0668. Heaven 17
Penthouse And Pavement

Expressing lefty-politics in Thatcher's Britain might not have been so original, but I doubt there were so many synth pop bands doing it. Might be that Heaven 17 was the only one.

Already from the start they're up front with it in (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang, where both the obvious fascists and people like Ronald Reagan get their share. The single was banned from BBC though (by a DJ who was very fond of Maggie's politics (but John Peel liked it)).

Another thing that sets them apart from their colleagues is that they're a synth pp band with heavy soul influences, also bringing in a touch of funk in the bassline. I can't really reconcile that this was two thirds of the Human League when they started out. The lyrics are at times just embarrassing, though. As in Geisha Boys & Temple Girls, one of the few tracks that's attempting to be in the non-political style of most of their contemporary synth-poppers.

The difference to Let's All Make A Bomb is quite massive. Though still not genius lyrics, they at least doesn't make me want to leave the room.

Feels like I've panned this album even though I like it. Dämnit!