Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46646 in Digital Music Album
• Released on: 2004-01-01
• Running time: 0 seconds

Customer Reviews

could be better all around
H17 takes a modern approach with an updated sound. Where normally this would be a fresh approach, (I often wondered what an old studio genius band like H17 would do with today's technology), but H17 is neither inventive or genius reducing themselves to what to me sounds like aerobic dance music. Maybe me being the biggest H17 fan is a deterrent. First I gave "Before / After" every chance to succeed (for me) and then giving it the burden of holding up to their classic 80's gems. Probably not fair. There is success here, (It's much better then their previous effort `Bigger than America") but something is amiss. I think it's my high expectations and mild liking of pure dance music. The slower songs are more interesting here (for me) but unfortunately the lyrics are bland and forgettable. And sorry the ultra recognizable `Don't Fear the Reaper' cover is way out of place and simply is not engaging. The track "What Would It Take" sounds like it was written for Christina Aguilera.

Some good points; The best tracks are 'Deeper and Deeper' and "Into the Blue". Angie Brown backing vocals are very welcome through out and Glenn's voice is still top-notch.

I appreciate H17 are still taking a stab in today's world, and this does get slightly better with more listens, but the overall impact is minimal (for me). Also H17 has lost its ability to make interesting cover art. This and `Bigger than America' covers are basically horrible and the title `Before / After" can easily be mistaken as a remix album of old material.

This Disc Will MAKE You Love It
I was aware of the Human League / H17 split when it occurred & snapped up H17's first release as soon as i could get my hands on it. Likewise subsequent releases. I received this disc from Amazon today and am listening to it for the third time as I write this.
This is a thoughtful, carefully crafted 38:37 of the kind of synthpop FUN you thought couldn't be created anymore. It begins with several unashamedly techno-disco tracks which one would have expected from the Fry/White ABC if they had gotten better & better as H17 has. In fact, I would go so far to say that "Before After" is a landmark hybrid recording much like ABCs fantastic "Lexicon Of Love." As that disc, superbly produced, fused soul and disco in a Roxy Music-like new wave energy, this disc projects that soulful disco into a high energy modern techno dance sensibility.
Not only that, but the familiar funksoulpop of H17 is updated to the sound of the millenial dancefloor. One of the other reviews said that this made it sound unlike previous H17. The song writing intelligence is equal to or greater than previous H17 also, so it's like having your cake and eating it too! All the elements of what made H17 so fine are still there, the production is different reflecting modern pop values.
The second half of the album features some slower tempos, ballads. The disc has a wide range of emotion, by which I mean to say it is NOT just one long slamming dance fest. Like other H17 releases, the disc ends on a more introspective note. But no long meandering compositions on this one. No song reaches five minutes and most hover around four. So these tracks never exceed their own integrity. One is never waiting for a song to end or wondering if a certain section is excessive.
The previous H17 release, "Bigger Than America," was much darker not only in sound but emotion too. This disc has a clean, positive emotional quality, as if the funk of "BTA" (no pun intended) has been shrugged off, leaving a heart full of hope and romance. If "BTA" was the Pavement sensibility of H17, this disc is the romantic Penthouse side.
The female vocals have a prominent role which recalls the title track of "Penthouse And Pavement" and the best of Human League, but so incredibly accomplished that hearing them is like savoring a lush & delicious treat. Gregory's vocals are perfection and require no lyric sheet. Ever.
The music itself is on the level of Kraftwerk at their most fun & danceable. Actually, it is even more complex than that because of the horn & string charts and well-considered backing vocals. Somebody should mention that, yes, the song "Don't Fear The Reaper" IS that old Blue Oyster Cult tune. H17 stays very true to the overall sound of this smash standard, while still giving it their characteristic funkpopsoul flourish. I never did like BOC, but i did like that tune and it is really enjoyable here and good on repeated listen. If you think about it, the sensibility of the song is really in harmony with what H17 is about. A solid cover & not some smarmy toss off. Good job!
In conclusion, on third listen, i must say that H17 has released a real gem here that should please all old fans and would be welcome in the collection of anyone who misses the Fry/White ABC and i would think most Human League fans, even those who didn't particularly like the more political, darker, funkier H17 of the early years.

Embracing Heaven 17's Before/After
Before/After goes everywhere I go - this deep, moving, effervescent collection of music - G5, Nano, Car Stereo, or just in my mind as I lay it down at night! Freedom From Love and Hands Up To Heaven rate among Heaven 17's best tracks. The time and patience to release something really special shows all over every track on BeforeAfter...make no mistake...