Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - Architecture & Morality - 1981

 

I've been looking forward to posting this one for quite some time.  This album is quintessential OMD.  This is OMD at their most creative.  When I think of OMD, this is the album that I go to.

I've mentioned previously that If You Leave and The Pacific Age were essential listening for my Freshman and Sophomore years in High School.  This one didn't come until my Freshman year in college, and that was only because I was horribly disappointed with Sugar Tax and needed to purchase something new (to me) and different by OMD.  Sugar Tax had resparked my interest in them, and I went on a hunt after being let down by such a lousy album.

Needless to say, this album did not let me down.

SO.....

When they re-released this album back in....  2003 (?) I noticed right off the bat that their "Deluxe Version" had left off a few key points.  After years of listening and research and collecting, I realized that there was more than enough material to make two discs worth, well more than they had released on the Deluxe.  Add on to that, you had that delicious Dreamtime mix of Maid of Orleans, and then that Deno mix which isn't that bad.  So, had to gather it all up together, and put my deluxe stamp on it.  I'm not sure about the color of my version, as every version seems to change color anyway, but I held true to the design.  And, as for the bonus disc, I used some 7" sleeve graphics that are fan made and were never actually released.  Still looks pretty damn good.

Again, I'm 99% certain I have everything there, but let me know if you find something I missed.....

OMD - Architecture & Morality - 1981 - Disc One

OMD - Architecture & Morality - 1981 - Disc Two

OMD - Live In Glasgow - 1983

I think given the opportunity to see an early New Order, Depeche Mode, Cure, Smiths or OMD, I would have to say that more than likely, OMD would be my top choice.  I think that in the early 80s when all of these groups were still growing, OMD was showing the most potential, and writing some extraordinary songs.  Plus, I would rather see those other groups later in their careers, anyway.

A great soundboard recording, I think it might be an FM broadcast, but I could be wrong.  The show is an awesome set, with one exception.  The guys cannot single Souvenir properly, live.  It's really freekin' bad on this one.  I think that it's definitely a studio track only sort of thing.  It sounds like shit.

As for the cover, I did a little research on the title of the album, the artist, his inspiration and work produced by other artists also inspired.  I highly suggest you find out what a "dazzle ship" is, if you don't already know.  It's very interesting.  And this cover is also the work of one artist inspired by the "dazzle ships".  Check it out....

OMD - Live In Glasgow - 1983

One fabulous night of shows left.  Don't miss it!

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Crush - 1985

Probably my favorite OMD album second only to Architecture & Morality.  I think that Crush is probably one of the most underrated Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark albums yet also one of their most influential.  The style and sound of this album help to not only set the stage for all of their future work, but also helped define the sound of Post Punk/Synth-pop from the 80s.

The album opens with my 3rd favorite OMD song, So In Love.  The best, followed shortly by Secret, one of my top 10 OMD songs.  The rest of the album plays terrifically, keeping with a lot of their warm yet experimental songs, and does it without becoming boring. As Architecture & Morality was developing OMD's definitive sound, Crush finds them in their writing prime, fully comfortable with the style they'd created for themselves. 

Also, OMD has a way with the saxophone that makes it sound as acceptable today as it did back then.  Usually I cringe when a band whips out the sax and starts tooting away.  Not OMD.  It's perfect.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Crush - 1985

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Extended Versions - 1979-88

So, several months ago, I posted my "Singles Collection" of every OMD single, b-side and remix up through Dreaming.  I know, though, that listening to 6 discs straight through can be a daunting task.  I know because it's tough for me, even on a road trip.  So, I also made myself an extended/remix collection with one mix from each of their singles, if a mix exists.

It's hard to say which disc I prefer, as I have favorites on both of them.  Regardless, it's a good set, and playing through a 2-disc set doesn't take long.  Favorite tracks would include Never Turn Away, So In Love,
Messages, Souvenir, and of course the Martin Hannett mix of Electricity.

I've said before that I don't care for greatest hits collections.  I don't.  But, when it comes to OMD, and Art of Noise, a lot of times, that's the only way you can listen to them.  Don't know why.  But, as far as albums go, neither of them can really pull together a cohesive group of songs that I can like.  I guess I'm too picky.

Anyway, I thought the font and cover graphic was fitting for this collection.  I hadn't made the cover for myself before, but once I got these two, I printed them off.  Looks good on my CD wall.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Extended Versions - 1979-88 - Disc One

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Extended Versions - 1979-88 - Disc Two 

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Complete Singles Collection

One of my top 5 80s bands, OMD helped define who I am and how I viewed women, and what I thought about the world, and how to express myself.  Their "Greatest Hits" album (although I hate GH albums) was a soundtrack to my sophomore and junior years in High School. The song "Dreaming" was a swan song of sorts to Chicago when I moved to the midwest.  Breaks my heart just thinking about it!!!!

This collection is every track from every single up to Dreaming.  There are some mixes of Dreaming that are missing, but I didn't have enough material to fill a seventh disc. Remember this is a completist's dream, not something to sit and listen to, well, maybe.  It can be hard to listen to 4 different mixes of the same song back to back.

Some highlights include the Martin Hannett mixes of Electricity and Almost, the Georgia 10-Inch Mix, the Long version of Telegraph, the extended remix of Never Turn Away and  the Special American Mix of So In Love.

Enjoy, and make OMD a part of your balanced breakfast...

Part One    Part Two   Part Three