SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE HUMAN LEAGUE – BEING BOILED

THE HUMAN LEAGUE
BEING BOILED
CHERRY RED RECORDS

“Being Boiled” by The Human League was originally released in 1978, with “Circus Of Death” on the flipside. This was the original lineup of The Human League. Phil Oakey (vocals), Martyn Ware (keyboards), Ian Craig Marsh (keyboards). The single was released on the Fast label and became one of the most influential records in synth-pop. In 1982 it, justly, reached the top 10. This new EP was originally released by Cherry Red for Record Store Day earlier this year. The limited edition sold out very quickly, but the fine people of Cherry Red have re-released it.

This version of The Human League is not the same as the “Don’t You Want Me?” and “Human” era. Here, this lineup of the band is much more experimental, and the influence of Kraftwerk, Can and Neu! can be heard. The songs here border aggressive and are not as melodic as later day Human League. “Circus Of Death” which makes reference to the character Steve McGarrett (Hawaii Five-0) and the last living man on earth, is a brilliant song, dark, but brilliant. It is creepy sci-fi and it works, especially due to Oakey’s deadpan vocals.

But the star of the show is the title track, “Being Boiled.” The Human League continues to perform the song in their current tours. It is more accessible than the B-side, and not as dark. It is an electronica landmark. They demonstrated that a group can be experimental and still create a song that one can dance to. It is melodic, futuristic, and just enjoyable.

In 1980, Ware and Marsh left The Human League and Oakey went on to have pop hits and still revolutionize electronica. Marsh and Ware formed B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) and Heaven 17 with Glen Gregory and had a huge impact on synth-pop. The Being Boiled EP was the Human League’s debut and it is fascinating to hear the origins of the band. The 1980 stereo remix of the original recording is also included, just for comparison’s sake.

The Human League Links

Heaven 17 Links