The Human League: The Collection

This is a review for the SACD. It seems that this sacd has been released with little fan fare. I happen to bump into it on the old sacd.net which is now hraudio.net. They do keep a list of new and older releases so I give a look every so often.Some interesting notes.This is a 2.0 stereo only release.The back sleeve shows a number, As this is a limited releaseI do not see any information about the source material used(IE. digital or analogue tape source) There is an insert with credits to Charles Waring for the sleeve notes, compilation, and sequence. In the sleeve notes Charles Waring is listed as MOJO/record collector.This sacd was manufactured in Japan. HRaudio.net mentions that this is a Hong Kong release but Hong Kong is only mentioned as printing location. I assume the printing means just the inner and outer sleeves.The inner sleeve contain a write up about the band, pictures, and it’s history. In addition, each song is listed and shows from what album it was taken, who wrote the song, and the patent date(not the album release date).There isn’t much more to say about the inner sleeve or outer sleeve.The complication itself is ok. It encompasses all of the bands hits so if your a fan it shouldn’t disappoint. I knew their hit songs and found the others here from good to just ok. I’m certainly not unhappy with the purchase. It’s a big 80s synth new wave band and has all the trimmings of that era.Now for the moment of truth about how this sacd sounds. Keeping in mind that the source isn’t listed so we don’t know exactly what we are getting.I am happy to report that there seems to be little to no compression going on and all of the songs have the same volume levels. This sacd can be played with lots of notches on the volume knob.The high end is not screechy or brittle at all. It’s actually pleasant and can be listened all the way through without ear fatigue. I am actually very surprised that this sacd has a high end that sounds this good. There is also no evidence of noise reduction.The mid range is warm and the vocals sound rich and full.Some may think that the bass is a bit on the heavy side but I am inclined to think the songs were recorded that way. This is primarily a synth band so it fits. Although I could be completely wrong and it was EQed that way.Overall this sacd sounds good and I do recommend it as a purchase.I do put a lot of stock in the source material but how many high resolution recording have the source listed.Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t.

I have really enjoyed this group since I discovered them in 1982 on their FASCINATION EP cassette tape.Now, that one in particular has never been released on audio CD that I am aware of.Every best of compilation this band has done always leaves out this one song, HARD TIMES.I think this is the first time it has appeared on CD in that version. There are some great songs on this edition and the sound is superb. I am really enjoying hearing the '80s songs I knew back then from many groups sounding better than ever before. The remastering on most of them has been superior to anything ever put out prior and with "deluxe" packaging, liner notes, more added songs, mixes, etc.I have hundreds of CDs and have to say this is one of my favorites.19 songs in all, colorful liner notes, words and photos of the band, CD graphics are colorful as well.* The only detraction for me on this is the fact they left off SECONDS from DARE!. It's a song right afterI AM THE LAW and is a hit by the band. It was well played on the radio back in the day when DARE! came out.I would recommend THIS one over ANY prior compilations for a SINGLE CD Best Of.** See track listing above in album description **

there or four (4) songs that I really like and a butch that are just okayMirror ManDon't You Want MeHumanand(Keep Feeling) Fascinationall were hits here in the USA and all are very good. the rest like I said are just okay.

Great music just the way I remember it. Great sound. Love it.

Love music from the 80's era. Great cd!

Amazing compilation!! Excellent sound quality and has all my favorite songs.

Not to be cruel but I'll give the 3 songs I love a star a piece. The rest I can live without.

(When your in love, you know your in love)and Ilove this cd! Human League was one of the bestmusic groups of the 80's, hands down! Thank you. Clay Jordan.

Pack your bags because you’ll be heading down memory lane listening to this collection! Full of “Oh, I forgot about this one!” moments.

I know every fan has these songs already, but this is a superbly packaged budget release and worth every single penny. A mixture of early and later Human League together with a great booklet and top-notch design. Nothing from the Octopus or Credo albums though. At this price though, you can't go wrong! :)

Good

Fantastic overview of an underappreciated British synth band! The track listing highlights some of the best hits over the band's history, even throwing in some better album cuts. The sound is stellar.

All the tracks from back in the day !