Orchestral Manœuvres In The Dark* – Crush

WHY why why no deluxe reissue of an album that performed so well for them. By comparison, Junk Culture, which did little in the U.S., had a very nice 2-disc reissue.

I doubt anyone would disagree that the early OMD albums are all fantastic. Each has a different tone and atmosphere but Junk Culture and Crush are where things are shaken up.

While it definitely has its highs I struggle with elements of Junk Culture even though it's supposed to be the band self-consciously making chart friendly music. Crush is where this is pushed to its max, but while it's commonly seen as the bands' 'sell out' record, I think it has an underlying concept that a lot don't see, which feels truer to the first four albums too - it's Andy and Paul commenting on a various aspect of human culture, and to me it develops further the fascination with america that started in JC.

To me, Crush is about the notion of Americana specifically and various aspects of american culture - from movies to cultural figures. you have the three romantic 'film score' esque soundtracks, a cynical look at america's past (native daughters, lights are going out), and comments about the supposed american dream (women III, la femme accident, crush). The fact that three of these tracks are successful, albeit commercial love songs from movies only serves the album's purpose to me, and it's all packaged in an homage to edward hopper - whose work was sometimes about looking at the quieter moments on the fringes of society, liminal spaces on empty streets, and I think that all serves its purpose. I do think Crush is a bit misunderstood, but because of the huge impact of its two major singles (and lack of comment by the band to the contrary) I don't blame anyone for thinking it's nothing less than a commercial album. Something was lost by The Pacific Age and that's where I personally start to drift off but they still had some excellent tracks after this.

This pressing is quite good. As others have said - very quiet with great bass response. This seems to be the one to get.

Great sounding pressing. The brass and bass pop. Translucent quiex vinyl.

Havent' popped this one on for almost 30 years. The pressing is really nice. No surface noise and really quiet. Was pleasantly surprised.

The slide begun on "Junk Culture" becomes precipitate here. You won't find any of the colourful futurist technophilia of "Dazzle Ships" or stark neo-medievalism of "Architecture and Morality", just Hollywood candyfloss. I didn't like this at the time, still struggle.

great pressing sounds very good i can only imagine how good a UK first pressing sounds if this US sounds this good

Anyone know who did the cover art? Reminds me a lot of Edward Hopper, but it isn't his.

I have a copy of this pressing which is labelled and packaged as Tubular Bells. Anybody else come across similar here?

I have an SP 5077 US Cover with the inner sleeve and label of the UK V2349 ... anyone else?