it was recorded so early in that decade. Don’t You Want Me is one of those songs that I’m willing to bet at least 90% of the planet has heard before, and that’s a tremendous achievement, but I wish there was at least one other song on the record as good as that one.

Cool.

How do you rank a 1.5-2 star album with one 5 star song? THE SONG (you know which one) is incredible but the rest of it kinda just goes nowhere. I do own this record on vinyl. Fascination is better. I do like Philip's voice but jeez, the lack of songs besides the one is rough.

This is much better than expected considering I've never been a fan of their big hit

Perfectly cromulent. Nice to see an album with hits toward the back.

I really enjoyed the second half of the album. Just fun, easy listening. 3.75 Favorite tracks: Darkness, Do or Die.

Not a bad album. Synthwave isn't really my thing but I appreciate the musicality here. Don't You Want Me is a classic.

Yep, classic '80s new wave synth-pop. "Don't You Want Me" and "Love Action (I Believe in Love)" are both memorable (in that I remember them), but the rest of it is fairly generic.

Very good danceable album.

Probably more like 3.5. I can’t imagine I will spend too much time with this album but a few (several?) of these songs could be on a great playlist.

Reasonable.

80s pop. 6/10

Meh, it’s a good vibe and I found myself grooving but it just didn’t massively do it for me

Actually don’t think Phil is a particularly good singer. No denying its influence though

Entirely made up of synthesizers and programmed drum machine under the vocals, this is a decent look at what alternative, new wave music was in 1981. Kraftwerk is a good comparison here. Except for the successful single "Don't You Want Me" it's pretty meh.

This kind of 80s synth pop feels to sanitised, too much made readily available for the masses while dumbifying the roots of this music, I keep thinking of Kraftwerk with that sentiment for some reason. So dead average of 2.5 on RYM, and I am being too charitable with the stars for this list, so this might be only 2, we will see. I really maybe only liked 1st and last song on the album lol, it's not bad, but it's not great either. P.S. Actually on each re-listen I found some new songs I liked here so can round up for 3 stars, some nice synth pop here, but not masterpiece by any chance

Well produced 80s pop with some big hits and a TON of synth.

I don't hate it, but I wouldn't listen to it again. It leaves me hankering to hear "real" instruments

Verso la fine migliora, ma è comunque noioso.

poppy synth... niet veel achter zoeken, maar dat is ook niet altijd nodig

Don't think the songs are quite up to scratch, though there's some decent ones (The Sound of the Crowd, Do or Die). Textbook definition of "fine". It's not bad by any means, but it's pretty bang average IMO.

Cool new wave / synth pop. Reminds me a bit of Kraftwerk, but more playful and fun. And funkier too. I like that the music has a meticulous, calculated style, but you can still dance and groove to it. Ohhh, I know “Don’t You Want Me”! Funny to save the big hit for last. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that on an album before. It’s usually the other way around. I love this song!

"Don't You Want Me" is a perfect moody 80's synthy track. I really love this sound, and part of me would have loved to be alive the year this came out, ushering in the wild decade of the 1980s. Man that was probably a great time. I think it's hilarious that it's the last song on the album too. I wonder how many people didn't even get that far in a listen? There's a lot of songs on this record that are missing that one "special" thing. "Don't You Want Me" is so special; it sounds like the singer and rest of the band really feel the lyrics and they all work together to take the song to the next level. I don't really get that anywhere else on the record unfortunately. I do love this album cover. It's bold and a bit silly, which really is how I feel about a lot of artistic things from this decade.

45 years ago? WTF? I used to listen to there hire over and over... fun 80's romp. doesn't hold up for me now... just nostalgic half smile.

This felt a little like a one-hit wonder album. None of it was bad, but none of the songs quite had the star power of the final track.

liked it didnt love it

A band that’s honesty so shitty it’s kind of inspiring. Fun garbage.

Kinda cheesy 80's synth which was probably super modern at the time. The songs are super catchy and fun. I'm enjoying this far more than I thought I would. Got a bit repetative about halfway through. Not a bad ablum but not something I'm super into.

Ah, the Don't You Want Me album. I still have fond memories of that evening we spent on a whim at a pub in Cardiff, when the drag queen who was performing the song suddenly jumped on my friend's back demanding a piggyback while the crowd was singing along and cheering. Balls to the walls while he had balls on his back. Fun was had. Good times.

How come the UK doesn't get an exclamation mark? This one is pretty fun, and there's a few really great tracks. This album has aged better than a lot of other 80's synth music, and the pop stylings are a big part of that. Favorite track: "Don't You Want Me"

3.5

Esta muy cool el disco. Gran trabajo lírico, letras muy pegadizas y bien trabajadas. Me gusta mucho el estilo y el género. Creo que es un disco incónico que marco mucho la cultura del synth-pop y con toda razón, no tiene nada malo, es bueno de inicio a fin. Seguro muy genérico, pero al final bueno y eso nada se lo quita. Un disco que no tiene fallas. A ratos se siente como una canción enorme que termina en la grande Don't You Want Me, pero una vez más, no tiene nada de malo. En general un buen disco, los disfrute.

Not my kind of music, however I put them in perspective and can value their acumen.

Reasonable, but not my favourite of the New Wave genre

Better than Coldplay

I was going to give this a 2 until the last song

Tampoco soy de este estilo, pero seria un disco que si volvería a revisitar, bien sin más en esta primera escucha, mi favorita Don't You Want Me, es a la que le puse mas atención por lo diferente que me sono de las demás sin desentonar en el album

Alright new wave. Doesn't compete with the greats imo and some of it is pretty cheesy. Nothing too boring or offensive though.

