Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Some songs I really liked but overall didn’t enjoy as an album especially the first song, truly awful
Really enjoyed to listen to this album
Genres: Synth-pop Formed: Wirral, Merseyside, in 1978 Run time: 16 songs, 1 hour, 1 min The third studio album by the English electronic band. The ethereal sound of OMD is recognisable within a few seconds as are the lead vocalist of Andy McCluskey. The album resulted in four successful singles. Spotify: Least popular song: almost 195k Most popular song: >28M plays. The album is generally very chilled and relaxed. I did enjoy the album and have listened to other albums by OMD. As they have produced a lot of really great songs, I think if I were to listen again it would be a “Best Of”. Listen Again?: Possibly My Rating: ***
early new wave, ok but not that engaging to listen to
I liked this album! Synth-pop is a good genre for me, I guess. Reminded me of Songs from the Big Chair / Tears for Fears. I liked Souvenir most. The songwriter shows a fascination with Joan of Arc, interesting.
10/10 amazing synth pop
meh
What a glorious remaster
Souvenir being the stand out though the rest was simply ok
Whole album fantastic. Souvenir was my highlight. Can see myself playing it a lot. Loved the slowed down choir as an instrument. A bit like I'm Not in Love by 10cc.
Strong post Joy Division moody electronics with beautiful, lilting uplifting sections. Absolutely in for the morose yet twinkly She's Leaving and Souvenir. Although they appear as a couplet early on and the rest of the album stands as a set of slowly diminishing foothills. Over all, excellent in places but overlong.
Not actually orchestral, but synthpop. Also a bit weird. It shares a lot of the darker atmosphere of New Order, but cycles into ambient pop on occasion. Orchestral Manoeuvres is likely one of the more oddball groups of the day that breached synthpop sensibilities. I've gotta give credit to the UK, they really embraced the genre.
Cool
I was surprised by how much I liked this one. Definitely have to re-listen sometime.
I think the biggest discovery I've had during this project is that I really really enjoy British New Wave. 4/5
Enjoyed
O ótimo nome da banda criou uma expectativa que não se confirmou. Pop típico dos anos 80 no lugar da música gótica orquestrada com elementos tecnos.
Es fällt schwer, diese Platte durchzuhören. Ich habe es letztlich auch nicht geschafft. Irgendwie haben damals alle so gesungen, der Gesang hätte auch von Morrissey sein können. Maid Of Orleans konnte ich ausserdem auch noch nie ausstehen.
Great album, can see myself coming back to this a lot
New Stone Age opens the album on an interesting note. There is this pervasive atmosphere permeating these songs. Even upbeat ones like Souvenir have this wispy, ghost like textures. The banging on an empty grain silo at the end of Sealand is really tonally upsetting because its just so damn loud. the rest of the album is sort of a wash out for me.
That was not the worst album of the list. Here, that's all of the positive things I could write about it. Additionally, some more experimental and instrumental parts of album were pretty interesting, but usual post punk stuff is terrible. That's all.
Not for me, too 80s
It’s ok
Not the best OMD but some nice OMD sounds!
Er was toch 1 nummer dat ik herkende. Maar over het algemeen vond ik dit geen superplaat.
No idea wtf going on but I’m here for it
Cool album art,
For a band "inspired by Kraftwerk" that "wanted to be the next ABBA", this was very uninspired. Synthy poppy tunes with someone hammering on some metal sheets in the background. Kinda fun and quirky at times but not especially remarkable.
I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would
This is an album I didn't know when it came out. My love for OMD came after I got their Greatest Hits album. I only knew a couple songs at the time, but I remember thinking that OMD was frigging great! I love the sound. Now, I have a chance to go back in time and experience this album - which contains a couple songs from that amazing GH album and more great songs! Standouts: Souvenir, Joan of Arc (Maid of New Orleans), Joan of Arc, She's Leaving, The New Stone Age Other Greats: Georgia, The Beginning and the End
this band name and album name are quite the mouthful. orchestral manoeuvres in the dark (shortened to OMITD) created a very specific ambient tone on architecture and morality. this album is a great example of creating music that flows seamlessly, one song into the next, while remaining different songs. all that being said, my overall reaction was "eh." omitd's album is easy enough to listen to, but kind of boring.
I am typically a fan of new wave, but I wasn't particularly wowed by this. I found it intriguing, but definitely not something I'd likely listen to again. I'm starting to realize that my preferred brand of new wave is the type that is influenced by and fused with pop and rock sounds. This album is definitely more space age-y and experimental, which is what I would imagine more pure 'new wave' music to sound like, without the influence of those other sounds. This was probably a 2.5 or so for me, so I guess I'm bumping up.
This was pretty pleasant, although listening on a shitty Bluetooth tin can hasn’t helped it so I’ll blast it on the big stereo and try again! Conservative 3 at the moment…
nope
I wasn't majorly in love with it, but can definitely see it being a grower
It's good, somewhere between The Cure and Kraftwerk in it's sound. It's also a biiiit overlong, but it's generous I suppose. Some editing would have made this a higher rated album. I mean, they refine later on - Andy McKluskey wrote Whole Again, one of the all time pop bangers.
Definitely not as bad as I expected (given the week I’ve had). I think it was a little longer for my liking and a tad snoozy but I think all in all it was pretty good and lifting?
It's a bit stiff, innit...? More 80s than most other 80s synth bands, it's just too cold, too plodding, too fey, too mid-tempo bland. Not objectionable or bad whatsoever, but it sounds like synth music made for pre-schoolers. Any song would be ok in context of some period piece television show but any 4 song segment of this is exhausting let alone an hour.* Not my fave. Gimme Echo or New Order instead. 4/10 2 stars. *[n.b. i listened to the extended version - didn't know the original ended after 9 songs. might upgrade to a 2.1]
For 80's Synth-Pop it was okay. I normally don't like anything from this genre and era, but some of it was catchy and easy to listen to, at least as background music. Nothing special, so I can't see myself buying it, but the occasional listen is fine.
