Top tracks — play these first
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Five Minutes to Midnight Start here — This opener sets the tone with its urgent rhythm and thought-provoking lyrics about fleeting time and responsibility, encapsulating the album's thematic core.
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Shame Is on the Rocks — The track features a catchy chorus paired with sharp commentary on societal expectations of men, making it both memorable and impactful.
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And That’s No Lie — At ten minutes long, this closing track explores deep emotional territory through its reflective lyrics and evolving soundscapes, showcasing the band's artistic ambition.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines engaging synth textures with socially relevant lyrics, though it lacks a strong cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- Each song features layered synthesizers and drum machines, creating a dense soundscape that supports the lyrical themes.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside sung vocals, adding a narrative quality to the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent listening experience
- thought-provoking lyrical engagement
- short, immersive listening sessions
- reflective and contemplative moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified Heaven 17's presence in the synth-pop scene with critical themes.
- Themes
- modern masculinity· societal expectations· 1980s gender dynamics
- Career context
- Released in September 1984, How Men Are was Heaven 17's fourth studio album, coming after their successful 1983 release, Pleasure One. At this stage, the band was solidifying their place within the synth-pop genre while addressing themes of gender and society in their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Human League· Depeche Mode· Soft Cell
Tracklist
- 1 Five Minutes to Midnight Start here 3:46
- 2 Sunset Now 3:35
- 3 This Is Mine 3:54
- 4 The Fuse 3:05
- 5 Shame Is on the Rocks 3:59
- 6 The Skin I’m In 3:29
- 7 Flamedown 3:00
- 8 Reputation 3:03
- 9 And That’s No Lie 10:02
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Some Great Reward
Depeche Mode
Shares a similar synth-driven sound and explores themes of desire and societal norms.
Dare
The Human League
Combines catchy synth-pop with introspective lyrics about relationships and social dynamics.
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
Explores themes of modern sexuality and identity through innovative synth arrangements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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