Reviews (page 5 of 8)
The epitomy of 80's synth pop cheese. Unfortunately, one stellar song does not an "essential" album make. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this record, it's just that it is "average". Nothing stands out against the backdrop of literally hundreds of other synth pop bands of the time. Good listening, but not mandatory for sure. Favourite songs: Don't You Want Me, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Do Or Die, Seconds, Love Action (I Believe in Love) Least favourite songs: I Am The Law, Open Your Heart 3/5
Many years ago I went trekking in Nepal with a bloke who was at art college with Phil Oakey. He said he was a foppish twat. This album is better than I expected, not that I had very high hopes. It's fine.
Might be the most 80est album of all time. Most tunes are catchy enough though.
It was through and through late 80s early 90s and feels like each song came straight out of a movie I watched growing up. Good, nostalgic but nothing stunning. Sort of blended together as it went on.
I am the Law kinda sucked. I liked the first and the last song. Everything between was okay.
This is SO 80s. Definitely makes me want to dance. Do or Die felt like running through a happy video game. I didn’t care for a few of the songs, but it was overall a pretty fun time!
Clearly it’s dated, but if you look past that, there are really some very good songs here. The first few tracks are great, especially the opener and Darkness. Do or Die is pretty bad, so is I Am the Law. Seconds is a good recovery before closing with their most famous song. Reminded me of a more synth, more pop, version of Echo & the Bunnymen, but also a fair amount is owed to Berlin era Bowie. A solid genre piece from a decade that will forever sound tragically dated.
I guess you had to be there.
Wow "that" synth in The Things That Dreams Are Made Of sounds terrible. The next song also has a terrible synth around the two minute mark. What is going on? Who thought these sounded good? Track 3 has this really annoying popping sound in the right headphone. I thought my headphones were breaking for a second. I should say, that despite some annoying noises here or there I am enjoying this album. Nothing is blowing me away, but I have a surface level appreciation. It really is funny how 80's one-hit-wonders can write some of the most forgettable/passable songs and then everything will come together, like the perfect storm, and they will write one of the greatest melodies of all time. I Am The Law is barely a song. I get what they were going for, but I don't think it turned out like they wanted it to. Don't You Want Me really is (Human) Leagues above the rest of this album low 3.
Don’t You Want Me is a classic but the rest of this is just ok. extremely 80s pop in sometimes not the best ways
It was okay
Habil 80-tals pop. Med en skön hit. Men överlag är det inte riktigt min kopp te.
I'll admit I liked it when it came out. Didn't age that well.
Sounds like a poppier Depeche Mode. Some of the electronic work is really enjoyable in this album, but I can't get over the singers voice and the lyrics. It just sounds like a hopeless romantic stalking a girl. Low 3, saved by the nuggets of electronic goodness
Holy synth-wave 80s noises. This album teetered on the line of being pretty cool or quite terrible. I did like a lot of the synth sounds that they put in that were all super unique sounds that I have never heard. This album makes complete sense now that I heard Don't You Want Me as the last song I thought they sounded familiar. This teetered upwards into a 3- mid 3
This certainly has some 80's cheese to it, but also has some parts I really like. Idk maybe this whole thing is opening my eyes up to 80s music is a better light. Going with a 3 on this one as it was interesting. Plus Don't You Want Me fuckin rules.
Fond memories of this album. There are a lot of nuances picked up on a close listen that I missed casually listening to the album. Lots of layers that create a depth you can get lost in.
Great single. Okay album.
80s proto synth pop. Prefer the darker songs vs "don't you want me"
This was jazzercise and retro bowling alley music - stereotypical 80s synthpop, although it was one of the pioneers of the genre. I'd argue that this *is* essential listening, especially to appreciate how synthpop has evolved, but it sounds so dated compared to modern synthpop. I didn't realize that "Don't You Want Me" is on this album and I nearly fell over in shock when it came on. It's a classic banger that has stood the test of time for a reason, and, of course, by far the best track on the album.
I am a fan of synthpop so receiving this was nice. I found the album to be rather enjoyable although it is a little repetitive.
Fond memories of this. Pure 80s.
Most noted for its closing track, “Don’t You Want Me,” which heralded the breakthrough of the new wave sound (and essentially telegraphed what the next decade would sound like). Nothing else on the record hits quite as hard, but Philip Oakley is a decent singer.
Enjoyable. I forgot about the song Seconds, which is a highlight. Some rather boring songs on here also.
Another one where most famous song is best song by far
Great record. Classic 80s vibe
The good thing about early 80s UK Synth Pop!™ is that when its good, its good and when its not, you know it. Dare! by The Human League plays easily in the background or for your 80s retro game night. 3/5.
Aside from that classic last song the rest made for a reasonable if forgettable listen. I do enjoy 80s tunes but found some of the songs a little repetitive.
Yep. That's 80's music. Gonna leave that right there....
"Don't You Want Me" is the reward for making it through this album.
Very 80s. I liked the synths, but the repetitive lyrics on some tracks got annoying. Not bad, not particularly memorable.
BL: I love the human league. I have very happy memories of me and my dad listening to “keep feeling fascination” when I was younger, and I was inspired by the vocals in the hook. That being said, I have never really delved into the human league besides that track, “don’t you want me”, and “together in electric dreams”. So it’ll be interesting to hear a full LP from them. AL: this album clearly blew the top off of the new wave movement at the time. There were some fascinating production choices and it was overall an incredibly enjoyable listen. Today it doesn’t quite hold up as the monolith it may have been upon release, but that’s not to say there definitely isn’t replay value here and it will definitely be something where I will come back to certain tracks, and I think it’ll grow on me over time. FT: “Do or Die”, “Seconds”, “Don’t You Want Me” 3/5
Simple 80s synthwave with 'Don't You Want Me' being the most iconic song from the album. I don't think many of the songs are memorable outside of that one, which I have heard many times over the years and always enjoy.
Jaren '80 pop uit het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Mannen met eyeliner. Dit hebben we op deze lijst al een paar keer eerder gehoord en dit gaan we nog wel een keer horen. Ik leg me daar bij neer, zonder weer een monoloog af te steken of dit wel of niet essentieel is om te horen voordat je een tuintje op je buik krijgt. Dit album is weer ontzettend '80's, maar tegelijkertijd is het verder op geen enkele manier aanstootgevend. De zanger verveelt zich minder dan normaal bij dit soort muziek. Het is zelfs een beetje catchy en de chiptune-achtige geluiden waardoor je je af en toe in Hyrule of op de straten van Double Dragon waant zijn ook wel weer grappig. De lengte van 40 minuten is perfect te doorstaan en de grote hit hebben ze helemaal aan het einde gepropt, wat ik vaak wel kan waarderen. Niet mijn muziek, niet mijn decennium, maar dit is een keurige 3 ondanks dat ik dit op maandag luister. Binnen z'n genre zelfs wel een 4.