Solid, i knew the one hit

Decent synth pop. Don't you want me is a classic. Was a little disappointed it didn't last longer, even if I thought s few middle songs had too similar bass beat

Electronic pop music that went in one ear and out the other. It’s been less than 24 hours and I don’t remember much about it. I didn’t dislike it. I do recall that at the time it came out “Don’t You Want Me” sounded different from most else that was on the radio. So I suppose they we near the start of a style that is taken for granted these days

Fun with synthesizers!

Totally fine. It's really just Don't You Want Me Baby carrying the whole thing.

I'm not at all keen on synth pop but somehow this kept my attention and had some interesting moments and good atmospherics. It's not going to become a favourite or something I'd buy but I appreciated it. Also, Sheffield royalty so there's that.

Cool nostalgia for early 80s electronica, but otherwise mediocre. Don’t you want me is a great song, but far and away the best song on the album. Not a bunch of great hooks or feeling in most of the others. JMHO.

confused as to why this is on here. it was fine! the big song is good! not really sure what the point of the rest of it is?

interesting that they saved the best for last. the rest was pretty uninspiring. favorites: the sound of the crowd, don't you want me

One hit wonder of an album

creepy fuckin album cover ngl.

Oh THAT song. Pretty fun, I enjoyed it. 6/10

This album is dated(complimentary). Everything is just drenched in synths to the point where it works for me. I need to be wearing some cool sunglasses while listening to this. The vocals are really great too. Favorites were The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Darkness, Seconds, and Don’t You Want Me.

Pretty rare that the best three songs were all at the end.

Really good Good time period Good pop Enjoyable High 3

Fun, synth heavy but a lot of songs go on a bit too long.

As a rule this process has confirmed my feelings as being enitirely and medically eighties intolerant. However, for the most part I quite enjoy Human Leagues music. The album definitely has some pretty stark troughs ... but lots of it full on pop boppage. So it's a 3. Which is like an 80s 5.

Synth driven dance pop. Some of it is darker than I remember but overall a fun record. The single still hits hard 3.5⭐️

I knew one song from them, an it was on this album. Yay! Annnnnd that was all the excitement I had for this one

‘80’s

Early new wave pop

U WERE WORKING AS A WAITRESS IN A COCKTAIL BARRRR

Good to hear some well known 'oldies'. I've not really listened to Human League apart from the hits so I was disappointed that some of the other tracks weren't as good. Musically pretty good, but distinctly lacking in the lyrics/vocals on some tracks. I know part of that is the New Wave style, but repetitvely chanting a couple of words in a monotonic style doesn't do anything for me.

Sounds like Geometry Dash

Really like the electronic retro dance music.

I honestly always thought the Human League were a one hit wonder. This album is mostly fine but Don’t You Want Me easily clears every other song

Don’t You Want Me is a great song

Hmm - I really only enjoy that last track, the mega hit Don’t You Want Me. The rest are just fine but nothing outstanding

I really do love me some 80s tracks, also really liked "seconds"

Don’t you want me is a certified classic, rest of album was good but not mind-blowing

It’s a 3 cuz Drake says so

I really can see how someone who was super into the talking heads wanted more and this is what they found an they really vibed with it in the same way that someone really into Nirvana gets into Green River through needing more grunge. That said, this is not great. Obvious talent on display but nothing is really landing for me except the occasional chord progression. Can’t imagine I’ll return to this.

cornier than i was ready for but good !

synthy. electronic. catchy.

Highlights: Darkness, Do or Die, Love Action (I Believe In Love), Don't You Want Me Lowlights: Get Carter, I Am the Law Fun listen. Most of the songs could've done with being like a minute shorter. Most of the time the synths were good, but on some tracks, like the intro track, they felt rough.

eh alright

7/10 Highlights: Do or Die I Am the Law

Bring me some 80s! Interesting to see this album saves its best known hit for last, and while I enjoyed the listen it did remain as the single standout.

Solid

at times, it felt like a chant, credence the next

Enjoyed it...nostalgic. 3/5

i enjoy the synth pop, it’s so silly go lucky and feels quintessentially 80’s. didn’t know these guys do that don’t you want me song!

Fine? Low 3/high 2? Nothing that really stands out. I was wondering what the hit off this album was then the last track came. Not my favorite one hit wonder but I at least see what they're doing

I liked this more than I was expecting to, but I really don't think I'm ever going to need to listen to it ever again. Sounds like a whole album of Don't You Want Me Baby, which I have heard enough of. Stand-out tacks for me: Seconds, The Sound of the Crowd, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of.

Quite literally made on a calculator, as one of the synths they used came with an integrated calculator. Very synthpop of its time, charming as it may be, it does sound like the rest of the era. Eh, the biggest hit was never my favorite. Couple of good songs here and that's it.

3+

Poppin' my pussy at 9am met 4.5u slaap. Een lastige qua rating, eigenlijk gewoon een nette 3.5. Maar, na een nachtje geslapen te hebben, herriner ik me er weinig van en heb ik ook niet de urge het nog eens te luisteren. 3 it is

When I put this album on this morning, I was ready to make fun of it, but ended up liking it way more than I thought I would. The lyrics can be pretty tough (march, march, march across the red square, do all the things that you’ve never dared) but the 80s synth really worked for me. Beyond the obvious “don’t you want me”, I thought “seconds” was the best track. Solid 3

Fun

This is where the worst music sub-genre began (I reckon). Unlike most '80s synth-pop albums, "Dare!" isn't a disaster. The synths on most of the songs actually enhance them. "Dare!" is far from perfect, however. The first track is a real stinker. 3 stars for "Dare!".

I enjoyed the ride but I wanted to like this more than I actually did. Like it's good but I don't know, but also sounds like your most straightforward '80s new wave. It's missing something. Needs a little more spice.

Not really my stile

I forgot this album as I was listening to it.

3 but dont u want me is good

Visos neblogos, bet paskutinė vienareikšmiai geriausia.

