English Electric

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.

I can't even make it clear through the CD yet since I keep putting a few of the songs on repeat (as I'm driving to and from work). It's great to enjoy their sound with some new and very compelling music. Having listened to them as a teen (in the 80's) it's interesting how much I find myself connecting to the lyrics of this- "the future that you anticipated has been cancelled..." is not something that a younger band would write- that's for certain. But it's all the more enjoyable as a result. I also find the line from one of the songs that states, "the future is a shadow of today" to be very compelling.

OMG... THIS OMD CD is OTH..... i always did love the OMD sound; but let me tell you ; this CD is a must for ANYONE, not just OMD FANS; its like they didnt miss a beat at all.. i dont really know if they continued recording since "back then in the 80's"; but the songs are great... very OMD, but totally modern... its like the whole CD "TAKES YOU BACK... BUT AT THE SAME TIME TAKES YOU INTO THE FUTURE".... ABSOLUTELY A MUST HAVE.... love it

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.

I LOVE this album! It's OMD back in peak form. It seems "History of Modern" was just more of a warm up for the reunion, "English Electric" has OMD firing on all cylidners. Part electronic experimentation of "Organisation" and "Dazzle Ships", part pop bliss of "Crush" and "The Pacific Age", OMD seems to have gotten their confidence back and made their best album in 20 years. A must for OMD fans!

It's hard for me to say if this is THE best, they've had some good ones over the years, but this is definitely better than the last one, and it's got some very catchy tunes on it. Overall I give it 5 stars - very happy with this one, whereas the last OMD album was kind of a letdown.

I have liked OMD forever. When I heard about this thing I was pretty happy, though my chance of getting my hands on one of these things seemed slim. Only 300 produced in the US. Regardless I got my hands on this set and couldn't be happier. Everything you want to know about these guys is in here and it is just a fun little set. There are songs and videos of their greatest stuff. If you already have everything you could skip this but if you are a completest, you are going to have to find yourself a copy.

Some anticipated albums this year have been disappointing, but English Electric exceeded my expectations. It is a mix of pop tunes and quirky soundscapes, much like OMD's older albums from the 1980's. But the sound is crisp and contemporary, with hints of timbres you would hear in today's dubstep.

Après être revenu en 2010 avec l'album History of Modern, OMD nous gratifie d'un nouvel album. Le résultat est fabuleux, supérieur à 2010. Le son est intemporel, il pourrait être fait en 80 90 ou 2000. On sent que Paul & Andy sont heureux de leur retour après une brouille de 89 à 2005 à cause du son pop qu'avait pris OMD. Ici on est dans ce que faisait OMD - influencé par Kraftwerk en 83 (dazzle ships) Metroland est le premier extrait et c'est celui qui est le plus significatif Entre chansons minimalistes et d'autres plus pop avec le style OMD, c'est pour moi l'album de l'épanouissement total. Chapeau !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

El CD llegó muy rápido, bien empaquetado y funciona perfectamente.

If you are an OMD fan who thinks "Junk Culture" was their worst album, you will love this one. I think of this as a must have.

also ich kann mich den positiven anmerkungen hier nur anschliessen... das ding läuft seit gestern hier durchgehend, und die nachbarn beschweren sich bestimmt bald.... als ich vor ein paar monaten eine vorabveröffentlichung von ich glaube decimal war's gehört habe, da dachte ich "ach herrje, wenn das ganze album so ist, dann gutnacht." es ist natürlich nicht so, und man mag zu den "lückenfüllern" wie please remain seated oder auch atomic ranch stehen wie man will: ich find, es hat nichts mit musik zu tun. aber irgendwie wirkt es doch, es hat was, es funktioniert in der gesamtheit, so als kleine auflockerung zwischen SEHR meldodischen stücken... und DARAUF kommts meiner meinung nach an: auf gute melodien. egal, ob die einfach sind oder nicht. die einfachen sind oft die besten. und auch auf die einfachen muss man erstmal kommen:-) stimmlich hört sich's so an, als wären keine zwanzig oder noch mehr jahre vergangen... immer noch unverkennbar andy. auch das ist ja nicht selbstverständlich. also ich finds super! thank you for reading and enjoy the album:-)

Brilliant work, fantastic music from start to finish! Over the decades OMD always give so much to the listener in every song and album they create, B-sides included. If English Electric and their previous album History of Modern are to be OMD's final recordings, I will be devastated but very thankful for these last two masterpieces. What a way to go out if OMD do hang it up for good.. but please don't. I'm not going to review each song track by track (that's for each listener to decide) or do ridiculous comparisons to past OMD albums. There is no reason to compare the old with the new; nothing remains the same through time and experience. This music is new, timeless, beautiful, inspiring, engaging and fully dance-able if your body still allows it. As always, Andy McCluskey's voice is so distinctive and the most moving and prominent instrument in their work. English Electric and History of Modern are pure OMD for the 21st century, Buy it, buy them both now and while you're at it, check out their previous releases too. The English Electric box set is well worth the price with all of it's contents including, M & H's autographs, photos, lyric booklet, 2 bonus discs (a dvd and a demo cd) and a blue vinyl record featuring "Our System" and "Frontline". I'm so thrilled that I was able to find the box set through Amazon UK as It's difficult to find in the U.S.