Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Not bad, not good either.
Another Groundbreaking record that doesn’t hold up as much as people think.
Decent new wave album
I feel that the group's name and album art were somewhat misleading (I was expecting something like penguin cafe) but still, I enjoyed myself. I didn't have one song really stand out but enjoyed many parts when combined into a whole project. I think I will like this one a lot more if I return to it and let it grow on me.
this is pure Nostalgia. I was only 6 when this came out, but i know all the songs well. Great memories. First song is interesting, but it kind of captivated me, and then it goes into She's leaving me, which is the OMD sound that I am familiar with. Souvenir is such a hit. Sealand is interesting and not bad but a bit long. It felt out of place in the album. Joan of Arc is fantastic, as is the follow on Maid of Orleans. Architecture and Morality is a bit insipid. Georgia was pretty average. The album ends well with the beginning and the end. I really want to give this a 4, but I felt it lacked a bit in a few songs. It was very close. 3.5 stars
biased
Favorite Track: Souvenir
Ugh here is that vocal style again that I do not enjoy. This is tough. I think the instrumentals are interesting at times, but this isn't very good. Actual rating....1.5 Liked Songs: "She's Leaving" , "Souvenir" , "Georgia" , "The Romance of the Telescope" , "Of All The Things We've Made"
Not for me 2
Interesting album. OMD was fairly unknown to me. Decent electronica from early 1980s. They took some chances with their sound, I can respect that. Not likely to get much replay with me, though.
25/10/2025 Nothing special. Not bad, but not good. Spotify listeners: 3 million.
Not what I was expecting. A lot of melody and hook coupled with electronic experimentation.
Not what I was expecting by the name, more of a Smiths vibe but good still
Middle of the road.
Despite the obvious Kraftwerk influences, OMD clearly developed their own sound. This is a worthy follow-up to 'Organisation'. The singles are all excellent, and so, by and large, is the rest of the album. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could.
Did people actually like music like this in the 80s?
This is solid electronic pop with a few minimal and experimental flourishes, complete with two standout tracks. Liked Songs Added: Souvenir Joan Of Arc
boring and drone-y
I’d describe this as a blend of gloomy, Gary Numan-esque experimental electronics and cheesy 80s synth pop. It sort of works at times but each style has been done better by others. I’ve heard enough to suggest there might be another OMD album out there that I’d enjoy more, though.
Only knowing Enola Gay previously (which I quite like), this was a nice surprise. Great production, gorgeously warm analogue synthesizers, and Souvenir has made its way straight into my Current Favourites playlist. Favourite tracks: Souvenir, Sealand, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans), Georgia.
# 594 : Architecture And Morality Architecture and Morality – More Like Wallpaper and Passivity This album is very ordinary. Nothing special, nothing memorable. Some tracks are okay, some are just there, and the whole thing feels like it’s trying to be profound while slowly lulling you into a nap. It’s drawn out and boring—slow enough to forget it’s even on. The 80s synth pop here is fine, but if you’ve heard one, you’ve heard them all. OMD doesn’t do much to stand out from the melodramatic crowd. In all seriousness, does anybody still listen to this? If you haven’t heard anyone mention this album in the last 25 years, you probably don’t need to hear it before you die. Best Track (if you must): Georgia – and even that’s like picking the least soggy crouton from a bowl of synth soup. Verdict: ★ for effort. File under “albums that sound like a fax machine trying to feel emotions.”
OMD. Good group. Great sounds of the 80’s. No bad songs.
116/1001 OMD - Architecture and Morality Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ There are some good songs here, but they are few and far between. Anything decent on it, is ruined by the poor production.
Sometimes this album reminded me of church. Sometimes this album reminded me of the 80s. I have experienced both of those things, sometimes simultaneously. For me, church in the 80s consisted mostly of looking at the clock, waiting for it to be over. That isn't exactly how I felt about this album, but it is a pretty good approximation.
Correcto
6,75
It’s pretty German. I like the music but the singer ruins it. This is kind of the grandparent to M83.
first listen meh
Souvenir is a great song. Feels like I’ve heard it in one or more movies/tv/whatnot. Another album that might grow on me to four stars after repeated listens, but for now is just three overall.
Oh now this I liked. Not all of it, but I’m pretty sure I heard some bonus stuff that was understandably left off the album.
We are now in the 400 album stretch of 70s/80s British punk/electronic/new wave music. This one was better than yesterday’s.
Good calm vibe. Has a few songs I've heard before.
Not my jam
I'd have enjoyed this more if there weren't any vocals. I also really don't get why it's on this list.
A bit whiny. Some pleasant noises, but otherwise pretty average. This is distinct from a lot of the other albums I’ve listened to so far, so it’s got that going for it. That isn’t always a good thing, but it’s definitely something. It’s just not really my cup of tea. This is pretty much just noise to me. The vocals really did not help. I’d rather be listening to a few other bands that make the same kind of noises but better, like Depeche Mode, which I’m sure has been mentioned by more than a few people here. Was this a pleasant way to spend the day? Absolutely, I don’t regret it. Am I going to return to this? Probably not, but I’m glad I listened to it. The hits are probably the best songs on the album, but I kinda just picked a favorite at random honestly. Hard to tell the songs apart when this is yet another hour long album filled with exclusively this kind of sound. I don’t know, maybe if I come back to it later when I’m less busy I’ll appreciate it more. As it stands, it’s nothing outstanding but isn’t terrible either. Again though, it’s unique, so I’m likely to remember it if I see it again.
2,5
Too similar to The Smith's to be considered listenable
[reluctant ★★★★]
All OMD sounds about the same, really. As someone who is used to The OMD Singles, this is a big more bland than the best-of
I always felt OMD were a bit insipid, and this is borne out by this album. Some of the tracks are really good, however, with very catchy tunes, but I think there's a bit too much filler. OMD were pretty influential as part of the UK synthpop scene, and this albums shows why.