I appreciate the pun, but “Manoeuvres” is one of the most infuriating words I’ve ever had to type out. I guess that’s why everyone calls them OMD, because the “M” in that acronym is fucking impossible to spell correctly. The 80’s synth pop on this record is fine and usually engaging, but if you’ve heard any of the other 300 British synth pop records on this list, it’s hard to be impressed by it. OMD doesn’t do much to differentiate themselves from that maudlin crowd, at least to my ears. With that said, I had glimmer of hope during the first track that this record might be a little more adventurous than it turned out to be.
It was fun to hear the early iterations of synth pop that this album offered. The second track was probably the standout of the main album as well as the first bonus track. Since it’s early synth it’s nothing extravagant or really exciting but it was still a nice album that embodies the 80s.
Pues suena mejor de lo que esperaba, "Souvenir" es enorme y me recuerdan más a los Cure que a otras cosas. Enorme "Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)".
Synthy averageness
Didn't really get into this at all.
An entire album where almost nothing notable happens at all. Yay.
Not an album I would’ve listened to on my own, and one I’ll probably never listen to again. Sounded like it could’ve been in the background of a John Hughes movie set in a high school in Anytown, Illinois.
This album blew me away. It's hard to believe that it didn't receive the best of reviews when it was released. It starts with a dark new wave song, but cycles through baroque pop, synth pop, and just overall wonderfully layered and compelling music. The vocal samples are stunning.
This is right down the middle for me really, some interesting sounds that were probably very new at the time but do sound a bit dated now. The vocals didn't do much for me either, but most of the songs were pleasant enough to listen to. Having said that, I listened to it fully through twice and can't remember any of the songs now!
I didn't think they could get better than Organisation's, but I was really blown away by this record. It's so lush and beautiful, with lovely multi-layered melodious synths that bring emotions that reminds me why I love synthpop so much. It's atmospheric and otherworldly with introspective yet simple and somewhat cryptic lyrics that I can relate to. It just kept getting better and better with each song. The synth effects are so versatile and creative, they keep me engaged each second, and I just wish some of these went on for 10 minutes, and I'm glad there were more ambient ones like "Sealand" that did. I love the use of space to give me time to appreciate everything that's going on. Some super bright pieces like "Joan of Arc" and some super dark industrial pieces like "Architecture and Morality". I hear Eno a lot in this, like "The Beginning and the End" could almost be from Another Green World. They're also pretty complex and evolve... I was pretty shocked when songs like "Georgia" just took a 180. Exciting opener, great build up, and a satisfying conclusion with every song being memorable, there's not much more I could ask for.
Nice new wave/synth pop stuff. Reminds me of Depeche Mode. Also, what a weird way to spell ‘maneuver’.
Very good. 3.5/5
A couple of good songs, but on the whole it wasn't really for me.
Interesting and I kind of enjoyed it.
Architecture And Morality. I don't get it. The music I mean; it's just a bit shallow and pointless? 2.
Don't quite get it. It's perfectly pleasant to have on, but doesn't grab me at any point. Starts off well enough, but goes downhill pretty quickly and doesn't really recover. 2/5.
Solid
Very moody, mysterious. Interesting that they were inspired by religion, and exploring why people need it. I wouldn't have heard that but I can hear it now. There is a lot of space in the songs, like an organ echoing through a church. But instead of an organ it's synthesizers. I enjoyed it, would listen again.
I'm very conflicted about this album. It's such a mixed bag. There are some tracks that I really enjoy (the first 3), and rest I can't stand. It starts so strong, but then begins to slowly unravel until I can't wait for it to be over. I appreciate their efforts to humanize electronic music, but honestly I think I prefer it served cold. Their first two albums resonate with me far more than this.
Some interesting things here and there but in general is plagued with that "80s sound" in terms of synths and vocals that is just sorta meh.
Unexpectedly wonderful. I didn’t expect to like ‘Architecture & Morality’, and initially I didn’t. I found it harsh and cold. However, it couldn’t be further from the truth and further listening confirmed this. It’s full of textures and layers, typically vague but interesting lyrics, and beautiful atmospheric synth soundscapes that envelop you. On a quality sound system or hi-fi this would blow you away. An amazing record.
Ah geez this album was very damn long idk wasn’t horrible wasn’t great. Putting this in the never listening again bin 1.75
Way too long. Wish I could rate 2.5
Good album, not entirely fulfilling though
Blueprint for later synth pop followers
What an interesting find. I had never heard of them before and I wasn't sure what to expect at all but this really drew me in. Kinda new wave-y, synth pop-y, maybe a bit post punk-y? Whatever you want to slap on it, its a good listen. A 4 for now. But I'll be coming back.
Synth-Pop just isn't my thing. This isn't bad though, it is just kinda peaceful. Really great band name though!
First time it was ok, second time I found more I liked and really enjoyed it!
Can't say I really enjoyed it, neither can I say I didn't. Really just a good old nice album for in the background but not much more than that
This album carries an amazing atmosphere, love it.
Very 80s, very melancholy, very relaxing. A tad much of the same but a nice album nonetheless
2.5
Was really impressed even though the synths sound so basic. Way ahead of its time, although the first track kinda sucks
Fun
Fuck. Ya.
OMD provided a unique view into music in what felt like an attempt to do the most they could with music and technology in the 80's. Testing the limits of experimental sounds and still harmonizing in a congruent manner. Again, I enjoyed this, I truly hope to remember this when someone asks for an 80's recommendation. Ethan, did you crumb at the sound of this album?
Holy sappy synthesizer batman.
really strange album absolutely loved it. Freaky and atmospheric in places but also some real bangers. Truly enjoy the whole experience. Best tracks: souvenir, maid of orleans , Georgia
The instrumental parts are phenomenal. Remarkable album overall.
Quite a cool album, lo-fi early electronic vibes with classic 80s rock tones mixed in.
