Elly Roberts reviews
Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark (OMD):
Architecture And Morality (Collector’s Edition CD & DVD)
Distributed by
Virgin/EMI
- April 2007
- Rating: CD: 6/10, DVD: 6/10
Back in the day, OMD ruled the airways with classy synth-driven pop hits.
This expanded and remastered release on Virgin/EMI brings the memories
flooding back. The time was the early '80s when Depeche Mode, Soft Cell,
Human league ruled the roost, alongside OMD of course.
They were frequent chart visitors with the nucleus of bassist-keyboardist
Andy McCluskey and synthman Paul Humphries. This Liverpool-based duo
released Architecture & Morality in late August 1981, spawning their
second top ten single Souvenir on the back of 1980 hit Enola Gay.
Two more followed, Joan Of Arc in October '81 and then Maid Of New
Orleans in January '82. Amongst the hits there are experimental outings
such as semi-instrumental Sealand, which in reality is no more than
an album filler, containing sparse drums and cacophonous f/x, with the title
track bringing spacey soundscapes, rendering it nothing more than ‘synth
exercises’ in the studio.
So is The Beginning Of The End. Sprightly Georgia restores
some pop sensibilities with its thumping bass and jangly keys. Of the
seven bonus tracks, Extended Souvenir and Gravity Never Failed
are of any real significance, unless you a big fan of course.
By today’s standards, the film footage recorded at the Theatre Royal London
on 29 October 1981, isn’t particularly exciting, simple camera angles etc.
With OMD expanded to a quintet they give a good account of themselves.
Joan Of Arc, Maid Of Orleans, Statues and Enola Gay (introduced
by McCluskey with "This next song definitely falls into the category of a
pop song", only to be greeted by sporadic jeers) all sound great live.
Pulsating Electricity brings the fans to their feet for a bout of bopping.
A full track listing can be seen via the Amazon link above.
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