A mixed bag this one. I was almost willing myself to enjoy more than I actually did. The opener is fantastic. There are some real duds though which sadly bring it down to a 3.5
later
Meh
Interesting sound but not a lot to Keem me coming back.
So chill I didn't realized I moved onto a new album
A great synth-pop album. It uses interesting sonic palettes and incorporates elements of avant-garde soundscapes. The songwriting is consistently strong throughout the album. Even though it sounds similar to a lot of other 80s synth-pop, this came out very early in the decade. Maybe I need to dive more into the history of the genre, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a good amount of the aspects that create that 80s synth-pop sound come from this album. 4/5
True New Wave that belongs on this list unlike the ninety some-odd knock offs. Electronic Symphonic done right. 3.5/5
интересное звучание, но мне не зашло, напомнило u2 странно
Masterpiece
Where was this last year when I was in my 80s new wave phase? This album was a treat. Reminded me a lot of the Cure and Depeche Mode but more electric. I want to give this a higher rating but I wasn't into side B as much as side A. Still fantastic. I would definitely listen to this album again and will be checking out more from OMD. Favorite track: Souvenir
I can see why it's on the list. Not for me though. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.
Pretty cool album, fresh (at least for its time) electronic sound. Fav Lyrics: Joan of Arc Fav Music: Georgia Fav Song Overall: Georgia
I'm intrigued...
chill, kind of gave 80s rock meets crystal castles at some points, but crystal castles obviously learned from them
Ei oikein maistu tämä elektrotyyppinen poppi. Yksikään biisi ei noussut esiin.
This album is just middle of the road. Nothing really stands out as great on it.
Meh synth
Totally mid, synth pop. Only on here cause they're British. Bleh, total waste of time
super early 80's synth-heavy pop that drones on & on. boring. I'd ask why it's on list but-they're early 80's brit pop.
Interesting album. Was a precursor to synth pop.
Weird.
Some interesting sounds... but so damn 80's it hurts. Maybe a 2.5 - I will round down though.
Not my fav sound but I get it
Decent synth-pop.
Weird stuff
Very nice. Very well done.
7.5/10
It's very experimental, very eery, and its effects in modern music is clearly visible, but it isn't an album i would pick to listen specifically
Great atmospheric album with some excellent tunes a good vocals.
So 80s and v easy listening
There’s a certain dreaminess to this band’s music. Hearing it again after all these years really brings back the feeling of dancing to it on a warm summers night. Good stuff.
I really dig this, must've been very avant garde at the time. Albums like this make this whole 1001 commitment worth it.
I feel like these songs are the inspiration for every jam found on a John Hughes movie. It’s a rough form of a style/genre/time I really like…
Only loosely knew of this band and certainly not this album. It had me from the first few notes. This sounds like what I've been looking for lately. Will definitely be checking out the rest of their catalogue. Solid listen
Was not into it.
yess
From some history I was reading, apparently some prominent synth pop bands of the 80s like Depeche Mode and Human League drew inspiration from OMD. Well, all I can say is OMD walked so those other bands could fly. Not a bad album, but not great either.
This album is mostly a shitty '80s fever dream. Souvenier is okay.
This was fine. Honestly this was just background noise to me and I don't remember much of it. Nothing stood out, but nothing was bad. 3/5
Hard to articulate how boring this is.
Sounded like a 1 hour 1 min long procession. Alternating between angry, melancholic, upbeat, funeral and space-age marches. Maybe it's the drums, repetitive chord progressions, choral backup singing, monotonous singing, a la video game loading sound track. IDK but I felt like I was in the mixer and not entirely the mixer I like visiting twice a week. Would've been sweeter if Enola Gay and Electricity were included. Glimmers of engagement and then I realised I kept subconsciously turning it off. Souvenir is a bop.
It was okay, but a bit boring.
I’m really into New Wave. I knew a few songs by OMD before, but this album genuinely surprised me in a good way. The atmosphere it creates with those rich synthesizers is incredible: melancholic, vibrant, and deeply moving
OMD is a band, which I neither liked or disliked in the 80s. They had some nice songs, which never got on my nerves but also never got my attention. Since then I don't think I have listened to one of their songs, except maybe on radio or TV. Therefore I was surprised on how much I liked this album. Maybe I should start to listen actively to their work now, fourty years later ;-)
Pretentious synth.
This one landed just a little better than En-Tact, but not by much. I think it’s the synth-pop side of electronic music that rubs me the wrong way. The sound is polished and very of its time, but it does not really pull me in the way other electronic albums have on this list. To be fair, the last two tracks were solid and ended the album on a stronger note. Those gave me something to hold onto, but the rest of the record felt like background music that never quite took off. Overall, Architecture & Morality was a “meh” listen. Not awful, not amazing, just kind of there. Slightly better than the album I listened to right before it, but nothing I see myself revisiting.
an interesting mix of 80s synth, and like industrial. Just not interesting enough to listen to much of it--long album.
Not a fan. Super repetitive
I was rooting for this album because the album name and art are super cool, but the music is less cool. It's a typical 80s sound. I wasn't enthralled by it, but the songs were kinda soothing actually. Definitely more of an ambient album and a bit experimental too. 6.5/10
Pretty chill rainy day listen. Very typical 80s music imo. Stereo mixing was fun but nothing overall complex. Probably won’t ever listen to this again.
This was a very chill and laid back orchestral album. This definitely wasn't an album to listen to as the focal point. But, it was really nice and relaxed background music
It sounded like the soundtrack to some weird 8 bit European RPG game. It had some moments that were alright, but it was diluted by the not so great parts. Was glad when it ended if I'm being real, just so I could listen to something else, 1 hour of this was too long. Souvenir was my favorite on the album. 4/10
Didn't age well.
Not mine
One of my favourite synth bands, their albums can be a mixed bag but when they hit hard they are perfect
Can see where a lot of modern goth bands get their sound
Liked more on this one than expected. Souvenir stood out. This record came across as goth at times. Georgia shows Kraftwerk influence.
