The three much-anticipated album releases by 80s New Wave icons this early 2013 were completed with the release of OMD’s 12th studio album, English Electric last April 8,
2013. First to be
released was New Order’s Lost Sirens last January 14 followed by Depeche Mode’s Delta Machine on March 25.
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| New Order - Lost Sirens |
Lost Sirens is a mini-album with eight tracks. Seven tracks are new releases and one re-worked( "I Told You So") from their previous album.
As the title implies the songs here are outtakes or unreleased tracks taken from New Order’s recording sessions for Waiting For The
Siren's Call album around 2004-’05. The songs were intended to be included in
their follow- up album but due to the band’s
unexpected demise in 2007 they
were shelved.
After New Order's ressurection in 2011 , the 'lost' songs were finally given the light of day. New Order's current line-up are: Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Phil Cunningham, the returning Gillian Gilbert and new bassist Tom Chapman( replacing founder and bassist Peter Hook).
All I can say is. for an album consisting of outtakes, this has exceeded my expectations . Although it doesn’t have any “Krafty” and “Jetstream,” outstanding type of songs , it is more consistent and at times (with its feel good vibes) more enjoyable compared with the parent album itself. Aside for being a nice addition to New Order’s catalogue, this cd is a must- have for New Order aficionados as this may be the last New Order album with Peter Hook in it. My favorites tracks are, “I’ll Stay With You” “Sugarcane”, “Hellbent” and I’ve Got a Feeling.”
After New Order's ressurection in 2011 , the 'lost' songs were finally given the light of day. New Order's current line-up are: Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Phil Cunningham, the returning Gillian Gilbert and new bassist Tom Chapman( replacing founder and bassist Peter Hook).
All I can say is. for an album consisting of outtakes, this has exceeded my expectations . Although it doesn’t have any “Krafty” and “Jetstream,” outstanding type of songs , it is more consistent and at times (with its feel good vibes) more enjoyable compared with the parent album itself. Aside for being a nice addition to New Order’s catalogue, this cd is a must- have for New Order aficionados as this may be the last New Order album with Peter Hook in it. My favorites tracks are, “I’ll Stay With You” “Sugarcane”, “Hellbent” and I’ve Got a Feeling.”
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| Depeche Mode - Delta Machine |
Delta Machine is
the 13th studio album offering from dark-synth
guru Depeche Mode. Among their
contemporaries, Depeche Mode I would say
is the most dependable when it comes to producing great albums. They have a
formidable back catalogue and have been regularly rolling out new music
every 4 years since their 1993 opus
Songs of Faith and Devotion.
Delta Machine is another solid release. In fact, I think this has to be among their most consistent and most accessible music. Even their great albums in the 80s sort of tapers. Not this one, as it begins and ends strongly.
Compared with their last two releases, the excellent Playing the Angel and Sounds of the Universe , I wasn’t induced to a narcoleptic spell in the slow middle part of this album during my initial spins. In fact, it took me only a few spins to have a firm grasp of the entire album.
All twelve songs are good and memorable. My favorites however, are “Welcome to My World,” “Angel,” “Heaven,” ”The Child Inside,” "Alone" ”Soothe My Soul”and the two most classic-Depeche Mode sounding tracks (surprisingly penned by Gahan) “Broken” and “Should be Higher."
Although this is a very good album , one thing I can say that it lacks when you compare it with their previous releases in the past decade is, it doesn’t contain any strong song that even non-Depeche Mode fan would take notice of like “Wrong”, “Precious”, ” A Pain That’ I’m Used to”, and “Suffer Well ”among others.
Delta Machine is another solid release. In fact, I think this has to be among their most consistent and most accessible music. Even their great albums in the 80s sort of tapers. Not this one, as it begins and ends strongly.
Compared with their last two releases, the excellent Playing the Angel and Sounds of the Universe , I wasn’t induced to a narcoleptic spell in the slow middle part of this album during my initial spins. In fact, it took me only a few spins to have a firm grasp of the entire album.
All twelve songs are good and memorable. My favorites however, are “Welcome to My World,” “Angel,” “Heaven,” ”The Child Inside,” "Alone" ”Soothe My Soul”and the two most classic-Depeche Mode sounding tracks (surprisingly penned by Gahan) “Broken” and “Should be Higher."
Although this is a very good album , one thing I can say that it lacks when you compare it with their previous releases in the past decade is, it doesn’t contain any strong song that even non-Depeche Mode fan would take notice of like “Wrong”, “Precious”, ” A Pain That’ I’m Used to”, and “Suffer Well ”among others.
