The Human League - Hysteria (1984)

Artist:  The Human League
Title:  Hysteria
Release:  1984
Format:  LP
Label:  Virgin Records
Catalog# 206307

“Hysteria” is the fourth studio album by the British synthpop band The Human League, released on 8 May 1984. Following the worldwide success of their 1981 album “Dare”, the band struggled to make a successful follow-up and the sessions for “Hysteria” were fraught with problems. The album name itself is taken from the problematic recording period. Producers Martin Rushent and Chris Thomas both left the project which would eventually be finished by producer Hugh Padgham.
“Hysteria” is mediocre and easily the least of the group's albums to that point. Conscious not to repeat themselves and unable to do it without sacrificing their personality, most of the changes sound forced and fussily mulled over. It was one thing to get political and introduce some uncharacteristic guitar lines on "The Lebanon" (alienating your fanbase should always be encouraged, especially when it's done with a single that looks atrocious on paper but sounds fantastic), but "Rock Me Again" is the kind of thing the group once worked against, with Philip Oakey adopting an awkward, straining rock voice.
The melodies are often flat, the arrangements are frequently bloodless. With only a couple exceptions, “Hysteria” sounds exactly like an album made under extreme post-platinum pressure.


Side one
1.  I'm Coming Back  (4:11)  
2.  I Love You Too Much  (3:26)  
3.  Rock Me Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again (Six Times)  (3:31)  
4.  Louise  (4:57)  
5.  The Lebanon  (5:04) 

Side two
1.  Betrayed  (4:06)  
2.  The Sign (3:48)  
3.  So Hurt  (3:52)  
4.  Life On Your Own  (4:07)  
5.  Don't You Know I Want You  (3:10)

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