Customer Reviews

Very Best of

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Human League have always been referred to as an 80's band, but the truth is that they've been recording since the late 1970s. With Heaven 17 and Depeche Mode, the Human League (fronted by Phil Oakey with backing vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley) were not only one of the leading pioneers in synth pop, they also released a small handful of classic singles, many of which were big hits around the world. "The Very Best of the Human League" has the obvious hits, including their twin peaks "Don't You Want Me" and the Jam & Lewis-produced "Human," but real standouts include lesser known singles such as "Tell Me When," "All I Ever Wanted," "The Lebanon," and "Empire State Human," which could easily be mistaken for a modern-day electro jam. The songs on this 2005 compilation have been remastered, giving the listener the chance to hear "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" like they've never heard before. Those who don't like electronic music will (incorrectly) dismiss the Human League's music as icy and synthetic, but nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike some of their peers, the Human League delivers fine pop music with heart and soul.

While I am not sure if I would say this album HAS to be be a definite part of your collection, even if you are an eighties child, I must say it showed me that there's more to The Human League than the classics they became most famous for: "Don't You Want Me" and "Human". There's a handful of other tracks in here (most of them already mentioned by other reviewers) worth checking out, but most of them don't size up to the level of "classic" that their most famous ones have reached. Overall, this compilation highlights the nice labor of a synth-based pop band that left their mark and will go down in musical history as one of the genre's pivotal acts.

Yes, I know, it contains updated versions of songs from there first two releases, Reproduction and Travelogue, but most American fans won't be familiar with those albums either way. They were a somewhat different sounding band on those first two albums and those songs don't really mesh well with this compilation, though they are good in their own right. The bottom line is that this is an outstanding collection of songs from their 80's catalog and beyond. I really don't recommend their albums from 86 onwards aside from individual songs and this album does a great job of compiling the songs I would personally recommend while still giving the listener the essential tracks from their earlier albums. If you have this album as a casual fan you would be all set. If your a fan of their earlier works but want certain later tracks then, again, you would be all set as well.

Its hard to point to specific stand out tracks because they are all outstanding in their own way. "Don't You Want Me", "Life On Your Own" and "The Lebanon" are personal favorites that most fans will be glad are present as well as a few suprises such as "Together In Electric Dreams" and "Louise" which I didn't expect to be included here. As far as the later tracks are concerned its really up to the listener as to whether they are truly their best. Of course, their smash 86 hit "Human" is included but many fans would argue whether the rest of the later cuts pass muster. Regardless of all that, the real treat is how impressive the sound quality on this compilation is. Adam Nunn did an outstanding job of mastering these tracks and I have never heard these tracks sound any better. In fact, the remastering of this album is why I gave it 5 stars instead of 4. A lot of compilations are well done with regards to song selection but usually fall short when it comes to remastering. Human League fans have been spared this fate.

I used to listen to these songs on WLIR, a Long Island Station(that played music that wasn't played on regular radio stations way back in the early to mid-80s. This group has a soothing and memorable sound. My favorites "Mirror Man", "Human" and "Fascination"
Brings back good memories.

This CD brings back memories of the 80's when Human League were in top form. All the recognizable hits from the artists are here including their #1 chart topping hits Don't You Want Me, (Keep Feeling) Fascination. The CD contains other lesser known tracks as well like my favorite track on here Love Action (I Believe In Love). The only problem I have with this release is they should have released a remixes cd or included it with this release. It would be great to hear their hits remixed.

SJ
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Human Leagues "The Very Best of" is fantastic, however it is missing one very key song which is one of my favorites. The song is "Love is All the Matters" which was the third single from the "Crash" CD.

Though it wasn't a big hit in the US it is up there with "Human" as the best in pop synthesized confection.

"Love is All That Matters" is on other compilations, I am just so surprised they left it out.

As a big fan and collector of 80's material and synth-pop, I can ensure you that this one will be most of the time in your CD player.
It is a great collection with a very good sound.
It reminds the great parties from the 80's, and it is a synth-pop at it's best.
Just buy, no regret.

This is a great compilation of the Human League's tunes. A number of tunes on here I remember liking on the radio as a kid in the 80s, so it was cool to find them here in one package. The Human League are a little off-beat, but not crazy. Sort of like the B-52s in that respect, except HL is more sythesizer kind of music, not so much rock. Good stuff for your CD player. Here are some particularly fun ones:

Don't You Want Me
Love Action
Fascination
Lebanon - poignant song about that war-torn country
Human
Heart Like a Wheel
Tell Me When - really energetic
All I Ever Wanted - ditto
Empire State Human

As you can tell from the list, there's a bunch of goodies.

This Very Best Of The Human League seems to be missing several hit songs. They are "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of", "I Love You Too Much", "Hard Times", and "Love is All that Matters". I cannot comment on the quality of this CD, since I would not buy it without those songs.

The Human League has recorded many great songs, I would recommend their double CD combination "Dare!/Love and Dancing" (1981) for the main core of their greatest songs. Also the FASCINATION EP (1981) is a six song delight. There are many Human League Greatest Hits CDs to choose from to get the remaining great songs from their later issues.

If you already have the above songs, then this Greatest Hits CD is as good as others. But I think you should compare them all for the best song selection. Good Luck, the songs are worth the search.

Superb music from the 80's,powerful voice,great backing singers,play at any party or in the car,puts me in a great mood remembering my youth and listening to them live at Wembley Stadium when they were at their height,a good buy,5 star easy,good re recording of the original music,see how many people tap their feet or finger dance in the car when this is playing,much better than "live" or enhanced product being touted about these days,buy and enjoy.