UNIVERSAL RESULTS

universal Results

This is the final installment of the album of the month survey forms. Be on the lookout for other survey topics in the future as I will keep adding new questions, surveys and features to this site in the coming months. If you are reading this and did not have the chance to take part in the survey, then by all means E-Mail me your comments and I will be sure to inclde them in this, or any other album survey you wish to add to.

Again, thanks for your participation and as always, I look forward to hearing form you all!







Here are your favorite "Universal" tracks

Universal-----21%

Walking on the Milky Way-----20%

Boy From Chemist-----11%

Black Sea-----10%

Too Late-----10%

Moon and Sun-----7%

That Was Then-----6%

Victory Waltz-----4% New Head-----3%

If Your Still in Love with Me-----3%

Gospel Song-----1%






Here's how you rated "Universal"

"Good album, I would recomment it"-----33%

"Best OMD album Ever"-----30%

"Outstanding, one of my top 3 favorites"-----29%

"Average"-----8%






Here'swhat you had to say about "Universal"




"Best OMD album ever"


Mallar Prandi

Tallinn

Estonia





"Universal by no means what I was expecting. I bought it mainly for the 3 songs that I perceived to be above average; Universal, Walking on the Milky Way, and The Boy From the Chemist is Here to See You. I see this album as an attempt to release songs that are commercial rather than emotional or from the heart. Infact, as bad as some say Liberator was, I prefer it to Universal. Most songs are folksey, IMHO. It's a totally different paradigm, for shure. That may be why I am so un-attracted to it. Perhaps in time the songs will grow on me. Regardless, I still think Andy has the greatest voice in the world. This may not be the appropriate forum, but I shure hope Depeche Mode doesn't do this with their forthcoming album. Some of the songs were practically rock for cryin' out loud. Quite a shift from Liberator, Sugar Tax, The Pacific Age, Junk Culture, etc... Most of the lyrics don't even come close to the heartfelt songs of old. Sorry to be the apple that spoils the bunch."


Robin Pimentel

Phoenix, AZ

USA





"I am cheating here -- I don't actually have the 'Universal' album yet (I will write again after I get to listen to all of it). All I have is the CD single, 'Walking on the Milky Way' with 'The New Dark Age' and 'Mathew Street'. I think all three songs are totally awesome!! I especially love 'The New Dark Age' -- it's fantastic!! Reminds me so much of the old OMD style, that it makes me giddy with nostalgia. Thank you, Andy!!! What a wonderful job you've done!! Every album and single is just another reminder as to why I love OMD so much. I have ***never*** met an OMD album (or an OMD single) that I didn't like.I am really disappointed in Virgin records for their lack of support for Andy. For years I've been a frustrated! US-based OMD fan because of poor service by Virgin. I can only hope that we can help to rectify this situation as much as possible."

Deborah Weaver

Westfield, NJ

USA





"IMHO Universal is like a 1996 version of Crush. Real intrusments and great pop songs with the OMD signature. I highlky recommend this disc to any/all OMD fans, but I'd be cautious to recomeend it to some one who is strictly into the 'synth/dance' stuff."

Rui Camarinha

Newark, NJ

USA





"3 years waiting for the new album and the result is quite good, but diferent. Me, and other friends thought that the new album would be like the last albums (Sugar and Liberator), but it sounds very diferent, some tracks like "The boy from the Chemist" sounds more Techno, others very rocky like "Moon and Sun" (one of my favourites) and others like clasical pop music ("if you`re still in love with me"). For me the great some of the album is "The black sea" fantastic!!, an autentic master piece, this song have the spirit of O.M.D special feeling "That was then" remains me old great songs like "The native Daughters of the golden west" or "Love and violence" very powerful and the voice of Andy is louder than ever!"

