ORCHESTRAL MANOUEVRES IN THE DARK RESULTS

Here is another month's worth of survey results from all over the world. Alot of interesting responses in the comments, but no real surprises when it came to favorite tracks. We are still seeing participation form all over the world in these surveys which to me is the coolest thing about them.

It seems that this site has become the best source of OMD information on the World Wide Web, and it is all because of you!! Your comments and participation are what makes this site what it is now. Keep sending in those survey forms and as always, I look forward to hearing form you all.



Click here to fill out May's survey form for "Liberator"



Check the results from past surveys!


December----- "Crush"


January----- "Organisation"


February----- "The Pacific Age"



Here are your favorite tracks from "Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark"

"Messages"---------- 22%

"Electricity"---------- 15%

"Pretending to See the Future"---------- 13%

"The Messerschmitt Twins"----------13%

"Almost"---------- 10%

"Red Frame/White Light"---------- 10%

"Julia's Song"---------- 8%

"Bunker Soldiers"---------- 4%

"Mystereality"---------- 4%

"Dancing"----------1%



Here is what you thought of "Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark"


Good album---------- 44%

Outstanding, one of my top 3 favorites---------- 24%

Average---------- 24%

Best OMD album ever----------8%



Here's what you had to say about the album



"This ties with "Organisation" as my third-favorite OMD album, after "Dazzle Ships" and "Architecture and Morality." It displays OMD's excellence at three diverse (though all electronic) types of music: slow, melancholy, thoughtful tracks; upbeat, fun tracks; and strange, experimental tracks. Unfortunately, the experiments on this album fall somewhat short. "Dancing", in particular, is a mess. My least-favorite OMD song (of the Andy/Paul era). The greatest thing about this album is its ability to return any effort you put into it. Most of the lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, and the album rewards repeated listenings and deep thought.

jason miller

Seattle

USA



"One of the first albums of synth music that I ever listened to, along with Depeche Mode and and Kraftwerk. Loved Electricity and Messages, just really different music at the time (coming from a small town in Northern Ontario where the norm was AC/DC, Pink Floyd, etc. My brother had gone to University and was bringing home all sorts of new music which I just loved. OMD, New Order, Depeche Mode really exposed me to alternative music that was happening at the time."

Dave Carbone

toronto

canada



"Electricityyyyyy Yes OMD zapped into existence with this one. Some good singles (with "Electricity", "Red Frame/ White Light", and "Messages") but overall most of the other tracks sound dated and quickly faded from my memory. The Futurist-songs on this album infleunced Depeche Mode into existence also :) Wow, maybe I'm getting old but 1979-1980 was 17 years ago :(. This is an oldie

Saldok

Quincy

USA



"Their first album, and it shows. This means that not only is it very uneven in the quality of the tracks, but it has a freshness and vitality to it that you only get once from any group. The songs that work do so in a very raw, enlivened way; ironically, my favorites are the songs that would never make it into something like a "best of" album. "Mystereality", with all its goofiness, never fails to charm me -- I would not put this cd in the player thinking I've got to listen to this song, yet when it pops on I'm glad to hear it. "The Messerschmitt Twins" is simply hypnotic and dreamy, and actually does belong in a "best of" assortment, a great song to listen to at 2 a.m., in complete silence and aloneness -- although I haven't a c lue why the title makes reference to a German plane. "Julia's Song" is another good track that I never anticipate liking, but like nonetheless, and is perhaps one of their strangest (and strongest) songs, both lyrically and instrumentally. "Red Frame..." and "Dancing" are just too odd for me, but the album ends with the typically OMD "Pretending to See the Future". In sum, the most attractive thing about the album is the sense of excitement and ambition that comes through each track. It has all the gusto of a manifesto; everything else they did was founded on this rock."

B. P. Uecker

Minneapolis

USA



"The beginning of an exciting era, two lads from Liverpool offered us a slice of futuristic excitment w/ their self-titled debut album. The three singles, "Electricity", "Messages", and "Red Flames, White Lights" are all my favourites on the album, although I have to say the single version of these 3 songs sound far superior. A little promotion by John Peel didn't hurt, either. 'OMD', along w/ 'Organisation' and 'Architecture & Morality', are the most prolific and exciting OMD albums to date."

