OMD: S&D

Destroy: The Pacific Age and Sugar Tax (and probably the stuff that came after Sugar Tax that I never heard).

Search - the whole of the first album. Messages/Julia's Song/Bunker Soldiers/etc - all classic.

D - Only "Pacific age" and the crap bits of "Liberator" (about 80% of it) really. Avoid the Listening Pool too.

So start with the first three, as they're remastered with bonus tracks. Would be good buys!

Anyway, first and foremost, the first four albums should be searched. And also search "Dreaming", a great one-off single from 1988.

In terms of the remasters themselves, I think Organisation has the best bonus material asit includes some very good live tracks from the Factory which are all instrumental.

I am going to get Dazzle Ships and the Peel Sessions discs next.

http://www.omd.uk.com/html/news.html

i've finally ordered dazzle ships, but i'm getting by (and then some) on the B-sides collection - it's tremendous. i'm kicking myself for not getting it earlier.

"VCL XI" sounds like Junior Boys or Antonelli Electr! All those burbling sounds like machine babies cooing!

xpost yeah exactly! Black Celebration is the other 80s synth-pop album which I reckon does this rilly rilly exceedingly well.

What is other stuff like these? Apart from early industrial?

Destroy: "Dazzle Ship". Never understood what was so fantastic about that one. And the fans at the time obviously agreed with me, as it flopped completely.

but i think DS has long been critically reacclaimed as the classic it is, don't you?

it is a dense, beautiful, experimental, dark, intelligent and heartbreaking album. and if we are going to reduce everything to melody: beat "the romance of the telescope".

and if someone said, right, play me an album that will give me the best idea of where your tastes lie and what you like, dazzle ships would be it.

and time zones ... time zones! melody without melody! rhythm without rhythm! oh, exquisite genius.

god, i love that album so much.

e.g 'She waited for so Lo-o-ong" (She's Leaving)
'Her dream's to give her heart away...etc' (JoA, Maid Of Orleans)
'Now she's on her wa-ay to another la-and' (JoA, the other one)

That all of these examples are from A&M, make it my fave OMD LP. I unreservedly love the goofy Liverpool catholic thing,choirs of angels synths on the pop stuff and all the clanking about on the 'industrial northern landscapes' ones (Sealand etc). Fantastic band.

and yes, "goofy liverpool catholic thing" sums it up wonderfully; although i do still prefer the solving-all-the-world's-problems approach of dazzle ships (key andy quote from the time: "countries are a very inefficient way of organising things.")

crush, as i remembered, is a bit meh.

but jesus christ, woah, the pacific age! it's fucking amazing! what was i playing at, selling my CD copy ten years ago? it's a lost overblown eighties classic. recorded in paris with stephen hague, so you can imagine it already ... big, lush, horribly digital in parts, but ridiculously ambitious in a down-to-earth stylee ... hellfire, if i didn't know i'd regret it, i'd call it a sequel to dazzle ships.

and i've only listened to the first side.

wow. i'm gobsmacked. i need to be getting me a copy of junk culture, just in case it turns out to be good as well.

-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), April 6th, 2003.
i loved it and expected a full album .
can't get into them before "junk culture".i thought "liberator" was great and "universal" was their best.
i play the greatest hits more than anything.

-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), April 6th, 2003.
i loved it and expected a full album .
can't get into them before "junk culture".i thought "liberator" was great and "universal" was their best.
i play the greatest hits more than anything.

p.s. omd's middle eights are brilliant, love the key changes and ad-libs.

greatest hits (with dreaming) 9

insanity. how can an album with souvenir on it rate a 3? that song along rates it as a 6.

Goofy is right. I remember watching them perform the splendiferous Forever Live and Die on TOTP in 1986 - and you know the bit half-way through, where the music suddenly cuts out and there's a little bass slide into the next verse? Presumably by prior arrangement, the camera zoomed in on McCluskey at that precise moment, and he just could not stop himself from making a wacky "oooh" face. It was kind of like Michaelangelo inviting people in to view the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and then tricking them into sitting onto whoopee cushions.

The good news is that, having made do for years with the greatest hits compilations, I have been inspired by this thread to purchase Organisation and Architecture and Morality. (Would have bought Dazzle Ships too, but HMV only had the non-remastered version in stock.)

fuck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR_nsoF_1AI&search=OMD

Search "Organisation", "Architecture And Morality" and a good singles compilation.

Oh god, "Souvenir" is just killing me right now. So swoonsome!

I was thinking of that very song on the way home this evening! :-)

The new live album, Architecture & Morality And More is a great listen. It's just what I was in the mood for. Also, I'm looking forward for the release of the dvd.

Well, still don't see the fuss about a collection of tapes from Easten European radio stations, combined with (eek!!) lots of digital synths in an era where digital synths were mostly not around in pop music yet.
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 10:13 (3 years ago)

i've never felt the need to do this before, but geir, you are crazy. there is not one digital synth on this album, unless you count the emulator which i imagine was used mainly for all the radio samples. do you even own this album? there's a list of all the synths used in the sleeve. i know you've gone into great detail about how you dislike hard synth sounds, but this album practically defines warmth

this album = dazzle ships

Dazzle Ships is so great; I wish I'd heard it before yesterday! The chords in "Of All The Things We've Made" are heartbreakingly gorgeous.

My favourite OMD album by a long shot - and I quite like their stuff.
Greyish, unbalanced, icy and emotional, conveying this almost 50's cold war paranoia, eerily prescient - so great indeed.
Like I read somewhere, it is the sound of Joe Meek teaming up with Kraftwerk.

I'm listening through their discography now, and it's amazing, though I keep wanting to put on Dazzle Ships between the other albums. Between "Genetic Engineering", "The Romance of the Telescope" and the "Of All The Things We've Made" plus the interludes gluing things together, I can't get enough. I gather the lyrical subject matter is weighty but I'm not yet at the point of attending to that, not when there are chords and progressions as overwhelming as these.

As I said over on the DzSh thread, when they made "Locomotion", I liked the song a lot, but knew they would never do 'experimental' a'la Dazzle Ships again, and felt sad.

After listening to the first four albums + the Peel sessions over the last couple of days, I wanted to go back and relisten to them but tried "Locomotion" off the next album just to see. And it seems to be a move away from the lush swoon of the earlier albums, esp. Dazzle Ships. I'm kinda reluctant to go further for now, in fear of having the spell broken; but for now it's puppy love and I'm relistening to Architecture & Morality and starting to hear the influences more, e.g. Joy Division especially. I'm having a "where have you been my whole life" moment with this band right now.

I'm kinda reluctant to go further for now, in fear of having the spell broken

With OMD, that's a very wise approach. There is stuff worth hearing in the post-Dazzle Ships albums -- hell, I'll rep for most of The Pacific Age (see above!) -- but the magic had vanished and they're fundamentally a different band.

And whatever the fuck else you do, don't go and see them live: OMD to tour Architecture And Morality

So what came first, OMD's 'The Boy From the Chemist is Here to See You' or Pulp's 'Disco 2000'. Same year, too similar to be a coincidence?

OMD, frm Universal (1996).

Disco 2000, 1995

So, there you go.

lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HuSDV9mnjU

having listened to almost all of dazzle ships (thanks to the ILM 80's poll), holy shit how had I not heard this band before? there is so much music to hear; fortunately i am of a mind to set aside a while for these guys

Architecture & Morality is even better imo

Quite frankly LJ I am a little shocked at this. <3 OMD. Also, I think that Scooter clip made my ears bleed.

as a massive fan of early ultravox!, rio, new gold dream and others of that ilk it seems so obvious that i ought to have heard them earlier

'the romance of the telescope' is particularly stunning

OMG 'STATUES'

I am enjoying bearing witness to this new discovery of yours btw.

i see people compare dazzle ships to kid a

'the romance of the telescope' is *miles* better than anything on kid a

Architecture & Morality is even better imo

and Organisation is right up there with A & M, too.

