Customer Reviews

Octopus

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Really...it's a shame that Octopus was so ignored upon its release in 1995, because it is an amazing album that should have - by all counts - rocketed The Human League back up the charts. However, I must also remember to temper my praise for the album by the fact that The Human League produced Octopus in such a way that it maintained their "sound," which may have been to many - dated by 1995. And I say, "a pox on all of you who dismissed The Human League for not reinventing themselves."

The 1980's was a time of experimentation for the music industry. I don't have the numbers, but I imagine there were more "one hit wonders" created in the 1980's than in any other decade before or since. I think that's wonderful! Think of all the airplay that so many young, experimental groups got as a result. Think about how the music morphed and ebbed and flowed during that time period. THINK about how happy the music was - largely - and how it has already become a decade where the music is STILL almost as popular now as it was then. The Rolling Stones haven't come up with a new sound...when Duran Duran came up with a new sound their fans abandoned them. When the went back to their original formula, the fans returned. There is no reason a group shouldn't retain a successful sound - fans will remain - they just may not grow their fan base as quickly as before is all.

The Human League actually started up in the 1970's and really had created their "sound" by the early 1980's. When you listen to their blockbuster hit, "Don't You Want Me?" it is, according to Billboard Magazine, as fresh today as it was upon its release. The same can be said for their sound in general, I think.

Octopus has so many really good songs - and far surpasses my "three song requirement" (an album has to have at least three songs I really like before I will buy it). "Tell Me When" is the obvious dance and "chart" song with really invigorating rythm and chorus. "These Are The Days" is driving and peppy and the intro has ....just ever so much B-52's styling to it (sounds like they've used a smoke alarm for the first couple of beats). I love to pop this one in the CD player in the car and drive with the top down at night. "One Man in my Heart" is a love song: Human League style. "Houseful of Nothing" is ever so slightly reminiscent of a Depeche Mode sound coupled with The Human League's distinct style and is quite insightful. "John Cleese: Is He Funny?" is a quick instrumental number that if you stretch you can imagine Cleese's weird movements in play. "Never Again" is possibly my least favorite song on the album as it seems to be a rehash of older songs and is just a bit to slow for this album. However, to say that it is my least favorite is not saying much since I still like the song quite a bit. "Cruel Young Lover" is a staggering step of introspection and pep - very late 1980's sounding.

All in all, you really can't go wrong with this album. And surprisingly, it's not available right now on Amazon except from other sellers. However, what is great about that is that you can pick this CD up for next to nothing. And it is definitely one you should have in your collection.

I'd like to defend electronic music. Human League is often ridiculed and considered sub-par as far as rock and roll goes. Synth driven music is just as viable as other genres. Human League has proven over the years that they are among the best synth bands around, right up there with Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, OMD and others. I have all eight studio cds from Human League and while their 1981 Dare cd is what most fans and critics will tell you to buy, I think 1995's Octopus is just as good. Octopus has great songs like "Tell Me When", "These Are The Days", "One Man In My Heart", "Filling Up With Heaven", "House Full Of Nothing" and "Cruel Young Lover." Human League can make Madonna's Ray of Light excursion look like child's play. While Human League aren't noted for their depth in lyric, their music makes up for it. Octopus has great, catchy melodies. Great synth pop never sounded better. A must have for any rock collector.

