THE LEBANON REVIEWS

 

No 1 1984

It’s hardly fair that The Human League should be criticised for making their records so slowly, since no one gave them a time limit in the first place.

On the other hand…AND ABOUT TIME TOO!

1984’s Human League has a harder (as in rock) sound and it’s mirrored by their lyrics.

I must be dreaming/It can’t be true”, says Phil Oakey of the Lebanese war, and he could just as easily be talking about the Libyan siege in London.

This isn’t too jolly, and some might say The Human League should keep their noses out of politics. I bet Phil’s got an answer for that one too.

 

Smash Hits April 1984

Long time no hear, and it’s a pretty heavy subject. A rousing chorus and a snappy guitar riff (that reminds me somewhat of the Banshees) go together to make a big hit.

 

NME July 1990

Stuart Maconie

…A straight-forwardly topical, hand-wringing account of the horros of Beirut. Also, it was a rock record, characterised by Callis’ sheet metal guitar. Gutsy and earnest, it will, unfortunately go dwon in the annals as possessing the worst line – “and where there used to be some shops” – in pop history.