|
| Reproduction | 
 enlarge
| Artist: The Human League
Label: Blue Plate Caroline
Category: Music
List Price: $15.98
Buy New: $7.87
You Save: $8.11 (51%)
New (36) Used (11) from $7.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 28550
Format: Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 80165
UPC: 724358016529
EAN: 7243580165292
ASIN: B00007KMZV
Release Date: January 28, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
|
| Tracks:
| • | Almost Medieval | | • | Circus Of Death | | • | The Path Of Least Resistance | | • | Blind Youth | | • | The Word Before Last | | • | Empire State Human | | • | My Morale...You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' | | • | Austerity / Girl One (Medley) | | • | Zero As A Limit | | • | Introducing | | • | The Dignity Of Labour (Part 1) | | • | The Dignity Of Labour (Part 2) | | • | The Dignity Of Labour (Part 3) | | • | The Dignity Of Labour (Part 4) | | • | Flexi Disc | | • | Being Boiled (Fast Version) | | • | Circus Of Death (Fast Version |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
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). Remastered. Caroline. 2003.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Dark Synthesised Pop November 21, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I remember picking up the vinyl album of 'Reproduction' back in 1980. Now, 25 years later I decided to pick up the CD version with the wonderful inclusion of the Dignity of Labor 12" E.P. (Even including the Flexi-Disc) that I didn't get with my copy. I have had about 10-15 albums on vinyl that I went on to get the CD version of & this is one of them. Back in 1979 believe me this was a really new sound. Synthesized pop for a new generation. Actually pretty dark pop with heavy lyrics reflecting Philip Oakey's take on death and the human condition. Just check out 'Zero As A Limit' which is my favorite track. A slow echoing hand-clap repeating begins the song with Mr. Oakley's deep voice telling the story of someone going through the unfortunate motions of being run over by a car. The urgent increase in the simple hand-clap as the car approaches and the frenzied urgency of Oakey's voice brings the song to its inevitable conclusion. The whole album shows so much imagination & musical confidence and to my mind is a lesson in how to craft simply structured songs that can still work on a deeply emotional level. The whole album has great beats with beautifully programmed Synth lines. There really wasn't much else out there in the electronic field that was anything like this. Remember this is 1979. Strangely though this kind of music wasn't taking off commercially and it wasn't until some 2-3 years later with 'Dare' that the 'Human League' became popular, being lumped in with the 'New Wave' crowd. But for me this 1st release was their best. Both in terms of lyrical content and musical proficiency. And lets not forget the Cover, which at the time it came out i think was though of as rather controversial. Babies being danced on by late 70's yuppie's....Wonderful PS: Check out too the awesome rendition of 'You've Lost that Loving feeling' also. A wonderful remake.
Lovingly rereleased for your electronic pleasure June 2, 2003
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Human League is usually synonymous with dodgy 80s pop but this is rather a surprising listen and a has a lot of bite to it. Odd lyrics with cold, almost ice glacier like synths and all in all a lot of fun to listen to. It really is a Human League album for non Human League fans
 Could Have Been Better May 15, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is not nearly as interesting as the unfortunately way out of print compilation of an early incarnation of the Human League, "The Golden Hour of the Future". If you're expecting Cabaret Voltaire or Throbbing Gristle you probably will be disappointed (unless you go for T.G.'s occasional synth pop songs such as "United"). Other than that, the music has a dull depressive sound that (unlike say Joy Division) doesn't go anywhere. The lyrics can be irritating ("Dehumanization. Its such a big word. Its been around since Richard the third"-huh?). And the cover of "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" shows the direction the band were headed in. Though they started off in the post punk scene, they obviously wanted to be a synth pop band and after the first two albums achieved their success as just that, though they never had the creativity of other artists who combined synth pop with aspects of punk such as say, Ultravox's "Ha Ha Ha" or the essential synth masterpieces of Kraftwerk who got the ball rolling for this genre as well as many others.
Synthetic Masterpiece December 13, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was extremely skeptical of this album. I had the notion in my head that since the album was made almost 25 years ago it would sound like a rehash of Kraftwerk singles I already owned. Much to my surprise, it does not adhere to the minimalism one might expect in the late 1970s. This album has not only catchy pop music with wonderful harmonies and beautiful melodies, but some great instrumental ballads that might make even Vangelis jealous. The boys of Human League were quite ahead of their time. There is little from this album that would not hold up throughout most of the 1980s, and even to today's ears with the resurgence of analogue synths in pop music. If you really love electronic music, this remastered copy is an album to own.
 a Mixed Bag June 8, 2005
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
I put off buying the early Human League albums for years, having heard so many mixed views of them. Most fans seem to prefer either the early experimental albums "Reproduction" and "Travelogue" or the pop albums begining with the smash hit "Dare!". After seeing the excellent documentary "Made in Sheffield", about the electronic music explosion in Sheffield, England of the early 1980s, I was fascinated by their sound and I finally gave in, took the plunge and purchased both "Reproduction" and "Travelogue". I now understand the polarizing effect the first two Human League albums have on fans. And I have ultimately worked out why I don't particularly care for the League. The lyrics and vocals of Phil Oakey are sometimes simply excrutiating. Many of these tunes would fare much better as instrumentals ( and many actually are instrumental ) as the mannered, studied vocals (and lyrics) of Oakey are somewhat distracting and certainly what I'd call an acquired taste. Reading the lyrics is akin to peeking into the poetry diary of a tortured, sensitive intellectual. They border on pretentious. Don't get me wrong. I REALLY love this music. It is at once exciting, daring, and experimental. It is also very listenable, very "hooky" and quite enjoyable. Many bases are covered, be it ambient washes of sound, or robotic, dance numbers. One song "Flexidisc" is simply the members having a conversation on how their music should be recorded and presented to the public. VERY Throbbing Gristle, don't you think? I see the obvious influence of not only TG but also of Cabaret Voltaire on the early Human League albums. Also, check out the cover of "Reproduction" - dig those naked, crying babies! - and tell me they haven't been looking to Throbbing Gristle for inspiration. I know full well this review won't get me any "helpful" clicks here on Amazon, but then again my review of "Dare!" hasn't won me any fans either. Ultimately I can happily reccomend either of the first two Human League albums for fans of early Cabaret Voltaire, fans of the more accesible works of Throbbing Gristle, and for those who like electronic music in general.
|
|
|
Proud member of the JimmyKat Network. Make sure you check out these other great JimmyKat network sites:
Lyrics Database
Celebrity Blog
Celebrity Thing
Celebrity PC
Celebrity Latest
Celebrity Pro
Travel Photos
Quotes
Flash Games
|
Is there a better
price available?
Find out:
|
|
|
|