Really, though, you can't go wrong with everything up to and including Dazzle Ships.

IF YOU LEAVE

Has anyone ever noticed the similarity between "Romance of the Telescope" and "Venus" from Air's Talkie Walkie? It can't be coincidence.

LJ, be sure to check out the Remaster CDs with the extra B-Side goodness as there is some great stuff lurking there too like Annex for example.

And the BBC sessions disc is worth checking out too.

'ABC Auto-Industries' is awesome too! As is most of what I've heard. (Joan Of Arc = great, Stanlow = great, etc)

Nice one: genuinely delighted you're enjoying this stuff. I've waxed lyrical about Dazzle Ships enough round here, really, so I won't say any more.

Really, though, you can't go wrong with everything up to and including Dazzle Ships

... exactly, although another way of putting it might be: "Be very, very careful with everything after Dazzle Ships". Actually, I've grown to really like The Pacific Age, but even so ...

I think Crush is a 100% solid album, love every track on it (esp. 'Native Daughters of the Golden West').

Great fake Hopper cover, too.

new album! who knew?

9/28 - OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) - History Of Modern (Bright Antenna)
That's right, the kings of new wave are back and better than ever with their first new album in 14 years.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/35/OMD_History_of_Modern_album_cover.jpg/600px-OMD_History_of_Modern_album_cover.jpg

okay, anyone with any interest in omd probably knew this for years. geir will dig it. that's for sure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rCMo1zfAKs

sorry if there is a thread. its early...

saw the quietus tweeting that it isn't very good.

that sounded pretty good except for the hi-hat

Buying this for the cover alone btw.

Psyched

Will likely go and see them again, with any luck they'll play Stanlow at brain welding volume like at the Roundhouse gig, it was aces.

That new song is rather lovely. I absolutely love the artwork, it would be so great if the music was as good.

This song's pretty good and I'm looking fwd to the album, as long as "new single" doesn't mean "this is the best song from the album."

tracklisting:

Track listing

All songs written and composed by OMD (except where stated):

Side one

No. Title Length
1. "New Babies: New Toys" 3.52
2. "If You Want It" (OMD/Carmen)" 4.45
3. "History of Modern (Part I)" 4.41
4. "History of Modern (Part II)" 4.13
5. "Sometimes" 3.46
6. "RFWK" 3.46
7. "New Holy Ground" 3.42

Side two

No. Title Length
8. "The Future, The Past, and Forever After" 4.52
9. "Sister Marie Says" 4.00
10. "Pulse" (OMD/Remee/Cutfather and Joe)" 3.42
11. "Green" (OMD/Stuart Kershaw)" 4.17
12. "Bondage of Fate" (OMD/Hannah Peel)" 4.06
13. "The Right Side?" (OMD/Leonard/Baker)" 8.20

found a PERFECT copy of maid of orleans 12 inch today. made me so happy. three dollars. still in the shrink wrap and looked like it had never been played. sounds so amazing. Peter Saville silver cardboard! (*Peter Saville Silver Cardboard Band* name not taken yet. feel free to use it.)

http://homepage2.nifty.com/truefaith/tosq/petersaville/largeimages/1982-01-din40.jpg

That is a beautiful 12"
OMD is a very eBay friendly band

I sold a couple of OMD promo posters last month (A&M and a Souvenir one) nearly died when one went for £160 and the other £103

buyers got them cheap imo

Same dude for both actually.

my maid of orleans 12" has completely different artwork, it's silver with a large embossed coin in the centre. i think i prefer the stained glass design

Hoping

13. "The Right Side?" (OMD/Leonard/Baker)" 8.20

is the return of I Start Counting.....

So the actual lead single is a huge disappointment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACbPPHMwUoE

Isn't it exactly the same song as this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2KfrmKCmAQ

eh, it isn't terrible, i could do without the intro bit.

but it does sound a lot like the second one. but then i'd never heard either before just now.

Yaaaaaawn. They can do much better imo.

on first listen the album seems surprisingly good! or am i just relieved that it is not as awful as i feared it might be? who knows.

What do you think of the song where Andy McClusky starts getting 'sexy' (Pulse)?

I thought The Right Side was the only good track on it but given that it's essentially the same as Europe Endless off Trans Europe Express, it fucking well should be.

Unfortunately, I found the album totally underwhelming and boring. Which was obviously to be expected, but you try to go into these things with some optimism, y'know.

Definitely search: the debut, Organisation, Architecture & Morality, Dazzle Ships, Junk Culture, Sugar Tax.

The first four albums are excellent, with Junk Culture and Sugar Tax in particular being very underrated.

As for the rest, even though the albums are quite patchy, there's still some great songs in there. Here's my individual song searches for the rest.

CRUSH (1985)
Search: So In Love, Secret, 88 Seconds In Greensboro, The Native Daughters Of The Golden West
Destroy: the rest
(The 12" version of La Femme Accident is searchable though, I think it's much better and punchier than the album/single cut)

THE PACIFIC AGE (1986)
Search: Stay (The Black Rose And The Universal Wheel), The Dead Girls, Southern, Flame Of Hope, Goddess Of Love
Destroy: the rest

LIBERATOR (1993)
Destroy this album completely, it is truly rancid. Andy McCluskey trying to keep up with the kids and ending up sounding like 2 Unlimited.

UNIVERSAL (1996)
Search: Universal, Walking On The Milky Way, The Moon & The Sun, The Black Sea, Very Close To Far Away, That Was Then
Destroy: the rest

HISTORY OF MODERN (2010)
Definitely search: New Babies New Toys, History Of Modern (Part I), History Of Modern (Part II), RFWK, New Holy Ground, Bondage Of Fate.

Destroy completely: Sometimes, The Future The Past And Forever After, Pulse, The Right Side?

However 'If You Want It', 'Sister Marie Says' and 'Green' may be of some interest to some fans.

Comprehensive! I enjoy much of History Of Modern as much as Junk Culture. Good record!

Somehow the existence of Sugar Tax has escaped me completely to this point! *searches*

Sugar Tax, for me, is easily the best of the "solo McCluskey" OMD albums. No, it's not an artistic statement in the same way that their output up until and including "Dazzle Ships" is, but I think it's just as good as "Junk Culture" in the 'it's just good pop' stakes, although it's a different record to "Junk Culture". With "Junk Culture", they tried to incorporate more of a Latin/Caribbean element into their sound and I thought it worked well for the most part. "Sugar Tax" is more of a straight synth-pop album, but it's a good one in my opinion - I think only the cover of 'Neon Lights' is the only thing I'm not too keen on on there (but there's absolutely no way anybody could improve on the original). It has this reputation of being a full-on 'dance pop' album, but really it's the ballads on "Sugar Tax" that make it for me, and to me are some of my favourite OMD songs: 'All That Glitters', 'Was It Something I Said' (which is about the break-up of the original OMD line-up), 'Then You Turn Away', 'Walking On Air'. I love the upbeat 'Speed Of Light' and the Pet Shop Boys-ness of 'Call My Name' too.

Has anyone seen them on the ongoing reunion tour?

I haven't yet, but the more live footage I watch, the more I'm seriously considering it - they pulled out and dusted off 'Bunker Soldiers' the last time they played live in the UK, if I remember.

I've seen it! Lots of awkward dancing! It is appealing! Paul sings "Souvenir"!

