Reproduction (album)

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Reproduction
Reproduction cover
Studio album by The Human League
Released 1979
Recorded 1979
Genre Synthpop
Label Virgin Records
Producer(s) The Human League

Reproduction is the debut album released by English synthpop band The Human League. The album was released in October 1979 through Virgin Records Ltd..

Reproduction contains 9 tracks of electronic music/synthpop and was recorded during 6 weeks at The Human League's studio in Sheffield.

The album sold steadily upon release and received some good reviews, but it failed to chart well in the UK (until it was re-released in 1981 and reached number 34 in the UK and was certified Gold).

The album has a decidedly experimental feel to it, and most of the songs have dark aspects to the lyrics, which are sometimes hard to comprehend.

The Human League's debut single, "Being Boiled", did not feature on the original album but was added as an extra track to the 2003 Remastered version (as Being Boiled (Fast Version)). The singles B-side, "Circus of Death", was included on the album.

The only single released from the album was "Empire State Human" in late 1979. It reached number 62 on the UK Singles Chart, but was still not enough to break the group into the mainstream, despite being a likeable, dancy tune.

The album also features The Human League's cover version of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", a hit single back in c. 1965 for The Righteous Brothers.

The album was produced and composed by The Human League (Oakey/Ware/Marsh) and Bob Last for Virgin Records Ltd. 1979.

[edit] Track listing

  1. "Almost Medieval"
  2. "Circus of Death"
  3. "The Path of Least Resistance"
  4. "Blind Youth"
  5. "The Word Before Last"
  6. "Empire State Human"
  7. "Morale...You've Lost That Loving Feeling"
  8. "Austerity/Girl One (Medley)"
  9. "Zero As A Limit"

the following tracks were added as a bonus to the 2003 remastered version of Reproduction:

  1. Introducing
  2. The Dignity of Labour Part 1
  3. The Dignity of Labour Part 2
  4. The Dignity of Labour Part 3
  5. The Dignity of Labour Part 4
  6. Flexidisc (spoken word)†
  7. Being Boiled (Fast Version)
  8. The Circus of Death (Fast Version) (mis-printed as Circus of Love)

† Flexidisc is a 4 minute conversation between The Human League and their producer, Bob Last, about what to put on the flexidisc (!) that was included with The Dignity of Labour EP.