Favourite Albums Pt.2

Long before The Human League regressed into the sugary pop balladeers that the general public came to know and love in the eighties thanks the Phil Oakey's lopsided haircut and backed by the gyrating "blonde one and the dark one", but in all reality thanks to former Rezillo Jo Callis' writing abilities and Martin Rushent's pioneeringly clinical production, The Human League were the missing link between Kraftwerk and the Sex Pistols with a dash of Giorgio Moroder.

It is truly remarkable that Reproduction was recorded and released in 1979 and genuinely electronic. "Electronic Seventies" doesn't have the same commercial ring does it?

The album bares absolutely no resemblance to the League's third pop infused album Dare however that is not surprising considering the musical force behind Reproduction had long since departed to form the collaborative recording act B.E.F. and Heaven 17.

Reproduction was as stunningly unique in 1979 as it remains today.

The key element of the album, for me, is not Oakey's deep voice or the science fiction infused lyrics but the galloping rythms. Just when you think you've caught up with what's going on the drumming develops additional dimensions.

Take, for instance, opening "Almost Medieval". I have never heard a programmed drumming track quite like it.

The result is a completely electronic album while comparative "electronic" acts of the period, while dabbling with synths, continued to use analogue drums and bass guitars with few exceptions.