The show I saw was a BLAST. Andy oozes showmanship from his very core. All the hits and more, and nothing too embarrassing from the new-ish period. And yes Paul doing Souvenir is such a scene stealing delight. Although he does have this righteous creepiness about him, as if he's a teenage Salacious Crumb underdogging Andy's Jabba in Linda Hunt's body. All due respect and all.

am I still the only person who loves "(Forever) Live and Die"

ha I guess I could have just read the thread, rock on Geir

Ah, it's one of their worst ever singles in my humble opinion. I personally can't believe they're still playing it live! Apparently the main inspiration behind the song was 'You Sexy Thing' by Hot Chocolate (listen to the bassline). I mean, good on them for branching out and trying something different - but it's not really the type of OMD that I like, and I don't particularly think its a great song in itself.

I love it too Dan

I don't mind that song at all.

Remarkably good the other night. Andy McCluskey in great voice, great attitude, and self-consciously less than great moves. Paul solid, too. Andy was funny, made light of his dancing, and even managed a backhanded complement toward "If You Leave" before the band dispensed with it pretty early in the set. I was impressed. Other guys solid, too.

For sone reason could have sworn Andy was born-again, but apparently he's an atheist. Who knew?

"The Dead Girls" is as stately and creepy as I remember it being when I was a kid

There's a new record coming out early-ish next year, 'English Electric'

http://1.2.3.13/bmi/www.omd-messages.co.uk/omd/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ebglish_electric.jpg

^ That's the sleeve of the forthcoming album English Electric, apparently ^

Very Dazzle Ships-like, you could say. I guess you could also say it looks like the ghost of the Hacienda has thrown up on a piece of cardboard!

Paul Humphreys talks a little bit about the forthcoming album here, since the tour dates have been announced...

http://www.electricity-club.co.uk/blog/?page_id=11506

OMD TO RELEASE NEW RECORD;
ENGLISH ELECTRIC OUT APRIL 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZBNx6e3D_Q

http://bighassle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OMDPressShotforTour.jpeg

BMG is excited to announce that cornerstones of British electronic music, OMD, will return to jumpstart and rewire the canon with brand new album English Electric. Out April 9, the album was written, recorded, produced and mixed by OMD - Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys. English Electric is a 12-track letter to technology, space, love and a grand return to form for a band whose 1980 hit "Enola Gay" occupied the world's stage at last year's Olympics Opening Ceremony.

As percolating synth-pop is pulled along at different speeds and executed with needle-sharp finesse, late night electro ballads collide with big sounding club cuts on a record which also features three interlude tracks, including dystopian missive "Please Remain Seated" and "Decimal," which is accompanied by this suitably mechanical TRAILER directed by Henning M. Lederer. Bloggers feel free to post.

LP Highlights include the radioactive clatter of "Atomic Ranch" - a song which pokes fun at convention with computerised voices - "Kissing The Machine" - which was composed in collaboration with early influence Kraftwerk member Karl Bartos -"Helen of Troy" - which revives the recurring historical figure motif - and the glacial, uplifting "Metroland," the first single.

As Andy McCluskey says of the album; "The overarching feel tends to be a sense of loss, of melancholia, that things haven't turned out the way you wanted them to, whether it be with technology or personal relationships." The title itself - taken from a British industrial manufacturing company - has further resonance for the pair as locomotive enthusiasts and self-confessed technology geeks.

This is the follow-up to 2010's History of Modern and the band's 12th album to date.

The original four-piece - Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper - will be reunited once again this spring for a string of must-see shows, which commemorate the band's 35th anniversary. Tour dates will be announced soon.

Full tracklisting for English Electric:

1. Please Remain Seated
2. Metroland
3. Night Café
4. The Future Will Be Silent
5. Helen of Troy
6. Our System
7. Kissing The Machine
8. Decimal
9. Stay With Me
10. Dresden
11. Atomic Ranch
12. Final Song

The album is being released on standard CD format, as a deluxe edition - with media book and bonus DVD - vinyl format - ltd edition die cut sleeve on heavyweight vinyl, as a limited edition deluxe tin boxset, as well as digitally.

I'm actually getting myself far more excited for this one that I did for History Of Modern!

*than

I'm excited!

Hope they tour the US again, because they are fantastic live.

Yeah, they're great live. Andy's dance moves have matured from "gawky teenager" to "dancing dad" and I like it. It feels properly celebratory, like a wedding or something

'Decimal' seems to have divided the fans a bit. It surprises me how many OMD fans there are out there who don't seem to rate their more unconventional tracks, like 'VCL XI' or some of the B-sides or the interlude pieces on Dazzle Ships, and instead rate stuff like Liberator... I mean, I love a great pop song as much as anyone else, but I often get the feeling that some folks still can't grasp what made this band so great in their earlier years. It annoys me a bit, especially when it comes from OMD's own fans.

'Decimal' seems to have divided the fans a bit.

Perhaps because in the early days of OMD, or even later during "Dazzle Ships," the novelty of hearing sampled voices was fresh, and now, in 2013, hearing a cacophony of sampled annoying robot voices counting and stuff is much less novel? And perhaps much more annoying? I find it sort of tantamount to listening to traffic noises or construction on the radio when I'm in the car, or phones ringing, talking and texting noises in those PSAs before movies.

Another reason to get excited:

http://pitchfork.com/tv/youtube/13-music-videos/686-orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-atomic-ranch-official-music-video

Yup, it's yet another track from the new record called 'Atomic Ranch'... again, like 'Decimal' it seems to have a Dazzle Ships type of vibe to it. The more I'm hearing from this record, the more I'm convinced I'll like the new OMD record more than what Depeche are going to put out this year. It's been many many years since someone has said THAT, I'm sure!

I love Orcs Must Die. The sequel is even better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbqHGsevqI8

As with 'Decimal', it would seem that 'Atomic Ranch' has split opinion in the OMD fanbase. While (from what I've read so far) the reaction seems to be mostly positive, and people are applauding the band for embracing this side of their music again, there seems to be still a section of OMD's fanbase that would be more content if they just re-wrote 'Enola Gay' over and over again. I'm glad the band are ignoring these people and getting on with doing what they want like they did on the earlier albums.

I was playing Neu! 75 the other day, and a friend asked me if it was OMD...

I was playing Neu! 75 the other day, and a friend asked me if it was OMD...

― Ward Fowler, Tuesday, February 5, 2013 3:56 PM (10 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yeah, Neu! 75 was a big influence on OMD in their earlier years. I'd rather have someone listen to Neu! 75 and someone ask if it's OMD, rather than someone listen to OMD and say "hey, this sounds like Atomic Kitten!"

Why are there two OMD threads saying the same thing?

I'm really excited by the new songs, it seems they've got their conceptual edge back, and Andy and Paul are working together in the same room rather than firing files at each other. "History of Modern" was ok, but I felt it was an extension of the long overdue "Rarities / Unreleased" project that had been brewing on their website for many years. This is something new, looking back at their past and looking forward too. It's a good year for comebacks. So yes, very happy.

XP I didn't understand "4-Neu" (b side of "Genetic engineering") until I heard "Neu 75".

I have a hell of a lot of time for '4-Neu'... they were coming up with great B-sides without even trying back in those days!

Really not sure how much to extrapolate from two brief not quite songs that feature ample sampled vocals/robot voices/whatever. I have no idea what the album sounds like, but I guarantee it is not an entire album of this. And is unlikely to sound like "Enola Gay," or Neu!, either, for that matter.

You're right, it isn't an entire album of this. They're previewing the interlude tracks first to get people talking and get people (especially fans of their older work) excited for the album. In my case, it's working!

I was just responding to this:

As with 'Decimal', it would seem that 'Atomic Ranch' has split opinion in the OMD fanbase.

