Disco de Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: “Universal”

I am a long-time fan of OMD and have been distressd at the band's decreased output in the 1990's. Now that Andy McCluskey has said that OMD is no more, it is with great sadness that I realize that "Universal" is their swan song. But what a way to go out. This is a collection of outstanding tunes: some simply beautiful, bordering on mainstream pop-rock, and others with the unique and iconoclastic flair that is typical OMD. "Walking on the Milky Way" and "The Moon and the Stars" are a great one-two punch. Unusual songs that show that McCluskey and his mates went out at the top of their game. It is reported that OMD is no more because of McCluskey disgust with the lack of support from his label, Virgin. Indeed, this lack of support is shown by he fact that "Universal" was never released in the US. There is, apparently, no place for unique and unusual bands these days in the new world of corporate music conglomerates. Too bad... Give this a listen and you will love it and be amazed at Virgin's stupidity. A fine and unique album in all respects, that, lke most OMD stuff, never got the attentio and respect it deserved. OMD will be greatly missed!

Universal is one of the two best OMD albums--I can't quite decide whether I prefer the elegant chart-topper Sugar Tax or the kaleidiscopic unsung classic that is Universal... Both albums are beautiful, but where Sugar Tax was commercially successful, Universal was inexplicably not; perhaps it is not such a mystery, however, as rumour has it that Andy McCluskey (co-founder, songwriter, and frontman of OMD; he forged on under the OMD banner more or less as a solo artist from 1988-1996, producing three of OMD's greatest albums: Sugar Tax, Liberator, and Universal) had a wretched recording contract and little corporate support. OMD certaintly never received the mainstream radio or TV airplay that they deserved, at least in North America. This, combined with the steady and supreme vapidity that afflicts much of the international pop-youth culture music audience, has ensured that Universal is an unknown diamond-in-the-rough; a fabulous 12-track studded crown of artistic achievement whose relative obscurity and difficulty to obtain satisfies the effort all the more so. I LOVE THIS ALBUM. I can say that I absolutely love 6 of the 12 tracks, really enjoy at least another three, and like or am impartial to 3. At least 75% of the album is excellent material. It shares, with Sugar Tax, an impeccable and glorious, soaring edge of romantic desperation--if there is one thing that Andy McCluskey/OMD has been good at, it is weaving the keening sound of the wounded lover and souful reminiscer into songs that are at once urban-elegant, romantically impassioned, timelessly poignant, cinematically euphoric, sweetly melancholic, downright groovy and eminently danceable... Though the song-moods on this album are kaleidiscopic, there is a noble, heart-gracing bittersweet that lies below the surface and surfaces full-fledged periodically through the album. When Andy was writing this he was obviously hurting from love. My girlfriend and I broke up just in September and this was the album that most resonated with my spirit at the time--it carried me across the streams of tears that it helped foment, it awakened my heart fully, it sensitized the emotions and reminded me that a beauty can awaken in everything if the temperment is exquisitely tender for it... I really liked this album when I bought it 3 years ago, but now it has become, in a way, an inseparable part of me--reflecting in music some of the most special and intimate moments of my recent existence. If you have imagination and spirit, and any like for passionately-driven, heartfelt music that stylishly blends organic symphonics with excellent synthetics, is heavily dosed with irresistable rhythm and soaring pop melody, and can suit near any mood, from eurodance ebullience to sweeping, elegiac melancholy, BUY UNIVERSAL!

Universal is the best OMD album period. The songs are diverse and gritty. Songs like Walking on the Milky Way, Boy From the Chemist..., and The Black Sea are very powerful pop songs. Each track is unique and solid on here. Also, there is a mix of instruments, samples and synthesizers that make this album far more appealing than Liberator. It's too bad Virgin didnt release this album here in the US. I think it would have done well.

To be honest I only like a little more than half the songs on this album. But those songs are more than good enough to equal a strong star rating in my book. The album starts off with a slow, serene instrumental beginning which eventually turns into a great pop song with a real kick. The second track, "Walking On the Milky Way" you probably all know from the singles collection. Good song, although far from the best on this release. That title should definitely belong to "Too Late", a sad, haunting ballad about one who's made too many mistakes in relationships and life in general. The hauntingly gorgeous "Black Sea" is an even more intense version of this. A truly beautiful masterpiece and one thats likely to be overlooked by many. Be sure not to miss it. Another noteworthy track and one of my faves, "The Boy From The Chemist Is Here To See You", delivers the most hard-driving beat and talks basically about good karma, especially against schoolyard bullies and the like. All in all its good stuff and this release has plenty thats worth listening to that you can't find anywhere else. Unfortunately, it the album gets a little weak at the end (the last two tracks are just plain boring). But other than that it should be an enjoyable experience and worth every penny. Recommended.

I've been a fan of OMD for as long as I can remember. I say that, because as most music fans often do, I became especially attached to their work from the '80s. Perhaps that, in addition with the loss of Paul after the release of The Pacific Age, caused my less than enthusiastic response to Sugar Tax and Liberator. It's not that I dislike those two albums, but they certainly don't get the play like the older albums do.

I hadn't heard anything about OMD after Liberator, but I happened to run across a lone copy of Universal in a CD shop I was visiting while on a business trip. Astonished to see a new OMD album, I picked it up without hesitation. It turns out that was a great move.

Universal rekindled by long affection for OMD. It had what I felt Sugar Tax and Liberator were lacking; warmth, orchestration, and that lush soundscape that I felt had disappeared after The Pacific Age. Universal harkens back to those days while still managing to sound contemporary.

The release of this record was obviously without much (if any) label support, which is truly a shame. I would say that Universal is easily the best work OMD had done in 10 years. If you're a fan and you haven't picked up a copy, go do it now. You will not regret it. Don't let the obscurity of this album fool you. The first three songs are more than worth the price in and of themselves.