Human League

Octopus

Dare for the Nineties

Review Score:

(8/10)
Who better to write this review than the biggest Human League fan in the world ever? This album is simply the best piece of work that the band have produced since their bright and sparky hit album Dare of 1980. It is simply a unique work of synth art that reminds us of the band's place in our lives. It is virtually impossible to escape the League's influence on modern popular music culture; everything from Basement Jaxx to Texas owe a little to that remarkable eighties revolution. This album is very enjoyable. The hit singles "Tell Me When", "One Man in My Heart" and "Filling Up With Heaven" hold the record together as a combination of different moods provide a journey of creativity for the band so many were eager to dismiss. The lyrics are as interesting as ever, and leave little doubt that Philip Oakey still has a lot to say about love, the world and how powerful our emotions can be. It is simply a musical achievement; my favourite track being "Filling Up...". The haunting melodies will grab you, make you whistle and (hopefully) create a buzz similar to my own. Octopus treaded through Britain at a time when Brit Pop hailed. Without that little break, we would be without the romantic, low-on-life pop that so richly deserves a place in society. The one fault of this album is the lack of progress it could have made. Nine tracks is not nearly enough to compensate from four years of emptyness from the band. However, it gives a firm glimpse of how their music will shape in the future. The production and mixing compliments their style. In short, Octopus is the Dare of the Nineties, in that the League have looked at what they did best, mixed it with the modern influence and produced an all-round winner. Enjoy.

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