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Smarting from Dazzle Ships' commercial failure, the band had a bit of a rethink when it came to their fifth album -- happily, the end result showed that the group was still firing on all fours. While very much a pop-oriented album and a clear retreat from the exploratory reaches of previous work, Junk Culture was no sacrifice of ideals in pursuit of cash. In comparison to the group's late-'80s work, when it seemed commercial success was all that mattered, Junk Culture exhibits all the best qualities of OMD at their most accessible -- instantly memorable melodies and McCluskey's distinct singing voice, clever but emotional lyrics, and fine playing all around. A string of winning singles didn't hurt, to be sure; indeed, opening number "Tesla Girls" is easily the group's high point when it comes to sheer sprightly pop, as perfect a tribute to obvious OMD inspirational source Sparks as any -- witty lines about science and romance wedded to a great melody (prefaced by a brilliant, hyperactive intro). "Locomotion" takes a slightly slower but equally entertaining turn, sneaking in a bit of steel drum to the appropriately chugging rhythm and letting the guest horn section take a prominent role, its sunny blasts offsetting the deceptively downcast lines McCluskey sings. Meanwhile, "Talking Loud and Clear" ends the record on a reflective note -- Cooper's intra-verse sax lines and mock harp snaking through the quiet groove of the song. As for the remainder of the album, if there are hints here and there of the less-successful late-'80s period, at other points the more adventurous side of the band steps up. The instrumental title track smoothly blends reggae rhythms with the haunting mock choirs familiar from earlier efforts, while the elegiac, Humphreys-sung "Never Turn Away" and McCluskey's "Hard Day" both make for lower-key highlights.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
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Martin Cooper, Producer, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Producer, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Tony Visconti, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gordian Troeller, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Vennik, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Faas, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Bart van Lier, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Troller, ComposerLyricist - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Producer, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Producer, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Producer, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Producer, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gordian Troeller, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Jackson, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 2
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
McCluskey, Composer - Humphreys, Composer - Andy McCluskey, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Paul Collister, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Fairbairn, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chester Valentino, Producer - Kneale, Composer - Julia Kneale, Author
℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Composer, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Producer - Andy McCluskey, Producer - Paul Humphreys, Producer - Malcolm Holmes, Producer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Composer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Tony Visconti, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gordian Troeller, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Vennik, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Faas, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Bart van Lier, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Troller, ComposerLyricist - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Maureen Humphreys, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, ComposerLyricist - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizer, Marimba, Computermusic Systems, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Computermusic Systems, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - Ronald Prent, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Andy McCluskey, Composer - Paul Humphreys, Composer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Tench, Producer
℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Holmes, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Holmes, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Cooper, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy McCluskey, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Humphreys, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Holmes, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, MainArtist - Martin Handsley Cooper, ComposerLyricist - Paul David Humphreys, ComposerLyricist - George Andrew McCluskey, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
Smarting from Dazzle Ships' commercial failure, the band had a bit of a rethink when it came to their fifth album -- happily, the end result showed that the group was still firing on all fours. While very much a pop-oriented album and a clear retreat from the exploratory reaches of previous work, Junk Culture was no sacrifice of ideals in pursuit of cash. In comparison to the group's late-'80s work, when it seemed commercial success was all that mattered, Junk Culture exhibits all the best qualities of OMD at their most accessible -- instantly memorable melodies and McCluskey's distinct singing voice, clever but emotional lyrics, and fine playing all around. A string of winning singles didn't hurt, to be sure; indeed, opening number "Tesla Girls" is easily the group's high point when it comes to sheer sprightly pop, as perfect a tribute to obvious OMD inspirational source Sparks as any -- witty lines about science and romance wedded to a great melody (prefaced by a brilliant, hyperactive intro). "Locomotion" takes a slightly slower but equally entertaining turn, sneaking in a bit of steel drum to the appropriately chugging rhythm and letting the guest horn section take a prominent role, its sunny blasts offsetting the deceptively downcast lines McCluskey sings. Meanwhile, "Talking Loud and Clear" ends the record on a reflective note -- Cooper's intra-verse sax lines and mock harp snaking through the quiet groove of the song. As for the remainder of the album, if there are hints here and there of the less-successful late-'80s period, at other points the more adventurous side of the band steps up. The instrumental title track smoothly blends reggae rhythms with the haunting mock choirs familiar from earlier efforts, while the elegiac, Humphreys-sung "Never Turn Away" and McCluskey's "Hard Day" both make for lower-key highlights.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 25 track(s)
- Total length: 01:53:02
- Main artists: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the dark (OMD)
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Electronic
© 2015 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2015 Virgin Records Limited
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