So we're at the "sounds like Depeche Mode" stage are we? That'll be the Depeche Mode, founded by Vince Clarke who specifically picked out OMD as being massive influence, will it? Or the Depeche Mode who released their debut album a week before this, OMD's third album, was released? C'mon now. Depeche Mode sound like OMD, but OMD are, frankly, better, cooler and obvious trailblazers of British synth pop. This is a great album. I'd forgotten how good early OMD sounded – experimental and weird at times, but also with absolute banger hits, three of which are on this album. Massively influential on virtually everything that happened with a synthesiser in the 80s and 90s, and clearly the second best band to come out of the Wirral. The influence of Kraftwerk is obvious in places – the title track in particular seems to call back to the second side of Autobahn, and Sealand has enough in common as well. This is no bad thing at all. Just as OMD influenced everything that came after them, certainly in the UK, Kraftwerk are the genre defining geniuses of electronic music. I don't know how on earth any of the three UK singles failed to get to number 1. Maid of Orleans, in particular, seems like it was all over the year – I certainly remember taping it off the end of the year charts on Radio 1 – and at this point I'd have been in to greasy haired guitar music. Quite how this cut through to me at that point in my life I have no idea. Must be because it's really good I suppose... How did it not get to number 1? The top 5 the week it got to number 4 was A Town Called Malice, Golden Brown, Say Hello Wave Goodbye, Maid of Orleans, The Model. Fuck me, that's a fantastic top 5 (The Lion Sleeps Tonight was number 6, so we'll ignore that then shall we?). Oh, the best and from the Wirral? Half Man Half Biscuit of course. No other answer is even vaguely acceptable. You know this. Or if you don't, you fucking well should. This stuff, fwiw, holds up live as well. And that seems rare for this type of music. Depeche Mode? Please: budget OMD for wankers :-) This is really good. Really, really good. A joy to listen to and I must listen more frequently to early OMD.
acceptable New Stone Age est vraiment bonne ça fair automne. ça tombe bien, aujourd’hui j’ai commencé à m’habiller en automne. le générateur est omniscient
It had good moments. It had non eventful moments also.
Joan of Arc
1.33
Reminiscent of new order, didn’t hit me quite the same but maybe I need to give it more listens
I love me a good early 80s band, and I am a fan of the band's single "If you leave" but it seems that song is not representative of there overall style. I have noticed this happens often with bands... their one breakthrough hit being the least like their overall sound. This album was nice in spots but a whole lot of heavy, orchestral synth the varies from droning to bombastic without finding a middle. Wasn't all bad and I will probably listen to another album of theirs but this missed the mark for me.
C’est intéressant, pas trop sûr de quoi en penser
Personally my favourite synth-pop album ever. Maid Of Orleans is one of my favourite tracks ever and would be on an 'ultimate ever playlist' if I had such a thing. One to listen to over and over from my teens to my late 50s.
Oh, this was such a cool album. I wasn't sure what to expect going into it, but I ended up falling in love with it. It's kinda like the epitome of 80s music, like a big, sprawling intersection between all of the sounds and styles of the time. There was so much depth to this album, too. It made me pause a few times to really reflect on what I was listening to. The production was just unreal, genuinely revolutionary for the time. My one critique of this album is its length. I definitely feel that if they cut a few songs, this could be a perfect album. Even then, it's still an exceptional one that really struck a chord within me.
Meh. Not my fav kind of music.
Some moments of this were very cool, others were a bit too airy and lacking impact. The cool moments were a bit too diluted over a one hour run time. 3.4/5
Excellent
I'm not the biggest synth-pop fan, but on occasion when the talent is right I can find myself to tolerate it. This is that kind of exception. Having the idea of architecture, which later translated to industrialism, really made the sound make sense in my mind. I'm a bigger fan of the instrumental bits, the mopey goth vocals don't win me over— I recognize this is some base setting influence work and there's points for that. I would snag a copy at a discount price to have and VERY occasionally listen. I can also live without this record. 2.5/5
Amazing album that balances industrial sounds with delicate melodies, creating a poignant and influential sound that demonstrates depth and emotional resonance.
Between 1980 and 1986, OMD did no wrong. This is the third album and it doesn't fail to deliver.
A unique album, or a unique group. Became popular during new wave era, and has been one of the many sound of that era. The uniqieness and versatility was fun to dance to which also helped them achieve world recognition
Hard to believe that new wave had advanced all the way to ethereal synth pop by 1981. My tastes lean much more towards post-punk and "here's a weird mix of punk and funk" new wave, but I knew I'd eventually have albums from this end of the new wave spectrum as well. If we're saying that this was the first synth pop new wave album, then I have to grapple with the huge debt of gratitude owed to OMD for their influence on pop culture of the 80s, 90s, and beyond. It's easy to get lost in the ethereal sauce of this record, and there are no big bold standout hits to reel you back in. Even "Souvenir" and "Joan Of Arc (Maid of New Orleans)" aren't punchy enough to break the vibe-y spell of the record. It's a very cohesive album that manages to feel familiar even on the first listen, and I could see it providing some great synth pop ambiance for a quiet night at home.
Fell asleep halfway through my boss was pissed
it was some ok 80s music but 3 days later I don't really remember anything about it. 2.5 rounding up
What is the British fascination with mediocre new wave/electronica? At least prog rock bands can play instruments (not that it makes their self-grandurizing noise more pleasant to listen to, but they have put effort into it). Many others, far more articulate than me (glances at Neil Young), have explained how the shift from analogue to digital and the proliferation of the synthesizer and keyboard have done more damage to music and music culture than about anything else in history, so that's all I'll say on that here. This album itself is just so damn boring. The entire pooled musical "talent" of this band amounts to a dude that sounds like Robert Smith. That's it; that's the highlight. I honestly couldn't tell when one song ended and the next began. I get that this was recorded when synthesizers and the like were new and exciting, but just because you can doesn't mean you should. No hits, negative influence, and it bored me to tears.