Colin Liu

Toronto

Canada



"This is my second favorite OMD album. An absolute all time classic. I think Messages is probably my second favorite OMD song. To me, this is how I would introduce OMD to others. It is so raw and imaginative and moody, just what I love about old OMD."

Paul Gurule

Oklahoma City

USA



"When Andy and Paul made this album, they still saw themselves as the experimental, german-influenced band (as Andy often states in interviews) and you can hear it. Even for the time it was made the album is poorly produced. But there are outstanding pieces on the album, and I'm almost sure that there will not be many people who share my favourite songs: 'The Messerschmitt Twins' and 'Pretending To See The Future'. The third best song is not so easy, I'd say 'Messages', but 'Almost' and 'Bunker soldiers' are also very good in my view. Personally, I don't like 'Electricity', though. The album shows where OMD were going, but it was not before their second work, 'Organisation', that they really learned their handywork."

Martin Korndoerfer

Kaufering

Germany



"An interesting blend of music, especially like "Electricity""

Craig Graham

Montpelier, VT

USA



"Really raw material, but perhaps this album measured OMD's best work. Not afraid to write what they 'wanted' to write, Paul and Andy had what in hindsight, seemed total "carte blanche" to put an album together without inhibition or record company profits in mind. The album contains a lot of adventurous sounds and possesses strong political-anti-war messages which for most bands, would tend to make their music very aggressive. However, OMD have made their message in a "dancy" way. Organisation comes very close to being my favourite album, but this one takes first prize in my book. Definitely a fantastic first album by anyone's standard! Really raw material, but perhaps this album measured OMD's best work. Not afraid to write what they 'wanted' to write, Paul and Andy had what in hindsight, seemed total "carte blanche" to put an album together without inhibition or record company profits in mind. The album contains a lot of adventurous sounds and possesses strong political-anti-war messages which for most bands, would tend to make their music very aggressive. However, OMD have made their message in a "dancy" way. Organisation comes very close to being my favourite album, but this one takes first prize in my book. Definitely a fantastic first album by anyone's standard!"

Duncan McCrea

Sydney

Australia



Blair Wm. Krupchyn

Toronto, Ontario

Canada




"This album has it all !!! -Maybe the best ever !"

Dan Svan

Mariefred

Sweden


"The first album from British electronic duo Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, "Orchestral Manouevers in the Dark" is a typical late-70's electronic post-punk album. A fine addition to any collection of keyboard-rock albums, and a bold testament to the British psyche at the time of recording. Each track is a fine example of layered, simple melodies and digital drum technology. A fine debut."

Tim

Seattle

USA



"Being young artists at the time, it was a worthy effort. Some of the songs I never listen to but some of the songs are still getting regular play on my cd player after all of these years. Good stuff."

wesley holley

mapleton, utah

usa



"Red Frame, White Light really got me into OMD. There really is nothing like it!!!! Bring on the new album already!!"

Mike Dawson

Sacra-Tomato

USA



"A brilliant debut. Inventive and unique. Proof that there is room for synthetic instruments AND emotions (proven further by Organisation)."

Paul

Santa Monica, California

USA



"When I first bought this album, I must admit I was dissapointed. But then again, I bought this after having already heard "Crush" "Organisation" and "The Pacific Age" all 3 excellent albums so going back in time to this album isn't really a fair comparison. The album has grown on me and I find myself listening to it more and more. There are some great tracks on here like "Electricity"," "Julia's Song" and "Pretending to See the Future." These have become OMD classics and in fact "Electricity" is still being played in concert, usually an encore which says alot about the song itself. My favorite on this album is very easy. "Messages" is my all-time favorite song ever, not just of OMD's but ever recorded. the album version I don't really cared for, but the 10" mix which appears on the "Best of OMD" album is to me the best song ever recorded. I'm not sure what makes this song such a favorite of mine, but I know every word, synth chord and drum beat to this song. In fact, if I had $1 for every time I've listened to this song, I could take a Hawaiin vacation! the rest of the album doesn't so much for me and I chalk that up to this being the band's first album and they were still trying to find the right formula. There are some songs that are listenable besids the ones listed above like "Almost" but then there are some that are just too off the wall ("Dancing") Overall I gve this album a 6 on a scale to 10 just on the strengths of the 2 hit singles, but then again, that's just my worthless opinion! See you all next month :-)"

Pat Fetty

Bothell

Washington