The Human League do a good job here of walking the line between an artsy and a hit-chasing synth pop album. The best songs here combine a lot of different synth sounds into detailed pop songs. The opening track is a really good example of this, as is "Do or Die" with all the different percussion sounds, including some that sound like steel drums. Yet on most tracks the choruses and hooks are also catchy enough to get stuck in your head. The only real experiment, and obvious miss, is "I Am the Law," a slow tedious song about...why having police is good? Luckily the album recovers from there, ending with "Don't You Want Me," which is obviously very good (though weird as an album closer). This is fun, but it also fails to stand out in the crowded field of 80s pop. If it had a couple more standout songs I might rate it higher.

Very early 80s (1981) but sets that iconic sound for the decade to follow.

This was pretty fun, have to listen again. Not my favourite genre ever, but still enjoyed it.

I knew a song from this album, "Don't You Want Me". 80s vibes at their finest. Incredibly synth-heavy pop. I think is very iconic because it is synth-pop at its peak, very clean, catchy, and cool. The synths are front and center at all points, but they’re used in a way that feels emotional rather than mechanical. They have hits on this album like “Don’t You Want Me” and “Love Action” for a reason, they have a very simple structure, catchy hooks and melodies. From a production point of view everything feels minimal, nothing is flashy, the synth lines are repetitive and the vocals are restrained. The album cover is just as iconic as the music, simple, bold, and recognizable. Overall, this is a good album in synth-pop and new wave. Timeless and incredibly influential to this day, it still sounds fresh decades later. My favourite tracks are Open Your Heart, The Sound of the Crowd, Darkness, Love Action (I Believe In Love), Don't You Want Me.

The beats are catchy, but they get a little grating/repetitive the longer they go. I think I may be spoiled by modern production. It has a feeling of someone playing around with electronic music - in a good way.

Enjoyed. I like the overall feel of it, and the big single really is a cracker.

Yeah, everything everyone's saying here, except I had to experience this sound when it first came out (see my digression rant on 80s synth pop under Oracular Spectacular). I appreciate the irony of a band embracing robotic synths and singing style but never liked the results. The 80's had so much great music - both the robotic and the other direction - hope we more of what I call the good stuff soon.

Sounded like your typical 80s pop to me.

Its the album with Dont you Want Me, anchored right after 9 songs I will probably never seek out again. Idk i like the synth, as well as the last song, but not really my style otherwise. Vocals throw me off a bit. Album art is kind of crazy... those eyes... 👁👄👁 5.5/10?

странные голоса но довольно заводной)

Não faz meu estilo, ouvi, mas não curti

Jedan od albuma za koje bih baš navijala da su bolji, ali mi je želja prevelika za taj doseg 😅 bilo bi niže, ali realno don't you want me je hitčina svih vremena. 3/5, 5/10

Much like my treatise on the relationship of Deee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart" and its stratospheric trajectory vs. the greater meh-ness of the World Clique album containing it, does something as immortal as "Don't You Want Me" make The Human League's Dare! a *must* listen? I mean there's a lot of good early 80s synth-y vibes here and Phil Oakley is a perfect frontman for this genre, but I can't help but feel my life would have been just fine if I hadn't listened to this at all...

Sounds very 80s, for better or for worse. I like the tense, fuzzy synths on the opening track. The closer has a very powerful melody too, big banger. Darkness has a bit of a mysterious vibe which is very cool too. In general tho, the deeper into the album the more dated it sounds. The production on Seconds sounds kinda bad, and I am the Law is a very failed attempt at a more minimal sound. Multiple other songs didn't do much for me either. Overall album is not bad but faaaar from perfect.

It's been quite a while since I've had one of these 80s synth-pop/rock albums, so I can't complain all too much. This sort of stuff doesn't displease me, but the synth gets annoying after a while. It's also rather infuriating that the best song - the one miles ahead over anything else - is right at the end.

Perfectly fine album that really marked how the following decade's pop music would sound. Don't you want me baby is a classic, the rest of the album is fine but not really my cup of tea. I can't help but feel like the onslaught of godawful synthpop in the rest of the decade somewhat soured my perception of this album. It was a novel sound at the time but it's not like there is a lack of synth-pop out there.

Meh. Vey 80s

Pretty generic 80s core

Strange combination of bleak sounds and uplifting themes, and uplifting sounds with bleak themes - really shouldn't work, but regularly does. My older sister was obsessed with Don't You Want Me back in the day, and even though I was probably more interested in the latest Father Abrahams and The Smurfs ditty, Dare does press a few nostalgia buttons for me. The version with the Fascination tracks thrown in might be worthy of four stars, but I'm happy to give this three. Synthy 80s pop with an unsettling undercurrent.

Well I love Sound of the Crowd and obs don’t you love me. Some of the other songs prompted interest but not enough to return to.

The next step having removed actual drummers and guitarists is to remove all humans! I for one will welcome our future AI generated "music"

surprisingly decent album

so thats who sang that song...pretty great 80's album.

Fine overall, but once you’ve heard “Don’t You Want Me,” you’ve basically heard the whole thing. The highlight is realizing just how narcissistic the guy in that song is. Synth-pop nostalgia appreciated, but I’ll take Depeche Mode or Duran Duran any day.

Great synth instrumentation but sub-par melody and lyrics. Just okay overall.

It's got that 80's vibe. Good album. really one the one hit song by them.

Att de lägger megalåten Don’t you want me allra sist på albumet kanske säger något om hur bandet själv såg på den. Det är i alla fall en ovanlig placering för en så given melodistark dansgolvshit. Men det är också en udda fågel på albumet som helhet. Jag som aldrig hört något utöver hiten tidigare, förvånas över att det är en överlag mörkare synthpop som presenteras på skivan. Gillar särskilt New Order-aktiga öppningsspåret och Seconds som hade kunnat vara en Cure-låt eller långt senare något från Eskilstunabandet Yvonnes debutalbum. Den lökiga baktakten i Do or die vill jag däremot helst glömma.