Like, there's so little going on here I can't imagine how they could even generate an opinion, let alone split opinion. I'm looking forward to the new album, too, but this by the numbers stuff does nothing for me one way or the other.

I don't think this stuff is by-the-numbers at all. To begin with, OMD haven't been anywhere near this type of music for 28 years or thereabouts. In terms of their whole career, it's actually the style of music that they've done the least.

Yeah, but they've still done it. The fact that someone can say "this sounds like 'Dazzle Ships'" affirms "Dazzle Ships" as a template that can be replicated, and that these clips are looking backward to a specific period and sound. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I don't see it as a terribly distinctive direction. Especially since we're a far distance from the heyday of the Emulator and novelty of early sampling.

Ergo, I'm waiting for the songs, not the soundscapes.

While the nature of the tracks do recall Dazzle Ships in approach, 'Decimal' and 'Atomic Ranch' really sound like none of the tracks from that album. You'd have a point if you said 'Sister Marie Says' sounds like 'Enola Gay' (because it does), but if you were to say something like 'Decimal' sounded like 'Time Zones', then that would undoubtedly be a lazy comparison. They don't sound anything alike.

Ergo, I'm waiting for the songs, not the soundscapes.

― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, February 5, 2013 4:56 PM (3 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

...and I'm sure you'll be critical of those by saying OMD have done those before, too.

Maybe! But I generally find melodies more ingratiating than audio-collage, which again was novel at the time but today can be done by a five year old with a phone. I have no problem if the hooks and stuff recall old OMD, because they're hooks. But a bunch of chattering sampled voices? I dug it back then but don't need more of it now.

I agree that it's not particularly difficult to do an audio-collage these days, however it's more difficult to come up with a great concept behind an audio-collage, or a reason for an audio-collage to exist. These are obviously interlude tracks on an album that sounds as if it's going to be conceptual, so the tracks are obviously going to make far more sense in the context of the album. Even standalone, though, I like them.

I bet the concept is about how we, like, communicate, man.

I bet the concept is about how we, like, communicate, man.

― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, February 5, 2013 5:14 PM (53 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Actually, it isn't.

I bet it's how we fail to communicate, man.

;)

I don't think it's that, either.

Some news about the new single:

The first single to be released from the English Electric album, Metroland, will be premiered next Monday 11th February on the Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC6.

Metroland is a return to the lengthier songs of OMD’s past as it clocks in at over 7 minutes.

mmm, just checked, I have found one 'past' song of 7 mins, one of 6, the rest 4 to 5 mins or less.

Yeah, I think the only OMD song in their discography that clocks in over 7 minutes is 'Sealand', next one from that is 'Stanlow', which as you say, is over the 6 minute mark...

Still, I'd rank those tracks as two of my favourite OMD moments!

The full length "66 and fading" clocks in around six minutes too.

Andy is on BBC News 24 around 3.30pm today talking about Kraftwerk, if anyone's interested.

Cheers for the heads up, Rob!

Interesting interview - clearly the interviewer seemed a bit sceptical of Kraftwerk bring 'art', but Andy defended them most robustly.

Of course, Kraftwerk are like McCluskey's Beatles!

He did make the rather grand claim that Kraftwerk are the most influential band in the history of pop music. I'll have to watch it again properly, I had just picked my 6 yr old son from school and he was a bit distracting - he was amazed that Kraftwerk were on TV (my son loves them, "Computer world" is his favourite album of theirs).

6 years old and having superb taste already! You must be so proud... hehehehehe... Computer World was a favourite of mine when I was a young 'un as well. In fact, "was?"... still is!

he's got a point, by the way

at 6 I loved Devo more than anything which made it really neat that I actually got to see them live 15 years later (in 2007!!)

I just saw Paul Humphries literally 20 mins ago at Kraftwerk!

I just saw Paul Humphries literally 20 mins ago at Kraftwerk!

― MaresNest, Wednesday, February 6, 2013 11:49 PM (10 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Really? Nice one! Although it doesn't entirely surprise me that he's there! :D

My younger one (5.5) asks for robot music all the time in the car, i.e. Kraftwerk, '80s electro, anything with a robot voice. She likes "Numbers" for the speak and spell action.

xp Andy said in yesterday's interview he was going to that night's Kraftwerk gig, it makes sense that Paul would be there too.

"Numbers" seems to be a hit with the kids, it's my son's favourite too. It helps that one of the voices appears to be counting in Welsh - has this ever been confirmed?

"Numbers" seems to be a hit with the kids, it's my son's favourite too. It helps that one of the voices appears to be counting in Welsh - has this ever been confirmed?

― Rob M Revisited, Thursday, February 7, 2013 7:36 AM (8 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I've never actually noticed that before, but I think I know what you mean! It's with the Japanese part isn't it?

"ichi, ni, san, shi..." and then what sounds like "un, dau, tri"...

Yeah, I think the only OMD song in their discography that clocks in over 7 minutes is 'Sealand', next one from that is 'Stanlow', which as you say, is over the 6 minute mark...

― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Wednesday, February 6, 2013 12:52 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Actually no, scratch that... the longest OMD song is 'The Right Side?' which is over 8 minutes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0NXbuvh3Iw

only got 1 minute in so far, but i think Kraftwerk should sue.

Given that Andy McCluskey has been all over TV and radio talking up Kraftwerk's recent shows the influence they had on him, it should come as absolutely no surprise that it's going to come out in OMD's music. I like it. They attempted this kind of thing before on 'The Right Side?', but I think this is the superior track.

Now, see, that's a nice track.

the heavy KW influence has always been there though hasn't it?

Absolutely. I'd be more surprised if this was a new development, but it's been there since album one.

Absolutely, Dazzle Ships is an awful lot like Radioactivity

also doesn't Sazzle Ships have a song thats essentially a rewrite of YMO's "La Femme Chinoise"?

The intro to Genetic Engineering

Liking this track, I live in Metroland, well Betjeman's version of it, which I'm guessing is the reference.

afaic OMD have done as many interesting things using Kraftwerk's template as Kraftwerk themselves. This track is pretty superfluous tho

Current scores in the 'synth veterans returning in 2013' battle:

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - 4
Depeche Mode - 0

C'mown, Depeche... now it's your turn to impress me.

That's nice... but nothing more than nice. It doesn't really go anywhere for all its seven minutes, and it's great when Andy lets rip at the end but... Slightly underwhelmed. Maybe it'll grow on me, or maybe it's just that "Genetic engineering" was issued 30 years ago today and that song changed my life, maybe I'm expecting too much. Pleasant, but sounds a bit dated.

I'll leave this here before it gets taken down...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVcMhdZypIQ

Cheers for that. Loving the typical Andy bass on "Dresden".

I already think it's a thousand times better than History Of Modern, just based on these snippets.

OMD are guests on Graham Norton's Radio 2 show on Saturday morning (10am to 1pm) with another exclusive new track, it says here.

Cheers for the heads up... I'll be away over the weekend, so hopefully I'll be able to steal a moment to tune in!

cool clips. Always like it when they're unafraid to wander into the lower-frequency end of the pool.

Pitchfork are streaming the whole album in advance...

http://pitchfork.com/advance/57-english-electric/

It's a good album that gets better on relistening. More thoughts later...

There isn't a single song on this that I'm finding myself disliking, which is something I definitely couldn't have said about History Of Modern (or indeed the two albums that came before it)... I think 'Our System' is probably my favourite track at the moment... love it when those drums kick in at the end!

Fucking hell, I'm on my 9th listen of this already... I'd better slow down before I burn out on this thing!

Ha, really? Might have to give it a listen. I was already to get into the last album but then that lead single killed all my interest. I haven't actually listened to any of their albums since Junk Culture. First four albums are of course classic.

