History of Modern
Studio album by
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Released20 September 2010[1]
Recorded2007–2010
StudioMotor Museum (Liverpool)
GenreSynth-pop
Length58:02
Label100%[1]
Bright Antenna
ProducerOMD
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark chronology
Messages: OMD Greatest Hits
(2008)		 History of Modern
(2010)		 English Electric
(2013)
Singles from History of Modern
  1. "If You Want It"
    Released: 6 September 2010
  2. "Sister Marie Says"
    Released: 19 November 2010
  3. "History of Modern (Part I)"
    Released: 28 February 2011

History of Modern is the eleventh studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 20 September 2010 by 100% Records. It is their first album since 1996, and the first to feature the classic four-piece OMD line-up since 1986's The Pacific Age. It was recorded remotely, with band members compiling the tracks via the Internet.

History of Modern received generally favourable reviews and peaked at number 28 on the UK Albums Chart. It was a hit in Germany, reaching number 5 – the group's highest chart placing for an album in that country. The record was released in the US on Bright Antenna on 28 September 2010.

On 2 March 2011 an EP, History of Modern (Part I) was released containing remixes and B-sides from History of Modern.

Background

OMD reformed in 2006 with its classic line-up of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes[2] (singer McCluskey had used the OMD moniker as a solo project from 1989–1996).[3] Following the band's reunion, there was renewed public interest; a planned nine-date tour evolved into 50 shows. The group determined there would be sufficient interest in a new studio album. It was recorded remotely, with tracks compiled via the Internet.[3][4]

A free download demo track taken from the album, titled "Sister Marie Says",[5] was released on 25 November 2009 and featured backing vocals from British classical crossover soprano Keedie Babb.[6][7] The song dates to 1981 and was almost included on Universal (1996), but was shelved. The second track to be played from the record was "History of Modern (Part II)"; it was aired on 31 May 2010 on BBC Radio 6 Music.[8][9]

The artwork for History of Modern was conceived by Peter Saville[10] and designed by Four23. The title was devised by McCluskey after he took his daughter to an art exhibition called "The History of Modernism".[5]

Remixes and B-sides from the History of Modern sessions were included on the EP History of Modern (Part I) (2011).[11]

Singles

"If You Want It" was released as the first single on 6 September 2010. It was OMD's first single since 1996's "Universal". In October, "Sister Marie Says" was announced as the album's second single, and was released on 19 November 2010. The third single, "History of Modern (Part I)" was remixed in radio and extended forms, and was released on 28 February 2011.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk88%[12]
The A.V. ClubC+[13]
DIY[14]
Evening Standard[15]
The Independent on Sunday[16]
Mojo[17]
MusicOMH[18]
Q[19]
Spin7/10[20]
Urb[21]

History of Modern received generally favourable reviews.[22] Telegraph critic Neil McCormick described the album as "extraordinarily good, a belting synth-pop classic crammed with catchy tunes and complicated lyrics about matters of life and death, art and philosophy."[23] Q were also complimentary, noting that OMD's "winning way with a rattling pop tune is timeless" and that the record "refines their sound and gives it a modern production tweak".[19] A mildly positive Roy Wilkinson of Mojo wrote, "As reiterated via his work for Atomic Kitten, singer Andy McCluskey rarely struggles for hooks".[17] Conversely, BBC reviewer John Doran was unimpressed, stating, "A few highs aside, this is a poor return from the 80s hit-makers... it's not too late for OMD to stride all the way back to greatness. But this album isn't even a stumble in the right direction."[24]

Classic Pop ranked History of Modern fifth in their "Top 20 Reunion Albums", noting that it echoes OMD's "golden period" of the early 1980s.[25] In a poll of 3,200 Modern Synthpop readers, it was voted the 12th-best synth-pop album of the 2010s.[26]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."New Babies; New Toys"McCluskey3:52
2."If You Want It"McCluskey/Tracey Carmen4:45
3."History of Modern (Part I)"McCluskey4:41
4."History of Modern (Part II)"Humphreys/McCluskey4:13
5."Sometimes"McCluskey3:46
6."RFWK"McCluskey3:46
7."New Holy Ground"Humphreys/McCluskey3:42
8."The Future, The Past, and Forever After"McCluskey4:52
9."Sister Marie Says"McCluskey4:00
10."Pulse"McCluskey/Remee/Ali Tennant/Mich Hansen/Joseph Belmaati3:42
11."Green"Humphreys/McCluskey/Stuart Kershaw4:17
12."Bondage of Fate"Humphreys/McCluskey/Hannah Peel4:06
13."The Right Side?"McCluskey/Simon Leonard/David Baker8:20
US bonus track
No.TitleLength
14."Save Me" (Contains vocals by Aretha Franklin from original recording of "Save Me" on Atlantic Records)3:08

B-sides and other tracks

"Alone" – B-side to digital download and CD versions of "If You Want It" single.
"Idea 1" – B-side to limited edition 7" vinyl single of "If You Want It".
"The Grand Deception" – B-side to CD version of "Sister Marie Says".
"History of Modern, Pt. III & IV" – B-side to limited edition 7" vinyl single of "Sister Marie Says".