You just know if they showed the full pic of this guy his hair would fill up the rest of the space

This one came out of a time capsule. It’s fun but doesn’t hold up. Kind of like mom jeans. No one really likes those yet they exist.

I've heard of this band. Not sure if I have listened to any of their stuff. I am interested to hear them because I do know what they are. Pretty cool stuff.

Pretty good synth pop album

Ahead of their time for being the 80s. Personally not a big fan but I se the appeal and impact it had on future electronic music

Don't you want me é um clássico, mas tirando essa não ouve outra música que chamasse a atenção

Dare! I say, this was a lot of fun.....!

one thing i like about british music is that its kinda inherently gay and lots of straight musicians were sorta forced to make music for gay guys

This was good. They certainly have a vibe that doesn't change much from song to song... But there were a few songs that I quite liked.

So very 80s!

nice and peppy, please don’t hurt me jacob

Nice, quintessential '80s pop, pretty fun listen! "Don't You Want Me" was the only song I was previously familiar with.

Why not I guess

a staple 80s-sounding album that represents the synth-pop era well. 'don't you want me' is classic and was definitely the best track on the album. i did however think the rest of the album was quite repetitive and, looking back at the tracklist now, i'm struggling to remember one track from another. a fun album nonetheless - i enjoyed the david byrne-style vocals too.

Fun very 1980's

Quintessential 80s new wave synth pop. Not an enduring vibe today, but definitely was fun then.

Fun 80s vibe. Not my favorite vibe but fun

Good middle of the road album. End song is a hit, and an all-time heater, but the rest of the tracks are just alright. Consistent vibe, and the tracks all worked well, but very obviously my favorite track on the album was Don't You Want Me.

great to riminess

I don't particularly like it but what amazes me is how much music (as in top ten pop music) had changed, mutated and progressed from 10 years earlier, and that is to be commended.

Seminal albums aren't necessarily always all that good. Apart from Don't You Want Me it's all a bit shit really, but that track, nostalgia and history earn it an extra star from me

Quite fun eighties electro pop. Not sure I had to listen to it before I died. I'm not sure that I haven't listened to it before. Am I dead?

The sound is definitely of its time. Felt that the first half of the album dragged on, with the second half picked up the pace, carrying it. 2.5

Soooo 80s. I really liked Don't You Want Me at that time. But as so often the rest of the album is not so good. Some songs are quite ok (Love Action, ...) but most are not good.

Nice synth-pop album

You never know what you’re gonna get when it’s some 80s band with one song you’ve heard before. This one was pretty good! A decent baseline for this sort of thing. I liked it just fine. If this comes off as damning with faint praise, it isn’t. If it was it would get a 2.

3/5, hit and miss.

Much better than I thought this was going to be.

Before reading more about this album, I thought that it was just another new wave album from the 80s and the UK, as tons exist (and live in this list). But then it actually looks like it's one of the first, who helped define the genre. So let's take back my half-baked rant, and celebrate the fact that it's halfway between electronic music, experimentation and pop, catchy tunes. Is it an amazing album? To be honest, no, it's not. But I can recognize its historical value if it helped sparked the genre (with all its goods and bads).

Pretty amateurish until the last two songs that were big hits but I don’t believe they were actually on the album. 5/10

I love 80s music and Human by the Human League is one of my absolute favorites of the decade. Even though that isn't on this album, I was excited to listen to this. Don't You Want Me is definitely the highlight, a song that feels like it is more from the mid 80s rather than the early 80s. It's a bit ahead of it's time for me. Sadly the rest of this album doesn't quite live up to the closing track. There are some other decent songs on here, but a lot of this is very average, so it gets an average rating.

3.5

Lyder kliché meget af 80erne. Jeg havde hele tiden på fornemmelsen at jeg havde hørt stemmen før, men først den sidste sang (cd edition) som fik det til at falde på plads. (dont you want me)

Der er virkelig langt til de kommer til hittet. Ikke at det er forfærdeligt at høre på. Men det er ret intetsigende.

I've spent my whole life assuming that this is just annoying cheesy 80s electro pop, but it's actually so much more than that. I still think it's very much of its time in a lot of ways, but there is still a hell of a lot of genuinely interesting and original stuff on this album.

Direi ok

Mjog 80s

Ikke det mest spennende albumet. Best var Don’t you love me, som også var eneste låt fra platen jeg hadde hørt fra før. Favoritt låten Human var ikke på denne platen dessverre.

It was pretty good. John liked it a lot. Not my usual style, but still fun. Funny lyrics -something like “everybody needs 2 or 3 friends”.

the things dreams are made of- 5 open your heart- 5 the sound of the crowd- 5 darkness- 5 do or die- 4 get carter- 4 i am the law- 4 seconds- 4 love action- 4 or 5 dont you want me- 6

Man, I’ve been on a streak of, what I consider, sub par albums for so long that I’ve lost count. I could check but nah. This, I fear, will continue that streak. I’m really looking, I really am. I like discovering new bands and albums I hadn’t heard before but this has been a struggle. This is 80’s music. Which can be good. Nothing has blown me away or even remotely moved me in any way at 3 songs in. Well, there were glimpses of hope. Oddly enough, the album got better as it went on. Not enough to salvage an average rating from me. I didn’t become a fan, that’s for sure . Choice cut: Do or Die

"Don't You Want Me" has been a radio staple my entire life. Not a song I gravitated towards until I heard a cover I believe was used for "Secret Life Of Walter Mitty" which gave me a different perspective of it. I can appreciate this album for it's impact on and establishment of synth new wave music. Some of the synth and monotone singing does get a little grating. That might just be the environment I was in. Working at my desk is probably not an idea location for listening to this album. I could picture putting this album on during a late night drive or at a party when the vibes are mellow but fun. Some songs really reminded me of LCD Soundsystem, especially Do Or Die. Makes me wonder if they've ever mentioned being influenced by The Human League. This album wasn't totally my taste but it does make me want to listen to more of the band and see how their sound evolved. I see that they also made "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" which is a song I really enjoy. Also a great gateway to getting me to listen to more funky new wave music which I would enjoy.

