Organisation

by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Overview

If OMD's debut album showed the band could succeed just as well on full-length efforts as singles, Organisation upped the ante even further, situating the band in the enviable position of at once being creative innovators and radio-friendly pop giants. That was shown as much by the astounding lead track and sole single from the album, "Enola Gay." Not merely a great showcase for new member Holmes, whose live-wire drumming took the core electronic beat as a launching point and easily outdid it, "Enola Gay" is a flat-out pop classic -- clever, heartfelt, thrilling, and confident, not to mention catchy and arranged brilliantly. The outrageous use of the atomic bomb scenario -- especially striking given the era's nuclear war fears -- informs the seemingly giddy song with a cut-to-the-quick fear and melancholy, and the result is captivating. Far from being a one-hit wonder, though, Organisation is packed with a number of gems, showing the band's reach and ability continuing to increase. Holmes slots into the band's efforts perfectly, steering away from straightforward time structures while never losing the core dance drive, able to play both powerfully and subtly. McCluskey's singing, his own brand of sweetly wounded soul for a different age and approach, is simply wonderful -- the clattering industrial paranoia of "The Misunderstanding" results in wrenching wails, a moody cover of "The More I See You" results in a deeper-voiced passion. Everything from the winsome claustrophobia of "VCL XI" and the gentle, cool flow on "Statues" to the quirky boulevardier swing of "Motion and Heart" has a part to play. Meanwhile, album closer "Stanlow," inspired by the power plant where McCluskey's father worked, concluded things on a haunting note, murky mechanical beats and a slow, mournful melody leading the beautiful way. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	11/09/2018
Label:	Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602557050837

Tracks

1. Enola Gay
2. 2nd Thought
3. VCL XI
4. Motion and Heart
5. Statues
6. The Misunderstanding
7. The More I See You
8. Promise
9. Stanlow
10. Annex
11. Introducing Radios
12. Distance Fades Between Us
13. Progress
14. Once When I Was Six
15. Electricity

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark   Primary Artist
Paul Humphreys   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Percussion,Synthesizer,Electronic Piano,Electronic Percussion
Andy McCluskey   Organ,Vocals,Percussion,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Treated Piano,Electronic Percussion
Malcolm Holmes   Drums,Percussion

Technical Credits

Paul Browne   Liner Notes
Paul Humphreys   Composer,Interviewee,Programming
Andy McCluskey   Composer,Interviewee,Programming
Sonny Rollins   Composer
Simon Heyworth   Remastering
Max Norman   Engineer
Phil Collins   Composer
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark   Producer
Mike Howlett   Producer
Grant Hart   Composer
Mack Gordon   Composer
Michael Nyman   Composer
Harry Warren   Composer
Laurence Diana   Producer
Peter Saville   Cover Design
Trevor Key   Cover Design
Peter Woolliscroft   Assistant Engineer