English Electric: Deluxe Edition

I'm a huge synth pop fan, especially of 80s music. Sure, fashion was questionable during that decade, but some of the most unique/original music came from that period, due to the explosion of electronic instruments in recordings (electronic drums, digital synths). I wasn't as much into OMD as other groups, but the few singles I heard from them back in those days were always catchy.I lost touch with OMD for a couple of decades, and rediscovered them with this album. Based on what I've heard leading up to this, it seems they've returned to their roots a bit with this release. There are a lot of 80s-inspired tunes here, along with their patented synth melodies that mirror the vocal lines. I hear glimpses of Pet Shop Boys and Information Society (yikes, remember that one?) scattered about.In full disclosure, I probably would have cherry-picked a few tracks from this album instead of buying the whole thing, if it weren't for amazon.com's $5 album sale.My favorite tracks are Night Cafe, Kissing the Machine, Stay with Me, Helen of Troy, and Dresden. Other tracks are so-so, and some are just filler between two tracks. Overall, I think this album is what some fans have been wanting for a while.

Even though I was a big fan of this band in the 1980s, I missed hearing their previous "comeback" album, "History of Modern." But this new release caught my eye recently and I decided to order it. After many listenings, I can safely proclaim that it's caught my ear too. A very impressive album from start to finish. The songs are so good, dripping with that classic OMD sound, that it sounds like the band hasn't lost a beat over the years. Nor have they lost their knack for writing catchy, melodic snyth-pop tunes. This is a like an '80s time capsule exploding in your ears!And those gorgeous vocals remain one of the band's strengths. It sounds like Andy McCluskey has been drinking from the fountain of youth. Really, you'd swear it was a man 20-30 years younger singing these songs. Plenty of good songs on here, and several truly great ones also. Everyone one will have different favorites, another indication of the high quality of tunes on this CD. I think most OMD fans will be thrilled with this new album. I'm very happy to hear OMD making such vibrant music once again.

Delivery was fast and price was right. I liked OMD when they first came out in the 80s. The first four albums were fantastic and very different from what other artist were composing. Their fourth album Junk Culture was very pop/dance oriented but it was extremely catchy. Architecture and Morality was my favorite. The band eventually stagnated trying too hard to be pop/dance oriented to sell lots of albums so I quickly lost interest. When I read the reviews, the majority focused on OMD's return to form, if you liked early OMD you will like this. I decided to give it a shot and was glad I did. The compositions are a nice blend between the early and mid period of OMD career and seems to have figured out how to bring out the best of both worlds, experimental and dance / pop. This CD should appeal to all OMD fans although in my opinion this whole style of electronic music is dated but still fun and this CD makes it seem fresh again.

After the other members of OMD left in the late 80s, the later releases with just Andy on board were, IMO, bad dance/club type music. My taste in music tends to be more guitar/live instrument based simply because there are very few synth oriented bands who's music really stands up over time without sounding dated. OMD's early output was original with great melodies and a soulfulness in Andy's vocals. I've missed that band and was happy to hear that Paul, Malcolm and Martin were returning a few years ago. History of Modern was a step in the right direction, but IMO didn't live up to OMD's early output.I ordered the vinyl version of English Electric (which comes with a cd of the album as well), put it on and it's like hearing a long lost classic OMD record - beginning to end. It's a perfect beginning to end album. It sounds so fresh (dare I say, youthful?). I'm not an "80s music" guy. Quite a few great bands/artists came out of that decade but I've always bought new music and kept an interest in new bands - particularly more rock oriented bands. The only reason I mention that is to make the point that this is a great record period rather than simply a "retro" record with limited appeal to 80s music fans (though it would certainly appeal to those as well). Great music is timeless, and this album has that timeless quality about it.After seeing some clips of OMD performing this year at Coachella and hearing English Electric - OMD have, in my mind, gone from being simply a band who got back together to make some new music to a band who are hungry and vital again. I hear their live shows have been awesome (and I believe it after seeing the Coachella clips) and wish they would tour the southern U.S. so I could check them out live for myself. English Electric is a welcome surprise. Really thought OMD's best days were long behind them but they've kicked that notion down the road.