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| OMD - English Electric |
English Electric is OMD’s 12th studio album and their second since the band reformed in 2005.
I thought History of Modern their 11th album was an excellent comeback album. I noted that
although it was promoted as having elements that goes as far back as 1981, it is more connected to the
polished pop ( to a positive sense) sound of OMD in the 1990s under McCluskey’s sole helm.
English Electric, stylistically marks a return or revisits the classic OMD in their golden period of Architecture and Morality in 1981 and in their most experimental album Dazzleship in 1983.
For me this album is a paradox.
First, this excellent release sounds very fresh and invigorating although it has many references to their previous works and past influences. “Metroland” has an obvious Kraftwerk-ish sound. “Kissing the Machine” is actually a track written by Karl Bartos (formerly of Kraftwerk) and Andy McCluskey that already appeared in the former’s album more that 20 years ago. It was re-worked for this OMD release. “Helen of Troy,” an odd choice for a subject in a pop song reminded me of “Joan of Arc.” "Dresden” has some influences from “Sister Marie Says” and “Enola Gay.” Paul Humphreys even checked in with a gorgeous ballad, “Stay With Me” which somewhat reminded me of "Souvenir." The album itself was patterned after Dazzleship with the following tracks, “Please Remain Seated,” ”The Future Will Be Silent,” “Decimal,” and “Atomic Ranch” consisting of music–collage, seeming voice samplings, futuristic and robotic blips and synth sequences among others.
Second, owing to its very experimental nature, Dazzleship is actually my least- favorite OMD album; but " English Electric” which is undoubtedly a modern take on Dazzleship, blew me away.
Despite its unconventionality, it is concise, cohesive, very listenable, highly enjoyable and I would say recommendable even to non-OMD fanatics . It easily thumps History of Modern which I consider as among their best work. Perhaps with some modern touch, they achieved a fine balance between their old quirky experimental stuff and their fine pop sensibilities here.
Aside from the first single, ”Metroland”, “Night Café”, “Helen of Troy”, ”Kissing The Machine”, “Stay With Me”, and “Dresden” are all potential singles.
All in all, I think this is a triumphant OMD release and will definitely sit among their best works.
English Electric, stylistically marks a return or revisits the classic OMD in their golden period of Architecture and Morality in 1981 and in their most experimental album Dazzleship in 1983.
For me this album is a paradox.
First, this excellent release sounds very fresh and invigorating although it has many references to their previous works and past influences. “Metroland” has an obvious Kraftwerk-ish sound. “Kissing the Machine” is actually a track written by Karl Bartos (formerly of Kraftwerk) and Andy McCluskey that already appeared in the former’s album more that 20 years ago. It was re-worked for this OMD release. “Helen of Troy,” an odd choice for a subject in a pop song reminded me of “Joan of Arc.” "Dresden” has some influences from “Sister Marie Says” and “Enola Gay.” Paul Humphreys even checked in with a gorgeous ballad, “Stay With Me” which somewhat reminded me of "Souvenir." The album itself was patterned after Dazzleship with the following tracks, “Please Remain Seated,” ”The Future Will Be Silent,” “Decimal,” and “Atomic Ranch” consisting of music–collage, seeming voice samplings, futuristic and robotic blips and synth sequences among others.
Second, owing to its very experimental nature, Dazzleship is actually my least- favorite OMD album; but " English Electric” which is undoubtedly a modern take on Dazzleship, blew me away.
Despite its unconventionality, it is concise, cohesive, very listenable, highly enjoyable and I would say recommendable even to non-OMD fanatics . It easily thumps History of Modern which I consider as among their best work. Perhaps with some modern touch, they achieved a fine balance between their old quirky experimental stuff and their fine pop sensibilities here.
Aside from the first single, ”Metroland”, “Night Café”, “Helen of Troy”, ”Kissing The Machine”, “Stay With Me”, and “Dresden” are all potential singles.
All in all, I think this is a triumphant OMD release and will definitely sit among their best works.
Adding these three albums from New Order, Depeche Mode, and Orchestral Manoeuvres
in the Dark to their previous releases (' 90s and '00s), as well as that from Morrissey, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Church, U2, Pet Shop Boys, Bad
Lieutenant, Wild Swans, Roddy Frame, Lotus Eaters, and Duran Duran among many others, reinforces the fact that New
Wave music has always been alive and well.
