After Secrets (2001), Credo is The Human League's first album in ten years. They were the first superstars of the synthi-pop with singer Phil Oakey, godfather of the asymmetrical coiffure, as the centerpiece. He was assisted by Joanne Catherall and Susan Sulley who, fresh from school, got to sit behind the microphones of The Human League. The level of Dare (1981), their most successful album, was
… never reached again. Yet they managed to maintain their sound up to and including Secrets. Unfortunately, this will change with Credo. Oakey's deep, sonorous voice has remained virtually unchanged. However, his ability to write in-depth lyrics seems to have disappeared with phrases like 'Gather up your skirts and trouser / Put on your frocks and blouses / Time to go out from your houses / Must we creep round like mouses?' (Night People). Also on an instrumental level it is no longer what it used to be. Simple little things that do not stick to anything seem to have lowered to the level of the lyrics. Credo sounds like The Human League has been commissioned to compose the first electromusical. (AD)more
