The Human League Album: “Very Best of the Human League [DVD]”

Grab it ...if you can find it. The videos are very cleaned up and beautiful to look at, (particularly Fascination). The only things missing are the original video version of "The Sound of the Crowd," from Top of the Pops TV show that appeared on previous VHS video compilations. Instead there is a different TOTP version and a live version as well. Also the rarely seen "Filling Up With Heaven", video is missing as it was from the last Best Of Double CD. This was omitted simply because Virgin couldn't get permission from EastWest Records to use it on either compilation. Sadly where the band interview is concerned, there seems to be a lot of editing going on (there are many fades to black after the band answers any given question that is asked of them). My guess is either the band just trailed off on boring tangents, or what's more likely is that Virgin didn't want some of the content to be seen or heard by viewers (remember Virgin dumped the League from their label several years ago). Anyway, if you are a fan of this band then I suggest you try to get a hold of this DVD as as I doubt another video compilation of this much under-appreciated band will ever appear again in our lifetime.

Here's the content listing:

1. Cicus of Death

Band Interview

TV Appearances (Top of the Pops):

The Sound of the Crowd

Live with Jools Holland (1995):

The Stars are Going Out

I mainly bought this DVD release for the remastered audio. The sound quality featured on this release is simply stunning. Never has the sound been better on any Human League release! The improvements are striking, notably on the earlier cuts like "Love Action" and "Mirror Man." It's hard to believe that "Don't You Want Me" was originally released in 1981 with it's depth, clarity, and bass line -- which brings me to 1986's "Human." Before this release I never knew that "Human" had such a deep, rich bass. It has always sounded light and flat in previous releases. I love to just sit back and feel the depth of the remastered audio fill my room, vibrating the walls and floors. "Mirror Man" has never had so much punch and kick. It's amazing how much the audio quality can enhance the brilliance of the recordings.

It's so nice that EMI invested so much in the remastering process. It's a shame, however, that even with the latest technology the release didn't feature DTS 5.1 surround sound audio. Considering this DVD will probably be the only League video collection for a while a 5.1 treatment would have been much appreciated.

In addition to audio the picture receives a nice remaster. The video quality of "Love Action" - filmed in 1982 - is striking considering the age. Much the same can be said of the other videos. Not all the earlier cuts are as clear as "Love Action," yet whatever distortion and artifacts that exist are expected considering much of the original source material dates from the early 1980s.

The bonus features seem a bit random, but they are nice addition to the package. Also, we get a 2003 interview with the members, covering the history of the band.

Overall, it's a nice package if you want an enhanced audio treatment for your ears -- or if you want to capture a nice chunk of the League's back video catalog.

Synth pop's first international superstars, the Human League were among the earliest and most innovative bands to break into the pop mainstream on a wave of synthesizers and electronic rhythms, their marriage of infectious melodies and state-of-the-art technology proving enormously influential on countless acts following in their wake. There were some big hits in Europe and very few in U.S.. This collection covers most of their videos.

1 Circus of Death

2 Empire State Human

3 Love Action

4 Open Your Heart

5 Don't You Want Me

6 Mirror Man

7 (Keep Feeling) Fascination

8 Lebanon

9 Life on Your Own

10 Together in Electric Dreams

11 Louise

12 Human

13 I Need Your Loving

14 Love Is All That Matters

15 Heart Like a Wheel

16 Soundtrack to a Generation

17 Tell Me When

18 One Man in My Heart

19 All I Ever Wanted

I purchased this DVD because I have not heard from the Human League since "Human" and I was intrigued with what their current songs sounded like. After watching the entire DVD three times, I hated myself for not keeping up-to-date with this group because their current stuff sounds incredible!!!

My favorite songs and videos are "Together in Electric Dreams", "Soundtrack To A New Generation", "Tell Me When", "One Man In My Heart", and "All I Ever Wanted". Plus, this DVD includes past performances on Tops of the Pops and Jools Holland and an in-depth interview with the remaining three members.

It is money well-spent!!!

I've been waiting for this great DVD to come out for a while!! I have every album of the Human League and have been major fan since I was a teenager in the 80's. This DVD even has some rare videos, such as, "Circle of Death" and "Empire State Human", which I never saw here in the U.S.(just to name a few). I do like their popular U.S. hits ---like "Fascination", but you'll enjoy this DVD collection if your a big fan of ALL of their music (Yes, even the "odd" stuff). Some of these videos/songs were popular in Europe, and it's great to have those songs in this collection. Some of the music video's I saw for the first time! I'm so glad they included "Electric Dreams", it's one of my favorites (It was filmed in San Francisco where I grew up). If you only like a couple of songs from them, like "Don't You Want Me" or "Human", then you you might get as much enjoyment out of it.

I'm glad their still around making good music--- I Love their newest song, "All I ever Wanted" -- Yes, the League is back, and better than ever! Cheers!