Customer Reviews

Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover OMD

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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.

I have to give some background information about myself, at the start of this. I am admittedly OMD-ignorant. Sure, I've heard "If You Leave" (Who Hasn't?), but the rest of these songs are totally unfamiliar to me. It's embarrassing to admit, but on Color Theory's recent limited promotional album, Perfect For Awhile, I mistook "Hold You" for a original song! However, eventually I was enlightened. I guess that means you're getting a truly objective opinion on the songs!  The compilation starts off in excellent style, with the progression of such synthpop stars as Color Theory, Cosmicity, and rising stars Ganymede and Intact. And the quality is consistent, as even the unknown (to me) bands turn in excellent performances! Ganymede start out the compilation with "Messages", and their version features synthesized vocals throughout. While I really love Ganymede's old-school brand of electronics, I really wish that the vocals hadn't been distorted the whole way through the track. It's just this side of overkill, y'know? Color Theory follow up with a jazzy-ish version of "Hold You", complete with what sounds like a plucked bass. The track is given a real genuine CTheory feel though, which probably contributed to my confusion... Cosmicity's version of "Bloc Bloc Bloc" also appeared on his excellent recent remix album "ReSynthesized". It leads in with a really awesome bass synth sound, and evolves into a absolutely addictive song! This is Cosmicity at it's danciest, and a track not to be missed! Intact are recent newcomers on the synthpop scene, but a very strong debut album has gained them a sizeable following rapidly. And their cover of "Secret" is just a impressive as their original material. Done in a classic 80's romantic synth style, the track really impresses, especially with the echo-y synth in the background during the verses, which sounds almost like a female backing vocal. Excellent! Electrosquad have just released their second album, "Operation: K", which I haven't had a chance to hear yet. They use some really cool and interesting synth sounds here in the track, and the subdued approach of the vocalist seems to fit the track really well.  Dark Distant Spaces follow with a excellent version of "We Love You". While I'm not very familiar with this bands original output, this is a really grand track! Some cool synthwork, strong vocals and excellent harmonies in the choruses make this song unforgettable.  I wasn't sure what to expect with House Of Wires' version of "The Beginning And The End". Their original work can at times be very much a acquired taste, and so I wasn't sure just what approach they would take with this song. It's actually a rather understated track, surprisingly ambient friendly, with a touch of bass guitar. I guess I'm learning to expect the unexpected when it comes to HOW, but I really liked this surprise! The Faint is a totally new band to me, and they offer up a cover of "Enola Gay". It's lo-fi old-school synthpop in the same vein as Freezepop or Ganymede, however the vocal recording quality leaves something to be desired. It's a bit hard to understand the vocalist, with them being as murky as they are. Other than that, the track is really fun. Colecovision is a band I'm vaguely familiar with,..., I think. Their cover of "Joan Of Arc" is short, but so was the original.. I think. I really like the female vocalist here, as she's one of the few presented on the compilation. The song itself is short and sad, and the band coveys the emotions inherent in the song very well. The Virgins are another new band to me, and they contribute a cover of "Dream Of Me". I really find myself not caring for this track too much, without being able to pin a reason down. I think some of that may be due to the vocalist, whom I really don't think I care for too much.  This track is the first I've heard from Liquid Fiction since their excellent debut album, and they have the daunting task to cover the same tune as Apoptygma Berzerk did on thier album "7", "Electricity". For sheer power and dancablility, it would be extremely hard to top APB's version. However, LF does a really good job with a difficult task. They make the track their own, and give it a high dance appeal while doing so. Excellent! Underpass is yet another new band to me, and yet another impressive newcomer! I like the Kraftwerk-ian intro a lot, and the vocalist sounds a lot like the OMD lead singer (I think). For some reason I get the impression this is a very faithful cover of the original song, but I'm not sure. I like it, either way... Macondo follows with "Tesla Girls", a song which the meaning of totally eludes me. I don't get it! However, that opening sample is extremely infectious.. I found myself muttering that for a few hours after first hearing the song! Macondo is another new band to me, quite similar to Freezepop in some ways. I'd love to hear some original material from this band, as this cover really is addictive... I honestly think that only one cover of "If You Leave" was a really great idea. The song was played nearly to death on the radio when it came out, and has been the one song that OMD is widely known for for years. A more reserved approach fits the song well. Dyed Emotions offer up such a cover, while adding a few original touches, they leave the track mostly intact. And I think it's the best possible approach for a song such as this.  White Town, a somewhat familiar band for me, offer up the second cover of "Messages". This one is free of vocal distortion. The odd thing is, even with the slight overkill of the distortion, I still prefer Ganymede's version to this one. There's nothing really wrong with this version, it's just not as engrossing as Ganymede's version.  Carol Masters closes out the compilation with their version of "Secret", and they take a totally opposite approach to the song as Intact, making it almost a fully acoustic track. and it's actually quite nice!  Overall, this is a excellent compilation, and has convinced me I need to end my OMD ignorance. I'm going to pick up a OMD best-of or something similar ASAP...

