Before / After [Import]

Heaven 17 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 6, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ninthwave Records
• ASIN: B000A5FA46
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,066 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

www.allgigs.co.uk Daniel O'Connell

the complex synth compositions still remain – mainly accompanied by a four-to-the-floor dance beat.

Product Description

An album made with no restrictions, no pressure, no time limits, no interference, no prying ears. just us, in a studio doing what we enjoy doing best. Creating new Heaven 17 songs. Going back to their DIY beginnings Heaven 17 got together with Angie Brown and Billie Godfrey and recorded several tracks over the course of 2001. The result of these studio sessions, their first studio album in 8 years, was completed on September 11 2001 the day the New York landscape and psyche was changed forever with the attack on the twin towers. The name of the album, BeforeAfter, and the artwork refer to this brief moment in time that has had such a profound effect on so many people

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Disc Will MAKE You Love It, January 27, 2006

By 

Darv Krizton (Maui, Hawaii, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Before / After (Audio CD)

I was aware of the Human League / H17 split when it occurred & snapped up H17's first release as soon as i could get my hands on it. Likewise subsequent releases. I received this disc from Amazon today and am listening to it for the third time as I write this.
This is a thoughtful, carefully crafted 38:37 of the kind of synthpop FUN you thought couldn't be created anymore. It begins with several unashamedly techno-disco tracks which one would have expected from the Fry/White ABC if they had gotten better & better as H17 has. In fact, I would go so far to say that "Before After" is a landmark hybrid recording much like ABCs fantastic "Lexicon Of Love." As that disc, superbly produced, fused soul and disco in a Roxy Music-like new wave energy, this disc projects that soulful disco into a high energy modern techno dance sensibility.
Not only that, but the familiar funksoulpop of H17 is updated to the sound of the millenial dancefloor. One of the other reviews said that this made it sound unlike previous H17. The song writing intelligence is equal to or greater than previous H17 also, so it's like having your cake and eating it too! All the elements of what made H17 so fine are still there, the production is different reflecting modern pop values.
The second half of the album features some slower tempos, ballads. The disc has a wide range of emotion, by which I mean to say it is NOT just one long slamming dance fest. Like other H17 releases, the disc ends on a more introspective note. But no long meandering compositions on this one. No song reaches five minutes and most hover around four. So these tracks never exceed their own integrity. One is never waiting for a song to end or wondering if a certain section is excessive.
The previous H17 release, "Bigger Than America," was much darker not only in sound but emotion too. This disc has a clean, positive emotional quality, as if the funk of "BTA" (no pun intended) has been shrugged off, leaving a heart full of hope and romance. If "BTA" was the Pavement sensibility of H17, this disc is the romantic Penthouse side.
The female vocals have a prominent role which recalls the title track of "Penthouse And Pavement" and the best of Human League, but so incredibly accomplished that hearing them is like savoring a lush & delicious treat. Gregory's vocals are perfection and require no lyric sheet. Ever.
The music itself is on the level of Kraftwerk at their most fun & danceable. Actually, it is even more complex than that because of the horn & string charts and well-considered backing vocals. Somebody should mention that, yes, the song "Don't Fear The Reaper" IS that old Blue Oyster Cult tune. H17 stays very true to the overall sound of this smash standard, while still giving it their characteristic funkpopsoul flourish. I never did like BOC, but i did like that tune and it is really enjoyable here and good on repeated listen. If you think about it, the sensibility of the song is really in harmony with what H17 is about. A solid cover & not some smarmy toss off. Good job!
In conclusion, on third listen, i must say that H17 has released a real gem here that should please all old fans and would be welcome in the collection of anyone who misses the Fry/White ABC and i would think most Human League fans, even those who didn't particularly like the more political, darker, funkier H17 of the early years.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars H17 are back!, October 2, 2005

By 

D Dyer "Dan" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before / After (Audio CD)

this is the first time i've reviewed on here, but i felt compelled to do so because this is a fab cd which deserves to be listened to as widely as possible. Glenn gregory has an unmistakable voice which just destroys everything around today, and H17 just continue to produce perfect electro-dance music. the sound is much more polished than the early days, and they do sound different - but its a good different. they've even squeezed in a cover of don't fear the reaper - i normally hate covers but i reckon this would make a great single. Go on buy it - you know you want to!!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Are Back - You must buy this album!, October 4, 2005

By 

Richard "Octennial" (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before / After (Audio CD)

As an avid fan from the earliest days of H17, this is a real back with a bang album... sensational! If you liked the ground breaking Penthouse & Pavement album of the early 1980's... this is ground breaking for the current decade. The true roots of H17 synth-pop style music are not cast aside. This album feels very modern and will not leave any listener disappointed. Glenn Gregory's vocals are still as stunning today as they were 20 years ago and the album certainly lives upto the BEF 'music of quality and distinction' marque! Truely inspiring for the synth-pop devotee!!!