Length 38:18 Release date 1984 | Producer B.E.F.Greg Walsh | |
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Released September 1984 (1984-09) Similar Heaven 17 albums, Synth-pop albums |
Heaven 17 five minutes to midnight
How Men Are is the third studio album by the English synthpop band Heaven 17. It was originally released in September 1984, on the label Virgin. The album peaked at No. 12 in the UK and was certified Silver (60,000 copies sold) by the BPI in October 1984.
Contents
Three singles were released from this album: "Sunset Now" (UK#24), "This Is Mine" (UK#23) in 1984, and an edited remix of "...(And That's No Lie)" (UK#52) in early 1985, which was the first Heaven 17 single to fail to reach the UK Top 40 since "Let Me Go" at the end of 1982.
Although digital sample-based instruments such as the Fairlight CMI and the Linn LM-1 drum machine were still responsible for most of the album's sounds, How Men Are marked the beginning of an increased usage of acoustic instruments in Heaven 17's music. A small orchestra is employed on three tracks, and two tracks make use of the Phenix Horns Esquire, Earth, Wind & Fire's famous brass section. Another notable contribution to this album was made by the vocal group Afrodiziak, who sang on four tracks.
In 2006, Heaven 17's first three albums were remastered and reissued with bonus tracks.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh, and Martyn Ware, except where noted.
- "Five Minutes to Midnight" – 3:46
- "Sunset Now" – 3:35
- "This Is Mine" – 3:51
- "The Fuse" – 3:05
- "Shame Is On the Rocks" – 3:59
- "The Skin I'm In" – 3:46
- "Flamedown" – 2:59
- "Reputation" (John Wilson, Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware) – 3:03
- "...(And That's No Lie)" – 10:02
Personnel
Songs
1Five Minutes to Midnight3:46
2Sunset Now3:36
3This Is Mine3:51