From my youth, had this album and in the UK that year Human League were Huge! Some has past the test of time some hasn't. 3 out of 5
Pretty good synth pop, but I can’t help feeling that this album is mostly here because of its smash hit closing track. It really takes something unique within this genre to blow me away - and The Human League don’t quite deliver that.
Fun album. The famous track is the last one (Don't You Want Me Baby), but all the songs had the same fell, and I half-expected them to bust into that lyric at any moment. Interesting that this is the only track that has female vocals (and they're not bad!); all the others have just the guy singing. I could imagine this one growing to a 4 after some more listens.
Often wonder what they would have produced had they stayed on the Being Boiled/Empire State Human track, but nevertheless, this was thoroughly enjoyable
Super catchy plade! Don't You Want Me kæmpe banger!
Totally 80's. 3.25
interesting synth pop sound, definitely a historic place in the development of this genre.
I’m not a huge techno fan—too much repetition for mes but several songs were good and Don’t You Want Me is very good so it’s a high 3 for me.
Way better than I expected for synth pop.
Ok, so I may have become a little more amenable to synth pop in recent years, but this still doesn't quite land for me. Definitely prefer the Heaven 17 offshoot of this sound. This album might just be a victim of its own success? It created such an iconic sound that it spawned a bunch of soundalike rubbish? I dunno. Listening to it at a decent volume and there were some flourishes in most of the songs that I actively liked, but they're embedded in a sound overall that doesn't work for me. I guess I'd go 3.5 on this, if that were possible. Fave tracks - "The Thing That Dreams Are Made Of" was a good opener, and "Do Or Die" and "Seconds" both caught my attention. "Don't You Want Me" is fun in a karaoke room, but I've heard it too many times to dig hearing the album version again...
New wave, synth-pop, Son los de Don't You Want Me. Bien, está bien. 3. 80's
As 80s as it gets. Nothing I’m crazy about though.
Not bad, not terrible.
A fun synth pop album that swells to their mega hit
Simultaneously peppy and depressing. Is “emo-synth pop” a thing? I do admire the variety of styles the 80s presented.
Ok, but forgettable.
Very much a product of its time. Did get kind of into it though.
Thoughts before listening: I know this is 80s new wave and I recognize the cover so I'd assume there will be a hit or two that I'll recognize. Review: Well, this certainly sounds like the 80s. Synths and drum machines and beeps and bops dominate. This just isn't my style of music but it's a fine album. \"Don't You Want Me\" is an all time banger. 3-stars.
Tää vaatii sellaista pilke silmäkulmassa kuuntelua. Tykkään kyllä, muttei nyt ehkä ihan nelonen. 3/5
Peak 80s, undoubtedly a fine example of that synth pop sound and the hits are massive but a whole album of this stuff is, for modern ears, a bit much.
so gosh darn 80s the synth is reallllly working in this album
Now that is the sound of a specific point in time right there. All in all, not a bad album.
Everyone knows Don't You Want Me but I had never heard of the group or the album before. Overall a solid but unremarkable 80's pop album. They remind me of a slightly worse Depeche Mode.
3 I really thought that The Human League were one-hit wonders, but I guess this album was a pretty big commercial and critical success. It’s also credited as having helped define the synth-pop sound of the 80s, though I feel like I’ve seen that said about multiple albums on this list. I don’t know how many albums one can realistically give credit to for having done so, so maybe it’s fair to say they all had a part in it, but I couldn’t tell you what this one does any better or worse than the others. For the most part, it’s just as mid and mostly inferior to a lot of the music it allegedly inspired later in the decade. This album does start pretty strongly though with the opening track The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, which has a catchy beat to it that I found myself vibing with and great lyrics to match. Well, maybe not great lyrics, but “Meet a girl on a boat” and “Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, good times” were both things that spoke to me on a personal level. So, I thought I was in for a bit of a surprise treat ahead, but man, does this thing just kind of devolve into the same kind of thing over and over again, to the point where you’re not sure if it’s getting worse or if you’re just growing bored, but either way, the sound of the synth is slowly driving you to commit atrocities. Fortunately, it ends on a high note with Don’t You Want Me Baby, a welcome (albeit awkwardly-placed) closer to the album. It’s not a song I would consider amazing by any means, but it’s at least pretty good - maybe it’s for the best it’s what the group is mostly remembered for these days. Outside of the two tracks that bookend this thing, the only song I really kind of dug was Seconds, and the rest I found to be kind of annoying. Still, it’s well-paced enough and provided enough of a sense of enjoyability that I’ll shoot for the higher end of average here, but not by much. Interesting tidbit from Wikipedia: In a bit of foresight, the group intentionally used extreme close-ups of their faces on the cover and within the gatefold knowing that the style of their hair and outfits would likely make the album appear dated years down the line. It’s kind of ironic given that everything else about this feels incredibly dated, but I appreciate their attempt. Decent album, but timeless music this is not.
quando è finito l'album, ho lasciato che l'algoritmo di spotifiy procedesse avanti: sono arrivati in rapida successione Kraftwerk, Soft Cell, Gary Numan... una perfetta foto dell'epoca e del genere. A volte geniale a volte noioso; a volte innovativo a volte autoreferenziale; sicuramente qualcosa che - in positivo o in negativo - rimarrà nei tempi.
I can see this album as an early blueprint for synth-pop that paved the way for much better bands and albums further down the road. In itself, while there are some good parts in the songwriting, it's really not great. The biggest downer is that the main vocalist simply isn't good.
7.5/10
I might Dare to listen to this again sometime, but would have to be in the mood to spend the Seconds again.
Interesting that their most famous and best song was last on the album. I am not a big fan of bands that only play synthesizers and no real instruments.
It the 80’s so classic. Anyone who doesn’t give it a decent score is disrespecting the decade.
This is so 80s I can’t handle it or take it seriously which isn’t really their fault but it doesn’t make me a bigger fan of it.