я ничего не запомнила, но меня ничего и не напрягло)
5/10, but admittedly I wasn't paying too much attention.
Well, it's certainly a vibe.
Nostalgic for East Lansing!
Something of a drag, but mostly boring. This is not quite the "If You Leave" version of OMD, and some might prefer that. But NOT DADDY!
I immediately recognised Peter Saville’s style on the cover, but the music is not as cold and industrial as the Joy Division art connection implies. It’s really very lovely. Lush orchestral flourishes and beautiful melodies. I’ve always quite liked Andy McCluskey’s strained voice over the synths. Yes, a good one.
2.5
Unless one was listening to this album through the ears of nostalgia, I fail to see what makes it worthy of being on this list. Maybe it's here because of the blending between electronica and new wave, but to me that only makes this record worse. The poppy, shimmery, but edgy sound of new wave is present in glimpses, but it gets bogged down by the atmospheric and somewhat mechanical sound that the electronica adds. It probably would have been a bit better if they leaned into the "architectural," futuristic sound of the title track, but the combination of genres just didn't create anything special.
Loved this. This band has been on my radar for a while now, but I have yet to really give them a listen. Glad I finally did. 8/10
Never heard of them before and really enjoyed it! Good rainy day music.
Pretty fun
Really enjoyed this one
This album felt so unique. It’s actually pretty hard to rate. The album as whole was so enjoyable. There was one song that stuck out, “The New Stone Age.” I will be adding to my playlist. I think I’m gonna settle on a 3.
Hoş değildi, bu albüm kapağını, grubun ismini falan görünce daha psychedelic+dreamy bir şeyler beklemiştim:( Yapay seslerin permütasyon -kombinasyon yapar gibi bir araya getirilmesiyle oluşturulan müziklerden çok hoşlanmıyorum (lyricler iyiyse ve beat'i güzel bir şekilde unique ise işler değişir tabi ki). Bu albüm de öyleydi denebilir, répétition vardı gibi hissettim ve yeni bir tarz falan yaratmaya çalışırken çok yapay bir müzik yapmışlar grup olarak, bazı kısımları gerçekten rahatsız etti. Overall : 4/10
This was mostly tedious. There are a couple of okay songs, but a whole lot of filler. I remember OMD being considered as cutting edge with the use of electronics, but even back in the day they were a pretty tedious band. Even the title of the album smacks of pretentiousness. Save for two, maybe three, tracks I did not find this enjoyable.
From the very start this doesn't sound like something from the 80s. Love the instrumentals on this even though its a shorter album. Fave track(s): Souvenir, Joan of Arc
Lite oförtjänt bortglömda. Electricity eller Enola gay är inte med här, men ändå.
103 / 1069 Thought I was going to hate it, 80's synth pop - everything I generally dislike. Quite a decent album, interesting sounds and arrangements.
Enjoy some British Synthpop. Was pretty good, nice mix of instrumentals and great singing. Overall 7/10
Classic synth pop - which I detested at the time. Listening to it now, with less prejudice, it is very good and deserves to be recognised as one of the best albums in its category. Great melody lines with clever use of a variety of sound samples and drum tracks. Overall quite impressive. Even the vocals are relatively good.
iconic structured noise. you can hear where many who came after were inspired.
6,5/10
Much of this was just annoying. Other parts seemed representative instrumentation for the time, with limited vocals.
outstanding
One likes the double Joan of Arc tracks, slightly preferring the first, with its echoes of other tunes (one can't remember exactly what it reminds one of, though one's sure it's something) and anyway it seems always just on the edge of hotting up or even bursting out. "The New Stone Age" is compelling and "She's Leaving" is delightful, but comparisons to Beatles are more than a little reach. The mournful "Sealand" is strong, too. One agrees with editors that there is more warmth than reputation suggests (certainly more than the pioneering kraut rockers), though nothing here reaches the pure Platonic ideal of synth pop warmth and hookiness they reached with the megahit that came courtesy of John Hughes. On the downside, one's tempted to say OMD lacks the dark power of the Cure or the hard, glittery (and vaguely desperate) edge of New Order. One doesn't love the vocal style which seems to have birthed the worst sorts of imitators (the worst of which rhyme with Sick Ghastley [Nick Lowe joke alert] and Met Cop Toys). It largely comes down to how one feels about synth pop and one's just fan enough to elevate one's thumb here. The title is ace, too, in a coolly minimalist way.
Good album, just didn't like the first track.
J’ai dû me rabattre sur une version live, car je n’avais pas accès à l’album original sur mes plateformes. Mais j’ai adoré ça. Tellement typique 80, mais avec une identité propre. J’ai aimé la voix et l’énergie. Je réécouterai
Wow this really surprised me... didn't really know this group, but damn, awesome album. great stuff!
Not bad. 80s dark synthpop revival. Listened in background at work.
Some good variety on the album
Walked into Anthem Records in 1982 and asked them for something new and they chucked me this. A lot of this early 80's electronica got lost in the whole Flock of Sausages type stuff, this record (and this band) had some good moments, and the highlights on this record are really good. Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc and Georgia are delightful and Souvenir is a pretty timeless melody which will resonate in any era. I'd forgotten about New Stone Age, its sets a very different tone from the rest of the record, but it works. As a Fab fan I love a bit of mellotron work, and I think a lot of the vocal work is more than a nod to I'm Not in Love by 10CC. About as far away from Stephen Stills as you can get, which makes it a good record.
The intellectuals among the founders of synth-pop, apparently. Nice enough, I guess.
A band I was never fond of. I didn’t mind Enola Gay but I found none of their output after that at all inspiring. I didn’t mind Souvenir on this album. But the band sound the same as so many British bands from that period sounded - boring.
