Speed of Light-----16%

Call My Name-----15%

Was it Something I Said-----11%

Pandora's Box-----9%

Sailking on the Seven Seas-----8%

Walking on Air-----8%

Neon Lights-----8%

Walk Tall-----6%

All That Glitters-----5%

Apollo-----5%

Big Town-----5%

Then You Turn Away-----4%

Best OMD album ever-----32%

Outstanding, top 3 favorites-----32%

Good album, would recommend it-----28%

Average-----8%

"Every Die-Hard OMD fan should know that this was the 'new' OMD comeback album after the tragic breakup of the Humprhies / McCluskey partnership of the 1980's OMD era. Most OMD fans seem to enjoy comparing the old OMD with the 'new' OMD and of course Sugar Tax springs to mind. What was my opinion of Sugar Tax: Amazing for a start as a come-back album - Here we have some classic OMD tracks. - my favourites being 'Pandora's Box' which has this brilliant backing sound combined with Andy's emotional vocal that have featured on most OMD tracks since the 1980's. Next is 'Sailing the Seven Seas' which is another classic OMD song. This combines a synth-pop sound with a more solid rock music feel - almost something 'Quee! n' might have done in their hey-day if they were more synth orientated. 'Call My Name' is another fantastic song again featuring McCluskey's strong and emontional vocal. Neon-Lights is just as 'weired' as any of the old OMD song's found on albums's such as 'Dazzle Ships'. Indeed I love most of OMD's 1980's tracks, but let's give this album credit: For a 1990's era that has gone techno / rave crazy, McCluskey added that 1990's sound, but was able to retain the OMD trademarks: Catchy tunes that you wan't to whistle at the bus-stop. Brilliant album which works great in live concert.

Matthew Greenway

Sandton, Johannesburg

South Africa

"I was pleasantly surprised with this release, I didn't find anything particularly outstanding but it is still a good listen. Though I prefer the "old" OMD I think Andy did a good job on this one."

Paul Gurule

Oklahoma City

USA

"I feel this is one of the group's most worthy efforts, especially considering the facts. OMD had split up and Andy fought a long court battle to keep the name. He wanted to continue the more trendy and pop influence they had recently found success with. Andy won in the end, keeping thename, and finding the fans and commercial glory. The songs were different from past albums, but, still kept the old OMD flavor. A great CD with extremely catchy songs with a more Euro-style beat. A great success story."

Wes Holley

Mapleton, UT

USA

"Woh, You really gave me a hard time to select my three most favorite tracks of this album. The problem is they are all great. Sugar Tax is such a good album, because only one man in the world can arrange it: Andy. Where Liberator has a flat poppy sound, Sugar Tax songs posess that rare deep sound on the border of synth, pop, and electronic music. And what's more, they are excellently suited for dancing (at least in the way OMD fans do!?). I just miss one thing on the album: an 'orchestral' sound and reminiscent moody spheres of former OMD songs, like Souvenir and Sealand."

Johan Sombekke

Loon op Zand

Netherlands

"This is a clean, beautifully done album. The style of the music is subtly different, and it's a big step up for OMD. This is second best to only "Best of OMD"

Cheryl Anne Casey

Pennsauken

USA

"I remember when Sugar Tax came out. I was living in Iceland at the time, so I was glad to see them on European MTV. This IS the best OMD album ever! The song Call My Name has to be the best song there ever was. Even though the single was never released in the US, and should have been a single here. This whole album was and is a solid package of songs and music written to the peak of Andy's new-found musical talents as the sole OMD member. One of the most underated and overlooked album of the 1990s in the US!!!"

