Customer Reviews

Secrets

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's hard to believe it's been another 3 years since the Human League released "Secrets", easily their best release since "Dare". There was a time when the League had lost direction, but their excellent 1995 "come-back" album "Octupus" brought the band back to the basics that brought success in the first place.

"Secrets" (16 tracks, 51 min.) is essentially a collage of 10 'regular' songs and 6 instrumentals. Those regular songs are great. It's Phil Oakley up front with of course Joanne and Susan Anne providing back up vocals (and lead on "Never Give Your Heart"). Best tracks include "All I Ever Wanted" (a hit in Europe, and a classic League tune), "Liar" and the best of all: "Reflections", a 6+ min. blow-out that will rock your body, the 'outro' is just fab. As for those instrumentals, they actually work really well, and don't interrupt the flow of the album at all.

It took 6 years for the band to follow-up "Octupus" with "Secrets". It's been already 3 years, and I guess I shouldn't be holding out for another new League album anytime soon. But I wish they'd hurry up already!! If you like "Dare", don't hesitate buying this, you will not be disappointed!

So here it is, the return of the Human League. It seems like forever since the release of it's predecessor Octopus, but the League have a tradition of long waits between albums. For most bands this causes problems, but the League seem to have spent the time rather wisely. Critics have given this a lukewarm reception and harken it as a return to the sound of Dare. Sorry, this doesn't go back that far as they have moved on quite a distance from that sound. Although I suppose if you were a typical music hack, it would probably be your only point of reference even though the League have released about 7 proper albums (one of which was the awful Crash whose only redeeming feature was the classic Human).

Returning with essentially the same sound as the last album Octopus, the League have enhanced it with more up-to-date electronic beats and rhythms. As well as the normal 3-4 minute songs, there are a number of shorter tracks that are essentially instrumental soundscapes. Fortunately these do not detract from the overall sound or style of the album and are impressive enough to wonder if a bit more development could have lead to full blown songs.

Phil Oakey and the girls do their thing rather well, Phil doing his deep vocals and Suzanne & Jo doing their harmonising. You know exactly what you're getting with this trio and they don't disappoint. Another League tradition is Phils dodgy lyrics and they're here too "You're like that woman out of Species", "You're a cocktail set Atilla, a kind of halcyon guerrilla". Maybe not for the purists, but they fit with the overall message he is trying to get across and the one you can't accuse him of is banality (unlike a lot of modern bands).

Fav tracks: All I Ever Wanted, Shameless, Never Give Your Heart, The Snake & Reflections.

Overall a solid return to form, just hope we don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Musical trends come and go and many acts have disappeared with the genres that have died a quick death.
For all of the new forms of dance music that have come and gone in the past two decades - disco, New Wave,New Jack, House,then techno,trance,garage,then hip- hop / R&B to rap, Sheffield England's Human League have (in on and off forms) had been on the pulse point at almost every juncture
Some would find that point of contention to be laughable considering that the group haven't charted in North America since 1986"s "Human" from the disaster of an album that was "Crash".


With the release of 2001 "Secrets", their first since 1995"s "Octopus",any thoughs that have been bandied about that Human League were just an 80's band may need to re- evaluate such an assessment after listening to this bossy and glossy collection of songs
The production techniques employed by singer Philip Oakley in conjunction with producers Neil Sutton and Dave Beevers,are to envied. Though arguably over- produced, "Secrets" is an album that flows well between the instrumentals (of which there are seven) and the vocal tracks. As it is customary with The League, there are the occassional bouncy pop flavored tunes such as "Liar", the weak and campy "You'll Be Sorry" and the album's opening cut, the predictable "All I Ever Wanted". The band take some journeys into other territories of dance aphelia - a bit of techno-trance vibe on "Love Me Madly? and "BPM", two tracks that quite honestly fall in the take or leave it category. The moments that sparkle on this LP shine very brightly and BOLDLY.
"Shameless" hears Oakley spending part of his time singing through a vocoder in muted form,supported in harmonicaly funky fashion by Jo Anne Catherall and Susan Gayle (formerly Susan Sulley). The tempo changes here and on other choice cuts eliminate the stagnation that often times kills originality and staying power on dance tracks in this day and age.
Further proof lies in the heavy bass and outrageously smooth blend of techno and funk riffs on "The Snake", and the addition of an instrument chiming in at every bridge of the instrumental "Ringinglow". From the synth intro, to the foxtrot beat and the sprinkling of added percussion to a methodical buildup, make this a scrumptous recipe that leaves the listener begging for the story to continue.
The seamless sequence of instrumental to song continues to work seamlessly on the hypnotic "Lament" (a dream backing track for anyone looking to use music for film and broadcasting purposes)to the dark and mysterious funk of "Refections",where Oakley lays a spooky premise - "outside the last remaining shadows of the day too vague to make out- DeChirio has packed his case and left abandoning his stake out".He comprehensively follows up in mid-stream - "from the birth of a child to the loss of a friend each of fragment of meaning to me". The blending of well though out lyrics, superior production,and the repeated tactic of breaking down danceable tempo is capped off by "Sin City" where Catherall preaches her case through the vocoder while Oakley continues his role of poet with the pre 9-11 lyrics - " confidence at a stand still, daylight only a smear, tension you could handle chokes the thick atmosphere".
Strings,gloss, well- timed tempo shifts, and synth that soars in from no where complete the menu here.
On the whole, "Secrets" compares favorably with their chart- topping "Dare" LP of 1981 some twenty years before,the commericially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed "Hysteria"(1984), and "Octopus (1995).

