#GreatAlbums1980s - #TheHumanLeague – Dare (1981). Dare was the extension of early 80s synth-pop (OMD, Gary Numan, and THL's early work) from its underground origins to mainstream accessibility. Lambasted by the Musicians' Union for what it perceived as simple push-button execution, the League defied naysayers with songs like "Open Your Heart" and "Love Action." Ironically, it was a tune the group themselves mistook for a throwaway that topped the charts: "Don't You Want Me."
"Hawksmoor’s buzzing timbres and synthesized rhythms [resemble] those created by The Human League on their first two albums, Reproduction and Travelogue, a percussive pulse which an early reviewer of the League’s music compared to steamhammers in a mineshaft."
I had the enormous honour of being interviewed by one of my all-time music heroes, #MartynWare and now you can listen to us both chunter on for yourselves:
The #TuneTuesday this week is #TheDeepestCut, less known songs by famous artists. Wasn't sure where to go with this, because I'm so out of touch: I don't know who's familiar to all, nor which of their songs are popular nowadays.
I did wonder about The Human League, though. Everyone knows the big hits of the band's second incarnation - or at least, everyone knows Don't You Want Me? - but the darker and weirder first incarnation, with Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh alongside Phil Oakey, is probably still a lot less famous. Primarily because nobody bought their records.
To that end, I've picked Dreams Of Leaving, because it's the one Human League song that is possibly the furthest away from Don't You Want Me? and the style of that time.