Tecno pop bailable. Una gran canción y el resto pasable
First listen: this is just a bunch of random 80s crap with a great one-hit wonder at the very end. Second listen: I like 80s stuff, I’ll let this play through again while I work. Third listen: maybe there’s more than meets the eye here? Is it DARING? Fourth listen: nah, it was fine and listenable. But it’s nothing special. Fifth listen: no thanks, I’m going to put on some 80s Bowie now instead.
There is some good stuff here, notably "The Sound of the Crowd" and "Don't You Want Me." Somehow I didn't get tired of the vocals. I might give this a second listen some time.
This sounds like the first time synthesisers and electronic music really sounded polished and shiny and pop-tastic. More songs I remember and they are pretty good too. Pivotal and fun.
Super 80s. I shall have to listen more.
Pop, 1981 -> 3
I found the lyrics to be pretty cheesy. I respect the artistry, but otherwise this wasn't for me.
I kinda enjoyed it more that I thought I would. This genre is one that gets old after a while for me, but it was a decent album. Who doesn't know that last track?
A lot of 80s synth-pop music is droning and repetitive, but this is not and has enough variety to keep it interesting.
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.
Ok, I'd give it a 2.5 but since I can't I'll give it a 3
some cool things going on here, even though each song was pretty sparse. it's not really my jam, but I liked it more than i thought i would. it was interesting reading about Don't You Want Me. The lead singer hated it (which is why he relegated it to the last track), and he didn't want it released as a single. Funny how artists often don't understand their own work.
It's got that one song!
Tidslomme, men lidt for meget tidslomme.
I’ve been really into the 80’s lately so I really enjoyed this!
Each track had a delightfully cringy sound that permeated. I loved it
I was greatly amused to find out that their number one hit was the last song on the album. Nice album to make pancakes on a Sunday morning to
Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe middling and repetitive
I appreciate the art/pop-rock that Dare! inspired many later artists, including of the 2000s, to jump in and try. The bouncy synths that are present in possibly every song here feel like they are driving the songs. Stand-outs: Open Your Heart, The Sound of the Crowd, Love Action (I Believe In Love), Don't You Want Me
3/5 interestingish
It's definitely the start of many things, and very much the 80s. The last track is a banger.
Pop un tanto electrónico de principios de los 80. Algún tema reseñable. Discos que a estas alturas, suenan un poco viejos
The first two tracks absolutely slap and obviously Don’t You Want Me is a stone cold classic. Unfortunately the songs in between are a bit mid The one exception is the surprisingly dark I Am The Law, which sticks out quite a bit but is a very good song in itself. Just a bit of a shame the rest of the album can’t quite keep the highs of its bookends
It's weird that that this album came out three years before Eddie Murphys album and sounds like the copy. And I think someone was playing Mega Man 2 when they were in the recording studio, which is also weird because that hadn't been developed yet. ALSO weird that the singer sounds like a Dollar General version of David Bowie. But the album isn't too bad except that one song where they forgot they were making a pop album and reverted back to that experimental sound, which the Grateful Dead did four times better a decade earlier.
I kind of liked this album. A lot of these ‘80s synth pop albums are just very one note. “Don’t You Want Me” is one of the greatest songs of this genre though. 3/5 Might listen again
Track 1: sounds like a fun 80’s song Track 2: I like the synth and the robotic drums Track 3: I like the weird synth lead thing it sounds fun. Track 4: I like the bass in this one. And the chorus synth part is fun I like the pop of the chords. Track 5: This one is fun I like the instrumental part in the middle. Track 6: decent song Track 7: kinda slow not my favorite. Track 8: I like the transition into this. Also all the weird noises that come and go. Track 9: decent song again. Track 10: I like the pace of this one. I also like the chords that come in and out that are staccato. Once the chorus hit I knew the song. Overall: 6.9/10 I liked the different sounds throughout the album and there were a few good songs on this but a lot of this album sounds like each other.
If you made a playlist of New Wave songs from the 80's, Don't You Want Me would be on that list. The rest of the album may not have the recognition of that one song, but in general it is about as '80s New Wave as you can get. From a listenability perspective, it has held up over time. It's not awsome but it's not cringe either. If it came up on the radio, I wouldn't change the station. But I don't think this is what I would pull up if I was in the mood for New Wave. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to but I wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.
HOLY 80's NEW WAVE Batman. This Album COMMITTED to one sound and rode it al the way through. It's fun in small doses, but a whole album is a bit much.
It’s indeed new wave… but not much more to say about it than that. 5/10
Pretty good electro-dance synth-pop album. Sure it is of a particular time and sounds dated but the songs are of pretty high quality...and not just don't you want me. There's a lot of good quality songs here. And I like the playlist that Roon created after the last song...some really fine memories. 3.5 stars
Possessive boyfriend issues is the theme of this album seemingly. Hard to tell if it's validating these feelings or poking fun at them. Maybe both. Maybe that's brilliant and a good way to hedge your bets, provoke the thought and don't push the issue hard, just a gentle nudge to cut that shit out. Either way, the music is solid, even if it's been played out.
Enjoyable. Love Action is the standout for me
Not bad but a bit repetitive. Not bad but a bit repetitive. Not bad but a bit repetitive. Not bad but a bit repetitive. Not bad but a bit repetitive. 3 stars.
- you. you were working. you were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar. - WORKING AS A WAITRESS. IN A COCKTAIL BAAAAR
3,5
Not the biggest fan of synth-pop, but I don't mind this. I wish there was a little more of the female singer and less of the guy. 3 stars.
Decent album. Probably ahead of ita time when it came out but feels very conventional new wave. Did not age as well as some other artists of the era
Didn't expect it to be as listenable as it was
Ive always loved 'don't you want me' but somehow never listened to the rest of this album. It doesn't reach quite the level of earnest anthemic belt-outable pure pop genius of that hit, but is a demonstration of the possibilities of synths for making era defining sounds. Bright and light instrumental tone combined with a dark moody vocal, robotic rhythms and human heartache. 'Seconds' does all that perfectly with a deeply affecting minor key Electro Joy Division dirge. Generally though it's more towards the pop new wave side of the spectrum, it still retains a lot of the energy of talking heads style post punk. Favorites: seconds, dont you want me, sound of crowd, darkness, love action
Not too shabby. The last 2 songs were the best ones. I like the synth sound.
It is definitely an 80s album with all of the synthesizers. I knew several of the songs. I would listen to some of the songs again but the entire album. I will round up.