Really didn't care for this. Slow and boring melodies coupled with melancholy vocals, combining for that hallmark 80s pop/synth/dark alternative sound.
Weird, gothy, but fun. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
There’s far too much britpop on the list. I like 80s music but I’m over it and I’ve not even reached 300 albums yet.
Beautiful music but slow and requies concentration
Not my kind of music. Still I can see the draw.
point3.
Nope! Don't know what this was, 3 songs in, 80s jazz is how id describe it.
Fine, sounds a bit like diet Depeche Mode.
Hmmm Depeche Mood meets Morrisey. Feels a little cringey and self-important in first few tracks, but let’s see how we go… I like the arrangements, but struggle with the vocals and kinda over-dramatic feel to it all. Yeh, this is whiney, self-important drivel.
I really liked this. With the exception of one song, which was also very long, I pretty much liked the whole thing. This was a surprise to me.
Good
Cool moments. Very little else to say after I don’t know how many times through. Maybe a few more hooks?
This was slightly more interesting than the other mostly sameish British New Wave albums this list is so fond of spitting out. Joan of Arc (the first version) and The Beginning and The End both landed with me. There were some unusual sounds that felt like purposeful decisions rather than oddities for the sake of it. Still, on the whole this isn't able to consistently rise out of the pile of 80s synth-crap it was born of. If I had to diagnose a failure point on this front, it'd be the vocals, which are fine on their own, but feel too washed out and smoothed over at times to give these similarly bottomless songs the lift they need.
I was intrigued by the melodies and the soft synth sounds. The drum machine doesnt get in the way. Not my bag, but I enjoyed a couple cuts. Extended Souvenir was my favorite track 2.5 stars
Oh my precious synth-pop nerds. Here they push away from the pure pop and add some juicy experimental stuff. The weird would hit its apex with their next album, creating a pair of incredible albums that sound like nothing else. Dance on Andy.
That's not my taste in music - But ok
What a load of nothing, the first few tracks have some ok moments, but after that it turns really boring. It's synth-pop without any pop. It's doing a worse version of what bands like Kraftwerk and Ultravox did before them. I never really enjoyed the major hit they had and I didn't like listening this album when I got it on LP from a large collection. I'd be fine with never listening to this again, I'd want to never listen to it.
So. I have to give this four stars because it is a flawed, but superior work. It shouldn't sit on the same shelf as some of the indifferent-but-broadly-inoffensive stuff I've given three stars. Urgh. This is hopeless.
Bring on the synths. I used to really love OMD. My first concert, I saw them open for the Thompson Twins. Listening with a more mature ear, I find the synthesizer music a little flat and soulless (despite the religious overtones). The vocals are also more melodramatic than I recall. It’s not a bad record, but not a great one either. And for the period, I feel like there were electronic pop bands that did it better and had more of a lasting impact. Glad to see this one pop up and glad to give it a listen after all these years, but it hasn’t aged all that well. Also, there are other OMD records I connected better with. Feel like this is a 2 even though sentimentally I want to give it a 3.
nice
Faktisk aldri hørt om før. Klassisk 80-talls-sound. Ikke så verst. Litt enerverende i lengden.
Interesting and unique
Definitely more moods and textures than your stereotypical synth-heavy new wave band. I'm not completely in love with the vocals, as sometimes it just doesn't blend well, but overall this was alright. Probably a solid 3.25/5, but nothing extraordinary to elevate it any higher than that.
This was the best album they've ever had? Wow.
Keyboards and vocals, electronic percussion? 'Meh ...
Whoah this is cool and new to me
That was okay
A really good album, Souvenir was my favorite song but I also liked She's Leaving and The Beginning and The End.
Several attempts at being artsy that bored me to death. At its best it's very bland 80's music
Some very unique sounds incorporated into songs
# Playlist Track - Souvenir # Notes - Most tracks are either boring, annoying or uninspiring. And there are 16 of them. - I might have enjoyed a few during the listen, but how could I know? There's always a bad one after. - Not recommended.
enjoyed
very interesting
Actually, not a bad little album!
Dit album heeft een fijne afwisseling tussen experimentele muziek en commercieel in het gehoor liggende nummers. De heren knutselen er met het keyboard vrolijk op los en komen met een lekker strak geluid, dat toch warm klinkt en een plaat lang blijft boeien. Goed gedaan. Bij tijd en wijlen klinkt het een beetje als de soundtrack voor de tv-serie Robin of Sherwood, het wordt me nu duidelijk waar Clannad de mosterd vandaan heeft gehaald...
Ik ben inmiddels op mijn hoede als ik Orchestral lees. Dat is bijna altijd een manier om jezelf groter voor te doen dan je bent. Ook nu. Het 'orkest' bestaat vooral uit langgerekte synth-geluiden. Architecture lijkt mij ook een vorm van zelfoverschatting. Dit voelt niet als nauwkeurig ontworpen, maar als een meer willekeurig geluidenpakket dat soms wel aardig samenvalt. Wiki noemt Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) als grootste hit. Ben je fan van dit soort keyboardgeluid. En wil je het live beleven? Dat kan: https://jostiband.nl/concerten/concertagenda/
Zodra de eerste synths en drumcomputers beginnen, weet je al genoeg: we zijn in de jaren 80 beland. Een zeikerige Britse stem erbij en het is new wave-ish. Al heeft het ook wat weg van the Cure, qua melodie en baslijntjes. OMD maakt alleen veel meer gebruik van synths, waardoor het meer bombastisch en aanstellerig wordt. Dit is typisch van die muziek die ik vroeger het toppunt van wansmaak vond. Inmiddels kan ik 80s muziek beter plaatsen en soms beter waarderen. Maar vervang de zanger door een minder zeikerige, vervang de synths door een bassist en een gitaartje en de drumcomputer door iemand die daadwerkelijk op de vellen slaat, en onder die laag van jaren 80 elektronica zitten soms best aardige liedjes. Ik vind het enigszins vermoeiend, met name die zanger. Nondeju zeg, wat een lul. Het had een 3 kunnen worden, maar door die zang kom ik niet hoger dan een 2.
