OMD: S&D

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".