Ensimmäinen biisi nujertaa kaiken toivon, vai nujertaako? Siinä kysymys jota joutuu miettimään koko albumin. Pienten transition kappaleiden sävyttämänä tämän voi nähdä todella vahvana esitksenä synth popista, enkä syytä ketään joka on erehtynyt ja päätynyt neljään ja viiteen tähteen arvioissaan. Kuitenkin ensimmäisen kappeleen sanat ovat anteeksiantamattomia ei ironisesti ja jokaisella ironia-tasolla, paitsi neljännellä tasolla. En aina osaa käsittää neljättä tasoa ja ajatukseni harhailevat sen laitamilla ja lähellä noita laitamia. Laidunmaani objektiamaa vastaa hätäsoittoihin. Näet yksinumeroisen vastauksen liitteenä. Ammuu! Ammuuu! Muuuh! Meuh! Mooo! Moo! 4th person perspective expanded through time helps us understand the choices we make.
Favorite Tracks: Don’t You Want Me The Sound of the Crowd
Strong 80s sound. Fun music
New wave, synth-pop, Son los de Don't You Want Me. Bien, está bien. 3. 80's
It was very synth pop - I could see the appeal and I love the single on the album (it was the last song on the record, which was a good decision).
Fine, not offensive
Classic 80s.
Bit boring except "Don't you want me". I still own the vinyl version of this song. Played that one a lot. Intern on a goatfarm in the middle of nowhere in the flevopolder.
Ooh wat is dit heerlukk. Krakende synths niks zeggende teksten en een oude drum computer Kende don't you want me natuurlijk maar de rest een welkome verrassing
Ik vond deze een beetje tegenvallen helaas, had er stiekem iets meer van verwacht. Het laatste nummer is natuurlijk een all time classic maar de rest vond ik simpelweg een beetje saai… misschien had dat ook te maken met dat ik een beetje een dinsdag dip had?
This was a lot
A bit synthed out after that. I'd say that apart from Don't You Want Me, the rest of the songs sit in the average category. There's a few flashes of brilliance, but mostly hiding behind some spacey electronic noises.
Do you remember that song that's used in commercials a lot that goes "Don't you want me baby"? What if that band actually had recorded a whole album? It's certainly fun to imagine and think about, but luckily they never did so we don't have to worry about it too much.
This was a new one for me. I liked it overall. Sounds like the missing link between Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode. I like those bubbling, farty-sounding synths.
I liked how this album had the iconic 80s synth pop vibes. The first 2 or 3 songs almost made me give up on the album but then it picked up enough. I did enjoy how the songs had smooth transitions between them. However at time it did feel like I was listening to an overly long intro to the next song. Thankfully the album ends on a high note with the iconic song “Don’t you want me”. Now that was a jam! I did like the album but not my favorite. 3.5 from me! 😁
This was a huge influence on a ton of 80s music. I only saved the last song because it’s a banger. I feel like i was listening to music in GTA vice city and that is a cool vibe. Not 100% my cup of tea but hey at least it’s not another 70s album
Initial thoughts: Woo! Moving on to the 80's! Our first pop album too! Never heard of this guys, so I'm curious where this will go. Final thoughts: DONT YOU WANT ME BABY? DONT YOU WANT ME OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH Iconic pop songs, some of the pop melodies are even used to this day. I even spotted a few sounds that have definitely been sampled by various other artists. Genre defining for sure, but is it just me or does it feel like outside of the iconic songs the rest of the album seems half baked?
80s af. Dont you want me baby
Couple of really great songs but also balanced by some so so ones
"Don't you want me" is a well-known song, and a few other hit songs (like "Human") keeps The Human League from being considered a one-hit wonder on its back, but the rest of the album, to me, sounded like competent but fairly generic 80s electronic pop. Granted, coming as it did at the beginning of the decade, Dare may well have helped codify the genre, but otherwise nothing in the other songs popped to me - which isn't to say it was bad, however.
Me di cuenta que hay mucho de pop ochentoso en esta lista, por lo menos este album tiene una canción reconocida, y no es tan avasallante por lo que podría volver a escucharlo, ahora mí tema es que quizás esté encajaría mejor en una lista de éxitos más que en la de un album completo, pero dicho esto, queda en el medio
Good
Learning to love a genre I really had no interest in has been a fun experience. And as time goes on, I find myself enjoying new wave and synthpop more and more. This album in particular is probably the most synth focused of the albums I have listened to in this genre so far. Some of these songs hit you with really great, massive sounding synth leads. The chorus on the opening track is a great example of that. I'm still not 100% on the vocals for this kind of sound though. To me, they still sound a little processed and over-produced, but I could eventually become used to it. Unfortunately, the b-side of this album falls short for me. I think the first half is really solid, but other than the closing track, nothing really stands out to me. Also wasn't aware that I had heard Don't You Want Me before, but I recognized it the moment I heard the chorus. Rating: 6/10
A standard ‘80s dance record saved by an absolutely incredible single which also acts as the records swan song. Outside of this the songwriting is fine and instrumentally there’s not a whole lot going on outside of the ONE song.
I appreciated that one much more than I would have imagined. Synthpop that's on the sugary side, but the melodies are great and the whole thing reeks of spray net.
First 3 songs are good. Middle songs are bleh. Last 2 songs are good. I disavow Get Carter. Ez 3.
IDNTHT
It's okay, this didn't need to be on the list.
it was ok
Enjoyable but I'm not sure I'll ever come back to it.
Apparently Philip Oakley thought 'Don't You Want Me' was the weakest song on the album, so relegated it to the final track on Side B and was unhappy with the record company's decision to release it as a single. Perhaps an example of an artists' inability to be objective about their own work, as although this is a generally strong album, DYWM is a legit banger and the best thing on the record by a long way. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Don't You Want Me Date listened: 26/08/23
Seems to me like standard synth-pop. I mean, I don't know jack shit about this genre, so it's probable I don't get its importance. Anyway, it's nice, but it doesn't have anything special.
Some solid hits on here, high 3 with personal preference stopping me from rating it higher
Nice, not special except for the one song... just as so many other times.
Love them or hate them, the Human League wrote the definition of synth music and set the bar for the rest of the 1980s. I've always liked their music, it was something different from the 70s sound, but it did become a bit bland as they sought commercial success. This album isn't bad, although not as fresh and raw in that post punk period as their first single Being Boiled in 1978, which is worth a listen.