Don't You Want Me was a surprise! Definitely their most poppy and boppy song, so I'm not surprised it's their biggest hit. Everything else is pretty meh.

Amazing synth work, very catchy tunes, a true blueprint of what the early-80's were all about. And then everything is overshadowed by the closing track. Key tracks: Open Your Heart The Sound of the Crowd Don't You Want Me

Цікавий треклист, в якому ми пробираємося через досить посередні пісні до хіта та суперхіта в кінці.

Low 3 - not much of interest, very dated sounding, but not offensive to listen to.

good morning everyone! the sun is shiiiining and we are in synthpop hell yet again!

Don't you want me itself almost makes this whole album a 4. almost

alright but very outdated sometimes.

As far as 80s synth-pop goes, this is on the better end. Nothing I'm going to rush out and buy, but an enjoyable listen.

I really enjoy the Synth Pop era of the late 70s and early 80s. But I enjoy more of the experimental stuff. It seems like the two experimental members of the group left before this album came out. It's still a good album of the early 80s, but also feels like just a one hit wonder!

You really have to be a new wave/synth-pop fan to appreciate The Human League. It's as simple as that. I am a new wave and synth-pop fan, and I love 80's music. While I imagine this will get slaughtered, it is their best album by far and is very well done. 3.4 / 5 stars

Good album. Good songs of its time but the songwriting does shine thru very little filler.

C't'un peu niaiseux. C'est ça qui est bon. 3.49 étoiles

Love Action // Don’t You Want Me 2.5/5

Curious to see what this album is about. I’ve seen it in the lowest-rated category for a few of the people on this site. I also think my Mum has mentioned this band once or twice, though outside of that I’ve never heard of The Human League. May as well just hop into this one. Damn. Very, very 80s. Aggressively so. I’m fortunately out of my “senseless hatred of everything 80s” period, so I can see the appeal of this music. It’s definitely a grower – I was alienated by the first two tracks but was able to get into the swing of this album with the ones which came after. Maybe it was due to me becoming accustomed to the sound of this album in real-time, but the album really comes into its own during the second half, featuring some very solid tracks. Going into the songs themselves, "Darkness” is pretty alright. I like the synthetic sound as well as the deep, bassy noise which hangs in the background. “Do Or Die” is a decent follow-up. Some pretty interesting sounds packed into that track, especially in the jittery department. The bassy sound is rock solid, too. “I Am the Law” is my favourite song of the album. A very cool and unique sound, and I quite like the plodding pace of the song. The more whimsical offerings of the track are among the best, though the menacing sound near the end of the track is pretty neat, too. “Seconds” is a good follow-up. A very spacy, cosmic sound, which I'm always impartial to. In a continuing hot streak for the album, “Love Action” is also good. The melody is pretty infectious, and I enjoy the jingling sound of the music. Oh, hey! I’ve heard Don’t You Want Me before. Good song. I wasn’t expecting to be jumpscared by a song that I recognise on the last track. Book time. “...the biggest album in the world” - seems like a bold claim, even at the time. The female vocalists of this band were scouted in a club while they were still schoolgirls. Funny, if a little questionable. The last album a famous music critic heard before overdosing, which is an out-there bit of trivia. Wikipedia does a better job at substantiating this album. Massively influential within pop music, critically acclaimed and an international chart-topper. Can’t fault this inclusion.

Human League walked so New Order could run

Good ol’ 1980’s synth 😆

Don't You Want Me is such a classic. The restvof the album is fine.

Yes, Dare was hugely influential at the time of its release and helped pave the way for synth-pop to come (you can hear the Kraftwerk and Cabaret Voltaire aesthetic all over it). It’s undeniably a crucial document of the 1980s and contains some great ideas: The pulsating The Sound of the Crowd, the ska‑beat‑driven Do or Die, the dark, Krautrock‑influenced I Am the Law. However, the album as a whole doesn’t really stand the test of time (ironically, Open Your Heart deals with just that topic: “But if you can stand the test, you know your worst is better than their best”). The production sounds mostly outdated - even compared to other synth/dance/new wave records from the early ’80s - and the songwriting isn’t as sharp as some want you to believe. Maybe it’s the overuse of use of contrast (high v. low frequencies) or the Linn drum machine that occasionally annoys the hell out of me. Some of the synth sounds are outright annoying too (like the high/shrill flute imitating tones in Open Your Heart, Darkness and Seconds). And then there’s the ultra creepy Don’t You Want Me. I’m glad we now live in a time where toxic masculinity and stalking are no longer mistaken for romance. On the bright side: the Ramones name-dropping line in the opener, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, made me chuckle.

I quite like music from this era. The tight drumming, electronic organ and echoing vocals. There are better bands than Human League IMHO.

++: The Sound of the Crowd, Do or Die, I Am the Law, Love Action (I Believe in Love) +: The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Open Your Heart, Darkness +-: Get Carter, Seconds, Don't You Want Me 6,7/10

Took me until the last song to recognize this band.

Don’t You Want Me just proves that even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while.

"Don't You Want Me" is an obvious classic. The rest of the album is less memorable, and some of the palette doesn't hold up.

this is a fun album, hard to believe they were making this and listening to janet jackson's control, they just like me fr

this is very 80s pretty fun! not my Fave but a vibe nonetheless

A fun synth-pop album thats easy to the dance to. It reminded me a lot of early Depeche Mode, and it seems like their debut album was released at around the same time as this one. I will probably listen to this again, but if I'm in the mood for this type of synth-pop, I'm still more likely to put on some Depeche Mode. 3/5.

