Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover OMD

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ninthwave/ Dmaft Records
• ASIN: B00005CEOD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,492 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, June 14, 2001

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover OMD (Audio CD)

After enduring the drab 90's and a couple brain-dead depeche mode cd's, I thought synthpop was dying. But after hearing this cd, I'm realizing that it is not on life support, but rather flourishing. I tend to stay away from tribute albums because it's usually modern rock bands trying to cover 80's electronic groups, and it usually [isn't any good]. The bands featured here do justice to OMD classics. Two that stand out are Dyed Emotions with their version of If You Leave, and Electrosquad with a superb version of Souvenir. Since I bought this cd, I can't put it down. Carol Masters' version of Secret, however, does not belong on this cd. It's weak.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Synthpop lives on!, May 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover OMD (Audio CD)

To give a bit of background, I bought this CD solely as a fan of OMD and other 80's synth/new wave bands. My curiosity was piqued by the fact that all of the covers here were by so-called "modern synthpop" bands - I never knew there was such a thing as modern synthpop, or that the genre of music was still around (apart from old-timers like the Mode, Erasure, or Pet Shop Boys). Boy, was I wrong! And if the quality of this CD is any indication, it's a crime that these bands have been kept from the general public for so long - something that this CD will hopefully change.

For me, the highlight of the album comes at the very beginning, with Ganymede's stunning version of "Messages." This track epitomizes everything I love about classic synthpop, from the heavenly analogue synths to the killer breakin'-style beat to the wicked robotic vocals. It's quite a revelation to me that there's a band out there keeping this style of music alive so faithfully, and I definitely intend to check out Ganymede's other releases. Also excellent was Cosmicity's "Bloc Bloc Bloc." Although not one of my favorite OMD tracks, this version has a great bouncy, blippy sound that would make Vince Clarke proud, and I plan on investigating their music as well. Another track that grew on me fast was Liquid Fiction's "Electricity," while being heavily laced with a trance influence, captured me by the way the intensity of the original was replaced with a beautifully serene and atmospheric vibe.

Overall, even if this CD isn't perfect (no cover of "So In Love"?!), the good far outweighs the bad. I strongly urge any fan of OMD and their ilk to buy this CD to discover and support the new artists that are keeping the synthpop spirit alive so well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another tribute CD, May 14, 2001

By 

Frank Ward (Newark OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover OMD (Audio CD)

Okay, here's the trouble with Tribute albums- they always seem to be a label's dumping ground for new bands or they are totally inappropriate (punk bands cover The Carpenters!! Cool!!!) Granted, one or two tracks on this set feel like they were stuck on for whatever reason, but most of the tracks here are either very good or outstanding.

It is a testament to McCluskey and Humprehys' songwriting tat these songs stand up so well, even when bent and fiddled with. The two should be considered along with Difford and Tilbrook and Costello as class A songwriters from the `80s.

The set gets off to a great start, Ganymede present the future that never was, mixing in vocoders and italia-disco to give messages an ultra-futuristic feel. Color Theory do a jazz trio take on "Hold You" that works very well. (Colecovision's "string quartet" version of "Joan of Arc" is another highlight). I loved Cosmicity here, made me get up and dance around. Always first rate stuff from them.

Other standouts include Electrosquad, Intact (that guy can really sing!), Dark Distant Spaces (is that a guitar?). White Town and House of Wires turn in fantastic lo-fi electro versions for their tracks. Both the Virgins and the Faint give their songs a slightly more punk/new wave feel that works very well. Another highlight is Liquid Fiction's trancey take on "Electricity." Who knew OMD were so hip?

And I loved the little girl on Macondo's "Tesla Girls." The strangest, but, in a way, most refreshing track, is Carol Master's acoustic take on "Secrets." Just guitar, vocals, oh, and a "speak and spell" (!!!??!!!) make the song a fitting end.

This is the best "tribute" cd I have heard in... well...ever. The bands are all obviously fans. And it stands on it's own as a cool collection.