Ok start, abstract end
This is really, really interesting. At points you get very early industrial looping à la SPK or TG, at others you get sweeping Vangelis-esque noises. It is not weighed down at all by the more experimental noises in the same way a more traditional industrial experience might be, but it still doesn't leave an overly sweet taste in your mouth at any given point. I think this is a very difficult balance to strike! The Mellotron is pulling a lot of weight here without leaning into the "dated" sound often associated with it now. I adore the ease of transition between eerie synths and pop beats. AND it does not overstay its welcome! A really strong New Wave piece :)
Didn't get it
Pretty, a little more new wavey 80's electronic. But also nothing made it different then bands like Depeche Mode
I've never heard of this band or album and had no idea what to expect. This kinda blew me away. It was so lovely to my ears and felt like a delicious meal from beginning to The Beginning And The End. I'm giving a quick rating based on my first listen since I'm trying to get caught up today, but I think the 5 would still stand after a couple more listens.
This was pretty unique and innovative sounding synth pop, with some Robert Smithy vocals. I appreciated the pushing of the boundaries.
A bit long, and a bit unstructured at time, but really enjoyed the album.
Why is this on the lost seriously, trash- just like bowie
decided I’m just not gonna bother until it’s an album I’ve at least heard of, I’m not arsed about new experiences right now I want familiarity team fuck off/5 FTW x
Eh.
At first I was like 'ehhh', but it turned into a really good album! Not sure what I was doing the first time around, because my re-listen was so much better. Big fan of the proto-industrial stuff going on, and Souvenir and Joan of Arc are two faves. Worthy of 4 stars, imo.
I very much enjoyed this album!
This is why I signed up for this... I have been aware of Orchestral Manoeuvres for quite a while but never really dove in. Fantastic album.
dang this one had some sleeper jams that i def grooved with, hit the iwym sweetspot
/giphy goth dance
Enjoyable for the most part. Seems like the start of synthpop.
OMD has a huge presence in the goth and industrial music culture as influencers of the style. It's fairly easy to see that they were toying with this sound with songs like "The New Stone Age" where you can hear strains of The Cure, Joy Division, and Souixsie and the Banshees. Clearly deeper, darker, and slower sound OMD provides in this album in songs like "Sealand" and "Architecture and Morality" were playing with music coming out of the more experimental industrial and goth genres. But OMD does not completely let you forget they wrote "Enola Gay" just a few years prior, and we are treated to popper and upbeat songs like "Souvenir" and "Georgia". One easily thinks of New Order or even Duran Duran when hearing some of these song. This album toes the line and exposes the two major strains of the New Wave that would come to dominate the 80s. Pretty great listen.
Absolutely wonderful!
I can't believe I've never listened to Orchestral Manoeuvers In The Dark before. Drawing from Krautrock (especially Kraftwerk), New Wave, Post-Punk, and Pop while adding the occasional experimental flourish (noise on "Seaworld", "Architecture and Morality", the sampling on "Georgia", the organs that sound like choral singers sound very uncanny), OMitD manage to create the blueprint for the decade. Most of these songs could be radio singles, and yet most of them are weird enough, in some way, to remain interesting and engaging to those irked by 80's cheese. My one complaint, is that despite loving everything about Architecture And Morality, it does run a little long, but when the album is packed with bangers, I feel a little silly about complaining. The vocals are great, the songwriting is great, the musicianship is great; Brilliant album.
A rather tedious mix of Britpop/new wave and some experimental noise and ambient sounds. If you're like me and have already surpassed the 1000 album mark, you've hear this type of "sound" 100s of times already. 2 "whatevers" out of 5
Sounds like a British 80s version of Daft Punk. While not as modern as my usual taste, it definitely sounds way ahead of its time and had me bopping along to the beat. I dig it.
Took me a minute to get my head around this album. It’s been a bit since an 80s album has come through, but by the end I started to enjoy it. I think I need to spend more time with it to really embrace its complexities.
I didn’t enjoy this at all. Not bad, just aggressively dull.
Probably influential for it's time but felt a bit slow/boring. Top Track: Souvenir
Vähän kyllä nyt omituista elektronista pilipali musiikkia. On ihan hyviäkin hetkiä, mutta enimmäkseen vähän ihmeellistä. Vähän new wave viboja tulee tästäkin. Parhaat: Sealand, The Beginning And The End, (BONUS: Of All The Things We've Made [ei ollut alkuperäisellä julkaisulla])
Gonna be thinking about this one for a while
Couldn’t connect with this one. Maybe too avant-garde, or maybe just not into synthpop enough. There’s definitely a vision here, though.
Got a bit bored to be honest, don’t think this one is for me
Very cool album. Considering when it was released, this must've been quite the sea change. Yes, it's been surpassed by what came after it, but as a moment in time, it's really good.
Heard some OMD hits before. I do love synthpop but this album felt kind of like one long song without much variety or catchy tunes 2/5
Very good
Awesome
Mmm.. ok, 2.8. some Kraftwerk vibes.. Nothing too memorable for me. Maybe need more listenings (I listened 2.5 times...).
Certainly interesting. Probably is the flagship album of some silly sub-genre name like experimental art-new wave. A very list-ey list album
Another one of those albums where I could appreciate the concept, and even the execution, but i was just bored.
This is a solid okay album and nothing more.
Solid background music
I’ve never listened to anything like this, very much into it. Difficult to pull off STX without sounding hokey, but its a additive here.