JOSE LUIS JIMENEZ MORALES

MADRID

SPAIN





"Universal" DID surprise me - I didn't expect Andy to make such an outstanding album after "Sugar Tax" and "Liberator", both mediocre at best in my ears. The great title track introduces the album with an interesting intro (reminds me a little about Stanlow). "The Moon & the Sun" is my favourite track though, followed by "That was Then", a typical McCluskey track in the tradition of "International" and "Was it something I said". "Walking on the Milky Way" is a good and very catchy pop song, but it lacks the 'something special', that's neccessary to get attention today, where everybody listens to up-beat euro-pop, boy groups and techno beats. So the song and as it seems with it the album goes almost unnoticed by the large majority of people, which is most unfortunate to say the least. Other great tracks are "Black Sea", "Very Close to Far Away" and "New Head". I don't like Gospel, so naturaly I really don't like "Gospel of St. Jude" at all. Universal is one of my top three favorite OMD albums, together with "Dazzle Ships" and "Architecture & Morality".

Martin Korndoerfer

Kaufering

Germany





"New Head is a GREAT single as is Very Close To Far Away. The Boy From The Chemist Is Here To See You is good. Whilst I do like Walking On The Milky Way, I am a little disappointed that it sounds too commercial. But hey, no use living in the past and hoping that Andy will release stuff that was good 15 years ago! All in all, a good album that is already getting a lot of airplay at home. I hope that the album meets with a lot of success so that OMD can once again visit down under. I read in a recent interview that OMD deem Australia too costly to tour which is dissappointing as I would pay top dollar to see OMD again. My rating 8/10. This certainly OMD's best album ever. It is uch richer, and deeper than the flat Liberator. Liberator was overdone. it wasn't OMD anymore. Choirs weren't used to create an melancholic atmosphere, but mostly to serve 'house' like things. Universal though does put instruments and sounds in the right places. The oboes act were they belong.

There's of course much more to say about Universal, but it is definitely OMD. Melancholic songs like Victory Waltz and Black Sea are combined with up tempo songs like universal (GREAT too) and Chemist Boy. Fortunately this time there is space on the album for Andy's weird ideas, New Head and If you're still in love with me. The song writing collaboration with Karl Bartos is very good again and delivers one of the most powerful OMD tracks ever.

The use of guitars (rock!) gives the album a great potential for the NON OMD fans."

Johan Sombekke

The Netherlands





"I love "Too Late" but I don't see it listed as one of the possible choices for "3 favorite Universal tracks" Anyhow, I love the album!!"

Luchin Wong

Davis

USA





The first few times I listened to Universal I was very disappointed, but now I think it's quite okay if I program the CD-player NOT to play "Universal", "Moon and Sun" and "Very close to far away". I don't like those songs!

Hugo Fernbom

Lund

Sweden



"This is the best OMD album ever"

Dirk Sprinke

Soest

Germany





"Definately NOT their best ! The title track is excellent but the rest of the LP doesn't match it. How i yearn for another 'Organisation' ! The best LP by any band ever and still my most listened to LP. ! Great pages Pat...keep it up."

Ian Sims

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

UK





"Too early to tell if this album could be rated best ever. If I still regularly listen to it in 15 years time (as I do with A&M and Organisation) the ... maybe. Grows on you. Which I think is a good sign. To get to best three must beat A&M, Organisation or Sugar Tax. It's all down to lasting appeal. Picking just three tracks was very difficult.

Anthony Eaton

Braintree

United Kingdom





"I listened to the album -- I love it!! All of the songs are fantastic!!!!! "Universal" is just another reminder of why I love OMD as much as I do. :-) I would definitely recommend the album to others. I feel tempted to say that this is the best OMD album ever, but am afraid to since I believe that all of the OMD albums are the best OMD albums. I chose the "Good album" category, though it truly deserves far more.

Andy has done a wonderful job on the music and the vocals, and I think the album is a fine example of the depth of his musical talents. Like with other OMD albums before this one, I have to contain myselflistening to it in public. I am quite moved by the music and I don't want to embarrass myself with some display of unexplained emotion. :-)

Hats off and Five Stars to Andy McCluskey for such fine work!! I am excited to see Paul helping him out! (Oh, if only the original OMD would get back together...) I really believe that if the album could just get some more advertising help, it would be a big hit!"

