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Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark album cover

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Genre:Electronic
Style:Synth-pop
Year:

Tracklist

Bunker Soldiers2:51
Almost3:40
Mystereality2:42
Electricity3:32
The Messerschmitt Twins5:38
Messages4:06
Julia's Song4:40
Red Frame/White Light3:11
Dancing2:59
Pretending To See The Future3:48

Credits (12)

Notes

OMD's debut studio album, first released on 22 February 1980.

The UK sleeve designed by Peter Saville originally had a 12 x 12 grid, die-cut into a blue sleeve with an orange and black inner sleeve. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
When he was told that the sleeve colour could be changed, after 10,000 copies had been produced with no extra costs incurred, three more versions of the sleeve were designed.
The second version of the sleeve had the same 12 x 12 grid die-cut, this time into a black sleeve that had a pink and black inner sleeve added. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
The third version had a 10 x 10 grid die-cut into a grey sleeve, that also used the orange inner sleeve of the first version. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
The fourth version had the same 10 x 10 grid, die-cut in to the blue sleeve used for the first version, but with a redesigned orange and black inner sleeve that had the text across the top of the sleeve. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
The other versions that also ended up being released, came about due to different inner sleeves being added randomly. The title stickers being added by hand also led to some of the sleeves to be used in reverse, which causes the grid pattern to appear to be cut the opposite direction.
Each of the four designs had a print run of 10,000 copies each, and so the variations come from a mixture of the original four designs, from the total initial release of 40,000 copies printed, before the standard none die-cut general release sleeve was produced.

Versions

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    118 versions
    Image, – In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory
    		Version DetailsData Quality
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – DID 2UK1980UK — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, CassetteOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Cassette, Album
    		Dindisc – DIDC 2UK1980UK — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – V 2149, Virgin – ( V 2149 - BS )Canada1980Canada — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Repress, Stereo
    		Virgin – 201.653Netherlands1980Netherlands — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – VVD-33.044 YPortugal1980Portugal — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Stereo
    		Virgin – 201 653, Virgin – 201 653-320Germany1980Germany — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, 4th Version
    		Dindisc – DID 2UK1980UK — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – V2149, Dindisc – V2149, Virgin – V 2149Canada1980Canada — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Repress, Stereo
    		Dindisc – did 2.UK1980UK — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – 2473 800France1980France — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Stereo
    		Virgin – DID 2Italy1980Italy — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – 201653France1980France — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – 2473800Greece1980Greece — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – DID 2New Zealand1980New Zealand — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – I-201 653, Virgin – I-201653Spain1980Spain — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – L 37308, Dindisc – DID 2Australia1980Australia — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – 201653France1980France — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, 2nd Version
    		Dindisc – did 2.UK1980UK — 1980
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, 3rd Version
    		Dindisc – DID 2UK1980UK — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, 1st Version
    		Virgin – 201.653, Dindisc – DID 2Netherlands1980Netherlands — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – 201 653-320, Virgin – 201 653Netherlands1980Netherlands — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – 201 653-320, Virgin – 201 653Germany1980Germany — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Album, LP
    		Virgin – VIP-6953Japan1980Japan — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – DID 2Australia1980Australia — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – DID 2UK1980UK — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – DID 2UK1980UK — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – 2473800, Dindisc – did 2Greece1980Greece — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, CassetteOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Cassette, Album
    		Dindisc – 401653France1980France — 1980
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – DID 2UK1980UK — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, CassetteOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Cassette, Album, Chrome
    		Dindisc – 401 910France1980France — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – VIR(L) 3004, Virgin – VIR (L) 3004South Africa1980South Africa — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, CassetteOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Cassette, Unofficial Release
    		747 – 6066Saudi Arabia1980Saudi Arabia — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Promo
    		Virgin – VIP-6953Japan1980Japan — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – 201 653-320, Virgin – 201 653Netherlands1980Netherlands — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980-02-22, CassetteOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Cassette, Album
    		Dindisc – VVD-33.044 SCPortugal1980Portugal — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Dindisc – 201653, Virgin – 201653France1980France — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Red/Green Virgin Labels
    		Virgin – DID 2, Dindisc – DID 2Australia1980Australia — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album, Test Pressing
    		Dindisc – DNL.37308, Dindisc – DNL.37308Australia1980Australia — 1980
    New Submission
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Test Pressing, Stereo
    		Dindisc – Did 2UK1980UK — 1980
    Needs Changes
    Cover of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980, VinylOrchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    LP, Album
    		Virgin – OVED 96, Dindisc – DID 2Israel1980Israel — 1980
    Recently Edited

