Humans (album)
Humans is the tenth full-length album by Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn. Humans was released in 1980 by True North Records.
| Humans | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1980 | |||
| Recorded | July–August 1980 | |||
| Genre | Folk, pop | |||
| Length | 43:20 | |||
| Label | True North | |||
| Producer | Eugene Martynec | |||
| Bruce Cockburn chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Billboard | (unrated)[2] |
In a retrospective review of the Rounder reissue, Allmusic critic Thom Jurek wrote, "Long regarded as Bruce Cockburn's finest moment on record, Humans, issued in 1980, is easily the most revealing of his tomes as well... Humans is universal in its confusion and hard-won willingness to endure without seeking creature comforts or easy answers. Its musical and lyrical adventure would be a watermark for any artist; for Cockburn it became the first step to musical and poetic freedom. It sounds as harrowing, beautiful, and ethereal 20-plus years later as it did when it was first issued, and offers a uniquely universal message for seekers of personal, social, and spiritual truth. This is the one to start with. It is also the one to end with."[1]
Writing for Trouser Press, Brad Reno called it "a truly great album", adding that it "is a thoughtful, complex album, and is the best of Cockburn's career."[3]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Grim Travellers" | Cockburn | 4:51 |
| 2. | "Rumours of Glory" | Cockburn | 3:38 |
| 3. | "More Not More" | Cockburn | 3:50 |
| 4. | "You Get Bigger as You Go" | Cockburn | 4:35 |
| 5. | "What About the Bond" | Cockburn | 4:55 |
| 6. | "How I Spent My Fall Vacation" | Cockburn | 5:10 |
| 7. | "Guerrilla Betrayed" | Cockburn | 3:56 |
| 8. | "Tokyo" | Cockburn | 3:25 |
| 9. | "Fascist Architecture" | Cockburn | 2:37 |
| 10. | "The Rose Above the Sky" | Cockburn | 6:23 |
The 2003 release contains a live version of Grim Travellers.
Personnel
- Bruce Cockburn – vocals, dulcimer, guitar
- Patricia Cullen – synthesizer
- Bob Disalle – drums
- Ben Bow – drums
- Jon Goldsmith – keyboards
- Dennis Pendrith – bass
- Tony Hibbert – bass
- Bernie Pitters – keyboards
- Leroy Sibbles – backing vocals
- Rachel Paiement – backing vocals
- Murray McLauchlan – backing vocals
- Pat La Barbera – reeds
- Brian Leonard – percussion
- Hugh Marsh – violin
Production
- Gene Martynec – producer
- Gary Gray – engineer
- George Marino – mastering
- Roberto Masotti – photography
- Vladimir Meller – remastering
- Bart Schoales – art direction
References
- Jurek, Thom. "Humans > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- "Review: Bruce Cockburn – Humans" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 41. October 11, 1980. p. 70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 30, 2020 – via American Radio History.
- "TrouserPress.com :: Bruce Cockburn". trouserpress.com.