The Human League - Travelogue

The Human League's second album, Travelogue, was their first to be released in the U.S. (Not that you would have noticed at the time, given the limited distribution; the album subsequently was picked up for reissue by Virgin/Atlantic in 1988.) It was also the last to feature the nearly original line up of Martyn Ware, Ian Marsh, Philip Oakey, and Adrian Wright. Already, the band's synthesizer textures and Oakey's mannered voice were starting to lean in a pop direction, but much of this album retained the austere tone of earlier synthesizer groups such as Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. The conflicting musical directions led to a split in the band after this album, with Ware and Marsh forming Heaven 17 and Oakey and Wright reorganizing a new version of the Human League. Ironically, both ventures were more pop-oriented than before.

Released in 1980, Travelogue stands as the definitive statement of the original Human League lineup before their famous schism. It is a stark, ambitious, and often witty exploration of electronic music that bridges the gap between the abrasive avant-garde of their debut and the glossy pop of their commercial peak. By utilizing synthesizers for every sound, the band created a cold, "urban futurism" that felt entirely alien yet strangely grounded in the industrial grit of their Sheffield roots.

The album is perhaps best known for its thematic eccentricity and dark humour. Tracks like "The Black Hit of Space"—a surreal tale of a record so popular it consumes the universe—showcase Philip Oakey’s deadpan delivery over jagged, oscillating textures. This sci-fi obsession is balanced by more melodic moments like "Only After Dark" and the definitive, re-recorded version of "Being Boiled," which demonstrated the band's growing ability to marry experimental hardware with infectious, rhythmic hooks.

Critically, Travelogue is often cited by purists as the band's finest hour. It possesses a tension that vanished once the group split into Heaven 17 and the chart-topping version of The Human League. The interplay between Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh’s rigorous electronic programming and Oakey’s distinctive vocals creates a mood that is simultaneously austere and playful. It doesn't just use synths; it treats them as a playground for reimagining what a pop song can be.

Ultimately, the album serves as a fascinating time capsule of the post-punk era’s electronic transition. It is more sophisticated than the "cold wave" of the late 70s but far more experimental than the synth-pop that would dominate the 80s. For anyone looking to understand the roots of modern electronic music, Travelogue remains an essential, visionary work that proved synthesizers could be both intellectually demanding and immensely fun.

Ripped from the 2003 expanded remaster to MP3

The Human League; Travelogue

1.      The Black Hit Of Space

2.      Only After Dark

3.      Life Kills

4.      Dreams Of Leaving

5.      Toyota City

6.      Crow And A Baby

7.      The Touchables

8.      Gordon’s Gin

9.      Being Boiled

10.   WXJL Tonight

11.   Marianne

12.   Dancevision

13.   Rock 'n' Roll + Night Clubbing

14.   Tom Baker

15.   Boys And Girls

16.   I Don’t Depend On You

17.   Cruel