Search - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark :: Architecture & Morality

An album that will stay with you

race_of_doom | USA | 04/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always liked the whole new wave scene, even if I was born a couple years too late to witness it myself. My obsession started around the age of 10, when I bought numerous 80's pop compilations and eventually found the more adventerous post-punkish stuff more interesting.One thing that so-called "synth pop" had not done with me was connect on a deep emotional level, besides New Order and some other bands of that nature. I remember distinctly trying to get into Modern English not too long ago. Although I liked most of their "After the Snow" LP, it was never personal. No emotions were exchanged. It sounded good, but I never really felt anything.I pretty much had lost all hope for this very specific genre after that. I didn't look into any band nor cared to. And then, thanks to some... er... filesharing service, I stumbled upon "The New Stone Age." It immedietely worked for me -- the impressively rough synth noises above the slightly distorted acoustic guitar sounded so violent, so different, so new. And McCluskey's vocals were interesting as well; he shouted each word with this sense of intense anxiety and fear of something of which I have no idea. Especially fetching is the line "oh my God/what have we done this time?"I finally gave in and bought the newly remastered edition. Unfortunately, I must confess that I did not care for the album as a whole at first. It was pretty slow moving for the most part, and nothing else on the album sounded quite like "The New Stone Age" (which of course stupidly disappointed me). Admidst all of this complaining in my head, a couple of days went by. It was then that I realized that I had listened to the thing about six times. Why would I listen to an album that much if I disliked it so?I've since come to terms with it and now find it endlessly fascinating. "Souvenir" is my favorite. The music is mysteriously detached and yet highly emotional at the same time (the same could be said for almost the entire album). I still can't get over the part when the main synth line kicks in at the beginning.Another great one is "Sealand." It's one of those songs that you wouldn't mind going on forever, even if it's already eight minutes long.Besides the three aforementioned songs, every other song on this wonderful nine song LP is amazing as well. From the beautiful synth stylings of "She's Leaving" to the curiously moving sounds found on the title track, everything simply works.So, in conclusion: I love this album for how the cover looks, I love this album for how precise and edgily "cold" it sounds, and above all, I love this album for the way it makes me feel. No other album in recent memory has evoked such strong feelings inside."Architecture & Morality" is proof that synth-pop actually can have emotion."

A must have

Analog | Planet Earth | 12/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Possibly the best album ever released by OMD, and now remastered, it contains several great bonus tracks. If you buy this album, you need not even waste time or money on Dazzle Ships, because the two best songs from DS are on this album--Romance of the Telescope and Of All the Things We've Made. Reading in the liner notes of the CD is the story of how OMD wanted to forge foreward with their sound on this album, to avoid becoming stagnant or sounding predictable. This album is anything but predictable. The New Stone Age is arguably the best song OMD has ever done, unbelievable and so unlike anything they ever made before. Although I love OMD's two previous efforts just as much as this, I think this was the last truly unparallelled and amazing album OMD ever did, besides Sugar Tax. If you are looking for an album that epitomizes the OMD sound, this is it, and you get the bonus of a few excellent extra tracks, all remastered and sounding better than ever. This is a good place to start for anyone looking to get into OMD. Totally excellent, and to this day, no synth rock band has ever made a masterpiece that comes close to this."

One of the greatest albums in Electronic Music History

viceman71 | Binghamton, NY USA | 11/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yep...without a doubt. This album is where it's at. Forget all the so-called tags like "synth-pop" or "new wave". This album transcends any classification of the sort. Andy McCluskey & Paul Humphreys were the Lennon & McCartney of Liverpool in the 80's. If the Beatles had ever decided to make a "synth" album (heaven forbid), it probably would've sounded quite similar to this album. I can't say enough about how great this album iz. So I'll keep it brief. Melodies, harmonies, & emotional angst. Pure electronic pop ecstasy. Clearly one of the most influential albums to come out of 1981. And now it's been re-mastered in fully digital glory !!! Best tracks: SHE'S LEAVING, GEORGIA, SEALAND, MAID OF ORLEANS (will move you to tears), and SOUVENIR. What more could you ask for, except maybe for OMD to get off their duffs & get back together. 2004 will mark their 25th Anniversary. If Duran Duran & Echo can do it....OMD sure az hell can. I wish that Andy & Paul could understand the vast positive impact they had on pop music, & also on the lives of so many people. Oh well....enough ranting. You MUST have this album in your collection. Arguably OMD's finest hour. And hopefully, not their last."