I was a bit excited when we kicked off with The New Stone Age. "Ooh," I thought, "this is a bit more rockin' than I was expecting. I thought it would be all bleak, tuneless landscapes and dirge interspersed with moments of fey synthpop". But, alas, my expectations were not incorrect. This is a tedious album, an "onslaught of emptiness, ... a new brand of meaninglessness" (Lynden Barber in Melody Maker) , an album that "gives off the dry stench of self-importance" (M. Howell in the Boston Phoenix). I feel like I could have been more into this in the 80s when I listen to a lot of quasi-experimental synth-based music. But now, I yawn, and move on to the next album.
this might be the soundtrack to my life 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
I’m so tired of Neil Young at this point
More of a background music kind of thing for me.
Meh - kind of harmless plinky MOR with a few "experimental" bits thrown in to try to make it edgy.
Chill New Age music, enjoyed the listen, but probably wouldn’t listen again. A lot of the tracks were minimal singing. More of a background album and not an album I would actively listen to.
many lovely songs pretentious album title always a nice time
nimestä päätellen oletin jotain mahtailevaa meikäpoika käyny musiikki koulu akatemiaa helsingin sibelius kerhossa vittu ei kiinnosta... sellastahan se oli paitsi kesken teollisuus jumputus jatsin välillä oli jotain 80 luku poppensteinia ja lynchian elokuva musiikkia vähän rikkoutuu tää alabumin rytmitys että mikä meininki yrittää nauttia jostain ja lähtee IHAN JTAIN MUUTA LIIKKEELLE....no ei haittaa, kaikki kuitenkin yhtä keskivertoa... paras kappale joan of arc maid of orleans
i didnt know they existed in the 21st century but overall a classic slay on rotation
2.5 stars. i listened weeks ago and barely remember anything about it except going "oh, that's an odd and interesting choice" on a couple songs, so half-star for that.
Another snoozer.
I thought I’d like this a lot lot more
Poor man's Cure
Fairly nice and relaxing music but it really isn't anything special and the vocals don't really add anything.
Nothing too offensive in the first few tracks. Not thrilling, but fine. Could do without the ambient stuff like Sealand. Everything feels just a little out of tune. The random droning and wailing at times doesn't do it for me. As we progress, there is less "music" and more noise (the title track especially). Many tracks that are more musical include very long outros. Souvenir is probably my favorite track. Romance of the Telescope is exceptionally dissonant. Overall, not an album I'd listen to again.
OMD for me is a greatest hits band, some great songs on every album but I just can't get into individual albums.
Sometimes it’s early Cure, sometimes John Hughes movie soundtrack OMD, a little bit Eno,… all of it proudly, or at least unashamedly, Eighties sounding. I liked this much more than I was expecting going in. I actually may listen to it again.
I dug this. Seemed to fit my mood. I thought Extended Souvenir was a standout track.
I liked this fine. I could hear some of The Cure in it and it was fine. Would maybe listen to it again, but not anytime soon.
Up there with the best synth pop albums Iv heard even more impressive it came out really early 80’s. This just missed out on a five due to being on the long side, and personal preference I’m unlikely to listen back to this album as 80’s synth pop just isn’t my thing.
Pop un tanto poco convencional y, a la vez, experimental. Le falta algo de intensidad. En ocasiones peca un tanto de ambiente pesimista. En general, está bien, pero podría estar mejor
Generally I do not dig on this kind of music, but there's something about that really appeals to me. It sounds like a bit of a precursor to what ended up being full blown synth 80s music, and I dig how restrained and full it sounds. It's a cool record.
What to write. Pure genius. Sealand is fucking incredible. Funnily enough I am currently working my way through a Depeche Mode challenge from start to finish and this just blows everything they were up to until about 5 years later out of the water. I'm only sad I only got around to listening to this about 5 years back, as I've been missing out, one of the best records ever made.
Not my type.
Pretty dour. Was interesting to hear what they used to sound like, but don't think I'll be returning soon.
Notes - Experimental synth-pop album - Band famous for their songs “enola gay” and “if you leave” - Increased use of mellotron and choir samples - A lot of the time, the synths on here sound like they’re struggling to produce the notes - Which is really effective and adds to the melancholy of this whole album - Moments of atonality over top of more pop elements, almost some aspects of post-rock - Delicate, sparse, deliberate, cold, personal - What a strong mood…. Holy shit Fav - She’s leaving - Love the way the vocals are treated and the chime-y synth lines Least fav - I mean…. There really isn’t one - Just listen to this album! 5/5
Good electronic. Dark
So great and so majestic. This album is wonderful and I will definitely revisit this.
Honestly a bit boring and overrated
Melkeinpä jopa ajatonta - kuitenkin 80 luku paistaa pikkasen läpi - kuitenkin - syntikkaa hillitty... Ei poraa päähän.. Äänet tarkasti sijoiteltuja ja muodostettuja - niillä on luotu prkeleen kauniita kokonaisuuksia...
Pretty good. Maybe listen again
80s synth-y with a bit of an ominous, brooding, vibe at times. Nothing to write home about for me, but a simple enjoyability. 3.5
HL: "Maid of Orleans", "She's Leaving", "Souvenir" First heard "Maid of Orleans" earlier this year at a record shop, Shazam informed me that it was just a demo from "Architecture & Morality: The Singles". Not on Apple Music, but it was worth the extra effort to locate it. Beautiful, almost ambient-at-times, synth pop. Proves that there's more to OMD than "If You Leave" anyway. October 12, 2022
Synth-pop obscur i melangiós, potser més reverenciat del que mereix, perquè hi ha bandes que superen amb escreix les possibilitats d'aquest parell... però 'Souvenir' i la segona 'Joan of Arc' són dos dels millors temes de començaments dels '80. Això no els hi treu ningú
Quite a distinctive sound which I quite enjoyed listening to but I probably wouldn’t choose. 3*
A grower for sure. Wasn't that interested early on the day but it did sweep over me and I was quite enjoying it by the end. An optimistic 3.