HAROLD KUYKENDALL

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA

USA

"This album marks the triumphant and long awaited return of OMD. Upon the first few listens, it managed to thrill me, annoy me, and comfort my doubt that a Paul-less OMD could work. It was thrilling to hear a return to the "core" electronic feel of early (and perhaps mid-era) OMD that had been missing from "The Pacific Age". Interesting too was the new move towards a more dance oriented sound. But, though these too things were initially exciting and went along way to quell my fears of the workability of OMD without Paul, they quickly began to bother me. Where, I wondered, were live bass parts? or drums? Maybe even some guitar or (heaven forbid) sax? However after a few more listens, I came to the realization that it was largely unfair of me to expect it to sound as much like old OMD as I would have wanted it to. From then on, I allowed myself to be drawn into the Paul-less world and really came to love some of the more subtle moments.I'm really tongue-tied as to how to describe them, but hopefully you all know what I mean? As a side note: my (then) band I was in was being considered as the opening act for OMD, here in Sacramento, CA. We waited and waited for news one way or the other, but by the night of the show our "manager" (who was acting for us in discusions with the actual tour promoter) said that he hadn't heard back from the promoter. So, assuming we had been passed over, we all dejectedly went to the show anyway (for the record, it was incredible! Andy was having a hell of a time, and everything from Sugar Tax sounded so much better from only 2 feet away :->). Three days after the gig, though, we got a call from our "manager" saying that his answering service had gotten a call 2 days before the show saying that we could open the gig, but they hadn't bothered to tell him till then!!! Arghhhh.... Que cera."

Andrew Lillie

Citrus Heights, California

USA

"I was first turned on to OMD by hearing "Sailing..." on the radio. I went out and bought the album on the strength of that track, and I wasn't disappointed. I have listened to this album countless times, and the variety of songs keeps the album fresh. It's definitely a different sound than the "real" OMD albums, but it's still great- in a different way. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy now as I've lent out two copies to friends of friends, and I never got either one back. Then a third tape melted in my car. I know that eventually I'll buy a fourth copy, making this easily my most expensive album ever. =) Of the songs, my three favorites are "Sailing..", "Pandora's Box", and "Speed of Light". Sailing is just a cool, upbeat, catchy song. Pandora's Box is great lyrically, and the music fits the lyrics very well. Speed of light is just dominated by some incredible vocals, and is definitely a great, catchy pop song."

Darren Munk

Concord, California

USA

"Every song is a hit on this CD. I've listened to "Sugartax" more than any other CD I own. This is OMD at it's best!"

Richard Winn

Grand Forks, N.D.

USA

"Although this is one of their more pop-like releases, I feel they have retained something reminiscent of earlier works."

Juliette Kyser

Scaborough Maine

USA

"The best OMD album to date. Songs like Big Town and Neon Lights have atmosphere that is similar to their early recordings on A and A etc."

Ian Howell

London

England

"This is beyond words. But to give you any impression brilliant, fantastic, outstanding. I count Pandoraīs box as the number one single of the nineties, the eighties single was Fade to grey. And theese are comparable whit each other as the heights of technopop and music in general. So the album. At least ten smashing singles spreading over a pop songs, romantic ballads featured by cool texts. I can see McCluskey waking up on a sunday morning in a hotelroom in NY feeling awful. Havenīt we all been there? All that glitters, walk tall, was it something I said are delightful songs made for rainy days. They are beatifull and thougtfull, filled with mellancholly and pain but also pride. Speed of light, Pandoraīs box, Call my name are all catchy , brilliant danceable and ultimately catchy pop songs filled with harmony and playfullness. Apollo XI are an experiment with house but not that succesfull at itīs aim. Neonlights are a celebration to the pioneers of technopop Kraftwerk. Itīs good but it could have been better if McCluskey only would have sung. The girl is holding the melody perfectly but it isnīt that charmfull. But still one of the two albums wich I rank as the historyīs two best. The other one is Alphavilleīs forever young."

Alexander Elofsson

Helsingborg

Sweden

"A reasonably good collection. However I'm not so keen on this direction, and I wouldn't have been drawn to OMD on the strength of this or Liberator; being a fan of their more radical stuff, esp. Dazzle Ships. Sugar Tax, by comparison, is somewhat conventional and commercial in character. Yet it has elements of what makes OMD sound so distinctive. Andy McClusky's anguish-ridden voice is as ever. The be
st track has to be "Neon Lights". And Appollo XI shows that Andy has not forgotten how to be experimental!"