Too electronic for me. While I applaud their keeping up with the times, I prefer the excellent HISTORY OF MODERN that preceeded this. This is the e first and only OMD album I have resold. I go back to 1980 with these guys, and am glad they reformed.

Ok, this is a great album, just a tiny step below The History of Modern, but what we are reviewing here is the deluxe set. What's deluxe about it? It has a bonus DVD with it. On the DVD is a decent interview with Paul and Andy, sadly no interview with the other two members that Paul and Andy insist are vital to the band, let them talk guys! Also is a track by track guide to the songs, and some animations that I'm not real sure why they are there. So does this DVD make it worth the extra $5-10 bucks? Not really, but if you are a true OMD fan, you've stopped reading by now and have already bought the bonus set. That's fine, the boys can use the extra money!

I have to say upfront that I was never a big OMD fan even though I quite liked Enola Gay. I listen to mostly prog rock such as IQ, Genesis, Physics House Band and Public Service Broadcasting amongst others and I'm always on the lookout for something a little different. Listening to the bulk of OMD's other stuff recently, it is essentially pleasant but (to my mind) nothing special and I would not listen to these again. However, this album is an actual revelation! It's almost like overnight they have grown up into something far more mature. The production values are superb and the songs themselves are cleverly (and thoughtfully) put together with lyrics that are considered and poignant. In an interview, they stated that they worked together in the same location for this album instead of remotely - and it shows. There is nothing like being in the same room to hammer out disagreements and to obtain perfection. Track 1 isn't really a proper track, as such, but is a scene-setter intro for the rest of the album which is a really nice touch. The album proper starts with the absolutely superb Metroland. At over 7 minutes in length this song is allowed to breath and I never stop playing this track, playing it at least once a day. It is one of my favourite pop tunes of all time and the lyrics are plain clever. Give it some volume! Interestingly, my other favourite track is the final track on the album - Final Song. Usually most albums tail off after a couple or three decent tracks. This album just keeps going and finishes on a high (to me) with a strange ethereal offering, Final Song. There is something catchy about it that I can't quite put my finger on. Brilliant. To summarize, you will like this album even if you don't like OMD. Buy it!

Awful album, just got it on strength of Helen Of Troy that I heard through Amazon music, then looked at other people's reviews, which I honestly can't understand. Most of the album sounds like a experimental Mish mash of various broadcasting with a few synth sounds thrown in. Used to like OMD back in the day and after hearing track already mentioned, thought I'd give them another listen to, but this particular album is just dross, I know they can do much better if they gave a damn

Great 180g pressing in nice sturdy picture sleeve. This album was very much a return to form after the slightly patchy History of Modern, and feels like the band contributed to most tracks rather than just Andy (with Paul helping with the programming/production). Shame Mal has since had to retire from the band (effectively) due to health reasons, certainly on touring, so this is great album to feature the 4 original members.Several influences here, including Kraftwerk very heavily in the first single, but all with OMD's unique twist on things. Nice one, guys!

I have had every OMD album up to The Pacific Age for ages and love them all. I recently checked in to see if there were other worthy contenders from more recent times and have now added Sugar Tax and Punishment of Luxury to my CD collection. However my abslolute recent favourite is English Electric. I am always wary of late career albums, and others reviews (usually mega-fans) but this album is actually superb and has not been out of my CD player since getting it. Very polished, slick and very modern yet still classic OMD elements throughout. Excellent. Love it, love it...do give it a try.

Not as good as the Punishment of Luxury, but still very enjoyable. I'm pleased to see OMD are keeping their prices reasonable too. They're keeping up with the times without alienating their devotees of the 80's, and that's all to the good.