Very standard 80s and new wave, synth pop. The songs focus on those darker, minor tones and I didn't hear any particularly catchy song.
This kind of synth pop is the branch of new wave that I really enjoy the most :-) it's clever and cool and I really like this kind of sound. I know this band have been a huge inspiration for many and the music still sounds really fresh and modern to me. Some of the sounds leave me in awe thinking "how did anyone come up with that??" so the creativity and joy of experimentation shines throughout. Weirdly enough I fell down an Anohni hole and saw OMD listed as an early influence of hers, started listening to their music and realising I recognised and really liked their stuff and then got this album popping up to rate right after!!
What a surprise! I had forgotten who this band was and was bracing myself for an hour jazz... But instead synth 80s brilliance. Exactly the 80s sound I absolutely love, combo of New Order/Echo and the bunnymen. Loved it!
I found this tedious and boring. It's the British 80s electronica version of landfill indie in my opnion
This isn't exactly what I was expecting for this album to sound like, but it did sound pretty cool. Not like, regularly music cool, more like a roller-coaster of emotions from something you can tell was made with a music video in mind to the Metroid soundtrack, but still very good.
Sounded like the other early OMD stuff that I’ve also heard and liked.
Very 80s, not amazing but not like terrible.
Smartly done but not giving much by way of emotional response. I found it somewhat impenetrable.
Bra grejer det här. Ägt alla tre singlar från albumet.
Even on an 80s curve this one falls flat. The orchestrations are messy, the performances are all over the map, and outside of the first few opening tracks none make a strong enough mark to ride above background noise.
Not what I was expecting. I was expecting "If You Leave" kind of stuff. This was pretty, I guess, artsy? Sometimes ethereal. Not my bag. But good composition nonetheless.
some good but mostly meh weird 80s brit new wave electronic hold music
Seems like they got a new synthesizer with bell and other sounds and were just trying it out.
A couple of memorable tracks, but really I think that at the time it was a case of boys with toys, and probably a few too many buttons to press.
The New Wave crashed and reverberated through America in the 80's, and became the Cold War of the British Invasion. Listening to albums like this, it's hard not to see why. The rattle, humming and texture of the album belies the novelty that was synth-pop's first breaths. It's a masterful experience to listen and hear the sound cascade over your ears in "Sealand". There's a distinct, and odd, warmth to every track bleeding through the frigid synths. OMD not only created a blueprint for the later 80's, but also it's first bonafide masterpiece and balances open soundscapes and tighter, shorter tracks. As a big fan of synth-pop and New Wave, this is an essential listen for all those passionate about the genre 8/10
Enjoyed.
Sommige nummers echt heel goed maar zang wat zagerig met heel de tijd die kleine echo daarin.
Oke, eerste nummer was wel leuk ofzo.
I liked this a fair bit but it was quite repetitive in places
It was alright, though I think my favourite song on it (Extended Souvenir) was actually a bonus track, and some of the others just gave me Aldi own-brand The Cure vibes
did not listen in the dark
Okay background noise. Maybe I need to listen to more to gain a better appreciation but it all blends for me. I WANT to like it but ehhh.
Je reprends des couleurs
parfait pour arroser les plantes en romantisant sa vie
Albums like this are exactly why I'm going through this project. Some albums you slog through. This one flew by.
enjoyed my listen thru, but don't expect a second play
With a band and album name like this, I was expecting something a bit more ambitious than yet another record that sounds exactly like every other new wave turd that came out in the UK at the time. Just more shit that no doubt featured on top of the pops. Cheap, dated and far too regional to be here. 2/5.
A pretty average 80s pop album. The singer is good and sounds similar to morrissey. The instrumentals are pretty generic 80s synth pop style which are fun to listen to but does feel dated. Some songs were good and I’d listen to again, but to revisit the album is unlikely. 5.6/10
I enjoyed this. Partly as a precursor to what was going to come from these guys and also because Joan of Arc always stood out to me as a great song on its own.
I was always a hardcore massive fan of OMD...how big you say? Well I'll tell ya...I owned the best of album. Nothing more true of a fan than one who owns the best of album right? But seriously...Joan of Arc and Souvenir...great stuff...that with Enola Gay (not on this one sadly, but it is on the best of) are great tracks...also The Beginning and the End... almost makes you wistful for the 80's...but there is something about their sound that just grabs me. Part nostalgia and part ...sad joy.
80s/synth sound. Tears for Fears/Haircut 100 vibes. Some interesting/strange sound effects/sounds throughout. A different & interesting listening experience, however don’t see myself coming back to this one.
That's another album I wish I'd heard back in the day.
I've listened to this all the way through several times as can't quite grasp it. It was quite a new sound, I get that. But Synth pop ain't me, and I get why they were eternal Top of the Pops fillers.
I kept waiting for some kind of payoff but it never came. Felt very pretentious somehow.
p476. 1981. 1 star. Dreary and soulless synth pop. This is the soundtrack to every dull grey wet Tuesday in Liverpool in Thatcher's Britain. Most the album is the band farting about with synths on songs that outstay their welcome - who the fuck needs a 7 minute "moody" instrumental, it's like punk never happened, eh lads? And what the fuck is the album title about? Pretentious wankers.