It's a much sharper album than the first reunion. I do strongly recommend this interview with McCluskey in that regard, I think it puts the album into a clear context on several fronts

http://thequietus.com/articles/11307-orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-omd-interview-watch-atomic-ranch-video

Interesting interview. I'm going in!

Yeah, this is definitely much sharper... while History Of Modern had its highlights (I'm very fond of 'New Holy Ground', 'RFWK' and 'History Of Modern (Part I)' to name three), this one undeniably feels much more like an OMD album. It doesn't contain any embarrassing attempts at styles that don't suit them (i.e. like 'Pulse' from the last album, or 'Agnus Dei' from Liberator), there's a track with a Paul Humphreys lead vocal (which was a trademark of every OMD album from Organisation up to The Pacific Age), there's some Dazzle Ships-esque interlude pieces in there such as 'Decimal', 'Atomic Ranch' and 'The Future Will Be Silent', and the album on the whole is mostly electronic and in keeping with their electronic roots (no blues-rock here!)... the only acoustic drums on the record, as far as I can tell, is in the outro to 'Our System' (which is fast becoming one of my favourite OMD songs), and of course several tracks feature the McCluskey bass. It's also a fairly concise album, about 43-44 minutes long (near-perfect vinyl album length), so it doesn't outstay its welcome (I often felt like albums like History Of Modern and Sugar Tax were slightly overlong).

Very hard for me to pick highlights so far, and no track on here is leaving me disappointed... yet another album to add to the growing pile of records which I'll be playing the shit out of this year.

Funny you mention roots music....but I'll have more to say later.

Is it fair to say you're reviewing this one, Ned? :D

Glad people I trust like Turrican are enjoying the new album, I'm unable to stream the album so will have to wait 'til I buy it next week and I can't wait.

*whistles idly*

I love the title. My Dad worked at English Electric in the early '60s, in Gillmoss off the East Lancs Road.

*whistles idly*

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, April 3, 2013 9:13 PM (9 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Ha!

So there's a single and a double CD version of this available to order? What's on disc 2?

I haven't looked into that yet, but I know there was quite a few tracks they recorded during the album sessions that are coming out as B-sides and stuff: 'Frontline', 'No Man's Land', 'Time Burns', a cover of 'Shelter' by The xx... and 'The Great White Silence', which has already come out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EUNX-nwSDw

This album is actually really good. Never thought I'd be into a later OMD album but think I'm going to end up playing it a lot.

I love it when synth pop bands make great albums late into their careers, Human League's Secrets and Erasure's Nightbird are probably the best examples.

I've never heard the band's '90s output. Anything worthwhile in there?

I'd say that Sugar Tax is the best of their '90s albums. It's maybe a couple of songs too long, and there's one or two tracks on there I could easily do without, but I prefer its Korg M1-driven sound to the "McCluskey having a love affair with techno" album that is Liberator, or the more Britpop-styled Universal. Sugar Tax is all about the mid-tempo tracks/ballads for me: 'Then You Turn Away', 'Was It Something I Said', 'Walking On Air', 'All That Glitters'...

How about any of the later 80's albums after Junk Culture? I don't love that album but it has it's moments.

Oh I guess that's just two albums then, thought there were more than that. Just looking them up on All Music, they really have great album artwork almost all the way through their career.

There's some discussion about the Junk Culture, Crush and The Pacific Age albums here...

Of course, I already think that English Electric is better than those three albums(!)

Okay thanks. I saw you talked abou them earlier on this thread too (I should actually read threads before posting on them)

As you seem to be a bit of an expert and I'm a complete music nerd, would you mind ranking their albums? I'd be really interested to see what order you would put them in.

I'm listening to Sugar Tax now. Then You Turn Away sounds a little too close to Femme Fatale on it's verses.

1. Architecture & Morality / Dazzle Ships
2. Organisation
3. English Electric (NEW ENTRY!)
4. Junk Culture
5. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
6. Sugar Tax
7. History Of Modern
8. Crush / The Pacific Age
9. Universal
1,500,000. Liberator

That's at the moment, anyway.

Great, thanks! Dazzle Ships just has the edge over Architecure for me but yeah that's a great top five.

Poor Liberator, I have no intention of hearing that album but I did like the first two singles when they came out back in the day.

This new one is very good on headphones too, I think the band mixed this one themselves... lots of little details I'm picking up like the extra percussion underneath 'Dresden'...

damn good imo

And here's 'Frontline'...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcwmdPxiyBI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcwmdPxiyBI

so they're coming to my podunk town. will it be good? worth the 30 bucks? i'm poor.

They were great last year, tons of fun.

Metroland really reminds me of Ulrich Schnauss of all people, wonder if they're fans.

From the official OMD website:

"On Monday we will be performing at The Bing Lounge to celebrate the release of English Electric. The performance will be available to stream live. We will be performing at noon PDT (which is 8pm UK time)."

This album is lovely. I wish the band hadn't lessened its impact by releasing "History of Modern." This really should have been bundled in with the reunion a few years back, but maybe they had to reunite, reconnect and tour first to get these results.

Yeah, that's kinda how I feel too... it would have been wonderful if they'd come out with something like this when they first reunited, but I think they had to get History Of Modern out of their system first and learn from it. History Of Modern was a collaborative effort for the most part, but quite a lot of the material had been kicking around for a few years (some of it in very different forms and intended for other project that weren't OMD) and they did a lot of sending files over the internet back-and-forth and not spending much time in the same room. The one track on History Of Modern that they actually wrote and recorded in the same room together was 'New Holy Ground'... thankfully they realised that they work better when they're in the same room together bouncing ideas off one another, and of course this new album is more focused because it was written over a set period, rather than drawing from a large batch of existing stuff.

*projects

Strongly recommend rereading that Quietus interview linked above -- McCluskey talks about how the genesis of the album came from he and Humphreys basically talking in the kitchen and getting down to brass tacks. Rereading the interview while listening to the album was very helpful.

This one sounds like "Dazzle Ships" crossed with "Crush," which is an interesting conflation.

Well, I kinda see what you mean...

man, he hasn't lot a bit of vocal range, has he?

lot -> lost

Not really... I mean, he probably can't get up to high part at the end of 'International' anymore (which I think is the highest full-voice McCluskey vocal on wax), but mostly his voice and range seems to have remained pretty much intact!

Anyhow, it would seem the album has finally hit Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/album/6c7cULDmJ4x9LNJov44EMD

This new album is really good. Standing in line to see them live at this very moment and I won't be disappointed if the set is filled with new songs.

ooo let us know how it is.

Great show. Set list was really well planned. Played 4 new songs, Metroland, Dresden, Night Cafe and Kissing the Machine. They all sounded terrific, especially Dresden, which is an instant classic and just about as good as any song they've ever written. Paul sang Souvenir, Forever Live and Die and Secret. Only low point for me was Locomotion, easily my least favorite 80s single. It did seem to fit with Sailing On The Seven Seas rhythmically. Maid of Orleans followed by Joan of Arc was nice as well and it was during Joan of Arc, with Andy jerking his arms in time with the drums when I remembered they had toured with Joy Division. Pretty wild to imagine what that would have been like in 79/80. Surprisingly, Radio Waves got a huge reception. All in all a memorable set, well put together and perfectly executed. If they're coming to your town, go see them.

Nice! ty

Remembering there were 2 others from the new album but I will have to check the titles in the morning. Our System and maybe Stay With Me?