This genre has always been fun for those in the know, and this CD is one of the best, most enjoyable ways to introduce yourself to modern synthpop. The bands here are keeping the flame of melodic, danceable, fun electronic music alive.

Standout tracks are Electrosquad's quirky "Souvenir," Ganymede's breathtaking computerized "Messages," and Color Theory's jazzy "Hold You." It's interesting that Carol Masters' dreamy solo guitar version of "Secret" (track 16) shows up the good but comically overblown and overproduced Intact version (track 4). It's amazing that these bands are mostly unsigned, amateur musicians. The production is amazing, and it actually captures the quirky invention of many of the OMD originals without ripping them off, and without sounding too slick.

Highly recommended!

If you ever considered yourself a fan of OMD, you owe it to yourself to pick up this CD! The quality is high throughout and the arrangements tend to be innovative rather than derivative. Contrary to popular belief, synthpop didn't disappear with the 80's. In fact, many of these bands have been further evolving the style over the course of many albums. So besides tickling your nostalgia bone, you can get a peek at the tip of the iceberg of the developing synthpop scene. Depeche Mode isn't the only band still doing it.

For a cover album, this is a fairly decent compilation. The highlights of the album are "Radio Waves" by Underpass and "Secret" by Carol Masters. Underpass' version of "Radio Waves" is outstanding. They do some nice vocal effects in the song. Carol Masters has a nice acoustic guitar version of "Secret". The "Messages" covers are decent by White Town and Ganymede.

The lowlights of the album are the covers of "Enola Gay" by the Faint and "Joan of Arc" by Colecovision. The Faint used to many rhythm breaks and did not sing the song very well...The correct lyric is "Listen Joan of Arc" and she sings "Listen show it all". I will give her credit for having a good voice though, but still if you are going to cover a song you should know the lyrics.

The good thing about this album is that it will help keep the music of OMD alive. OMD is really one of the most underrated groups of alltime.

This is a pretty silly collection of no-name synth pop artists covering OMD songs. Most of them sound like they were recorded in home studios. I would only recommend this for hard-core OMD fans, like myself. :-)

Wow! What fun it was to live through these songs again. Like others, Some were really fun and others not so. I loved "Bloc Bloc Bloc" by Cosmicity. It was Pop music at it's best. These guys are going places. I can't wait to check out other stuff by them. Intact's "Secert" was a well kept one. What a treat to hear that again! The vocalist was superb! Intact is another band i think will go far! on the not to fun was Ganymede's "Messages" YUK! Color Theory's "Hold You" BORING! And what were they thinking when they let Carol Masters "Secert" on? DOUBLE YUK!!

I am a huge OMD fan. I have collected all of their singles and albums, most of them in more than 3 formats, and have also released an OMD cover album on my own very DIY label. That album was a lot of fun and it received many mixed reviews. It's no gem, either, but it has it's moments. When I heard that a new OMD cover album was being released, I was very hopeful for the final product. I couldn't wait to hear what was going to happen. The best, most endearing aspects of OMD's sound are rolled into the successful usage of choral and string sampling, lushness of sound using analog gear, insistence on a live percussion sound (more on this later), and of course, Andy McCluskey's voice.

The new OMD cover album has about 4 tracks that contain (at the very least) two of these endearing aspects, and even less that actually add anything to the list, or are unique to the synthpop genre. Doing something new, changing a song from it's roots and making it your own are additions that would be welcome (and should be encouraged) in a cover version album.

