For Now Anyway, It's Hard to Argue with the Human League's Reasons for Pressing On
Tuesday October 21, 2008
Many times on this site I've questioned the motives behind the insistence of some '80s acts to continue touring and releasing music decades after their emergence. It's often struck me as disingenuous and probably cynical as well for many mediocre artists to hang around, half-heartedly releasing so-called new but rarely relevant music and touring - frequently minus key members - on the strength of past glories. But after reading about the three core members of the hitmaking lineup of synth pop pioneers the Human League and their planned attempts to self-distribute a new album, maybe I need to allow for the possibility of legitimate exceptions to this general rule. After all, the entirety of the group's most recognizable lineup - lead vocalist and songwriter Phil Oakey and singers Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley - remains committed to touring, so why not believe them when they say they still enjoy playing music together and plan to do so in public as long as people want to see them? Well, until I see any of the trio take up residence in a reality television party house, I think I'll demonstrate some generosity by taking them at their word. Hey, there's a first time for everything.
Comments
I happened to catch the Human League on this year’s Regeneration Tour. I thought Phil sounded great, and I am looking forward to new material from them.
It is hard, however, for a band (any band) now in it’s fourth decade, to come out with something relevant. It is a tough place to be – getting any kind of commercial airplay is pretty much not going to happen at this stage, so then you are relying on internet airplay and word of mouth – so do you base any new material on the sound you had 20 yrs ago in order to attract your existing fans, or attempt to shake things up to attract potential new fans, while possibility alienating your ‘older’ fan base?
In any event, I’ll be one person who will be buying anything new they put out.
DJ Ed
There are several other great bands out there that “keep on keeping on”. Perhaps my favorite — “The Kings” out of Canada — is another. I heard them last year and they put on an incredible show. Quarterflash is another. Despite less glitter and a smaller audience, all continue to write new material and have done a great job of keeping sharp. I truly believe that it’s for the love of what they do that keeps them going. And even more fortunate for us, is that they stay around!