Decimal
Please Remain Seated
Metroland
Messages
Dresden
Radio Waves
History of Modern 1
Forever Live and Die
If You Leave
Souvenir
Night Café
Joan of Arc
Maid of Orleans
Our System
Atomic Ranch (shortened version)
Kissing the Machine
So In Love
Sister Marie
Locomotion
Sailing on the 7 Seas
Enola Gay

Walking on the Milky Way
Secret
Electricity

Is Holmes even on the new album? The one disappointment for me is that the drums sound so generic and programmed. His additions to the group's classic album were key, I thought. Just as with New Order, the mix of live drums and programming is a cool combo.

Yeah, he's there on 'Our System' and 'Dresden'.

Good feature on the Quietus re: Andy's favorite albums

http://thequietus.com/articles/11834-andy-mccluskey-omd-orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-favourite-albums

Very predictable (there's *two* Kraftwerk albums on it, which kinda breaks an unwritten rule doesnt it?) but there are some entertaining quotes about Limp Bizkit and McC's hatred of all things rock n' roll

Lots of good choices and Glasvegas!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOcqTNB7JMg

Reviewed on Pitchfork today, feel like it deserves a little higher than a 6.7. Nice review though, that guy seems to know his stuff.

Indeed, can't complain about the contents of the review at all (except for one error: 'Metro City'='Metroland', but that kinda thing can be easily corrected), but definitely feel that it deserves a little higher than a 6.7. Still, a better score than the recent Depeche Mode album (which seems to be growing more on me the more I listen to it) and a far more favourable review than History Of Modern.

I've enjoyed English Electric way more than Delta Machine. I haven't kept up to date with OMD's albums but this one was a really nice surprise, I did not expect to enjoy this much. Delta is just more of the same, I thought Sounds of The Universe was pretty good but this one didn't click with me at all. I was surprised how low the Pitchfork score was.

I'm thinking the problem that I'm having with Delta Machine is its length. English Electric is pretty much old-style vinyl album length (about 42-44 minutes, I think), whereas Delta Machine is almost an hour long and doesn't really need to be. So once English Electric is finished, I often feel like putting it back on for another listen, whereas two-thirds of the way through Delta Machine I find myself starting to flag with it. I honestly think if Delta Machine were reduced down to 9 songs, it would improve the album no end.

Also, if the songs were better. ;)

Well, that too... but it would be much more preferable to me to have the best of the material on that record all together as opposed to having to skip over the lesser songs.

Hello. The lower score was an acknowledgment both of its comfort food feeling -- no complaints but at the same time, no extra rewards -- and a general wish from PF that we restrain ourselves from giving everything 10s and the like. Also as is well known I fucking hate stars, rankings, etc. My argument is in the words, not the rankings. That said, you are right about that "Metroland" glitch!

6.7 sounds about right, in context, but seriously, what was the last high profile Fork review of a band more fashionable/current/contemporary than OMD that erred on the side of a lower score rather than higher? They're always trying to shift the scores lower ... except when they're not. The very notion that 6.7 comes across negative says it all, really. That's why I agree with Ned. Numbers/grades/etc. are silly/pointless/inscrutable.

Like I said, man, I couldn't complain about the content of the review... I just hope folks pay attention to what's been written, rather than just having a quick glance at the score.

If anything, I just wanted to make sure I had a perfect last line for the review. I freely admit that.

there is still a little too much "chirpy Vince Clarke" in OMD's makeup for me to embrace them without reservation but this album seems okay

But you've heard the first few albums, right? More Eno and Joy Division than anything else.

Yeah, Organisation especially isn't an album which I'd particularly describe as "chirpy Vince Clarke".

If anything it's more the tech they were using at the time. By the time they got more mainstream in America maybe they were more...exuberant?

Anyway, Josh and Turrican correct. Dan I'd just recommend a listen of the first four albums in order, I think you'll find yourself pretty surprised.

lol you guys remember that Organization starts with "Enola Gay" right

Yes. Hurrah 'chirpy' songs about atomic destruction!

My point wasn't that OMD and early Depeche Mode were exactly alike, it was that there is an undercurrent of bouncy tweeness running through both of them that keeps me at a remove; in DM that element is much more closely tied to the way Vince Clarke writes songs whereas in OMD it's more in the way they arrange music. I only full vibe with OMD when they go full-on tacky stadium, which is part of why I love "If You Leave" (and "Forever (Live and Die)") so much

What Ned said... and besides, 'Enola Gay' is a bit of a red herring and not really representative of the album as a whole. The fact that it was the sole single from the album should tell you everything!

Give '2nd Thought', 'Statues', 'The Misunderstanding', 'VCL XI' and 'Stanlow' a listen and tell me if you can detect any bouncy tweeness ;)

I mean... yes, I can

I have heard these albums before, guys

you're acting like I'm calling Chris and Cosey albums to inviting and cheerful or something

The friendly life-affirming vibes of Whitehouse.

I suddenly have an urge to listen to 'Statues', actually... been a while since I heard that bouncy twee classic...

too much "chirpy Vince Clarke"

THERE IS NO SUCH THING.

I always thought of OMD as kind of cold and arty until I saw them live and realized they were pretty hilarious, and it totally changed how I heard their older albums afterwards!

Yeah, it's one of the strange things about that band... on the first four albums it's clear to me that McCluskey in particular took everything about the bands art painfully seriously, and they kinda do look very humourless on the sleeve photos to Organisation and Architecture & Morality... and then you see them live and it's equally clear that McCluskey isn't scared of making a fool of himself onstage whatsoever... the 'epileptic windmill' dancing during 'Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans)' being a particular highlight.

enbb otm

And here's 'No Man's Land'...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC9UYAXAwRM

Can see why it didn't make the album (I can't see why it could have possibly have fit in)... getting a bit of a Pacific Age vibe from this one, weirdly enough...

Still haven't got the album yet so can't really say much... "Enola Gay" was written well before the rest of the "Organisation" album and was recorded for a Peel session in the spring of 1980, along with "Motion and heart", the majority of the other 7 songs on "Organisation" were written after Ian Curtis' suicide and reflected that - don't forget the Factory connection and the two bands were very closely linked. "Statues"...don't get me started on that one!

So, took a small break from listening to this one to take it other new releases/catch up on 2012 stuff I haven't heard yet... it's still sounding pretty good to me! Rob, did you get around to hearing this?

And reading between the lines of some of Andy's comments on the OMD forum, it would seem like things are a little bit uncertain in OMD world at the moment. Apparently, there may be more new music (although no plans to write or record any new material for a while), but the touring has taken its toll on one or two of the not-so-young-anymore OMD members and it would seem like they're putting touring on the back burner for a while. There's a sense that Andy is getting annoyed with some of his own fans demanding the band "do this" or "do that" as well... there literally hasn't been one thing that hasn't been complained about regarding the album or the tour on that board, which seems incredibly bizarre to me given that they've made the best album they've made for a VERY long time.

Andy gets MVP from me for his quotes in that "Synth Britannia" doc. Esp. his defense of the band's songcraft, by declaring "if there were a button that said 'hit song' we would happily press it again and again, but there's not." Or something to that effect.

Message boards are notorious for that though. It's best that the band ignore the boards, imo. I am stunned by the quality of the new album and the energy in the live show. I found the 12" for Genetic Engineering over the weekend and it made my day.

Andy gets MVP from me for his quotes in that "Synth Britannia" doc. Esp. his defense of the band's songcraft, by declaring "if there were a button that said 'hit song' we would happily press it again and again, but there's not." Or something to that effect.

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, May 29, 2013 6:34 PM (45 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Hehehehe... yeah, I love that bit, where he's defending himself/the band against accusations that anyone could have done it with the same equipment that they had. Love also his criticism of Oasis near the end of the doc... and it's funny I should mention that, because I think OMD are on Later With Jools Holland tonight (and on Friday) with... Beady Eye.