Deborah Weaver

Westfield, NJ

USA





"The BEST songs are "Victory Waltz", "If You're Still In Love With Me", "Too Late", and "The Black Sea". I really like Victory Waltz the best out of all of these. Too Late and If You're Still In Love With Me, I really like it alot as well. Songs like "The Boy From The Chemist...", "Walking On The Milky Way", and "Universal", are also very good. "That Was Then" and "Very Close To Far Away", are nice, but show less appeal to me. "The Gospel Of St. Jude" is actually an alright song, but would've been alot better had Andy included a beat or more instruments or something. "New Head" sounds like one of those musical experiments gone bad, and, in this case, it IS bad! =) Although tolerable, I just don't care for New Head much. The WORST song is, no doubt, "The Moon & The Sun". Here again, it's tolerable, but certainly not a favorite of mine."

Spencer Acadia





"I am dissapointed since was expecting a more up-beat, electronic album, but so far the album is OK. I'm sure it will grow in me."

Guillermo Aaron Nunez

Hermosilo

Mexico





"Despite some not too good critics in some german "critical" magazines (in fact not a single synth-pop album since the 80ties recieved good critics in those magazines)"Universal" is -in my opinion- one of the best album realeases this year and the best OMD album since 10 years. While listening to "Liberator"you sometimes have the feeling to hear the same song repeated several times with slight variations, "Universal" is a very varied album. I really had a good feeling about the success of "Universal" when I landed in Sydney for my holidays the start of September and the first song I heard on the radio was "Walking on the Milky Way". Even if this song doesn't hit the charts in the Top Ten there's a good potential of other singles on this album, especially "Universal", "Too Late" and "The Boy fromthe Chemist..." (thogh the chorus of this one sounds a lot like Pulp's "Disco 2000"). Perhaps Andy and the guys from Virgin should have some courage and release "If You're Still in Love With Me" because this is something NEW, never heard a non-ballad pop-song only with string arrangements. Perhaps it would be worth the risk. One last thing: Andy, if you read this, I can't wait to see you on tour in Germany!"

Greetings, Martin

Martin Garrecht

Landau (between Heidelberg and the French border)

Germany



"VICTORY WALTZ RULES! :)"

Spencer Acadia

Beaumont, TX

USA

"I have to admit that the first time that I heard this I was kind of disappointed that it wasn't more like "Liberator" and "Sugar Tax". It seemed to be missing a "Stand Above Me" type of song. I totally love the song "Walking On The Milky Way" though! "Universal" is also a great song but I wish that the other planned singles would be for other songs like "If You're Still In Love Me", "Victory Waltz" and "That Was Then" or "Too Late". Those are my favorite tracks off of this latest album. At first this wasn't my favorite album but thats because I was expecting something different. The more I listen to this album though, the more I like it. Andy, you did an awesome job on this one. Keep up the good work. I LOVE YOUR MUSIC!!!

Stephen David Barnes

Salt Lake City

United States of America



Andys voice just gets better and better Boy From Chemist is probably one of the best OMD singles ever. More opinions later!

michael loetz

east sussex

england





"This is an album of maturity and longing by a man who has lived a great deal in his 37 some odd years and is now looking back and reflecting. It's not an album that is as easily accessible as Liberator or as familiar asSugar Tax. But this album is the most deeply moving OMD album ever. I listen to it now and relate to it, but not fully. I cannot understand all the emotions he speaks about because I have not lived them. This is not "junk culture" anymore, this is a man's history, his dreams, his philosophy. I listen to it now and it affects me deeply. But I cannot help thinking that I will only understand the deeper inplications of Universal after 10 more years of living and fighting my own life. It is a moment I look forward to. Thanks, Andy. If this is to be the last OMD album, then it is a crowning achievement on a mountain of past glories."

Damiano Geraci

New York

USA





"Wow! I loved it! Universal has just the right mix of slow and fast songs. The best album that I've heard to date!"

Chris Corbett

Valparaiso, In

USA





"It was easy to like the first two tracks (Universal and Walking on the Milky Way) but the others didn't grow on me until weeks of listening to. At first I couldn't get pass the long title, The Boy From the Chemist...to appreciate it's uplifting beat. oh MAN, something about that beat makes me want to bounce around and live the day. Now its one of my favorites :) I guess i really like OMD more and more each day, thanks to a friend who bought me their Best of 3 years ago ....go figure, 3 years later I'm steeling his Universal CD. (sigh) I just cant get enough of Andy's voice. He sounds so adorable in If You're Still in Love With Me!"