3/5. Honestly a lot more enjoyable than I was expecting after the first song. Synth solos and pop music galore. However, every song does sound the same. It was still a fun listen though.
3,5! Kepeää ja keveää poppista.
Don't You Want Me is the blockbuster song but the rest of the album is very 80s pop
If you like the human league you’ll like this. Apart from the remixes but I suppose they need to be taken in context of remixes and electronic music being fairly new on a mainstream album so they didn’t want to rock the boat too much.
Most likely this album was included on the list to present a snapshot of popular music at a moment in time, rather than for its artistic merit. It's not actually bad, but it's also really not great. Few very skippable tracks, only seemed to reach a good level during the last two.
V Strong 3, big 80s synth pop dance vibe, catchy catchy, goes on for a bit with a lot of the same stuff
Some interesting ideas, can hear the stereotypical 80's sound for sure.
This was okay. Extremely forgettable but not unenjoyable. 3.5
Album 107 of 1001 The Human League - Dare Rating : 3 / 5 Favorite Track : Don't You Want Me A decent album for its genre. While all other songs aren't as strong, the hit song from it is pretty much iconic for the times. We all know that she was working as a waitress at a cocktail bar...that much is true.
New wave, synth-pop, Son los de Don't You Want Me. Bien, está bien. 3. 80's
De eerste paar nummers zaten met niet lekker, maar moet toegeven dat het uiteindelijk helemaal niet verkeerd was.
Heel eighties. Wel leukish
Ik hou van het 80s geluid, en sommige nummers zijn echt heel sterk en poppy. Maar word ik hier als mens nou echt beter van? Mwa. (Wacht.... had ik dat niet al eerder gezegd?)
the human league's dare had some heavy synth! with the intense synth sounds, the album definitely came across as dark. but oh my gosh, some of these beats were delicious. i heard some similarities with kraftwerk, who did predate them (no shade meant! it's just good to know who influenced who). like kraftwerk, their electronic/synth sounds definitely were more on the experimental side. an educating listen, to be sure. "don't you want me baby," as the fourth single, is absolutely bonkers to me, considering how it's their most famous song by far. it's a fun album closer, though.
This is one new wave band that I have never bothered to check out outside of their huge hit, "Don't You Want Me". All throughout, this is fun new wave that is extra heavy on the synth (and man, are there some excellent synth hooks in here)! I imagine the heavy is due to what is some obviously strong influence from the German electronica space. This also definitely has a David Bowie quality to it that is undeniable and unmissable. I would say the album as a whole is a bit eclipsed by and doesn't quite reach that same peak as "Don't You Want Me", but still a fun ride in early new wave space!
Seconds and Don't you want are such great songs. The rest of album is just ok, a bit bland at times.
Seconds and Don’t You Want Me were the highlights for me and are very different songs appealing in different ways. Much of the rest was kind of generic 80’s synth pop.
Pretty standard synth-pop. The single still holds up.
Gewoon prima weetje
Very synth pop from the 80s, ends on a band with Don't you want me.
Enjoyable 80's style. Crazy time period.
Very 80s. Probably an album that helped define the decade. A lot of the songs sound similar. "Don't you want me" is great.
I can totally see how this is an influential 80's album. Really has a classic early-80's sound. I mean I grew up listening to Don't You Want Me. I think this album was fine
SYNTH!
I liked it, synth heavy which makes it fun, and is kind of like 50% of the way to Talking Heads
I'm a bit of a synth slut cause I like this.
This should be preserved as a human artifact of synthesizer usage in 1981. Holy crap this has lots of authentic 80’s Casio Keybord goodness! Simple beats underlying a HOF synth effort. And best of all, their only hit is left for the final track, like the sweet cherry at the bottom of a 1981 Old Fashioned.
Good very 80's sounding pop.
Some classics but probably not something I'd go back to.
pure 80s vibes
I would put this album maybe one step above the soft cell and a-ha albums and a few steps below the eurythmics album in that the whole thing revolves around one song and the rest of the tracks are just fine. Not dumb like the first two albums or good like the other album I mentioned, just whatever. Unfortunately, dont you want me isn't as strong of a single as take on me so it gets the same--maybe slightly higher--score as hunting high and low.
Pretty decent 80s jams
Every synthpop album of the 80's must reckon with the question "what are we doing that's better/different from Kraftwerk?". New Order has a post-punk background with immaculate production. Depeche Mode had a darkness that reflected on the human condition in modern society. The Human League had BEATS. This album feels like The Human League putting the emphasis on the wrong syllable: there's far too much focus on glossy, shiny synth sounds and not the incredible rhythms that they've stacked track after track. Do Or Die would almost certainly go on to inspire LCD Soundsystem's approach to crafting a danceable beat. I dislike everything else about Dare!. Side B opens with a lot of conceptual minimalist synth that meanders until the song Seconds, which brings us back to the rhythmic goodness of Human League's drums and bass synths. For all of the hit-or-miss of Dare!, I thought it was oddly good. I think it is quirky enough that I enjoyed the earnest weird synth parts of the Human League. Also ends on a strong note.
Some classic pop, some slightly going nowhere pop. Very of its time.
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Do You Want Me (10) 2 - Seconds (8) 3 - The Sound Of The Crowd (3)
It's alright I think, doesn't blow the doors off but there isn't really anything offensive there either. Also has a very samey sound throughout the album which I guess comes with the early synth territory
I'm sad that Don't You Want Me ended up being the best song on the album. This was perfectly fine, but I found myself hoping that most of the songs would do something more. My favourite song was Don't You Want Me.
This was good! Much better than I expected, knowing only the big hit but thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Not one I’m going to be knocking down doors to buy but good fun nonetheless!
Another essentiel 80’s album. Like it
“Don’t You Want Me” is definitely a founding 1980s New Wave single, and it’s hard to remember a time in my life when I didn’t know the song. The rest of this album is interesting and sometimes good, but other than the single/last song, most of the songs feel incomplete. New Wave developed quickly after albums like this, and you can hear how it influenced later electronic music… but I wanted a little more…
Plenty of hits. Good stuff.
If you change your mind, you better change it back or we will both be sorry. Interesting lyric to a very popular song. Just funny how lyrics were back in the day of "oh you don't like me? Well you better or you'll be sorry.". Either way, this was an enjoyable album to close out the week. We got that classic single, along with some other fun ones on here. There were a few skips as well, this is a UK band that seems like it was ahead of it's time back then, but a little outdated now.
