The Human League - Reproduction (1979) (2003 Remaster Edition)

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The Human League - Reproduction (1979) (2003 Remaster Edition)

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The moody, sparse electronic sound of the Human League's debut album from 1979 is the very reason why 'Reproduction' has become suddenly back in vogue by electronic music fans. All the tracks from the first three Human League indie label singles have been added as bonus tracks including 'Being Boiled' (Fast Product Version) which David Bowie declared, upon its release, as being the future sound of music. Additional bonus tracks, 'Introducing', 'The Dignity Of Labour' (Parts One through Four), 'Flexi Disc', & 'Circus Of Death' (Fast Product Version). Pop fans a bit put off by the Human League's dispassionate vocals on their breakout hit "Don't You Want Me" would have been shocked by the degree of emotionlessness heard two years earlier on the band's 1979 debut. The trio of Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware, and Philip Oakey all handled vocals and synthesizers to create a set of grim, rigid tracks that revealed a greater lack of humanity than even Kraftwerk. It's a surprise that the Human League hit the British charts at all (with the single "Empire State Human"), since this could well be the most detached synth pop record ever released. ~ John Bush From its vaguely disturbing cover photo to the arty gloom contained within, the Human League's 1979 debut album is considerably different from the smooth pop singles which later made them stars. Recorded by the trio of singer Phil Oakey and synthesizer players Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh--who left the band in 1980 to form the British Electric Foundation and its offshoot group Heaven 17--REPRODUCTION is a stark, minimalist postpunk document which has more in common with Joy Division than Duran Duran. That said, it's also an interesting, sometimes fascinating slice of early electro-pop which should appeal to fans of the style's fringier elements. The engaging single "Empire State Human," a bizarre cover of "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'" and the just plain weird "Circus of Death" are particular highlights.