SLADE

San Diego

CA





"Awesome, Amazing, Brilliant, Superb, Outstanding - should I go on! As per normal everyone is going to compare 'Universal' to the OMD of old - 'A&M', 'Dazzle Ships', 'Crush', 'The Pacific Age' etc. Others are going to compare this album to the 'new' OMD - 'Sugar Tax' & 'Liberator'. That is exaclt what I did - I compared 'Universal' to my 'Best of OMD' (1988) album and then to 'Sugar Tax' and 'Liberator' and boy was even I myself suprised. 'Universal' contains about 60 minutes of brilliant OMD classic sounds. The opening track, 'Universal' is incredible. If this is not brilliant enough, we are subjected to the brilliance of McCluskey in 'Walking on the Milky Way which I would rate as one of my favourite OMD tracks of all time, second to my all time favourite, 'If you Leave'. The entire mood of the album suddenly changes when we hit 'The Moon & The Sun'. Each track offers a completely different theme. My mind was blow when I hit another OMD classic, 'Too Late'. I have heard some people hammer this album by saying it is too Electronic, or McCluskey is suffering from a 'Mid-Life Crisis' and it shows in his Music. In my humble opinion this has to be McCluskey's finest hour. I know some will hate me for saying this, but McCluskey seems to be doing just fine without Humprhies, Cooper & Holmes. I have bought five copies of this album and sent four of them to my close friends I like the Album so much! Definelty up their with my other all time favourite OMD album, the 1986 'Pacific Age'. Just keep playing Andy, just keep OMD going!"

Matthew Greenway

Sandton, Johannesburg

South Africa



"On the whole "Universal" is fine, but not as interesting, left-field or electronically jagged or perplexing, as I wished. Andy can do more with synths than this can't he? The sweeping strings and almost cinematic feel of the CD is okay, but a bit tired a formula really. Andy's voice is strong and sincere though so this is a is a plus. "The Black Sea" is a majestic, beautiful creature, but other tracks are too poppy and predictable. The dive into ambient/industrrial sounds at the CD's very beginning is terrific, there should have been more of this experimentation.. Tackling gospel is interesting and rather novel too. Good, but not breath-taking.

LORNE IN AUSTRALIA. P.S. The major record shops in Sydney have more than one copy of Universal.

Lorne Geoffrey Johnson

Sydney

Australia





"This album is fantastic! I was VERY leery about this album, since "Liberator" was terrible. However I was VERY pleasantly surprised. The intro to "Universal" gave me memories of Organisation, and the rest of the album rang true as well. It appears that Andy is past the disco phase, and is back to making records the way the OLD OMD did, and I love it! I highly recommend this to anyone that favors the "old" OMD. It's pure brilliance in every track."

Derek J. Stutsman

Carrollton TX

USA





"Well now its my turn to heave praise upon the best OMD album EVER!!! Universal is by far a triumph for Andy and a blessing to OMD fans around the globe. Unfortunately, this looks to be the last new OMD material we will hear. This is even more sad for me since I have yet to see OMD in concert (live that is), and some of these tracks would be absolutely excellent to see performed live. When I first heard the demo tapes of this album, I could not stand it. My first question was "Where the hell are the synths??" But as time passed, I grew to appreciate not only the complexity and lyrical content of the songs, but the excellent production that went into them. Andy has said that "Walking on the Milky Way" is one of the top 5 songs he has ever written, and he is right. This was an obvious single choice, that I think would do well here in America is it is ever released here. "Universal" was not my choice for the second single, but it is still powerful enough to hold its own. I would like to see "Boy From Chemist" be the third single that puts OMD back int the top 10 and hopefully on tour. This is classic OMD if I've ever heard it, melancholic lyrics to an upbeat tempo. I can just picture Andy dancing around on stage to this one!! Overall, this is a bittersweet album in that it is the end of an era and of a career that has produced more hits than any 90's band can or will, come close to claiming! Let us hope that the third single hits the charts and we can all meet up in England for a concert!!!!!

Keep watching the site for more survey topics!! As always, I look forward to hearing from you all"

Pat Fetty

Monroe, WA

USA