Alexander Macfie

Abergavenny

United Kingdom

"The first album with the 'New' band and.... Oh, what an album! We had all waited so long for a new album that I bought this one the day it came out and still play it regularly. It is without doubt my favourite album by any artist. I still play the CD late at night with the lights off to listen to 'Walking On Air'. The emotion, the mix of styles (even if formulaic) create an album I will never stop playing... The 'Speed of Light' makes me want to drive that way and sitting indoors with the rain beating around the 'Big Town' makes me cherish the time I have on my own to appreciate this music. Don't fall into the trap of believing OMD has lost it's early innovation. There is a lot to this group and all of us appreciate certain aspects. Sugar Tax! hits the highest peak for me. Overall 11/10"

Chris Shaw

Swindon

England

"I gave "Sugar Tax" the "Good album, would recommend it" vote -- the reason why I did this is because I can't choose which are my top 3 OMD albums, much less decide what the best OMD album is ever. (I think my favorite OMD album is always the one I am currently listening to -- I choose which one I am going to listen to by the mood I am in) This was the only option that allowed me to make a choice without having to rank OMD albums. However, I think "Sugar Tax" is better than good -- it's great!! I find that the music is very soothing and relaxing and it warms me deep inside. What more can I ask from an OMD album?? :-) In fact, I am listening to it right now, and I am enjoying every little bit of it! An ex-boyfriend gave me "Sugar Tax" as a birthday present - my 23rd birthday (Where many a boyfriend has failed, OMD has kept their place very close to my heart :-) ) With "Sugar Tax" being Andy's first solo OMD effort, I was a bit apprehensive. You can never tell what a solo effort may bring. But I listened for the first time and was pleasantly pleased with his work. It's very hard for me to explain -- I think I went through a mild shock when I first listened to the album. I kept on expecting to hear Paul in the music, but heard nothing. It was the first time that I actually felt the effect of the breakup. I am fairly sentimental about the guys -- and despite the breakup, Paul and Andy will always be the true essence of OMD for me. Anyway... Like with all other OMD albums, I fell in love with the music of "Sugar Tax". It's great"

Deborah Weaver

Westfield, NJ

USA

"A reasonably good collection. However I'm not so keen on this direction, and I wouldn't have been drawn to OMD on the strength of this or Liberator; being a fan of their more radical stuff, esp. Dazzle Ships. Sugar Tax, by comparison, is somewhat conventional and commercial in character. Yet it has elements of what makes OMD sound so distinctive. Andy McClusky's anguish-ridden voice is as ever."

Alexander Macfie

Abergavenny

United Kingdom

"Good album, listened to it non-stop when it first came out. Would recommend it to anybody."

Paul Rantfors

Vancouver

Canada

"A GREAT DANCE ALBUM AND SOME RATHER HAUNTING TUNES " PANDORA'S BOX". GREAT SONGS FOR ANDY TO PERFORM LIVE. THERE IS A LOT OF RANGE AS FAR AS DIFFERENT TYPES OF LYRICS AND MUSIC GOES. I STILL FEEL IT IS THEIR BEST ALBUM RECORDED FOR DANCING ,BUT NOT AS MUSICAL AS LIBERATOR OR PACIFIC AGE I WOULD DIFINATELY CALL THIS ONE OF THE ALL TIME CLASSIC ALBUMS AND SOMETHING THAT ANDY CAN BE PROUD OF."

JENSEN V.L.

CAPE TOWN

SOUTH AFRICA

"Best all round album, a bit to mainstream but excelent comeback ! I could listen to it all day. Neon Lights should have been a single"

Gary Humphries

Birmingham

England

"This album just rocks. The music and vocals are so cool. This has got to easily be one of their best works. Anyone who disagrees or hasn't heard of this album is either brain dead or deprived."

MJ

Madison

USA

"I felt that sugar tax was an excellent album for the weak 90's, and considering McCluskey did the album on his own made it even more difficult. The emotions displayed throughout the album are very reminiscent of the "New Romantic" sounds which the OMD was famous for during the 80's. "All That Glitters" is one of my all time favorite OMD songs. I feel that McCluskey is still very artisic and is able to capture a certain feeling in his music."