Personnel

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Studio personnel

  • Mike Gould - percussion (track 1)
  • Jessica Stavely-Taylor - backing vocals (track 3)
  • Jessica Samuel - backing vocals (track 3)
  • Monika Blomeid - backing vocals (track 3)
  • Stuart Kershaw - piano and string arrangement (track 5)
  • Jennifer John - backing vocals (track 5)
  • Lucy Styles - backing vocals (track 5)
  • Doreen Edwards - backing vocals (track 8)
  • Guy Katsav - extra programming, co-production (track 9)
  • Szhirley Rokahaim - backing vocals (track 10)
  • Anna Ord - backing vocals (track 10)
  • Abigail Clancy - backing vocals (track 10)
  • Hannah Peel - organ, backing vocals, samples (track 12)

Chart performance

History of Modern reached No. 5 on the German Albums Chart, OMD's highest ever position there. It also cracked the national albums charts of several countries including reaching No. 97 in the Netherlands, No. 63 in Switzerland, No. 36 in Austria and No. 28 in the United Kingdom where it reached No. 3 on the official independent chart as well, remaining 12 weeks in the top 50.[27]

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[28] 36
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[29] 74
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[30] 97
European Top 100 Albums[31] 18
French Albums (SNEP)[32] 181
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[33] 5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 63
UK Albums (OCC)[35] 28
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[36] 3

References

  1. 1 2 "OMD NEWS : FEBRUARY 2010 – OMD Album Update". Archived from the original on 9 December 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  2. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (4 April 2013). "On the Road Again: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark". USA Today. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  3. 1 2 Wilson, Lois (30 September 2019). "OMD". Record Collector. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  4. ↑ Bray, Elisa (5 April 2013). "Our friends electric: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark". The Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  5. 1 2 Browne, Paul. "Interview: Andy McCluskey". www.omd.uk.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  6. ↑ "OMD NEWS : NOVEMBER 2009". 25 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  7. ↑ O'Brien, Jon. "Keedie: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "History of Modern". OMD. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "E-Pop Special: OMD Interview and Grum Guest Mix". BBC Radio 6 Music. 31 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "OMD NEWS : JANUARY 2010 – History of Modern update". Archived from the original on 9 December 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  11. ↑ "10" Release of History of Modern (Part I) EP at the Bright Antenna shop". Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  12. ↑ Robson, Gregory (22 September 2010). "OMD - History of Modern". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  13. ↑ Sean, O'Neal (5 October 2010). "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: History Of Modern". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  14. ↑ Horton, Matthew. "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - History of Modern". DIY. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  15. ↑ Aizlewood, John (17 September 2010). "CDs of the Week". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  16. ↑ "Reviews: OMD – History of Modern". The Independent on Sunday. Independent Print Ltd. 19 September 2010. Way better than it has any right to be...
  17. 1 2 Wilkinson, Roy (October 2010). "Review: History of Modern". Mojo (203): 100.
  18. ↑ Hogwood, Ben (20 September 2010). "OMD – History Of Modern". musicOMH. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  19. 1 2 "Review: History of Modern". Q (291): 112. October 2010.
  20. ↑ Walters, Barry (28 September 2010). "OMD, 'History of Modern'". Spin. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ↑ DiBella, M.F. (13 September 2010). "OMD, History of Modern". Urb. Archived from the original on 17 September 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  22. ↑ "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Colston Hall, Bristol". The Times. 2 November 2010. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ↑ McCormick, Neil (9 September 2010). "OMD: Orchestral manoeuvres in the Noughties". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.(registration required)
  24. ↑ Doran, John (7 September 2010). "BBC – Music – Review of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – History of Modern". BBC. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  25. ↑ O'Brien, Steve. "Top 20 Reunion Albums". Classic Pop. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  26. ↑ "The top synthpop albums of the 2010s". Modern Synthpop. 12 December 2019. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  27. ↑ History of Modern – acharts.com
  28. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – History of Modern" (in German). Hung Medien.
  29. ↑ "Ultratop.be – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – History of Modern" (in French). Hung Medien.
  30. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – History of Modern" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  31. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-albums?tag=relcharts/ Chart on Billboard
  32. ↑ "Lescharts.com – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – History of Modern". Hung Medien.
  33. ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
  34. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – History of Modern". Hung Medien.
  35. ↑ October 2010/7502/ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  36. ↑ October 2010/131/ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
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