Metamatic Forums Socialising The Green Room The Human League - Credo

It's a Human League album – that’s the safest way to describe Credo on first inspection. Phil Oakey's distinctive and seemingly ageless voice sounds as strong as it ever has, with the best baritone in pop crooning alongside Susanne and Joanne on an array of fun and upbeat songs. Lyrically the songs on Credo don't take themselves too seriously (you'll hear 'trousers' and 'cheeses' in 'Night People' for example), often sounding rather robotic thanks to the clean, crisp production.

There's no denying a heavy 1980s feel to the sound of Credo – which is perhaps what folk might expect out of a new Human League album, as opposed to something more contemporary like tried with Secrets. Opening track "Never Let Me Go" is guaranteed to get your foot tapping, and it'll continue tapping for the duration, maybe with the exception of "Single Minded". Credo is perhaps more reminiscent of 1995's Octopus than Secrets, and at it's best, "Sky", "Electric Shock", "Never Let Me Go", "Get Together" and "Breaking the Chains" are the tracks that really stand out.

Credo may not quite be classic League, but it's a good pop album, and it's just nice to have new material after such a long time.

"Sky" is probably my favourite on the album, followed by "Get Together" and "Never Let Me Go".

Takes a few listens before it grabs you.

I like "Never Let Me Go", "Sky", Into The Night", "Electric Shock", "Breaking The Chains". "Privilege" is awful so out of place on the album!

It's definitely a grower!

Some technical and background stuff here .

Interesting. Although all that white text on a black background has sent my eyes funny!

Have only heard "Night People" so far, and just the once, but I was a bit surprised to be really impressed!

Listened to it properly a couple of times now.
"Never Let Me Go" is an excellent track and deserves to be a hit à la "Tell Me When".
"Night People" sounds a lot less daft in the context of the album, which is all a bit daft in a Human League-y kind of way.
"Sky" also stands out, a kind of "Louise" type narrative although you get the feeling it takes place in outer space rather than in a Sheffield bus station.
I like "Privilege" as it breaks up the kind of "doof-doof-doof" constant dance music which tires me out a bit .. there's little respite from the disco-dancing (no "Reflections" or "Words" here).

What's amazing is Oakey's voice which is still as loud n clear as ever. You can imagine him singing these songs with his lop-sided fringe in front of bemused students in the late 70s or even tarted up to the nines on TOTP in the 80s. Excellent.

heh!

I'm really enjoying Credo. It just shows you what an opinion you shouldn't get from listening to 30 second samples of it! I wasn't to optimistic after hearing the samples, but now I've heard the album properly, I'm really enjoying it! It's definitely a grower though - it hasn't got the immediate response from me that, say - Interplay got.

LOLOL!! Sums it up perfectly. So that's why I always hated 'Louise'!!

Phil's vocals are outstandingly good though - like you say they just haven't aged. Always a pleasure on the ears.

I was a little underwhelmed on the first listen, but the album is a real grower. You wake up with the songs stuck in your head - always a good sign of a strong, catchy album.