3.5
I like souvenir and georgia. The rest is all solid too
2/5
You’d struggle to accrue a motlier thirty minutes of sound. All a bit airy and no punch
Corny 80's keyboard shite.
zzzzz
very forgetable
While I’m a huge (early) Synth-Pop/New Wave fan and think OMD’s first two albums are pretty good, this album is not one I would choose to showcase. I’m being generous with ⭐️ ⭐️
Ok didn't take
This is an outstanding album, one of the best of its genre. I can't really think of another band from that era that sounded like OMD. They were leagues ahead of their peers. I think one of the big differences is that OMD had a talent for balancing the lovely with the dissonant, the melodic/accessible with the experimental/strange. These songs are incredibly elegant, with gorgeous, thoughtfully crafted arrangements, but also with a strategic use of dissonance to keep it all from getting too pretty. A big part of this sound is Andy McCluskey's unusual and compelling vocal style, that ranges from croonerish to almost grating. There's no one else in music who sounds like him. The band headed in more of a (frankly, less interesting) pop direction as the decade progressed, but this album stands out as being some of the most inventive music of that time. It's a historically important collection of songs, but also just such a pleasure to listen to. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Souvenir, The Beginning and the End, She's Leaving, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans), Joan of Arc, Sealand, The New Stone Age, Georgia, Architecture and Morality
I've listened to OMD before but never a full album. This one is marked for future late-night listening and compares favorably to the other synth pop on the list (if it's less dynamic). The genre-staple parts are staple, but there is also a surprising amount of ambient-tinged noise.
:')
OMD are on of those bands that I know are famous for something but I could not tell you what. This album was a joy to discover and certainly deserves a few more spins. Fave: Joan Of Arc
Excelente!
Meh
A mix of incredible classics and weird experimental shit.
Album #56 (1001 challenge): "Architecture and Morality" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1981) The first time I heard an OMD song or of OMD was the song "If You Leave" from the soundtrack of "Pretty in Pink." I think that was common for a lot Americans. OMD was big in Europe and Canada but wasn't really known by most in the US until five years after this album was released. That's unfortunate cause this is a very good album. Classified as synth-pop and it is but there's something cutting edge and some these songs have an empty and haunting feeling to them. Apparently influenced by religious choral music. If you are expecting "If You Leave", there's no remnants of anything like that here. "The New Stone Age" sounds like The Cure from "Pornagraphy." Not one but two songs with Joan of Arc in the title, one a more pop song and the other has a more majestic feel to it. I thought I was listening to Kraftwerk on "Architecture and Morality." This was a very interesting listen and a band whose earlier work I might have to dig deeper into.
Tried a few times, just don't get it
Yeah I can get behind this. I liked that there were a few spooky moments. Some sparkly magical moments too. Favorite song was probably the first or the last one My parents LOVE this group; my mom has said it's her favorite group of all time. So it has some nostalgia bias for me
Pretty good
Interesting but not a huge standout
This is the third album from English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The album was inspired by religious music - specifically choirs - and it became a predecessor for synth-pop music. It is now seen as a classic in the synth-pop and new wave genres. OMD did a great job of putting together a cohesive album that speaks to the emotions of the listener, and every song compliments one another. In my opinion the album wasn't spectacular, but it held my interest throughout. I appreciate being able to listen to it.
The tracks are spatial and moody and strike me as a group doing their level best to take the harsh edges off of their nascent electronic instruments. The vocals mostly blend into the crowded early 80's emo/electro scene, but there are moments where the singer's snaps out of the act, which I found far more sincere and engaging. Honestly, my impressions on the album are all over the place. Tracks like 'Motion And Heart' show how bad things can get, whereas 'Extended Souvenir' and 'Of All The Things We've Made' work way better. Then there are tracks somewhere in the middle, like 'Sacred Heart', where I think the synthwave backtrack is great, but the vocal track just kills it for me. I am curious to see where the group went from here, but I probably won't end up coming back to this album in particular.
Not their best stuff. Pretty typical 80's fair, though.
Really enjoyed this album
I liked this album. I really wanted to love this album, but it was missing something.
Just so long and boring. Droning on and on with random music playing and "singing". 3/10.
First real discovery that I make with this challenge and it's a real good one! Quite atmospheric synthpop with post-punk undertones, I love it and I need it on vinyl now.
Very enjoyable synth pop.
Nice synth pop, I'll definitevily get back
Brilliant synth-pop album. Unlike many albums of this genre, this one goes with more delicacy, subtlety and refinement. I really appreciated it.
I expected to hate this, but it was (mostly) kind of great. At its best, it's layered and interesting and way ahead of its time. It's not always at its best, though. Too much 80's Mellotron and questionable singing. Best track: Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
Bleak 80s synthscapes
I think it deserves another listen. It was on and I listened, but I didn't pay it enough attention.
3, i liked the vibes
Can’t really decide- it’s a slow burn type of album. Was decent on first couple of listens but don’t know if it burned enough to come back to 5/10
Felt like a Depeche Mode album. Major 80s alt rock vibe with some ok songs and others that were just a bit too noise for me
Great great album. Was surprised how much I liked it. This is the 2nd really big discovery where I hadn't heard of the artist before and it was 5/5. Stoked!
Starts out with some very intense synth punk that instantly caught my attention, but then quickly just lost that gut and became kinda boring with the next tracks. I do enjoy the more ambient tracks here and there are some interesting ideas and sound design choices here but won't be returning to this.
This is real “in one ear, out the other music”. It’s perfectly fine new wave, but I received almost no reaction from it. Not sure if that’s better or worse than being bad, but I don’t that I’ll return to it anytime soon. C-
Never heard of this before but I think I love it? Eccentric new wave/post punk with a retro, almost kitschy sense of melody. Those synths are like getting a haircut at the mall in the early 90s, but the arrangements give them a purpose I haven’t heard before. Vibe-y pieces like “Seagrass” feel at home alongside poppier counterparts, I’ll def be getting into the catalog. 4
Sounds like Depeche Mode but boring. Didn't see anything special in this, just more 80s synth music. I think my ghost would have been pretty apathetic if I never heard this before I died.
Pas facile à trouver comme album, mais j'y suis arrivé sur YouTube. Un peu plus pop que ce que je m'attendais au départ en voyant l'année et la pochette, mais très exploratoire comme contenu. C'est ce que je trouve intéressant du projet. La première pièce qui n'est pas un single de l'album est exactement le genre de petite perle que j'espère trouver dans cette expérience d'écoute. La pièce Souvenir me fait penser à MGMT. J'adore la pochette. Pièce préférée: The New Stone Age
Sounds surprisingly current. A little same-y for its length.
