by Track 1 begins with a muffled throwback to 1981 synth-pop before quickly morphing into a crisp, electronic wonderland that seldom lets up.
Ten years after the release of its “comeback” CD, Secrets, The Human League is (finally) back with Credo, affirming its spiritual foundation on dark, melodic beats.
The history of The Human League is a strange one, rife with surprise hits and missed opportunities. Emerging from the underground techworld of Kraftwerk and Ultravox, the band’s third album, 1981’s Dare!, was a runaway success in both its hometown UK and the US, with hit singles such as “Don’t You Want Me” and classic club cuts such as “The Things That Dreams Are Made Of.”
An attempt to move into the mainstream resulted in a #1 comeback smash in 1986, “Human,” and a return to its synth roots in 1995 scored another hit, “Tell Me When.” Since then, the band has had to be content with a growing reputation as an “influence” on more successful musical acts more than a consistent draw in and of itself…especially in America, where performers seldom are allowed a shelf life beyond five years.
While 2001’s excellent Secrets was a return to the electronic sound of Dare!, 2011’s Credo is a strange conglomeration of the band’s forays into different sound venues throughout the years. The classic pop of “Breaking the Chains” sounds custom made for Dare!, “Privilege” belongs with the cold, avant-garde albums the band released in the late-1970s, and the misfire “When the Stars Start to Shine” could have been lifted from the inferior late-80s period, when The Human League was trying to sound like Janet Jackson and Mr. Mister.
“Never Let Me Go” and the CD’s best track, the club anthem “Night People,” are really the only tracks that give Credo its own identity.
Check out the video for “Night People” here!
While still a great listen, Credo is spotty, hitting a few highs and sprinkling in just enough lows to keep it from the status of? ‘classic.’