Fun and catchy!
Better than expected
Mostly faded into the background, but that last song… now that will get stuck in your head.
As much as I dislike this era of music, this isn't terrible
first listen, very new wavy. Apart from the last track which is iconic nothing really stands out to me as brilliant
I enjoyed what I heard although I didn’t fully finish listening to it. It was a very different sound in the 80s and was nostalgic. 3*
very good, although some also very bad singing....it's the genre.
Enjoyed the energy of some of the songs. But lots of synth isn't my favorite.
Decent. Got old after a bit, soft 3
Strange synth pop made by synthetic, futuristic, robotic aliens. Stilted in such a way that I think is intentional. Straddles a line between too poppy for avant garde, but not weird enough. Fun enough. Favorite tracks: "The Thing Dreams Are Made Of", "Do Or Die", "Don't You Want Me"
'Don't You Want Me' is of course a classic. The opening track 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of' was also a good song. Although I get the significance of this album it's too much synthesizers and 80's for my taste. 3/5
Good album. Very synth heavy sounds with a lot of different things going on. Last song is a classic gotta love it.
Last song = best song. Otherwise nothing special about this very 80s album. It is very background 80s music.
I liked it, but nothing too special.
The synth stylings are a bit a product of their time... though it is wrapped around a pretty decent set of songs. Most of them are an interesting listen, though nothing quite stands out as well as Don't You Want Me. Enjoyable.
Very 80’s. Only recognized the last song. Can’t say I’m a huge fan but glad I was exposed to it
okay
Side B is 5 star
ooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOO DON'T DON'T U WANT ME
Its interesting as a cultural artifact of the early 1980s and early synth pop.
Good! Didn't amaze me but I enjoyed it and I can see it's influence.
6/10. Don’t you want me is classic, and there were some interesting synth sounds , but it really felt like a one-hit-wonder list inclusion.
6/10. Don't you want me sounded like it always does, do or die was pretty good, the rest was pretty forgettable.
This one hit wonder group was smart enough to put their hit at the end of the album! 5/10
One all-time pantheon song that stands so far above the other songs on the album to make them all sound like filler. Don't You Want Me works so well because it's a duet, which makes me wonder if the other songs would benefit from a little less Phillip Oakey, who gets annoying after a while. But they'll always have Don't You Want Me, a classic that alone warrants a spot on the list.
Sounds like something Gus listened to as inspiration
Likely on this list solely for "Don't You Want Me," which was indeed a critical pop breakthrough. But "Fascination" and some very early stuff aside, little stands out in their catalogue.
Quite fun to listen to
Decent 80s synth pop album. Liked the song Darkness. Kind of like ah ha
Sound, songwrighting and singing are all par for the course for early 80s wave music, but this is generally a pretty uneven record. Singing-wise, Philip Oakey aims for all the right notes, but misses too often. This, too, is a trademark of that kind of music, but one that I never was particularly fond of. Most songs are quite dark, but not all too memorable - except the obvious hit "Don't You Want Me". For this alone I'll raise by rating by .5 points. Without it, this album would have been very disappointing. 2.5/5.
Here’s what I find interesting about this album. The last song, “Don’t You Want Me” is not the best song on the album but a logical conclusion to it. Really cool to see the progression in a single album in a transformative era.
Surprisingly good and inventive for a synth-pop album. The synths, and the songs in general actually, are a bunch of hit-and-miss. When they did hit though, it's very nice and groovy, they have the haunting synth sounds that I love about '80s pop. It's definitely a daring, albeit monotonous, synth-pop album. The popular tracks hit it, and they hit it well.
Not as up beat as expected
Decent, but nothing amazing. I was a little bored, and could tell I wouldn't revisit. 2.75/5
New wave really is more of a singles genre than an albums. That’s probably why Substance is the only New Order album I only. “Don’t You Want Me” is a triumph of the genre, but most else os forgettable. C
This wasn’t an amazing album. It was pretty typical 80s synth-pop. Although, I did enjoy the use of auto tuned cat meows as the lead instrument for Love Action. Overall, there were three songs I kind of liked(Love Action, Don’t You Want Me, The Things Dreams are Made Of). The rest was really forgettable.
Like DJ said... I liked it the more I got into it. At first I was a bit lost and distracted by the lyrics, which are somewhat jarring. The second listen was where it started to come together for me. I read that this was a radically new sound, that really nothing like this had been done, and that nobody was clear (even up to the last minute) whether it was any good or not. That made me understand the album more... it's unintentionally groundbreaking. It does feel a little bit effortless in a funny way, and not contrived. I liked it the more I got into it.
As one reviewer on 1001 Albums Generator so eloquently puts it: “A synth-pop 80s purgatory is a better place to be than a 80s post-punk hell.” I don’t feel that I’m in purgatory listening to this album, but I do feel a little cleaner afterwards. I like 80s synth pop! ABBA, Laura Branigan, Tears for Fears. Maybe it was because I took a small taste of the first track at 6:58am, but those synths slap a little hard and that main vocal feels too forward in the mix and too gravely. I really just wanted Laura Branigan to start singing I guess. It was fun to read everyone else’s reviews first because I’m handing in my homework late. DJ, Jacob, and Charlie all had a very similar takes, which is funny. You all did some major take-backs by the end of your reviews. I don’t have the curse of listening with a producer’s/musician’s ear, so I embraced this album with no questions of irony or prejudices of commercial ambitions. I enjoyed it! I can see myself dancing to it while cooking! It’s a 3/5 for me.
I went through the whole album without knowing what the last song would be which was a fun exciting way to end it because I’ve known that song 4ever. Other than that the album was funny and strange.
Almost the essence of what I stereotypically think of as an early-80s robotic synth pop sound. Completely dated but that's probably the point of this being influential - I don't know how often this kind of sound broke through to the masses before this. Even if I only know the smash single it all has a familiarity to it; giving it a generous 3 as it doesn't have much that "sticks" but at ~40 minutes is short enough to not get annoying (and I kind of like that the hit is the last track). It is admittedly kind of fun; definitely worth putting on at a party. Sneaky best song: "Seconds" 6/10 3 stars
A good record in its day but not doing it for me today
More than just the cocktail bar song, this album sets the detached vibe for the New Wave.