I enjoyed Junk Culture, this is a little darker sounding. But still rich and the songs as a whole make this good from start to finish
I don’t think I’ve ever listened to anything they’ve done. But I will say I’m quite enjoying the sound. I like this blend of New Order/poppy Cure, Kraftwerk, and more “challenging” kosmische Musik.
This would sound fresh and original if it came out ten years from now. The first track starts off strong, and everything feels unique but still perfectly placed and integral to the flow of the album.
Favorite tracks: Joan of Arc, The Beginning and the End Overall, I really liked this. Strange and atmospheric, with some really catchy tunes. Some songs didn't stick with me, possibly because I didn't have the time to sit with this album through multiple listens. But the songs I liked felt like a breath of fresh air.
OMG - OMD! Hani früehner gliebt🤗
ah das isch OMD of enola gay fame. in the new stone age meeega kaputti gitarre und so. uuuuh de synth isch aber huuuuuere geil. shes leaving macht eim jo richtig nostalgisch. und dynamik wos usegoht huuere geil. ok sehr coole 80er pop mit bitz kunstaspruch souvenir seeeehr langsam. sealand au. seehr sehr langsam athmosphärisch aber guet gmacht. joan of arc hani reeecht langwilig gfunde. de zweit joan of arc isch etz meh en popsong. coole bass cooli drum machine. the beginnind and the end chli sehr epic type musig. öhm findi schwieeeerig zum beurteile wani vo dem album halt. es isch mega eklektisch irgendwie so synthpop so richtig aber finds au z langsam zum teil und s macht mengmol z wenig afoch. komisch. glaub es 3?
ohhhh so sound hani nöd erwartet finds na cool? uiii souvenir isch huuuere 80er, aber auno herzig? find d atmosphäre wo sie schaffed reeecht cool hahaha hä joanne of arc findi auno en banger au wenns seeehr dated isch d instrumental-lieder gfalled mer mega. find hüfig de gsang fast nöd nötig ok d frauestimm bi extended souvenir isch jz megaa, fast scho verträumt alles flowt so guet motion and heart isch whack hmmm ja leider verlürts mi chli jz am schluss wobii of all rhe things we have made isch easy schön mit dem klavier och hetts jz nöd denkt aber abgseh vo öppe 3 lieder geg de schluss han ich uuhuere spass gha. sicher öppis wommer würkli als album muss lose, find v.a. d atmosphäre sehr sehr cool
The first album from this list that was truly different and interesting. I’ve never heard anything like this. This is what making music is about. Hope they had fun making this tbh
Snelle inhaal review #16: Wel meer nummers die ik kende dan verwacht, maar greep me verder niet echt.
Een aantal leuke nummers zoals extended souvenir and she's leaving, maar het grote deel vond ik net iets te experimenteel / niet mijn smaak.
++: Sealand, Joan of Arc, Architecture and Morality, Georgia +: The New Stone Age, She's Leaving, Souvenir, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) +-: The Beginning and the End 6,0/10
first listen. a few nice tunes relies heavily on the drum machine in a few places
Confirms my dislike of New Wave.
Love their late-80-s-90-s releases more, still solid band already
Pretty ahead of its time and pleasant to listen to.
Fühlt sich an wie ein erwachen. Mystisch und leicht existentialistische Wirkung.
New Wave sounds. Reminds of other bands like The The, The Smiths, New Order. Great arrangements, feels big but not over-produced - meaning the production makes sense, there’s nothing jarring. I need to give another listen to pick out particularly notable songs from the album, but I enjoyed two full play throughs. One of my top genres, so I’m excited to find this album for this first time!
Gostei muito desse álbum. Celest Phoenixcall.
really good uk-synth-pop, and still feels like it has a place in modern music.
Niet echt mijn stijl, intro van Joan of Arc vond ik wel erg cool.
I generally like OMD, but this didn't really wow me. I feel that it was definitely ahead of its time so I will give it another listen. Appreciated the Mellotron.
I honestly think the album is just okay in my opinion but can get a bit boring and is long too (about 1 hour exactly). I like the new wave/synth pop style that this album has but other than that, it really can get to be repetitive at times. There were some good songs in there but almost felt too atmospheric. Another thing I did like was the Cold War feel to this album but yeah, it wasn't really special or groundbreaking. Favorite Tracks: She's Leaving, Souvenir, Sealand Rating: 3/5
Didn't think I'd like it, but pretty cool actually. Very cinematic, cooler John Hughes.
Very cool sounds. I'll need to listen more to figure out how I really feel about it. I was expecting electronic and was slightly surprised when I heard jangly guitar. It does seem primarily electric though. I think I like it more when they lean into experimental electronic feel and less when it's more like indie pop singles.
Very quiet and experimental album from the beginning of Synthie Pop.
Gave me Depeche Mode vibes only less interesting. I enjoyed it to start but then I got a bit bored
Decent new wave, had some amazing tracks, but kinda dragged a bit between them.
On Architecture and Morality, O.M.D. lean fully into their synth-heavy aesthetic, delivering a record that’s unmistakably of the early '80s—equal parts atmospheric, experimental, and awkwardly catchy. The band toggles between Eno-esque ambient excursions and hook-laden synth pop, at times evoking the chilly introspection of early Cure and at others falling into kitschy electronic sweetness. "She's Leaving" is a highlight, capturing the band's knack for melodic melancholy, while "Sealand" pushes toward artier terrain with its pounding drums and bagpipe-like drone—though its drawn-out, mostly instrumental runtime tests patience. An uneven but intriguing listen from the new wave era.
Cool harmonic months and I enjoyed it but overall kind of forgettable. Very 80s in a good way
fine background music but nothing outstanding
Five starts for the original album. The additional tracks added to the album do not quite reach that standard, so would lose half a star for that!
