Heaven 17 - Penthouse and Pavement

Well, back in the early 80s we had all these Korgs and things, and some people went all grey and experimental with them (Cabaret Voltaire) and others went all funky and pop (Human League spin-offs the British Electric Foundation) cos bands like A Certain Ratio brought funk back to the attention of skinny white bedroom boys who'd been to art school (but didn't know how to program their drum machines properly).

And you have to remember that when bands like Human League split into two (Human League and Heaven 17) the rancourous rivalry of ex-friends was played out as a duel in the singles charts, with the funkiest contestant proclaimed the winner. (But they still didn't know how to program their drum machines. Neither did New Order.)

Side A is more like a raw, weirder demo for the "Penthouse & Pavement" album, while Side B would rival early Cabaret Voltaire for gutteral, and ear damaging experimental proto-electro

It's also worth remembering that when Human League did split, the general consensus was that the two founding members, Ware and Marsh, were the only ones with any musical talent and Oakey and Wright (a vocalist of questionable ability and the guy who operated the slide show!) were history.

Personally I think Penthouse & Pavment is a wonderful album but very much of it's time. I either haven't seen or can't remember the video but there was an awful lot of piss-taking of the "Yuppie" culture which was rapidly growing up at the time, so maybe that's part of the explanation.

Ironically, both records were kept off number one by those Southern chancers Spandau Ballet.

Oh and you can sing H17's "Let Me Go" to the tune of Prince's "Pop Life."

The record wouldn't be half as good w/out him...

Apparently H17 tried to get Diana Ross to sing on "Penthouse And Pavement" (the song) but had to make do with her backing singer instead.

keith

< / troll >

anyone heard the new H17 album yet ?

i had forgotten about this song completely, it's not bad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cohLAd6w4WU

that bass line is sick. the 12 inch version is even MORE BASS SOLOING!!!

It is the sickest, most funky song ever. I LOVE this song.

moley how did this record impact on your own slap bass stylings?

momus totally droppin knowledge like a regular dude:

Oh, okay, you mean the original sounds obcene and incomprehensible?

Well, back in the early 80s we had all these Korgs and things, and some people went all grey and experimental with them (Cabaret Voltaire) and others went all funky and pop (Human League spin-offs the British Electric Foundation) cos bands like A Certain Ratio brought funk back to the attention of skinny white bedroom boys who'd been to art school (but didn't know how to program their drum machines properly).

And you have to remember that when bands like Human League split into two (Human League and Heaven 17) the rancourous rivalry of ex-friends was played out as a duel in the singles charts, with the funkiest contestant proclaimed the winner. (But they still didn't know how to program their drum machines. Neither did New Order.)

-- Momus (Momus), Tuesday, October 29, 2002 10:57 PM (5 years ago) Bookmark Link

Fuck all that, that's some of the hottest drum machining ever.

This is a thread about the track rather than the album?

Anyway, "Let's All Make a Bomb" rules!!!

This album is too fucking good.

When I finally bought this, it disappointed me: The Luxury Gap was stronger imo.

Luxury Gap has better songs but this one has the funk.

oh shit im hypnotized

I generally prefer the original Human League to Heaven 17 (I like pretty much everything the early Human League ever did, whereas Heaven 17 I like the odd track here and there), but my god this album has some great tracks on it. I much prefer the second side over the first, and 'We're Going To Live For A Very Long Time' and 'Let's All Make A Bomb' are both fantastic, IMO.

if not posted elswhere:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAVrJMu49z4