Good, fun synth album, a good listen but wouldn’t be listening over and over again

Experimental in a way that would be refined by dozens of artists over the next decade; in isolation from its history the production of the album seems unrefined and simple; but the monotone vocals leave it a distinct style and beyond it's biggest hit (Don't You Want Me) it's listenable and several tracks are catchy.

норм.

Hard for me to just sit back and enjoy ‘80s music most of the time but today the setting was right for it to just be fun. This album was an easy, fun, don’t-over-analyze it kind of album. Well done.

Nu-wave early 80s synth-pop just isn't my thing. This isn't bad, I just don't vibe with it. If I was born in 1970 maybe this would speak to be in some way. The music is fine, the vocals are just like every other vocals in the genre. I don't hate this and I can see why it is on the list, but this is not one I heard before today and will not be one I listen to ever again. 5.5/10 116/1001

Overall pretty good, definitely more good songs but don’t you want me is a classic and the rest of the album didn’t reach that height

I went in wanting to love this because I love Don't You Want Me but the rest of the album tracks haven't got a memorable hook between them. Perhaps it is only with the passing of time that this sound has become cliche, but to me it's giving Pop Goes My Heart - but less catchy!!!

This one actually grew on me quite a bit. Hear a little bit of some of the bands I like now (think Interpol, LCD Soundsystem) in the music. A couple better tracks near the end. Inched towards a 4 but on the 3 side of a 3.5.

Not a big synth-pop fan, but decent 80s album. About half the songs I enjoyed, the other half - nah. Seconds, Don’t You Want Me are standouts.

Better than I expected.

Acceptable

Decent enough.

Nose coñazo un poco pero bueno 5.1/10—>3/5

80s! icon

Ugh--I'm sure it's all fairly random, but it's a bit tedious to get so many early 80s synth-pop/new wave albums all in a row (although thankfully no Duran Duran, yet). Although I guess there were four singles from this album, and it went platinum in both the UK and the US in short order, I'll admit that the only song that sounded even remotely familiar was "Don't you want me". The remainder (to me at least) is somewhat generic-sounding new wave pop tracks; solidly produced and laid out, I suppose, but not very compelling. The music videos for "Open your heart" and "Love action (I believe in love)" are equally uninspiring, although the video for "Don't you want me" is more compelling. The Wikipedia entry has a number of interesting tidbits about the album: the two female backing singers were in high school when this was recorded (and ended up with long commutes to get to their relocated recording studio); this was the first #1 album for the Virgin label since Mike Oldfield's 1973 album "Tubular Bells" (which I know of thanks to this collection, and equally baffling how either of these albums ended up at #1), and saved Richard Branson's Virgin label from bankruptcy; and this was the first album by Human League after jettisoning two original members a year earlier, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, who went on to create the band Heaven 17 and release a competing album in 1981, "Penthouse and Pavement" (another album I've listened to courtesy of this collection). (The other anecdote that seemed amusing was that Lester Bangs apparently OD'ed listening to this album.)

Some excellent synth pop hampered by overlong, draggy songs.

Blind album, know the hit. Hit is a hit for a reason.

Decent new wave album, famous for the hit 'Don't You Want Me', of course.

Quite good synth sounds. I don't like the vocals very much though.

Pretty solid 80s synth pop sound. Weird to bury the best track at the end.

Oh man, Dare has been one of the albums I've been really looking forward to reviewing. The only Human League album I've listened to is Fascination!, and I remember liking it. Looking at the track listing for Dare!, I think I only know the first and last songs. I'm really interested in this album, because I know it marks Human League's shift from post-punk to purely being a new wave and synth pop band. Even if I'm not wowed by this album, I'm at least expecting to hear something that's interesting from a standpoint of cultural importance. No need to Dare me, I'm ready for some Human League! I wasn’t wowed by Dare, but I thought it was okay. The synthesizers were the best element about this album, and from a music history standpoint, it was interesting hearing The Human League evolve from a post-punk outfit to a new wave and synth pop band. I wasn’t a big fan of most of Phil Oakey’s vocals on this album (the man can sing really well, as evidenced on songs like “Human” and “Together in Electric Dreams”), but I understand why he opted for a flatter delivery style on a lot of this album. Most of the songs that relied more on lower register sounds (“The Sound of the Crowd,” “Do Or Die,” and “I Am The Law”) were a bit boring to me. The biggest exception to that was “Darkness,” where I was really drawn in by the main synthesizer arrangement. As for the songs that I liked, I thought “Open Your Heart” was great. Those backing vocals are fantastic, and the whistle sounds are awesome. The upbeat sound of the music suited the lyrics perfectly. “Seconds” wound up being my favorite song on the album. I loved how the main synthesizer arrangement and the backing beat sounded together. The sound was really rich, and it was fantastic to listen to. Even though I liked “Seconds” the best, “Don’t You Want Me” is still fantastic. I was surprised by how different it sounds from the rest of the album. This was the only song on the album that unfolded as a narrative, but I love how Phil Oakey and Susan Ann Sulley sing back and forth to each other. The synthesizers are perfectly layered, and it’s such a fun song. There’s a reason that “Don’t You Want Me” is such an important song in the history of new wave music, and even though I’ve heard it countless times throughout my life, it still sounds incredible. I wasn’t wowed by Dare, but overall, it’s still a good album, and it had a tremendous impact on the landscape of pop music in the eighties.

Incredibly 80s sounding, with the synths and gated reverb. These are normally features that people complain about but this kind of synthpop is so satisfying for me for whatever reason I think the second half is probably better, the songs are stronger and more memorable I never take this stuff as some serious bit of high art, it's just some sugary fun 3.5 Highlights: Love Action, Don't You Want Me

I like how they retitled this from Dare to Dare! for the US - I suppose you really do have to be louder to get heard there. I owned this CD, above average synth Pop but find it all a little too clinically surgical maybe.