Well I had a hard time finding the "original version of this album. TIDAL does not have it except as a bizarre compilation album that bears little resemblance to the original release. Searching individual tracks I put together a live playlist in the same order as the original release, but that did not seem fair. So YouTube to the rescue. On to my review. I was only familiar with this band from my vinyl copy of Organization from oh so long ago. That album never connected with me other than Enola Gay. With this album I think OMD reached another level. More varied and dramatic than Organization. Highlights are The New Stone Age, which rocks like no other OMD song I've ever heard, Sealand is achingly beautiful in it's sparseness and huge dramatic drum sound and Souvenir is synth pop at its finest. I think this album is stronger than Organization. I'm going to revisit Org as perhaps I gave it short shrift back in the day. 3.5🌟
Epic album cover and epic music går
Ööö…. Nej tack!!!
I really like the sound palette on this, by using more analog electronics (I assume) it avoids the sort of ageing that some synth based albums from the 80s sometimes fall victim to. Also one of my favorite album covers, but I wouldn’t let that influence my score, would I?…;)
Yah Yah Yah
Pop electrónico. Alguna canción reconocible.
Megahits: Souvenir, Joan Of Arc
Electrónica. Algunas melodías pegadizas.
This was awesome. The 80s were rad.
Rating: 5/10
Excellent album with some cracking singles and a good mix of interesting experimental tracks.
OMG OMD. IMHO FAB.
Music to submerge yourself by
Certainly the birth of synth pop. It's GREAT! It's wondering to be study/work music but its solid and has a lot of emotion in the lyrics and environment. Dig! Souvenir is a killer track on this.
Yeah, decent. Like a cross between Kraftwerk and The Cure but actually more listenable. Not really what I’m into but certainly ahead of it’s time for 81.
Könnte teilweise auf FM4 als aktuell laufen. Eingängige new wave songs mit unpeinlichern experimentellen einflüssen dabei. Auf Sealand hört man Beirut. spannend wie sie dissonnante und weirde soundkullissen in total simple, tw. banale melodien auflösen. Geile sounds.
Aged very well
There are some truly memorable parts to this album, and some entirely forgettable parts. Great and rubbish in equal measure.
It's a good one from OMD
A couple of classics and the rest are pretty good. Nice to listen to. Like to hear more of this one. Standouts: Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans), Souvenir. Joan of Arc. Others: She's Leaving, 3/5
Radical e innovador para su epoca, Gran disco!
This album was one that confused me a lot as to its importance until I looked it up. In a lot of ways it sounds like a typical 80s synthpop album. However, it was released in 1981, which puts it way ahead of its time. Reframing it that way helped me contextualize this work. It's not one that particularly grabbed my interest, but it's good and was clearly influential in the decade it helped usher in
I found this a bit hit and miss, some really great tracks next to some mediocre ones, overall not bad, but not exceptional
Well.. No..
First song and thought it was a one star. But by the end of the album I loved it. Can hear inspiration that so many artists drew from OMD
Dit soort muziek heeft wel iets. Het is ook een beetje kale muziek, eenvoudig en simpel. Ik twijfel tussen goed en heel goed. ***
very nice!!!!
2/5 nope
Well I had a hard time finding the "original version of yhis album. TIDAL does not have it except as a bizarre compilation album that bears little resemblance to the original release. Searching individual tracks I put together a Playlist in the same order as the original release, but thar did not seem fair. So YouTube to the rescue. On to my review. I was only familiar with this band from my vinyl copy of Organization from oh so long ago. That album never connected with me other than Enola Gay. With this album I think OMD reached another level. More variesd and dramatic than Organization. Highlights are The New Stone Age, which rocks like no other OMD song I've ever heard, Sealand is achingly beautiful in it's sparseness and huge dramatic drum sound and Souvenir is synth pop at its finest. I think this album is stronger than Organization. I'm going to revisit Org as perhaps I gave it short shrift back in the day. 3.5🌟
Supreme synth music, almost in Kraftwerk class
more like architecture and mundanity...not a very exciting album. Honestly thought the band were one hit wonders and was surprised to see that album on this list. Would much rather listen to Kraftwerk. 2/5
Put me to sleep. Nothing else to say.
While I'm not the biggest fan of the album, the experimentation is well appreciated.
That’s more like it
meh
Nothing new.
a bit weird but not bad. I wasn't expecting that at all
Quite interesting and cool musically. Didn't do that much for me though.
I painted the ceiling of my bathroom to this album, and I have to say it lends itself quite well to that. I wasn't blown away, but I liked it.
Struck me as experimental synth. 80s flavor comes out in full force here. Fairly enjoyable album but probably wouldn't revisit.
Very adorable, it refers to quite nostalgian sounds, which I personally enjoy. Definitely good piece of synth-pop.
// Favs: Souvenir / Sealand / Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) Score: Light 4
L'arrivée de cet album dans le générateur confirme ce que je pensais depuis déjà un bon moment : Robert Dimery a un sens de l'humour très aiguisé. Je n'ai pas trop envie de m'attarder sur l'aspect musical de cet album qui est, nous l'avons tous compris, une sorte de poisson d'avril avant l'heure. On est en effet plongé dès l'introduction dans un ennui des plus profonds. Différents sons se mélangent, mais aucun ne parvient à attirer notre attention, et ce tout au long de l'écoute. De temps à autre, une voix dont on se serait bien passé vient se poser sur les instruments pour nous débiter différents couplets sans le moindre intérêt. Je soupçonne d'ailleurs le chanteur à qui celle-ci appartient d'être né de la même portée que le camarade Morrissey tant les deux voix sont horriblement similaires. À côté de cela, j'ai été très irrité de voir que mon analyse du genre de l'album comme étant majoritairement de l'"Ambient rock" n'a pas été partagée par Wikipedia qui a préféré le cataloguer de "Synth-pop". J'entrerai donc très bientôt en procès contre l'encyclopédie en ligne et vous tiendrai informés de chaque étape de la procédure. À bientôt chers lecteurs
Un album très interessant n'en déplaise a robtunnelier, qui doit être sanctionné pour sa mauvaise review. J'ai engagé mon propre paternel afin de mener la traque, et corriger comme il se doit rob. Il est actuellement en transit vers Stuttgart, et ne devrait plus tarder à remettre rob à sa place.