Donato Iacovino

westmont n.j.

america

Paul Rantfors

Vancouver

Canada

"Sugar Tax became my first OMD album ever, and it's up there with Depeche Mode's "Violator" and Erasure's "Erasure"· Every song is great. Although this was the first OMD album I got (and heard) every "style" OMD has done can be found here. The dark, haunting side of OMD can be heard in "Walking Air". The upbeat electronic sound is everywhere in the album ("Pandora's Box, Speed Of Light, Call My Name, Then You Turn Away, Apollo XI) We still have some slow kind of romantic tunes like All That Glitters and Was It Something I Said. Finally Kraftwerk's Neon Light, which is IMHO the weakest track on the album. I would have prefered Andy doing the vocals and not that woman. After all, my third favorite album of all times."

GUILLERMO NUNEZ

HERMOSILLO

MEXICO

"Sugar Tax is not only one of my favorite omd albums but also one of my favorite albums of any group that I like! It has more good songs on one album than most groups goto the trouble of putting on. I listen to it a lot. It's awesome!"

stephen david barnes

salt lake city

usa

"This is unconditionally my favorite OMD album. I like both the pop and experimental OMD (my other two favorites would be "Dazzle Ships" and "Pacific Age"), but all the other albums have a few songs that I would have preferred stuck on a b-side. However, I like every song on this album. Andy gives his best vocal performances on this album, and the music is often beautiful. I think the reason why this one is so special is that he was able to make an entire pop album about failing relationships. Uptempo pop songs tend to be more about the better side of relationships. Songs about failing relationships tend to be ballads. But this album has more emotional depth than simply "ooh-everything-is-so-great-when-you're-in-love" and "devistation-is-my- name-now-that-you're-gone" and thus much more satifying that anything with a catchy melody usually is. The album is even more brilliant when you realize the conditions that it was made under. Even the b-sides from this period are good. OK, I'm done gushing. One more thing: many people have picked up this album simply from hearing me play it. I can't say that about many other favorites of mine."

Harris Ingle

Oakland, CA,

USA

"This album makes a good clean break from the old OMD style. It was up to date at the time of release, with some catchy tunes and interesting lyrics. You know the way with most albums where there are always a couple of dud songs, well every one on Sugar Tax is good. Is may be just me, but 'Sugar Tax' feels like it has a common theme running throughout the album, with apparent references to earlier OMD songs and lyrics being made in a Beatles 'hunt for clues' manner. Listening to Walking On Air's "because I've bled enough to paint this town" straight after Apollo XI reminds of the song title Apollo on Junk Culture, with words "Lets bleed...." and "Lets paint the town." Walking On Air reminds me of Arthur C Clarke's book and film 2001: A Space Odysse. Don't ask me why, it just does."

Bruce Jones

Liverpool

England

"What an incredible response to a great album. Picking 3 favorites on this album was very difficult for me but I came up with "Call My Name", "Pandora's Box" and "Then You turn Away". I could not believe the favorite tracks of everyone! It has gotten to the point now where I don't even try and guess what the favorites will be any more since I have never been right. The one thing that will always bug me about this album are the last 2 tracks, "Neon Lights" and "All That Glitters", both are terrible in my opinion. How "Neon Lights" made the album is beyond me, especially given the B-sides that came from this album. "Sugar Tax" has become an all-time favorite of mine (the song that is!) as has "Burning", both B-sides to this album and would have made MUCH better choices than the last 2 tracks. Funny, how "Then You turn Away" came in dead last in the poll and yet it was a single, and a limited edition single at that!! The videos for this album are also very good. "Pandora's Box" and "Call My Name" are 2 of my all-time favorites and "Then you Turn Away" is right up there also.

I remember when I first bought and listened to this album, I did not know that the band had broken up and I kept listening for Paul's voice on backing vocals. The sleeve gave no information at all (which is another peeve of mine) and it wasn't until I received my next OMD newsheet that I heard the band had broken up. Had I known the band had broken up before I heard Sugar Tax, I probably would have been more judgemental. See you all next month!!!!!!!!!!!!