Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

03/27/201301/29/2021

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) rose to prominence in 1980 with the song “Enola Gay”. This synthpop gem was guaranteed to fill New Wave dance floors.

The band, originally founded by Andy McCluskey (vocals, bass guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards, vocals), continued on and off for years, finally disbanding in 1996 only to reform 10 years later.

Their 2nd album since reformation, English Electric, is due in a couple of weeks.

“Metroland”, the new single, has that classic OMD sound.

“Enola Gay”

“Metroland”

11/30/201006/06/2011

Gorillaz cover the xx

The inspired songwriting of this year’s Mercury Music Prize winner the xx has engendered covers of their songs by a wide diversity of artists from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (heard here in a previous post) to Shakira. Now we have a lovely acoustic version of “Crystalised” by Gorillaz.

Songs reinterpreted take on new meaning as we hear lyrics in a new voice and new light. Damon Albarn’s somber vocal adds a touch of pensive sadness to the Song of the Day.

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“Crystalised” by Gorillaz

11/22/2010

OMD

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark formed in 1978 and lasted in various incarnations until 1996. Part of the synth-pop new wave, OMD’s early songs “Electricity” and “Enola Gay” were guaranteed to fill the dance floor at New Wave dance emporiums. The height of the band’s popularity was in the early 80’s.

After a ten-year absence OMD reformed in 2006 with the original classic line-up: the two principles– Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys–plus Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper. And now Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark has just released History of Modern, their first album in fourteen years!

The band is offering a free download of the demo for the song “Sister Marie Says” on their website. Not included on the album is OMD’s cool cover of a song by The xx (this year’s Mercury Prize winner). “VCR” is the Song of the Day.

VCR (rough mix) by OMD