A funny little synth pop group that has great production, and then the final song of the album hits and is instantly recognizable. I really like that Don't You Want Me has like 3 stages to it's chorus and it's just such a fun song. It's so good, in fact, I forgot the rest of the album after hearing it. Maybe Do or Die? I think that leaves this group as a bonafide one hit wonder, but what a hit.

First time I’ve listened all the way through and it was alright. Some great synth riffs and drum programming, but not all that into the strained vocals and general pop arrangements.

Iconic 80s

80ties electropop

Apart from the charted single form this album, it doesn't stand out and stays very relevant to 1981 but musically does not advance.

DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

nothing amazing but not bad

Diferente, algunos temas muy lindos y experimentosos. Nada tremendo. Nota: 3.4

Solid 80s record. Some hits but nothing mind blowing.

If this album was just the last three songs I would have been much happier. Those are some banger cheesy classic 80s hits. The rest of the album is just bad cheesy. It balances out to be just alright, so it could have been worse.

Way too generic 80s for me and when I was wondering why it was on the list, I suspected it was because they are a British band. I was correct. Cut it out with the over representation of every British band ever, list! Ok I got to Don't You Want Me and I do like this song, so it gets the mid rating

This project is really showing me what songs I've heard but don't know, and this album had a couple. Cool to see where they've come from and I think this was a nice album, don't have much other experience with The Human League to compare but the article mentioned they had a membership change, so interesting to see they had such a massive hit with that and then placed it as the last track of the album. Good overall, but not one that'll be entering my favorites most likely.

Pretty good for the time

Really good listen. I'm particularly amused that what is probably their most famous song, Don't you want me, is at the end of the album. That's not very common that an artists hit song is at the end of the album

Sun, June 1 2025 Not a huge synth pop guy but interesting no less

Liked this more than I thought I would. Ultimately not my exact taste

Yet to find a synthpop record i love. It’s good, just not my cup of tea.

Decent album, a couple of great songs, the rest are okay. Liked the production throughout. DONT YOU WANT ME BABY!!

It's mostly pretty fluff. Of course Don't You Want Me, is still one of my favorite fun 80s songs. But I'd forgotten how much I love Seconds, which was the B side on the 45 single of Don't You Want Me that I bought at K-Mart in 1981. Excuse me now while I listen to it for the rest of the day.

Pretty bare-bones. I like Depeche Mode better.* But hey, points for "Johnny Joey Dee Dee"! *so of course I had to listen to Speak & Spell, DM's album from 1981, to see if it was indeed better, and it was, although more lightweight than their later albums.

Ouderwetse synth-pop. Het zou niet in mijn opkomen om het in het boek op te nemen. Kraftwerk lijkt me al wel voldoende het genre vertegenwoordigen. Ik snap het wel. Het eindigt met een enorme hit. En vervelend is het niet. Het krijgt ook wel voldoende van me. Een vergeetbare 3.

Alles wat fout is aan de jaren 80, is samengebald in deze plaat. Drumcomputers, slechte synthgeluidjes, mannen met make-up, zeurderige Britse zang. De muziek is heel elektronisch moet ik zeggen, dit is wat Mark en Jos vroeger veel draaiden in hun piratenradioprogrammaatje, de Grote Kutshow. Patrick Hernandez style, foute elektro. En daar heb ik dan toch wel weer goede herinneringen aan. Voor mijn vaste lezers: daar is Rooie Dop ontstaan. Dus zonder Human League (of eigenlijk Marianne Rosenberg en Patrick Hernandez), was Rooie Dop wellicht nooit ontstaan. Moeten ze daar dan bonuspunten voor krijgen? Laten we het niet overdrijven. Deze 1001-snoblijst en bijbehorende pagina geven ons een mooie gelegenheid om verhalen te vertellen aan de hand van wat albums. Maar de muziek beoordelen we gewoon op hun eigen waarde. Ondanks alles vind ik dit toch ergens wel geinig. Het zit goed in elkaar. Natuurlijk mis ik de gitaren, maar ze halen alle synths (en zichzelf) uit de kast om muzikaal te overtuigen. Een overdreven 4 vind ik te veel eer, dus ik hou het op een 3.

Not bad but apart from the last two songs, not particularly memorable either

Успіх цього альбому можна вважати дивом. Перед його виходом The Human League розвалився, і його покинули двоє учасників, які фактично писали усю музику. Фактично, залишилась лише назва, яку успадкував, залишений на призволяще, вокаліст Philip Oakey. З ним ще залишався Adrian Wright, але від нього взагалі не було ніякої користі, бо у гурті він навіть не був повноцінним музикантом. Цей контекст важливий, щоб зрозуміти, що перед нами альбом, що був чистим експериментом, та коли він народжувався, навіть продюсер не розумів до кінця «що це» - геніальне новаторство чи повна маячня. Мова йде про звучання сінтів та драм машини у поєднання із меланхолійно відстороненим вокалом Філла. Проте зараз, ми впевнено можем констатувати його успіх та величезне зрушення у поп музиці, яке він зробив. Адже саме цей альбом фактично створив концепцію звучання такого жанру як синті-поп. Мінімалізм, холодна естетика й чітко вивірений, майже готичний образ - усе це працювало на його популярність. Але якщо сорок років назад альбом сприймався як прорив, та нове слово в поп музиці - зараз він відчувається вже зовсім інакше. Ключова проблемою альбому є його нерівномірність. Більшість пісень не витримують конкуренції з головним хітом: вони або надто прості, або емоційно плоскі, та відверто прохідні. Вокал Philip Oakey— це ще один спірний момент. Його відстороненість, яка колись здавалася стильною, тепер іноді звучить просто порожньо. Якщо ж сказати зовсім просто - альбом не чіпляє та не залишає по собі ніяких емоцій. Він швидше слугує музейним експонатом, який демонструє нам те, яким синті-поп був у зародку. Бо якщо ми порівняємо із іншими «класичними» роботами цього жанру, наприклад Songs From the Big Chair від Tears for Fears, чи Black Celebration від Depeche Mode, які вийшли трохи пізніше - у нього не буде жодного шансу. Але попри все — Dare залишається знаковим. Він не просто започаткував хвилю британського синт-попу — він вивів електроніку на мейнстримну арену, зробивши її частиною поп-культури.