When will I find an album from the 80s that I actually like... Don't You Want Me is a banger tho
It's an album I'm glad I persisted with. I'm really quite fond of synthpop and new wave, but if it was only for Side A I'd have given up and would've been wondering why in the world this should be on a 1001 greatest album list. It gets interesting on the B Side of this album and the album finally gets lifted out of mediocrity with the last 4 songs, starting with the interesting "I Am The Law", turning into the great "Seconds" and ending in the classic "Don't You Want Me." 4 songs can't save an album, but is does make it stand out among contemporaries.
Not really my thing, but since this appears to be such an inspiration for so much electronic music, I'll give it a 3.
I am not big into pop music history, and if I believe in paying respect to the most influential artists, then I do in a more theoretical way – not by making myself like it. But I do have to give kudos for paving a new way musically while writing absolutely iconic lines such as "Everybody needs cash to spend; Everybody needs love and affection; Everybody needs 2 or 3 friends" I am completely deaf to bleeps and bloops, but I can't help feeling some appreciation among weirdos
Wow this was SO of an era - could you get more 80s music..!? Probs not. Certainly enjoyed enough of this and better known songs, but have to say some of it was rather repetitive and probs needed a strong drink to go alongside. Don't you want me is obviously iconic - probs the right thing to put this at the end of an album and end on something more melodic and interesting
Didn't mind it at all but it was fairly repetitive. Would enjoy all the tracks on their own but a whole album was a lot. Also, the Human League just makes me think of the electro episode of the Mighty Boosh. I AM ELECTRO BOY, I AM ELECTRO GIRL
The album feels very typical for 80's synth pop. It's still a fun listen. However, it does not feel very inspired. The synths are nice, the vocals are decent. There are some very good moments in this record but most of it feels very bland. The beginning of the record feels fun and fresh. The middle starts to drag very slowly. The last track on the record is easily the highest point. The most poppy, and most musically interesting track. Favorite Track: Don't You Want Me Least Favorite Track: I Am The Law
Made me want to do the robot. Vibes were chill.
If you mention this website when the play Don't You Want Me at Holiday Club this Friday, I'll buy you a beer
Classic 80s music. Synths out the ass. Some pretty good songs on here although I though a lot of them sound very similar. I actually dont think i could tell you a song other than dont you want me and i just finished it 10 seconds ago. Shallow and pedantic 5/10
Accidentally lisstened to this on shuffle
Solid synthpop - and unashamedly so. Melodies as solid as the synth cutting through your earholes. It dips a little in the middle but picks up the slack at the end. Best Tracks: The Sound of the Crowd; Love Action (I Believe in Love) Don't You Want Me
a lot better than i expected
Very 80s
8/2/2022 - ALBUM #187 Today's Album: "Dare!" by The Human League - This album is one of those albums that is on this 1001 albums list because it has a hit single that was massively overplayed by the public, which in this instance is the album closer, Don’t You Want Me. However, unlike most albums of this vein, there are a few tracks throughout the album that justify a full listen. The opener, The Things That Deams Are Made Of, is a fairly energetic start to the album, introducing the whirring synths and robotic drum beats that are emblematic of both this album and the developing sound of new-wave in the early 80s. I also like the slower, broodier track, I Am The Law, as I think the songwriting of the track is particularly strong and I think the ambient synths and bass framing the track create a really interesting soundscape. There are, though, plenty of tracks here that have a real lack of urgency and an uninteresting sound palette, with some songs sounding pretty goofy from the childlike sounds the band was experimenting with. The overall flow and balance of this record is ultimately heavily thrown off by this, with some of the highlight tracks sounding fairly good, but having a hard time shining when mushed together between what sound like playground experiments. There is obviously, the shining star at the end of the album, Don’t You Want Me, which really does capture the overall sound of this album and shows it off in the most flattering light. It is an extremely clean and polished new-wave song and as a genre that thrives when it sounds like digital beeps, I think it really elevates this album from a forgettable experiment to an important musical influence. Overall, though, I think this album is a pretty mixed bag of early new-wave experimentation. It has a ton of moments that are sonically impressive and a fair bit of memorable hooks to keep you hooked, but it’s mostly just 4 good songs held together with scotch tape and gum. Give this one a listen if you are into new wave and otherwise maybe just peep the highlights. Highlights: The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Darkness, I Am The Law, Don’t You Want Me Score: 6/10 Early new wave album that is very groundbreaking, but is mostly held up by a few good songs
Really, really 80s sounding synth-pop which I should love but I just couldn't get into it. 3.5/5
Early example of New Wave. Heavy on synthesizers, vocal effects. "Don't you want me baby" is the biggest hit off this album. I didn't recognize any other songs.
80s are alive and well here.
This album is like getting roped into an 80s dance hall filled with Tab
Reminded me a lot of Penthouse and Pavement (unsurprisingly) - and I enjoyed this one too. Catchy, quirky, synthy melodies aplenty, artfully treading the line between tacky and sophisticated - and that's before we even get to Don't You Want Me at the end. Something about it starts to grate after a while though. I think maybe I'm not a huge fan of the vocals. 3.5
Massive album of the 80s. Contains big hit singles. And from my home city. I have problems. Although I like electric pop. 1 I haye the big drum sound. 2. The lyrics are a bit inane. 3. Oakey's voice is like nails down a blackboard to me. Will never love it. Sorry. Can't take away the big tines though. 3
Total 80's album.
Some good songs but far too repetitive
Quite enjoyable.
Aunque Don’t You Want Me de hecho me gusta bastante, el resto del disco es de ese horrible género del Synth Pop que suena a Ross jugando con su teclado. El disco se vuelve un poco largo y hay tracks que de plano no me encantan. Encima, hay una versión con remixes que la neta sí me salté. Alcanza la 3ª estrella solo porque si me gusta una rola.
Listened to on 5/31/22 3.5/5 Favorite song: don’t you want me Great background 80s music with a solid banger ending
Really vacuous British voice + cheesy 80’s synth throughout made for a mediocre album at best. Don’t You Love Me is the classic on here and clearly the best song.
The more new wave albums I hear the more I realize it's not really that good. This is mostly boring and even the one song I like (Don't You Want Me) is kinda boring too. I'll give it an extra point because it was pretty influential but won't listen again.
This album is very 80's but I enjoyed it.
Not a fan of the band, especially when this album was first released. I didn't listen to any synth-based pop music on the radio, but reflecting back it does bring back a bit of nostalgia. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing their big hit, Don't You Want Me and it still remains an earwig in my mind once in a while. It's not always a bad thing.