Actually, yup, it would seem so!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0222r3v

Message boards are notorious for that though. It's best that the band ignore the boards, imo. I am stunned by the quality of the new album and the energy in the live show. I found the 12" for Genetic Engineering over the weekend and it made my day.

― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, May 29, 2013 6:46 PM (37 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

And yeah, I agree... it's mostly just Andy that seems to post on the OMD official forum (the rest of the band don't bother), and while it's useful in some ways (he has a thread on there where if you post questions about anything, he'll answer them when he gets around to it), some folks just see it as an opportunity to either tell him what he should be doing, make demands of him... at its worst, some quite nasty trolling has been flung his way on occasion.

I am super bummed. I bought a ticket to see these guys and was so excited but then booked a trip to see my parents and my return flight doesn't land until nearly 11 the night of the show. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Aw, that sucks :(

Giving this another listen after a break away from it... it's still holding up very well!

Aug. 5:

I have finally arrived home after I collapsed and my heart stopped due to a Cardiac Arrest at the recent OMD Toronto gig. I owe my life to quick thinking members of our crew & band and the Toronto Fire Dept Paramedics who performed CRP and Defibrillation to bring me back to life.

It has been a deeply traumatic time not only for me but the band, crew, management, family, friends and loved ones. I have been overwhelmed with the kind messages of love and support from so many people. I am deeply touched and cannot thank all of you enough.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have helped with my recovery and getting me back home safely …. Toronto Fire Dept Paramedics, Nurses & Dr's in ICU & CCU at Toronto Eastern General Hospital, Dr Lashevsky and his team at Sunnybrook Hospital Toronto, escort Dr Mike Priestnall, Merv and all the OMD crew, the Band, Remi, Simon our tour manager and our awesome manager Mirelle Davis. Lastly … Sabine (my angel) who has held my hand constantly through the darkest of hours.

It's good to be home. Thank you everyone.

Mal x

Yeah, I heard all about that :/ They understandably ended up cancelling the rest of their tour dates as a result. It seemed like they were planning on taking a break from touring after this tour anyway, but it looks like health problems have kinda forced their hand. If the "classic" OMD line-up tours again after this I'll be very surprised, but I hope they at least make one more album at least. It'd be a shame to just leave it here just as they've got things going again.

Unexpectedly strong return to form. Apart from the interstitial bits, this could have come out during their middle peak period and noone would bat an eye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiUmi1ukaX0

Is this song about losing you virginity? I thought that the first verse described the pov of a young man who has had his first sexual experience with a girl and is filled with feelings of guilt, self hatred and fear that they have created a child together- 'this is the goal, the aim of my life; this is the feeling that brought me about; oh my god, what have I done this time?'

The 'oh my god, what have we done this time' in the second verse described a new stone age created by a nuclear war- humanity's feelings of horror at having created such terrible weapons, at a general level.

'Georgia', later on the same album 'well- look at what we've done; three- three rolled into one' was about the creation of a child again, in that the child is three rolled into one in that it is the combination of its mother, its father and also a third, separate person.

http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-65-razzle-dazzle/

That's awesome. Honestly, had no idea about that stuff!

I've never actually noticed that before, but I think I know what you mean! It's with the Japanese part isn't it?

"ichi, ni, san, shi..." and then what sounds like "un, dau, tri".

That's actually Russian/Ukrainian after the Japanese: Odin, dva, tri (with a trill on the r)

I'm still listening to English Electric on a regular basis!

Slept on for sure insofar as new releases from "heritage" acts go. Very solid record.

I've gotten very much into Junk Culture lately, particularly the last three songs there, which are fantastic. It's strange to hear them sound so oddly "normal" but the songs are more infectuous and fun than their first four albums, and as such I've been reaching for it an awful lot, even knowing it's probably not the band as their best...

My question is - are the albums past this worth a look? I've heard some not-very-encouraging things about the direction they went in afterwards.

I love Crush. Really don't like anything after though the most recent is OK.

Crush is better than Junk Culture imo, the sound is fairly similar to it's predecessor, but probably even more of a straightforward 'normal' pop album. The quality control goes a bit awry after this, though I think all the albums have some worthwhile tracks on them, I'm particularly fond of 'Walk Tall' from Sugar Tax

Listening to Crush right now and it is sounding pretty great.

I rate Junk Culture quite highly, this thread may be of some interest to you frogbs!

Crush is better than Junk Culture imo, the sound is fairly similar to it's predecessor, but probably even more of a straightforward 'normal' pop album.

Hmm. I disagree about Crush sounding fairly similar to Junk Culture. Crush certainly doesn't have the kind of tropical vibe that Junk Culture has, it's much more of a smoother record IMO. I do like Stephen Hague's production on Crush (his production work on The Pacific Age much less so), and I like a lot of tracks on the record... '88 Seconds In Greensboro' and 'The Native Daughters Of The Golden West' in particular.

My two favourite post-Junk Culture albums are Sugar Tax and English Electric, fwiw.

"Bloc Bloc Bloc" has been on repeat all day, I really like this side of OMD

Okay, so OMD played a special gig last night at the Museum of Liverpool... since Malcolm Holmes is still resting and recuperating from his recent health problems, the trio of McCluskey, Humphreys and Cooper got out and dusted off Winston, their tape machine from their early days for the performance.

Here is the setlist:

Dazzle Ships
ABC Auto-Industry (performed near-enough how they did it in 1983, with the flags)
Sealand
Messages
Radio Waves
Genetic Engineering
History of Modern (Part 1)
Julia's Song
She's Leaving
Souvenir
Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans)
4 Neu (Dazzle Ships era B-side, performed live for the first time)
"Radio/Helena Intros"
International (Performed live for the first time)
Metroland
Sister Marie Says
Sailing On The Seven Seas
Enola Gay
Electricity
The Romance Of The Telescope

So, mostly a set made up of tracks from their first four albums, a couple of selections from History of Modern and one each from Sugar Tax and English Electric (surprised they didn't play more from English Electric, actually).

Surprisingly nothing from Junk Culture which has been remastered and is due for release next year, with additional outtakes including the original version of 'Heaven Is' (which later surfaced on Liberator), the original non-reggae sounding version of 'White Trash' and a Paul-sung song which didn't make the final cut and didn't surface as a B-side, which I can't remember the name of. Although, they probably may throw in more tracks from that album when they next get around to touring.

Love to have heard that!

oh wow that sounds amazing

ABC Auto-Industry (performed near-enough how they did it in 1983, with the flags)

siiick

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyL1QDXdU8w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOdeFgK7tCM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHtLMeAlvTQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ymcMnHzTSQ

Andy and Paul did a Q&A over the weekend where they revealed the state of Mal Holmes' health. Apparently he's well, but he's not able to play drums for the foreseeable future. However, they did reveal that they (Andy & Paul) are working on a new album, with one song revealed to be sounding in the vein of 'Sealand'/'Stanlow', and they're planning a tour for next year.

Because Malcolm Holmes is no longer able to play, they've enlisted the services of Andy's longtime friend (and co-writer on the non-Paul OMD albums) Stuart Kershaw to play drums for OMD for the forseeable future. I have mixed feelings about this: on one hand, he's a guy that's known to OMD fans as part of the extended "OMD family" so to speak, and I'm sure it won't affect the studio work so much (studio-wise, OMD albums tend to be mostly Andy & Paul deals, even the likes of Crush and The Pacific Age, the others contributing where necessary), but I hope he doesn't get involved with the songwriting. They've made such great progress with English Electric that I'd hate to see a return to shite like Liberator. I'm sure that they'll be conscious of that, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psaI9UPVKhI

I thought the first nights performance of 'International' was great enough, but he totally managed to outdo that on the second night. I'm actually still amazed that he pulled it off!

aargh, they are so good live, I hope they swing through Texas again. that set list looks awesome.