I feel like I have to give this three stars as although I didn't love it, there were moments that got my attention: the military drumming in Maid of Orleans, the whole of Joan of Arc, the Kraftwerk-y Sacred Heart. This raises it above its later synthpop imitators for me, none of which I have enjoyed at all, I think. Overall though I still generally find synth-based music is anodyne and lacks emotion, so I can't really connect to it or through it.
Chupito por otro álbum de new wave ochentero. Aunque últimamente no me puedo quejar, están saliendo muy buenos descubrimientos. Este álbum es más atmosférico, y menos "quejica" que otros de su estilo, con mucho sintetizador de fondo que forma una atmósfera onírica, tranquila y algo futurista, y un uso pronunciado del mellotron para crear una melodía principal que rompe esa calma. Me han gustado sobre todo los temas más poppy/dance, Souvenir y Georgia, que se agradecen entre tanto tema ambiental. Pero en general esa combinación entre temas atmosféricos/experimentales y pop/comerciales me ha parecido muy acertada y hecha con muy buen gusto, además de que el sonido del mellotron siempre me ha gustado mucho. Un álbum muy interesante y, por ahora, de los mejores dentro de su estilo.
Strange. Electronic stuff that was interesting but not really for me. Reading about it, it is clear it was hugely influential in electronic music and i can respect that, but wouldn't listen again.
Having heard some songs here and there I knew OMD was a solid synth band but I was wholly unprepared for the immensity of their sound. This is the moment where Marvin Berry calls Martin Gore and Trent Reznor to help them find the deeper, moodier sound they’ve been looking for. If New Order created the synth pop sound, OMD pushed its darker overtones so The Cure, Depeche Mode, NIN and others could find their niche. It’s funny because OMD wouldn’t really keep this sound, but makes for a hell of a listen.
The "architecture" doesn't really come across, but it sounds pretty
I'm so-so on the new wave stuff. Some of the electronic work is great, but some of this just wasn't my scene. 3/5
Clunky and abstract 80's synth pop. Not for me.
god new wave
Really enjoyed a lot of this which I don’t this I was expecting to. I’m casually aware of OMD through the occasional song on the radio but never thought I’d actually enjoy listening to much more of their music. Turns out I was wrong and there are a lot of tracks on this that I would happily listen to again. And I think I probably will!
OMD? OMG! Pretty bland easy listening 80s synth pop. A couple of tracks were catchy but instantly forgettable.
And there was me thinking I had a soft spot for OMD. This album is utter toss. You’ve got a bloke with weak vocals and some of the most agonisingly basic synths and beats I’ve ever heard. Compared to what Eno was doing before and around the same time (which are on this list), this feels like some child has put it together. If simplicity is the supposed charm, for me they’ve just taken it to the extremes of minimalist tedium. Toss I say.
This felt like it was trying too hard to be serious. Break out more pop bangers like Souvenir - you know you want to.
Upon first listen i really didn't like this album. I felt that it was a left over relic from the 80s, full of self indulgent, drab, boring synth pop. Unfortunately i think that truth still stands for the majority of this album but my second and third listen revealed a few tracks which i actually came to enjoy. In its best moments, this album shines with charming, amateur sounding synth pop tunes. The songs in my favourite tracks all have a vulnerable quality to them, they don't seem so sure of themselves. The same can't be said for the rest of the album. Most tracks are dramatic and drab with no good reason. They stick around for too long without developing, which makes them a slog to listen to. Not great overall but a few gems in there for sure. Fav tracks - The New Stone Age - She's Leaving - Souvenir - Georgia - Motion and Heart - Gravity Never Failed Worst tracks - Sealand - Joan of Arc - Architecture and Morality - The Beginning and The End - Sacred Heart - The Romance of the Telescope - Navigation - Of All the Things We've Made
OMD have been a band I've wanted to see for years but the stars never aligned (and they are still too big to do 80's festivals). And as a pioneer of 80s synth pop I was amazed that in 1981 this was their third album. Really strong. But not quite a 5 for me
Truly never heard of this artist. Interested to check it out. Not what I was expecting. A little the cure but electronic. Some pretty cool stuff. I dig it so far. The Cure mixed with M83.
OMD
Favorite Track: Joan Of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
And another from my collection
This is unmistakably a very influential album. On this album, that I never heard before, I can hear a lot of things that I know from other albums. For example, one of my favourite bands, Indochine, clearly have this album in their record closet. I know 'Joan of Arc' very well - I loved it as a little child. I don't know how long it had been since I last heard it, but I still love it. It has a beautiful melody. And what a surprise, I always thought that this was synthesizer music but the reason that song has such a melancholy feel is that is is played on a mellotron. Almost the most non-synthesizer instrument thinkable. It's not great across the board, though. Nice songs and a couple of not so interesting ones.
Pleasant enough to listen to.
Background music.
Upfront: I will be rating this probably too high. This was one of the first tapes I got from my sister’s BMG account back in the day. After seeing OMD in Pretty In Pink and later discovering their music deeper they became one of my favorite bands in junior high, and I still enjoy them today. If a person just listened to the pop radio hits, they would never know the depth of this band. It was not just techno synth-pop but a machine that took you on a musical journey on every album. In truth, their structure and musicality was closer to Barque-classical than ‘80s pop. This was a journey into French history and personal evolution, utilizing symbols like Joan of Arc and the Maid of Orleans (my two previous favorite tracks) as a means for self exploration. This time I was more acknowledging of the instrumental or near-instrumental tracks like The Beginning and the End, and forget how good Georgia and the New Stone Age were. I’d totally own this album. Wait, I do…
Random thoughts: * Synthy, moody, and oh so 80s. * I only know the "If You Leave" song from 80s movie fame by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. (OMitD). (Wow! I just noticed the way they spelled "Manoeuvres" was a play on mashing maneuvers with oeuvres.) * I was shocked to see that "If You Leave" is not their number on streamed song. It is a song called Enola Gay. Has over double the plays of "If You Leave". * I have no clue why 1001 picked such a random album by OMITD that doesn't contain either of their top 2 streamed songs. Maybe just to prove they are not the one-hit wonder I assumed they were. * If I ever don't have enough other synthy 80s music to listen to, I'll swing over to OMITD. Otherwise, I'll probably not revisit this one tbh.