Octopus, released in 1995, is a good and energetic disc from the Human League. Altogether, there are nine tracks--one being an enjoyable instrumental ("John Cleese; Is He Funny?"). All of the material is in a synth-pop musical direction. I don't hear any guitar work throughout the album. I find every one of the cuts to be worthy. Overall, the musicianship is solid, the songwriting is good, and the sound quality is dynamic, polished, and crisp. I like Philip Oakey's vocal delivery--it's clear, unique, and suave. Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley also do well with the vocal duties. My favorite songs are "Filling Up with Heaven," "Never Again," and "These Are the Days." The uplifting, well-written "Filling Up with Heaven," one of my favorite compositions from the Human League (and in general), is a melody-filled, engaging piece that features beautiful, lush harmony vocals and sunny, sparkly keyboard playing. The notable, pleasing ballad "Never Again" displays tight vocals from Oakey, soaring keyboard textures, and a smooth, attractive chorus. The lively, futuristic-flavored "These Are the Days" is a catchy and atmospheric tune that exhibits interesting-sounding keyboard colors. Examples of other tracks that I like are "John Cleese; Is He Funny?" and "Words." "Words," almost six minutes long, is a brooding, mellow-moving, ambient song; even though it takes its time, it isn't boring. The gratifying and bouncy instrumental "John Cleese; Is He Funny?" sports appealing, smeary keyboard soundscapes. The CD booklet contains the song lyrics--I like the lyrics to "These Are the Days" and "House full of Nothing"--and an individual illustration of each member of the group. The disc is just over 45 minutes in length. I think that this release from the Human League is pleasurable.

Human League has churned out some good music in the years, and this album is far from disappointing. The singer has a voice all his own. The songs on here that show the most talent are "These Are the Days," "Filling Up With Heaven," and "Never Again." If you're a fan of Human League's older '80s material and don't have this, go and get it.

The album is now 4 years old but still sounds great(in a world full of guitarsIit is also great to see a band stick by their convictions to make the best synth pop music possible(despite of trends)Philips vocals sound as strong as ever,and Susan and Joanne only get better as the years pass.OCTOPUS contains 3 u.k hit singles including the classic" Tell me when"."Cruel young lover" &"Housefull of nothing" give the young guns on the scene a bloody good run for their money.Well its about time for a new album, i hope.

Superb revitalization album that just grows on me more and more. By far their best album post "Dare." "Tell Me When" is a classic that never wears out its welcome. This came out the same year as Heaven 17's even better comeback, "Bigger Than America." What was in the Sheffield water in 1997? (see also ABC- Skyscraping) A great return to "vocals and synthesizers only."

This album is still in my head 10 years later with some of the songs! I love Tell Me When, These Are The Days, One Man In My Heart, and John Cleese: Is He Funny?. But they are no contest to Words, my favorite from this album. The stark landscapes in the song with its keyboards are so dramatic. Its lyrics are nice about reminiscing about the past and living for the present and future. I find it interesting that they recorded the songs in 1994 for its 1995 release. There are shades of Dare, Fascination and other past albums felt within these 9 songs. One of their best and sonically driven albums.

I cant properly describe the album style, but I would tend to lean toward 'trance'. The Album was released in 1995 and the production quality is fantastic. If you have heard the 1999 album by the Pet Shop boys titled 'Nightlife' and enjoyed it, then this album is for you. Every title has an up tempo happy beat that will keep you wanting more.

Enjoy.

The Human League's 1990 album, Romantic? was a big disappointment to the new wavers. It then lost the synth beats and catchy melody and lyrics. After a five year silence, they come back with this album, Octopus. My opinion...buy this album! It's worth every cent! Awesome pop synth music that you can easily dance to! Best tracks are Tell Me When, These Are The Days, One Man In My Heart, House Full Of Nothing, and the non-vocal, trancy John Cleese: Is He Funny?

The critics have been unkind to The Human League over the years since the release of the ground breaking album Dare in 1981. The music press rightly praised Dare when it was released as the European innovation that would combat the stale and pedestrian guitar driven rock from America. The subsequent album releases of the 80's failed to live up to Dare, and how could they? It wasn't until 1995 with the release of Octopus, that the critics finally began to give Phil and the girls some credit. The album opener Tell me When was a fine return to form with it's catchy analogue rifts that made it sound so fresh and unique. Thankfully, Octopus continues to dazzle the listener with one of the highlights These are The Days. A song which should have been the next single with a melody to kill for. Other highlights include the bass driven House full of Nothing and the modern techno/house epic Cruel Young Lover. The crisp production is every bit as clear as Dare, and Octopus represents the League's finest collection of songs in over 14 years. If you own a copy of Dare, you *have* to buy Octopus! It simply get's better with every listen.