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OMD's glistening run of top-flight singles and chart domination came to a temporary but dramatic halt with Dazzle Ships, the point where the band's pushing of boundaries reached their furthest limit. McCluskey, Humphreys, and company couldn't take many listeners with them, though, and it's little surprise why -- a couple of moments aside, Dazzle Ships is pop of the most fragmented kind, a concept album released in an era that had nothing to do with such conceits. On its own merits, though, it is dazzling indeed, a Kid A of its time that never received a comparative level of contemporary attention and appreciation. Indeed, Radiohead's own plunge into abstract electronics and meditations on biological and technological advances seems to be echoing the themes and construction of Dazzle Ships. What else can be said when hearing the album's lead single, the soaring "Genetic Engineering," with its Speak & Spell toy vocals and an opening sequence that also sounds like the inspiration for "Fitter, Happier," for instance? Why it wasn't a hit remains a mystery, but it and the equally enjoyable, energetic "Telegraph" and "Radio Waves" are definitely the poppiest moments on the album. Conceived around visions of cryptic Cold War tension, the rise of computers in everyday life, and European and global reference points -- time zone recordings and snippets of shortwave broadcasts -- Dazzle Ships beats Kraftwerk at their own game, science and the future turned into surprisingly warm, evocative songs or sudden stop-start instrumental fragments. "Dazzle Ships (Parts II, III, and VII)" itself captures the alien feeling of the album best, with its distanced, echoing noises and curious rhythms, sliding into the lovely "The Romance of the Telescope." "This Is Helena" works in everything from what sounds like heavily treated and flanged string arrangements to radio announcer samples, while "Silent Running" becomes another in the line of emotional, breathtaking OMD ballads, McCluskey's voice the gripping centerpiece.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
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Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2011 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Maureen Humphreys, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist - John Floyd, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Dunkley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jean Michel Reusser, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ward, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Lawrence, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sue Sawyer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Stark, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dirk Hohmeyer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Composer, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Davies, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Holmes, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Rhett Davis, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Composer, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, ComposerLyricist - Rhett Davis, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
OMD, Composer - Rhett Davis, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ian Little, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Brian Tench, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Nixon, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARUN CHAKRAVERTY, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2008 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2008 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
OMD's glistening run of top-flight singles and chart domination came to a temporary but dramatic halt with Dazzle Ships, the point where the band's pushing of boundaries reached their furthest limit. McCluskey, Humphreys, and company couldn't take many listeners with them, though, and it's little surprise why -- a couple of moments aside, Dazzle Ships is pop of the most fragmented kind, a concept album released in an era that had nothing to do with such conceits. On its own merits, though, it is dazzling indeed, a Kid A of its time that never received a comparative level of contemporary attention and appreciation. Indeed, Radiohead's own plunge into abstract electronics and meditations on biological and technological advances seems to be echoing the themes and construction of Dazzle Ships. What else can be said when hearing the album's lead single, the soaring "Genetic Engineering," with its Speak & Spell toy vocals and an opening sequence that also sounds like the inspiration for "Fitter, Happier," for instance? Why it wasn't a hit remains a mystery, but it and the equally enjoyable, energetic "Telegraph" and "Radio Waves" are definitely the poppiest moments on the album. Conceived around visions of cryptic Cold War tension, the rise of computers in everyday life, and European and global reference points -- time zone recordings and snippets of shortwave broadcasts -- Dazzle Ships beats Kraftwerk at their own game, science and the future turned into surprisingly warm, evocative songs or sudden stop-start instrumental fragments. "Dazzle Ships (Parts II, III, and VII)" itself captures the alien feeling of the album best, with its distanced, echoing noises and curious rhythms, sliding into the lovely "The Romance of the Telescope." "This Is Helena" works in everything from what sounds like heavily treated and flanged string arrangements to radio announcer samples, while "Silent Running" becomes another in the line of emotional, breathtaking OMD ballads, McCluskey's voice the gripping centerpiece.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 18 track(s)
- Total length: 00:59:49
- Main artists: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the dark (OMD)
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Catalogue
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2008 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2008 Virgin Records Limited
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