    Recommendations

    Reviews

    • phutatorius's avatar
      phutatorius
      Just bought a 1981 Dindisc/ Virgin/ Epic issue that, as it turns out, is 1/2 OMD (self-titled) and 1/2 Organisation. Tracklist is Enola Gay, 2nd Thought, Bunker Soldiers, Almost, Electricity, Statues, The Misunderstanding, Julia's Song, Motion and Heart, Messages, and Stanlow. Has anyone else come across this? I was looking for it in the versions above but I don't see it.
      • Tuaam's avatar
        Tuaam
        Edited 2 months ago
        Very nice pressing

        I see some hate on this album and while it isn't their best album, it showcases their ingenuity and willingness to innovate within their genre. Even if it is a bargain-bin 'kraftwerk' styled album with washy synths, cheap analog drum machines and the occasional bass guitars I think it gave them a good selection of live material.

        But still, their peel sessions and live shows covering this album seem to sound much better, this album overall sounds very sterile and cold in comparison. The best analogue here would be the single release of Messages versus the Album version, with the former sounding more professional and the latter sounding robotic and almost computer-like. It is also important to note that retrospectively, the band (moreso a duo) was still trying to find their way - this album was released in 1979, at that time the genre had still yet to make it overseas with the second British invasion via MTV.

        Overall, somewhat solid debut, but their later work is much superior.
        • pcdoconline's avatar
          pcdoconline
          Once again, the supposed professionals prove that they are just muzzlers. If they have to prove that they can do something, their failure is impressively demonstrated. I wouldn't say anything, but if I now have to send every second record back (once again here) because of incorrectly centred labels, dirt in the groove, fingerprints, crackling, bent discs, broken covers and/or inner sleeves, adhesive residue on the vinyl and so on, then something is wrong with this vinyl industry. The customer is degraded to a tester, the reseller has the trouble and the companies can still deduct the failure as a fee. After more than 20 years of buying vinyl (before that I had already been buying vinyl for 30 years, but in the good old days of vinyl), I have decided to turn my back on the "new vinyl" for good. The fish still stinks from the head, as they say here in the far north. And that's true. The laziness, decadence and unbelievable ignorance of the corporations and their assistants are already working hard to ensure mass unemployment in the future. Stupid remains stupid, no pills will help.
          Conclusion: Another contribution to the waste of resources due to a high level of incompetence. Keep your hands off it and get the download or the CD instead.
          • Crasher242's avatar
            Crasher242
            A lovely pressing spoilt by being full of crap - not just dust but small particles of plastic residue. Took several runs through the wet cleaner before it was playable without jumping. Quite disappointing really.
            • schlemihl2's avatar
              schlemihl2
              Great Pressing / Great Sound. A Masterpiece, in my opinion.
              • Wiggotron's avatar
                Wiggotron
                Loaded images show pink colour text and rectangle on labels. I have a copy with the same (sadly not in the best of condition 🙁).
                I don’t see anything in the notes about this pink label. I’d assume that this colour label was particularly created for this version. Anybody who can confirm this? (I’d edit notes to add label colour, but I went into Edit Release, then quickly got out before I messed it up! 😆)
                • RantingRecords's avatar
                  RantingRecords
                  In desperate need of a repress. Anyone know if this has been mentioned by the band/label?
                  • triceratops90's avatar
                    triceratops90
                    Is there a Virgin/Dindisc Canadian edition from 1980 that has the shorter edit of "Messages" (4:05)?

                    That's what I seem to have, at least according to the Side 2 label. (I haven't actually listened to confirm the shorter runtime, though).
                    • mikey24's avatar
                      mikey24
                      This appears to be my version, though mine has a plain white sleeve.
                      • Xayver's avatar
                        Xayver
                        My version has the same outer sleeve, the same inner sleeve but the LP has the Virgin labels in red on one side and green on the other with the reference 201653 and "Made in France".
                        Does anyone have this version? I did not find a French version with this label.

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