"many critics and fans have said this is human leagues worst album. i disagree. i think its one of their best. it includes some of their most beautiful songs like human, are you ever coming back, love is all that matters, and i need your loving. looking back, maybe using jam and lewis as their producers wasn't their best move but at least it brought them their biggest hit, human, and i think helped them survive their one hit wonder status. get this album, it really is good."
Human Leage Experiments With Minneapolis Funk.
The Groove | Boston, MA | 09/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After a handful of hits in the early 1980s, the Human League's streak came to a halt with the release of 1984's "Hysteria," which had the flop single "The Lebanon." Phil Oakey and Co. needed to prove that they weren't a flash in the Totally 80's pan, and, strangely enough, they hooked up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for their 1986 album "Crash." It's a departure from their ice-cold, synth-heavy work, but, remarkably, the Minneapolis funk Jam and Lewis bring nicely compliments the group. Of course, there's the hit "Human," but the League don't turn it loose until the we get to the stomper "I Need Your Loving," which is probably as funky as anything the Time recorded back in the day. "Swang" swings along nicely, but the song that brings the house down is the excellent "Love is All That Matters." While "Crash" didn't steer the League into r&b territory for long, it was a welcome diversion that makes it one of their most interesting albums."
Crash and Burn
The Groove | 04/18/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's a shame music critics were not too kind to this album or that the only place it went was into the cutout clearance bins at your local record/c.d. shop. A lot of critics and die-hard Human League fans claimed that this project was too Americanized or pop driven by producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The only gem of the album for the Human League and for many listeners was the hit song Human. What I appreciated most about Crash was that the Human League displayed a warm and enjoyable (letting loose, if you will) type of dance or club sound. Of course it sounded "American"--whatever that means; the album was produced here in the U.S. by mega-talented producers Jam & Lewis from FlytTyme Productions ( responsible for contributing to the successes of Janet Jackson, S.O.S. Band, Cherelle, and Alexander O'Neal). Crash had that mid 80's chart topping R&B Minneapolis sound which still sounds just as fresh today. Crash also demonstrated that the Human League did not necessarily have to adhere to their usual heavily synthesized and often cold sounding material which catapulted them to the top back in the early 80's with Don't You Want Me ! I must admit,even though this album sounded great, the last few tracks started to sound redundant until it slightly picked up again with the last track titled Love Is All That Matters. I think what disturbed critics of this album is that some songs were produced by Jam & Lewis while the others were produced or written by the Human League and their own writing team which may have caused a notable inconsistency in style. Despite the fact that this album "crashed and burned" on the charts and with many critics, it is worth a listen and your few dolllars if you find it in the cutout clearnace bins or at a used c.d. shop..."
Maybe they should've called it DARE-ing
Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 07/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Human League had had international success with "Don't You Want Me" from the 1981's "Dare," followed by 1982's "Fascination" that had the chart maker "(Keep Feeling) Fascination." After 1984's "Hysteria" failed to make a dent on the pop or dance charts, the group teamed up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis - a duo making headways with Janet Jackson, Alexander O'Neal, Cherelle, and other artists - and released "Crash."
Though many of Human League's fans were upset with "Crash," an album that deviated somewhat from the group's trademark synth-pop formula, the album proved to be the group's biggest commercial success, yielding their last number one hit, "Human." That song is possibly one of pop's best-penned songs, a song asking for forgiveness for "indiscretions" on the part of both partners in a relationship.
As a whole, the album is a lot of fun with all tracks, with the exception of the mid-tempo "Human," excellent dance and party songs. It is definitely one of the most innovative and distinctive albums of the late 80's.
This release features extended versions of three songs, although the songs in their original forms are better."
"Crash" flies to new heights!
Distant Voyageur | Io | 02/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Am I the only one who actually loves this album! For me, this is my favorite record by these guys.
"Crash" marked a radical departure and must I say "sell-out" in some fans minds, it is a whole new sound that saw them team up wtih Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the guys who did "Control" around the same time as this and these albums are great but have their own character. Granted, "Control" overall to me, is more flamboyant and sophistaced but "Crash" at the same time ahs a beautiful atmospheric ambience throughout even on some of the more pop-sounding tracks.
"Human" ranks as my favorite song by them with it's beautiful melody and keyboard arrangements. A highly underrated song however is "Are You Every Coming Back" which has an eerie atmosphere to it.
Many might see this as Control-era rejects but I think it stands apart as one of my favorite albums from my favorite year in music, 1986."