What I appreciated most about Crash was that the Human League displayed a warm and enjoyable (letting loose, if you will) type of dance or club sound. Of course it sounded "American"--whatever that means; the album was produced here in the U.S. by mega-talented producers Jam & Lewis from FlytTyme Productions ( responsible for contributing to the successes of Janet Jackson, S.O.S. Band, Cherelle, and Alexander O'Neal). Crash had that mid 80's chart topping R&B Minneapolis sound which still sounds just as fresh today. Crash also demonstrated that the Human League did not necessarily have to adhere to their usual heavily synthesized and often cold sounding material which catapulted them to the top back in the early 80's with Don't You Want Me ! I must admit,even though this album sounded great, the last few tracks started to sound redundant until it slightly picked up again with the last track titled Love Is All That Matters. I think what disturbed critics of this album is that some songs were produced by Jam & Lewis while the others were produced or written by the Human League and their own writing team which may have caused a notable inconsistency in style. Despite the fact that this album "crashed and burned" on the charts and with many critics, it is worth a listen and your few dolllars if you find it in the cutout clearnace bins or at a used c.d. shop...


"Crash" flies to new heights!   February 11, 2006
Distant Voyageur (Io)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Am I the only one who actually loves this album! For me, this is my favorite record by these guys.

"Crash" marked a radical departure and must I say "sell-out" in some fans minds, it is a whole new sound that saw them team up wtih Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the guys who did "Control" around the same time as this and these albums are great but have their own character. Granted, "Control" overall to me, is more flamboyant and sophistaced but "Crash" at the same time ahs a beautiful atmospheric ambience throughout even on some of the more pop-sounding tracks.

"Human" ranks as my favorite song by them with it's beautiful melody and keyboard arrangements. A highly underrated song however is "Are You Every Coming Back" which has an eerie atmosphere to it.

Many might see this as Control-era rejects but I think it stands apart as one of my favorite albums from my favorite year in music, 1986.


Let's see this as a separate album   November 20, 2005
Lucas (Holland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I like Human and Love Is All That Matters the most on this one. Specially the extended versions. This album is made for the dance floor and nothing else. So if you're a die-hard fan of the League, you can't miss this one. I see this one as a particular '1986 album', just like the Cherelle, Alexander O'Neal & SOS Band-albums from that same area. The Janet Jackson album Control is the best example I think. Jimmi Jam & Terry Lewis are all over the album(s). Just like a blueprint from that time in dance music.