Yeah, I'm hoping that next time they tour they'll throw in tracks like 'International' a lot more, especially given the positive reaction from the audience.

Man, I love Organisation so much too, everything about it it is perfect, even the wobbly bits.

I learned some very hilarious news about this band today.

more hilarious than watching Paul dance?

this is what I was talking about http://www.omd.uk.com/story/usa_shows_supporting_barenaked_ladies

Barenaked Manoeuvres in the Dark

omg

Maybe the booker mistook them for OMC

how bizarre

I like both of these bands, so it's not inconceivable to me that there other people who feel the same way (would much rather see Barenaked Ladies opening for OMD than vice versa though)

Aw man, kinda disappointed that this wasn't news of new material - they're apparently working on an album due to come out this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyYaWD3DWIU

This is great, don't be put off by the beginning.

Is that the doc where McCluskey gets out the masters for 'Messages', 'Electricity', 'Enola Gay', 'Souvenir' etc. and breaks them down track-by-track? If so, yeah, that's a good doc... it's impressive how crude some of those melodies actually sound when played dry like that, and it's impressive how they got so much out of the primitive technology of the time.

Sadly, there still doesn't seem to be very much in terms of new news about the forthcoming OMD record which is meant to appear this year... apparently, they've been doing quite a lot of writing, but McCluskey hasn't revealed anything about what they're working on this time around. Hopefully, it'll be a step further in the direction that English Electric took.

So there is a live album from that Museum of Liverpool show.

How's their drummer doing?

Mal Holmes? From what I can gather, he's okay but he's retired from playing live with OMD permanently because of the health risks involved. He still might do studio stuff with OMD, though.

So, according to the information that McCluskey has let slip so far, the next OMD has the working title of Punishment of Luxury and is pencilled in for a March 2017 release. Apparently, Mal Holmes won't feature at all on it, although this all of course may change. Humphreys and McCluskey have been working on quite a fair bit of material, although it's clear they're taking their time with this one and it's hard to say at this stage whether anything they're working on now, or how much of it, will make it to the actual album.

So, they played a gig at the Royal Albert Hall a couple of days ago where they played both Dazzle Ships and Architecture & Morality in their entirety, so further to 'International' getting its debut live airing a couple of years back, they've now aired 'This Is Helena' and 'Silent Running' live for the first time, and they've played 'Telegraph' for the first time since they reformed. I've heard they played some other songs, just as '4 Neu' and 'Almost', but I don't know what else. There was no support act, so quite a long set.

It's being made available as a download I believe.

Yeah, I heard they recorded the gig and those that attended were able to get physical copies of it afterwards. As you'd expect, there's plenty of footage up on Youtube as well. It's great to see them performing these albums, and from what I've seen Stuart Kershaw is filling in for Mal Holmes better than I could possibly have imagined. I can't help but feel that Organisation is looking more and more underrated, and I'm hoping that Kershaw's presence in the band won't eventually mark a return to their Liberator era. I think both Humphreys and McCluskey are more protective about what they let out under the OMD name these days, so I'm guessing not.

I just bought it, actually, downloading now :)

Silent Running sounds great, I guess they have a few songs with the same vibe, however it's a shame it hasn't been performed before now.

I agree, it's always been one of my favourites on Dazzle Ships... I love it how they took the keyboard track and slowed it down and reversed it to create '66 and Fading', too.

One cool thing, the thirties sounding female vocal sample at the end of Georgia is mixed quite loud, I've always loved the way that sample rubs up against the keyboard line, it's very evocative, wish I knew what track it was.

Oh shit, well thanks google.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_reste-t-il_de_nos_amours_%3F

'Georgia' is a bit like 'She's Leaving' in the sense that I could totally imagine it as a single. Legend has it that Dindisc wanted to actually put 'She's Leaving' out as a single, but McCluskey refused - a decision he has since come to regret! It did come out as a single in Belgium, I think? They got the single choices on Dazzle Ships a bit wrong, though... 'Radio Waves' would have made a fine lead single.

Just took a plunge on Liberator and...its not so bad?? I'm grooving hard on "Best Years of our Lives" and "Christine"

'Christine' is probably the best track on the LP, to be fair.

GOD KNOWS IT'S A SHAME ... but it's always the way

'Goddess of Love' > 'If You Leave'

I just tested this theory out. Disproven.

Honestly, I even had to look up which album that one was on. Now, if you had said "We Love You">"If You Leave," I might have humored you.

'Goddess of Love' was actually the original song that they submitted for the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, but when the ending was changed they had to come up with a new song quickly and they came up with 'If You Leave' ...

Now, I'm fond of 'If You Leave' but the transition from 'Flame of Hope' into 'Goddess of Love' on The Pacific Age is a great moment, IMO... the chilled mood of the former gradually fading out and leaving the opening sample remaining, before suddenly switching to the opening of 'Goddess of Love' ... HEY! HEY! SHE'S OKAY! SHE'S OKAY! ... It's such an upbeat moment that it fills me with joy every time I hear it... and it's a great song. Would have made a better single than the re-recorded 'Shame' ...

(I like 'We Love You' too, fwiw)

I really need to give Junk Culture, Crush, and the Pacific Age a fair shot. I enjoy everything up until then.

check out English Electric if you haven't, that's one of their best albums imo

Sugar Tax is inconsistent, but there are some really pretty songs on there

I'd rank Junk Culture, Sugar Tax and English Electric as the best of the post-Dazzle Ships LP's, followed by Crush, History of Modern and The Pacific Age ... I hardly ever listen to Liberator or Universal.

I love Crush.

It's the better of the two Stephen Hague-produced records, IMO. '88 Seconds in Greensboro' and 'The Native Daughters of the Golden West' are two of my favourite OMD songs ever.

Hey any fans of OMD, what record would be good to get into if I like "A souvenir (extended version". Only song I'm overly familiar with.

if you like Souvenir, you will very likely enjoy Architecture & Morality and Organisation as well.

Thanks Karl, I'll check them out :)

Yeah, start with Architecture & Morality, followed by Organisation and Dazzle Ships. Then try the debut, and then Junk Culture or English Electric.

figured I'd get caught up on these dudes in anticipation of the new record...English Electric is really quite nice, isn't it?

It is. Saw them live last Friday -- absolutely wonderful show. They get away with playing songs exactly like the studio arrangements more than most, because they make it all work so well live.

They're so great live, I saw the first comeback gig at the Hammersmith Apollo back whenever and it completely ruled to hear all of A&M and all the big hits.

If the forthcoming new album is as good as English Electric, I'll be happy!

I was at the same show as Ned, they were excellent live, blown away. New songs were great (they played two of them). Looking forward to the new album, as the other two post-reunion albums were both great as well. Underrated band.

Of all the bands that reformed and put out new material this decade, I've been very happy with what OMD and Suede have been offering.

yeah, both, good point. they've really been true to their strengths and it hasn't been a nostalic money grab.

Can anyone comment on the quality of the remastered reissues on vinyl?

Well, I bought the S/T album and can confirm it sounds terrific. Outer & inner sleeves are high quality. Overall i'm very happy. Will likely buy the Organization and Dazzle Ships reissues to replace older copies.

I haven't heard any of the remastered vinyl reissues, but based on your feedback I might just check 'em out... sounds promising!

Do they have the same packaging/labelling as the original Dindisc vinyl, with the die-cut sleeves etc.?

Yes, they are all replicas of the first pressings. Die-cut, nice inners, labels replicated as well.

Do you get the 7" with Organisation also?

I don't think Organization has the 7".