Interesting album. Very early electronic. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it.
Sounds a lot like discount Depeche Mode. Not bad but I don't know why I'd listen to this when I could just listen to Depeche Mode.
The most interesting Song is The New Stone Age. And much of the rest - I have not remembered
Muy bueno, me pareció muy avanzado para su época
I avoided them at my freshers’ ball. That is my main connection to this feeble synth doodling. Undeservedly revered.
Spotify doesn't even have the full album! The two singles they did have were alright. But I couldn't give this the full listening experience. Spent the day listening to I, Jonathan by Jonathan Richman instead.
I'm genuinely pretty shocked to be giving a new wave synth pop album five stars, but this was looooovely! I've never really listened to OMD before, except passive radio play, so I didn't really know what to expect, other than a vague idea they were very poppy? This was excellent - atmospheric, emotive, unexpected shifts happening mid song - it kinda prefigures post-rock! Fave track - "Sealand". Just - WOW.
Retrospectively turgid
Average...dated
I don’t really like 80s music
twas chill
The familiarity of the singles probably keeps them fresh. The general sound of the album and how different it was at the time soon got passed by. Others took it on developed it much further.
Very electric and very new wave. Did not have any re-listenability. Some songs were OK, but I was bored through most of it.
Didn't really get this when it was released, apart from the "Joan of Arc" single, so didn't buy it until a fair few years later. It's great!
Brutal.
No sé. Es que empieza bien, y continúa maso. Me gusta porque es chill y darketona, pero también hubo multiples momentos en los que pensé que estaba de hueva el mood, supo go que un poco ese era el punto . Fav: The New Stone Age (rolón)
Muy estraño, pero muy interesante. Me gustó creo todo, aunque lo identifico más para moods muy exactos. Entre movido de repente, sombrío, todo synth, a veces darks, no sé. "The New Stone Age", "Souvenir", "Sealand", "Sacred Heart", entre mis favs. No skips. 9.5/10
Dark, electronic, 80s new wave… what’s not to love here!!
The New Stone Age is such a banger but the rest of the album just drags after that.
Special. Synthpop, quand meme bon, je ne connaissais pas mais c’est tres atmosphErique. 4.10
Frankly, it's just boring to me. In the over-an-hour it takes for this album to wrap up, there's only a few tracks that caught my ear - Georgia, Architecture and Morality, and Motion and Heart; and even at that, A&M is over before it gets going (oddly enough given the problem with the majority of the album is the opposite), and the carnival-style novelty of Motion and Heart wore thin on me by the end. I understand and generally appreciate the appeal of an album that works as a whole, rather than as a collection of singles; however, I just didn't find the sounds on this appealing for the best part, and was ready for every song to end by the time it finally did. The crafted hooks weren't enough to get past the overly repetitive tracks on this, and the vocals grated on me. I respect the craft, and synthesized experimentation... I just really didn't find that this one hit the mark
I liked this for the most part except for the weird slow songs that were mostly electronic? idk if thats the right word. FS: Souvenir
Has some interesting moments, but generally fairly bland, and not very unique. On the higher end of 2 or the lower end of 3
Souvenir is big Pet Shop Boys and hence MGMT vibes. The percussive foundation of Sealife provides a rich textrual back drop... ahh nevermind. Early electronic can go one of two ways and this fell on the good side.
I definitely know I know something by this band. They have a big hit I think. My guess is it is not on this album. One of those John Hughes songs. These guys are exactly what I thought they were. The Smiths, The Clash, The Cure, that whole vibe. The New Stone Age - Electronic Emo. Experimental Kraftwerk stuff in here for sure. Depeche Mode feel, but less polished. More punk. She's Leaving - This one starts with a Joy Division sound. Souvenir - First of the "singles" off this album. Nice song. How was that a single? It was pretty "care-free" to me. Sealand - Avant Garde to say the least here. And it's a long one. Feels slightly pretentious so far, but for its time, this might have been a true demonstration of something. 4:00 before vocals set in. I just don't feel that this song held up as the anchor it apparently was designed to be. The industrial noise part made me laugh. Like now I'm expecting animal sounds like a goat or something to mix in...and if they do - I'll pee my pants. Joan of Arc - Second single off the album. First thought is, "Why?" but it's more of a metaphorical comparison I think. This has a stronger single feel than Souvenir. Maid of Orleans - So what's with the Joan of Arc motif? The music video for this one is...something. The message being, "we're smart." We read and play chess and know things about Joan of Arc. Also, here's a cross, so keep your faith? Architecture and Morality - Title track. And as title tracks go, it's a let down. More loud, industrial noises, all building to...nothing. I know this was inspired and inspiring, but without context, it's not something I want to listen to. Georgia - This one sounds like Devo. Or Donkey Kong? Some kind of commentary on Russia and the USSR? The Beginning and the End - Honestly, the guitar was a welcomed sound. These guys got a little too self-important I think. Give me synth pop, not a lecture. Sorry. Overall, experimental, somewhat interesting, but ultimately all over the place.
beautiful in an unexpected way
Barely makes it to the "OK enough for background music". Generally speaking, I only appreciate Enola Gay, and it's not even from this album of theirs...
22nd July 2021 Listened on my phone first thing while dozing in and out. Quiet week this week which is nice. Off to Norfolk this weekend... I really enjoyed this. Squishy 80s synth, nice.
I've already saved it in my albums, I THINK THAT SAYS SOMETHING nie skupiłam się bardzo na muzyce czy słowach, ale nie musiałam, wiem, że wrócę