Though lacking a solid ballad or two like "Octopus", pre- cluding it from having the balance worthy of five- star billing,the stream- lined approach of inter- locking instrumentals with standard tracks, and a deeper pool of songs to swim in,"Secrets" is a powerful and funky rock - solid four star album.

This album is The Human League's best complete album since 1981's breakthrough Dare. They've had a lot of great songs here and there, but some of the albums had weak filler tracks in between the hits. Unfortunately this band has very, very bad luck. The day that this album was released, the record label Papillon, went bankrupt. Therefore, there was little to no advertising for this album's release. A tour only just happened a few months ago, and the first AMAZING single "All I Ever Wanted" was a dance floor hit, but never made the charts. People are starting to take notice of this album though, as a new Best of (Double)CD with remixes is due in September, as well as a best of DVD collection. Most of their previous albums are now being digitally remastered and rereleased. So take a listen and buy Secrets---it is another groundbreaking album from The Human League. They certainly deserve credit where credit is due. My personal favorite track is "Reflections".....

After the Human League issued the great "back to basics" album "Octupus" in 1995, they took 6 years to follow up with "Secrets", which is as close as ever the League have come to their pinnacle album "Dare!", issued in 1981.

"Secrets" covers 16 songs in 51 min., 9 "real" tracks with 7 short instrumentals interwoven. The leadoff track (also the 1st single) is "All I Ever Wanted", with an instantly likeable hook reminiscent of old times. "Secrets" has primarily upbeat tracks, thankfully leaving "ballads" to a mimimum (only one, really, "Never Give Your Heart"). The best track is "Reflections", a 6+ min. blowout of funk techno pure danceable fun, check out the 2 min. outro, just great! The short instrumentals are quite fun, and flow well within the overall sound of the album.

The album has not gotten a lot of attention in the US. But for the League fans, this album is a great treat. 2001 is like 1981!

It's nice to know there are thing in this world you can still count on. Having been a fan of Human League since Dare (purists will scoff, noting Travelogue and Reproduction the only true Human League sound, with Dare being a sell-out pop departure), it's interesting to hear something in Secrets remeniscent from just about every single previous album. Also, Phil Oakey's music style, very clearly enunciated obscure words ("Made a folly out of caution, made all virtue seem bizarre"), is in perfect form as we've come to expect.

It's nice to see an artist (band = artist) that's had such a great progression and evolution of style, and that's been around long enough to borrow from its own catalogue and present it as fresh.

The funky promises of Crash and Romantic and the orchestral pop of Octopus find their fruition in Secrets. Favorite Tracks: Shameless, Never Give Your Heart, The Snake, and You'll Be Sorry.

It's been 6 years since "Octopus" and well worth the wait. "Secrets" is as modern as AIR, The Chemical Brothers and Moby, yet as classic as the band's early recordings from "Travelogue" through "Dare!" This is not an 80's rehash, but a modern electronic masterpiece mixed with strong vocal tunes and multiple instrumentals. The lead single "All I Ever Wanted" follows the traditional pop formula that Phil and the girls have been charting with since 1981. A classic HL song. "Never Give Your Heart" sounds like a follow up to "One Man In My Heart" from the "Octopus" album and "Sin City" sounds like the perfect song for an episode of "C.S.I." with its infectious electronic vocals. The instrumentals work like intermissions between vocal numbers and highlight the origins of these electronic pioneers. Without the Human League, who knows where electronic music would've gone. Prior to the League, it was experimental, but the League cultivated the technology and crafted quality synthpop. Pure electric delight.

As soon as I saw this CD I knew I had to buy it. I've always been a fan of the Human League since the 80's when I used to DJ. I optimistically bought this cd, hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed, as seems to be happening to me often, when I see a new album by a favorite glam band.

Wow! I was immediately transformed as soon as I heard the first song, "All I Ever Wanted" It was just that! This CD is true to the Human League spirit! Consistent with all that I loved about the Human League. A natural next step for the band. This cd is sure to make a major impact on the music world today, which seems to be lacking originality and freshness. I hope the Human League will put out some remixes of the songs on this NEW cd, I can't wait to dance! "The Snake" rocks too!

BUY IT! Don't hesitate!

Wow! I have typically been disappointed with new/comeback albums from bands popular in the 80s as they usually are filled with totally bland, midtempo, forgettable tracks. Well, this is NOT like that at all! This is exactly what I expect the Human League to sound like in the 21st century. This album is the perfect combination of synthpop and electronica, without getting too harsh or dark like other synth bands have in their attempts to update their sound (ie: Information Society, Anything Box, Red Flag). A very classic yet totally modern sound that is still unmistakeably the Human League. I was lucky enough to see them perform much of this album in their last tour and they did a great job!

The lyrics are not epic, but the music is fun, and they sound great. Lots of catchy tunes, fun to just play loud and sing along to. Recommended.