The release year is important here, at least it is to me. The sound and style of this album sound dated to my ear now, and as someone who was a teen in the 80s, this kind of music is very familiar because it was quite common back then. But in 1981, it wasn't. That's what I mean by this album's release year's importance. Makes me understand how groundbreaking and influential this album really was. I don't particularly love the album overall, but that's because the higher frequencies that my ear hears in synth-based music kind of grates on me. No fault of the music or anything else; just how I experience it. Because of that, I don't listen to synth music. 'Don't You Want Me' is still a lot fun, though. I remember liking it back then and I still do.
Dare is the third album by English synth-pop band The Human League. This album was recorded in the new wave of pop style, after the departure of two founding members of the band caused a shift from their prior avant-garde electronic style. This change in genre for the band paid off big once the singles from the album began releasing, and this album went on to define the synth-pop genre. The final track on the album is the single "Don't You Want Me" which became an international hit - as well as the band's biggest hit and the 25th highest selling single in the UK - after it was finally released against the band's frontman Philip Oakey's opinion who thought it was the weakest track on the album and shouldn't be a single. The album was on the UK chart for 71 weeks, being number 1 for a good chunk of that, and "Don't You Want Me" was the number 1 single during some of that time as well. With all this popularity, it's no surprise that the album has been certified triple platinum in the UK. As critically acclaimed as this album is, it's still pop music, and to me this genre's songs are easily forgettable and/or repeatable. I loved the single "Don't You Want Me", but obviously everyone in the world loved it too. The other tracks on the album weren't as special, but a few did stick out to me as good. Overall, this album is pretty amazing and did bring pop - and more specifically synth-pop - into the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
Some bumper 80e Cover art 3/5
Alright. Not what I’d call a classic
Not bad, just dated. High on the synthesizer. Very new wave.
My sister bought this LP in my 80s childhood and boy I listened to it a whole lot. There is some forgettable stuff in the first half but the album, and the B side in particular, still holds up on its own terms.
Nothing I would go back to. Thought they sounded like the band that sings Don't You Want Me until I got to the last track and realized that it was!
Contrairement à mon camarade d'écoute le très peu éclairé roblumière, j?ai beaucoup apprecié cet album, qui aura même frôlé le 4 grâce à un très bon dernier son. J'ai notamment adoré le choix artistique de ce groupe, qui avant de lancer chaque piste de l'album, nous laisse nous balader pour quelques secondes dans les hautes herbes.
Pop commercial
The sound of the 80’s
A big and small hit. The rest is rather mediocre. (5/10) FT: Don't You Want Me, Love Action (I Believe in Love)
Despite the morose whine and so-so lyrics, some of the best keyboarding ever.
Not bad. I now know the group who wrote Don’t you want me Baby
It's very heavy on the synth which I really wouldn't have a problem with, but the songs really feel like they bleed into one another. And the biggest banger on the soundtrack being right at the end is just uncool.
Don’t really get the hype around this one… plenty in the genre better in my humblest of humble opinions.
Cest correct pas plus.j'ai tout exoute et je me souviens presque plus. Peut être par e que à secoute bien en backgroudb? Probablement. 3.5
80's synth pop tunes
pas dingo mais je ne peux ignorer le banger don’t you want me ….
Don't you want me baby
Solidan
Sintpopični možda recimo klasik? Ne znam, ne mora biti, ali ovaj cover mi je dosta poznat, viđao sam ga, bar što se tiče ovog žanra i ružan je! Prva strana albuma je sasvim dobra, ne mogu reć. Meni taj synthpop prolazi, ali nije koji će mi ostat onako u rotaciji. Ako me razumijete. Može se poslušat, a sad da ću si pustit to, bar sad još uvijek ne letim za ovim synthpopom.
Cool synths
Flash Back
She never even worked in a cocktail bar. Frauds. Good album doe
Classic 80s pop that provides a cool sound that masks a lack of great songwriting. Most of the album follows the exact same tempo and feels like a trial of songs in pursuit of their biggest single, which is the only major highlight of the album given its domination of shopping radio playlists at stores.
Solid and catchy 80s synth pop that is unfortunately too repetitive to justify a 4 stars
An album from the 80s that doesn’t indulge in itself for once. Though some songs tend to plod due to lack of editing, the synth melodies and catchy vox are enough to keep things moving through the slow spots.
Buen disco. Muy movido, pero Don’t you want me se lleva el disco por mucho
Ah Phil and the Girl fans! what a difference from the first iteration, but I think Phil Oakey was always a "Pop Star in Waiting" rather than an Alt-Rock star. "The Things that Dreams are made of" & "Love Action" my pick of the tracks althoug I also Like "Get Carter". A good early 80's piece of serious pop.
Aside from Don't You Want Me, none of the songs really caught my attention.
Well it's a decent dance/pop/now wave record with one great song. 3 🌟
I mean, it's fun man. I think that's it at the end of the day. Don't you want me baby? Classic as it gets.
Pretty good. Only really know them for ‘Don’t You Want Me’ so it was nice to hear other, darker, material.
9/22 3.5/5. Classic 80s synth-pop, not a preferred genre of mine but it's good at what it does. Standout Tracks: The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Darkness, Seconds
Kind of interesting meld of 80s new wave pop and 80s German electronica, even though these guys were from Sheffield (!?) I found it nostalgia-inducing but ultimately a little hard to listen to all the way through.
Not bad. Obviously there’s the hit at the end, but the majority of the album is some pretty cool 80s synth pop. I’d listen again.
Pretty good album, defintley a huge influence on a lot of the new wave that came later on in the decade.
This is the kind of synth pop that is unapologetic in its sounds. angular, refusing to blend. the task then is more in stacking them, which sounds like what I am in for. This almost feels like a less fun DEVO. Or like listening to a very poetic retro gamer stream. Some songs have interesting hooks but I'm just not super interested in the sounds. Don't You Want Me Baby keeps this from being a 2 star for me. Seconds is a good track.
Synthpop at its best
Unapologetically 80s. Interesting track placement but generally enjoyable
Classic 80s synth pop, Human League were one of the best of that genre. Lots of it sounds a bit dated and cheesy now but the melodies and hooks are still strong.
Don't you want me was a standout from the rest
Yup. Surprising that the #1 single was the last song on the album.
I thought this would be better, being that I love 80's new wave electronic music - but only a couple of good tunes and one banger being Dont You Want Me. 3 stars