Back in the future! Or: The well-kept Synth-Pop is still alive yet!

The reunified Liverpool electro pioneers OMD deliver with History of Modern "from an equally impressive as thrilling comeback album. Although McCluskey and Humphreys (Onetwo") had never really retired from the music business, the end of the band seemed really at the latest sealed end of the 90s. The late 70s there were OMD almost simultaneously with Gary Numan and The Human League (mainly inspired by Kraftwerk and Neu!) The British pop scene revolutionized from underground out with synthetic sounds and thus shaped the sound of the 80s. OMD`s comeback is all the more consistent when one considers what the hype artists like Lady GaGa and La Roux currently trigger, even though (or perhaps because) they blithely copy the sounds and Popmuster the doyen and repackage.
When I the opener NEW BABIES: NEW TOYS first heard, I had gone almost the spit. Such aggressive you have not experienced since OMD The New Stone Age "or Radio Waves". (! New Order) McCluskey`s ruppiges bass playing roars us formally to: ears! We were once post-punk! On top of his snotty vocals paired with delicate lyrics ("... there`s no heaven, there`s no light, cream will float but shit will sell ..."). On top of that time may Holmes is finally back romp with driving beats on the drums, which is not naturally is the rule in synth poppers. That all this then combined with crude 90-synth fanfares and a singalong chorus (or actually almost thwarted) is, is this the last song touched by genius. The final product is a single crackling balancing act; an oblique melange of Joy Division and Scooter.
With the first single IF YOU WANT IT follows a rather smooth and comparatively uninspired acting piece. Although here are some promising approaches, but the song loses ultimately in an overloaded production and a too ambitious chorus. Overall, the song just seems to rushed - would more less been here.
After that, however, waiting for the album with two further album highlights; the two pieces Title HISTORY OF MODERN. PART1 is of the sort Popgenuss how she gets to hear only every few years. With his innate minimalism this piece drilled relentlessly into the ear canals. Humphreys delivers here a simple but although seemingly brilliant synth riff and proves that OMD anno 2010 have lost none of their relevance. Wonderfully, as McCluskey almost provocatively to the feathery Synthklängen Armageddon sings brought. It would be crazy if this song is full of pop appeal, would not even released as a single. PART2 makes this an epic counterpart. In atmospheric density, this piece builds to a thrilling mid-tempo number and empties into a catchy chorus.
With the melancholy SOMETIMES OMD ensure stylistically for a little surprise. McCluskey convinced in a duet with a female voice reminiscent of Macy Gray. The vocals are embedded in voluptuous and ethereal soundscapes. The song is strongly reminiscent of Moby, which is not surprising at second glance, however, especially Moby said let it be known on several occasions that its sound ideas are also inspired by the early OMD.
An outstanding emotional vocal performance provides McCluskey from at RFWK. No wonder, because this is the blatant and official "declaration of love of Liverpool at the Düsseldorf About Fathers Kraftwerk It's merge a delight as here numerous power plant reminiscences with the typical warm OMD-tunes." ... You wrapped your arms around me and the loading had begun ".
The redeeming NEW HOLY GROUND reminiscent in some passages to various legendary single B-sides from 1981 to 1984. Here OMD are building on the strengths of their early years. Sparsely used strings, choral samples and Mellotron sounds conjure up a wonderfully soothing mood here. Instead of conventional beats the song is accompanied by echoing step sound. McCluskey sings simultaneously haunting and restrained and moves lyrically close to the abyss: "... there`s no hope of escape from sin and no savior - we must now abandon the people did we`ve been ....".
THE FUTURE, THE PAST AND AFTER FOREVER and SISTER MARIE SAYS are up-tempo numbers such as OMD have previously serially produced. The former is dressed in partly wonderfully quirky synths and McCluskey touches vocally from and to the threshold of pain, but the entire structure convinces by its daring rhythmic alternation and retro-futuristic sound patterns ... and awakens associations with a Giorgio Moroder at times of I Feel Love "and a Trevor Horn to circa 1984. Sister Marie Says "deserves the title catchy and is not accidental, the second single. The track comes as snappy hybrid of Enola Gay "and various OMD songs from the early 90s, therefore, not particularly deep but synth-pop at its best and with hit potential included.
With ultra-liberal tolerance could laud the dancefloor-heavy PULSE as a stylistic enrichment and aufpeppendes element. The New Wave purist, however, is in pulses "probably more of a disturbance or rather Stöhnmanöver" see. Spontaneous recall the bubbling bass, rattling beats and gestöhnten and mumbled Lyrics to effusions of men Timbaland / Timberlake. Pulse "like in its genre, although quite possess qualities, but the constant high level of the album can not go.
Finally, the album is then passed into calmer waters, but without only begin to be boring. The ballad-GREEN contains proven ingredients OMD. A pretty synth melody, choral samples and yearning vocals. In addition, an electronic rhythm that might have sprung the spring of Vince Clarke.
The finely arranged BONDAGE OF FATE is supported by a three-quarter clock radiates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
THE RIGHT SIDE? is completed once an absolute highlight. In this more than 8-minute electric epic OMD excel at will with synth samples and chorus effects. Nestled in a chilled soundscape tells McCluskey classic Teenage Anxiety Ballad ":" - ". The cardinal question"? Come with me Stay with me He`s saying SHE`S praying Is this the right side "is of a distorted female voice eerily beautiful breathy then - the worthy end of a strong comeback album!

Playing tips: 1, 3, 6, 7 and 13

By the way: as a worthwhile treat the MP3 version offers the excellent bonus track IDEA 1 (Amazon exclusive!).