Pop friendly synth Pop.

Started off sounding pretty redundant for 80s Electronic pop but maybe about mid way through the album it got real catchy. Darkness and Don’t You Want Me were the strongest songs. Very catchy, and interesting vocals, but not crazy unique. 6/10

Genre defining synth pop, as much as it isn’t the music I prefer the hits have invaded my world and are recognizable. For synth pop I’m guessing this is one of the all time greats. Seconds was a surprise for me probably my favorite song on the album

Cheesy 80s synth, just the way I like it

3/4

da fehlte noch der Überhit, aber auch sonst hörbar

7/10

1981. Actually pretty fun and goofy early 80s electronic style. Finished with Don't You Want Me Baby!

I’m not a big fan of the 80s sound, but I can recognize when it works, and it works here. Similar to Tears for Fears or Depeche Mode, I think I’m into this album because there’s an awareness of how icy and robotic its synths sound, and the band leans into that rather then letting the dissonance sit there unacknowledged. Helps that a lot of it is really catchy. Best song: Don’t You Want Me

sterile 80s synth pop

Не очень понравилось

Don’t You Want Me is a classic, but the rest of the album was a bit dull

nice enough

I used to love 80s music

good listen

I appreciated being in synth heaven and there were some interesting texture, but the songwriting was a bit weak. Except for “Don’t You Want Me Baby” which is a stone cold classic. More of an album I respect than love.

It doesn't get more 80s than this. A catchier more danceable version of Kraftwerk. The singing is like a bad version of Bryan Ferry and he's not that good himself. Favorite song: don't you want me.

Kinda neat! But basic.

Love Don't You Want Me. The rest of the album is less catchy but similar vibey/sounding songs. Nothing bad. Nothing particularly amazing either. 2.5/5

Very 80s, very synth. Honestly not bad, but not something that I think it substantial. Overall average, not a bad listen.

Synth-pop ochentero (pionero, del 81) en su máxima expresión: un cantante que apenas sabe cantar, coros chirriantes, sintetizadores por doquier y esa reverberación controlada a lo Phil Collins dominando la percusión. En otras reseñas he dicho que estoy harto del sesgo new-wave británico de esta lista. Este álbum definitivamente pertenece a dicho género; sin embargo, me ha parecido más interesante que los demás. Quizá se deba a su atmósfera más oscura pero muy bailable o al exceso de sintetizadores, cercano al retrowave que se puso de moda hace un par de años y que tanto me gusta. En definitiva, una entretenida muestra del synth-pop de comienzos de los 80.

Pre-listening thoughts: (in the voice of Damon Albarn) it’s dare! Post/during listening thoughts: 80s mush! I don't hate this at all but I literally could not distinguish most of these songs from each other. Definitely not essential listening as other bands did this sound better. 5.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Darkness, Love Action, Don't You Want Me Least fav tracks: Get Carter, I Am The Law (no silly that's Brian Firenzi)

I have to admit it - "I was a Teenage Human League fan." However, that was the Being Boiled / Reproduction-era Human League, and I bailed when they "went pop". Listening to Dare now, sure there are some catchy and very good pop tunes on the album, and they deserved their success....but, there's no real cohesion to the album. No theme, story or flow to it. Nostalgia, and I might bop around teh bedroom singing into a hairbrush...but alas, I'm folically challenged, and have no brush.

An up and down listening experience. Generally more positive/pleasant than bad. Like a discount Depesche Mode. 3/5

Even though I have professed to not loving synth pop, I have tried to learn about it going through the albums in the 1,001 list. This album came out right before the debuts of OMD and Soft Cell, and a couple years after Gary Numan's synth-pop genre-defining album. I definitely think Soft Cell's is the best of the four and OMD's is the weakest. I think I put this Human League album in second, even though they are all trail blazers. Is it good enough to be a 4 like Soft Cell? I'm not sure. They don't quite have the fun or edge of Soft Cell, and maybe not the same synth chops. It's all synth and they lean in heavily but Soft Cell may have had better instruments. Don't You Want Me is a classic but other than The Things That Dreams Are Made Of and maybe The Sound of the Crowd or Seconds, I don't think the rest of the album comes close.

Ok album, although I'd argue you could hear Don't You Want Me and you've heard everything you need to hear "before you die." A little bit too much of the exact same electronic bass-snare-bass-snare beat. This is early in the 80s curve, so they get some credit there. Favorite songs: The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Don't You Want Me (but those are some creepy-ex lyrics). Ok songs: Open Your Heart, Darkness, Love Action.

this was fine, enjoyable. i don't really love "Don't You Want Me" in terms of 80s night classics, and the middle-end of the album otherwise dragged a bit.

3 - Very 80s

I was stiltedly bopping along for a while, as you do, you know, abruptly swaying, with this music, but shit grew stale pretty quickly. And then the nursery rhyme riffs and melodies of some of those songs pushed it below 4. NEXT!

Some original synth pop.

Love Action is an old favorite and Don’t You Want Me was an anthem when it came out. Everybody can sing that one by heart. A lot of this album is dated by today’s standards. Darkness is still surprisingly good. Do or Die could do with a little update, but there’s something good there. Seconds is still relevant. The album gets much better in the second half. This band had some really fun tracks.

Nice British synthie - pop

It’s not really for me, but in the first 30 seconds I said to myself, “oh, this is kind of standard, mid-80s synth-goth. Then I realized: this is probably the band and/or album that started that sound. So three stars for being inventive and influential.