No matter how much I try, I just cannot bring myself to like Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark.
Not for me.
Some of this was surprisingly good. I got into it more than I thought. First track is almost 45 years old and would be totally out of place on BRAT. So for it’s forward thinking and dirty warehouse vibes. 3.5 for me
Ok 80s
C’est pas mal, j’ai réécouté 2 fois mais j’ai pas réussi à vraiment cerner la musique. Après j’ai bien aimé ! À réécouter donc ?
So purely 1980s that I ended up doing lines of coke in the bathroom of a club called Clöb and dancing until the sun came up and I went back to work on Wall Street
First song nice, the rest shit.
Don't we already have the Beatles?
Always thought they have one of the words band names in history (alongside Prefab Sprout and Psychedlic Furs - just awful). Has really put me off exploring their back catalogue (only really knew Enola Gay before). Glad to finally listen to a whole album now though. Only managed it twice. but will come back definitely. Love a happy/sad synth.
An EPIC New Wave Synth Album I can get behind. Lapping this up. Lovely!
Not my thing. Never will be my thing.
never been fond of omd
À lire la description, je ne m'attendais pas à un album de New Wave. Il n'y a rien de mal à ça, mais je trouve que l'album a mieux commencé qu'il a terminé. Les chansons plus lentes ne sont pas très intéressantes. Pas mauvais, mais un peu inégal. 3/5
I wouldn’t say it’s a must hear, but I liked it.
Не расслушал с первого раза. Но интересно.
Vreemd genoeg vind ik dit geen hele vervelende plaat, ondanks het decennium en ondanks de standaarduitvoering klagende koorknaap die de boel aan elkaar zingt. New Wave met iets meer nadruk op de synthjes, dus noemen we het synth pop ofzo. Écht lekker of leuk wordt het niet, dus we hebben het niet over een topscore. De inkakker bij track 4 bijvoorbeeld wil je eigenlijk niet. Maar voor zo'n album uit deze tijd ben ik positief verrast. Het experimentele en industriële gespinvis vind ik een pluspunt. Ik ga voor 3 sterren. In een grote kuip met 80's drek is dit net wat minder grijs en dat waardeer ik.
During my first listen Architecture And Morality sounds like The Cure. And it sounds like Kraftwerk. It also sounds like Joy Division and sometimes like Brian Eno. After giving it a second spin, it sounds like itself. I much prefer the A side. The side starting with the Joan of Arc songs is a bit maudlin for my taste.
I always thought the band name was pretentious nonsense and I never listened to them but I mostly enjoyed this
Oooh, I really enjoyed this album, but it got a bit repetitive towards the end. Still, I recommend it💖💖💖
first time listening to something from this group, really dark and gloomy synthpop that hits the spot just right. incredible stuff
oh no, new wave again? I'm starting to develop a deep aversion to this genre.
Not a synth guy
Super!
Okayish
ElectroRockSynth
Just not my cup of tea.
Some of this hurt my head. Others I enjoyed. Great memories
It has to be featured in “all-time” lists. Synth-pop at its finest.
This was an alright album, nothing exciting but it was fine playing in the background. Fairly meh at times but it's okay.
I went into this one with pretty low expectations based on what sounded like an annoying and pretentious band and album name, but these dudes hopped right over that low bar - great album! Seems like it captured a perfect moment right after the 80s broke up with the 70s, but before the 80s snorted too much cocaine.
Der Sound der 80er, elektronische Musik. Joan of Arc kennt man, war ein ganz großer Hit
New wave goth rock. I dont know the difference. Its the music that the southpark goths would do their little dance to. Good stuff though. I like the synths. Breathy vocals are good. I enjoyed. Not amazing but good and worth the listen
I finally have an answer to the question of what would happen if someone tried to make a new age easy listening album but hired a singer with a voice like nails on a chalkboard.
Trippy. Kinda boring. 2/5
She’s Leaving // Souvenir // Sealand //
1 - boring and soft. How does every new wave band have the same vocalist
Mostly sounded same-y
Lovely album 3/5 #musicsky #albumsky #musicchallenge
I'm digging this a lot. Lots of interesting sound work and experimental stuff going on. I almost hear some Bowie Warszawa on Sealand. There's a strong feeling of something like Kraftwerk as a baseline that is built on. Cool album, I could see myself coming back to this.
Knowing nothing, it was not what I expected. Sounds like it was ahead of it's time. A very good example of synth pop. Great sense of composition. Nice pop length tracks. Deserves to be on the list.
Awe, I love OMD! I haven't listened to this one though. None of the songs on this album look familiar at all. Oh I lied Souvenir is on this album. Love this song!! Oh shit Joan of Arc is the song that says "Little Catholic girl has fallen in love???!" Awe this reminds me of Stacy and Rob lol Stacy was Catholic, and Rob referenced this song about her falling in love with me.
Listened Before? N OMD! Love these guys and this is a good one. A little less refined than some of their later work but I really enjoy all of their stuff. Good one. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Souvenir
A decent stab at experimental synth pop with plenty of atmosphere, proving there was great progressive music around in the 80s.
Yeah was groovy
Totally took me by surprise, turns out I do like revisiting perfect 80s synth-pop after all.
Morose
I'm 50/50 on this, I liked it, but gets a bit too boring and sombre in places.
Kind of digging it.
I was expecting a forgettable new wave album here, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked the way that the first song sounds, it has a really unique sound palette, especially for the early 80's. As the album goes on, it loses that special touch a bit, but there is still stuff to enjoy throughout. Mid 4.
Pretty artsy sounding synthpop.
Completely forgot how much I completely love this.
Not bad. Nothing overly exciting either.
Decent.