1. Ganymede - "Messages": Great instrumental. Really full sound. The voice effects completely ruin it for me, though. 2. Color Theory - "Hold You": Something about the feel of a true sappy OMD love song is missing from this track, I think the vocals are lacking in the passion of the original, and not replaced by anything else memorable enough to flesh out the song. 3. Cosmicity - "Bloc Bloc Bloc": If OMD's first album was 'Junk Culture', and this track had been recorded during that era, this is what it would sound like. 4. Intact - "Secret": Again, great track minus vocals. Everyone wants to be Dave Gahan. 5. Electrosquad - "Souvenir": Excellent track, just a bit too reminiscent of the original, but this one's a keeper. Is that an extra note in the chorus? Nice effect. 6. Dark Distant Spaces - "We Love You": Faithful cover of the original. This track is okay, but nothing special. 7. House Of Wires - "The Beginning And The End": Unique interpretation. A bit cold, but overall a keeper. 8. The Faint - "Enola Gay": Promising intro with the disjointed samples and beats. Had me hooked and then it didn't go anywhere. It just kept going on and on with the disjointedness. Then the voice effects kick in. Yawn. Not a bad track by any means, but as a cover of one of OMD's best, I expected a little more. 9. Colecovision - "Joan of Arc": Excellent. I'm a sucker for female vocals. Lacking just a BIT of the power and emotion of the original, but good none-the-less. 10. The Virgins - "Dream Of Me:" A cover of a cover. Hmmm. I'm not a big fan of this track. Where's the lushness of the OMD version? If the lushness is intentionally left out, where's the alternate effect replacing it? 11. Liquid Fiction - "Electricity": Not quite to my liking. No energy in the vocals or the presentation. The techno beat and rhythm is straight from the OMD Singles Remixes era, and that was OMD's lowest point in my opinion. OMD didn't go there because OMD didn't need to. Rave Til Dawn! 12. Underpass - "Radio Waves": May I say, a bit too synthpop? Dump the voice box! Fun little track, I like it. Has the energy this tracks needs. 13. Macondo - "Tesla Girls: Not a big fan of this era of OMD, but this track seems to take all of the worst aspects of this era of OMD and play upon them. Nicely crafted and you will probably like it if 'Junk Culture' is your kind of OMD. Otherwise, not too memorable. 14. Dyed Emotions - "If You Leave": The song has a lot of power. If it wasn't for the weak (but not bad) vocals and the carbon copy of the original instrumental tracking, this song would be much better. 15. White Town - "Messages": This is what a cover should be. Even though the vocals are not quite my bag, they are passionate and rich. The music is transformed into a barely recognizable version of the original song. Makes you relearn what the song is about and how it feels. Excellent. 16. Carol Masters - "Secret": Fun, inventive, and NOT SYNTHPOP! Perfect. Cross that genre line and don't be afraid to stretch it or break it! Not sure what I think about the digital 'This Is All' at the end, and the main vocals are not quite to my liking, but it could grow on me. This one's okay.

Synthpop by very definition, is about the instruments used to create the music, that is a given. The acts that started Synthpop had a big challenge ahead of them. Kraftwerk had an idea and started a whole camp of synthpop bands, but sadly most of them had a hard time getting feeling into the music. Full, rich sound is hard to come by with analog synths, rhythm generators, drum machines and voice effect modules.

OMD, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Human League, New Order, Gary Numan, etc. were essential in taking synthpop and transforming it onto a fuller sounding genre. For me, the early albums by all of these bands are so dated that listening to them is a trip back in time. Don't get me wrong, they are brilliant albums, and some of them were world changing to me, but listen to 'Upstairs at Eric's' by Yaz and tell me honestly that it doesn't make you cringe at times.

OMD approached this genre using more conventional instruments along with the synth. Andy McCluskey played an electric bass. They either used a live drum kit or tweaked the drum machine sound to get an organic feel on many of their recording sessions, etc. They even took the synthpop flag by the horns a few times and went all out using a purely and undeniably electronic sound. Listen to 'Junk Culture'. Endearing isn't it? Like an early Depeche Mode album. EXCEPT, there are additions and quirks to OMD's music that made this album stand out. They drove the synthpop machine for all it was worth at this point in their careers, but added to it by being themselves.

Synthpop is dated, and not because it was a bad genre of music, but because it has grown up and is a bigger boy now. Techno, Drum & Bass, as much as I hate to use buzzwords, are where synthpop moved to when it grew up. The beats in hip hop and rap, the lushness of the music of Orbital and the Chemical Brothers, and the uniqueness and willingness to add something new to the electronic sound are all there for a reason.

Covering a strong set of material is already a daunting task and for the effort, I give all participants a big hand. Making the album memorable is another story. Besides a handful of brilliant tracks, I don't think I will play this album much more.

Blind faith in a band is an easy trap to fall into. I myself was hopelessly devoted to OMD at one time. I still have a hard time criticizing anything they have done. But when the OMD Singles album was released with the subsequent single remixes... C'mon! OMD was a great band, but then again, some fans will never find anything wrong with anything related to them. I have to pass on that line of thinking in submitting this review and ask for mercy from the flames!

For the most part, this album sticks to the early days of the synthpop genre like a leech. Modern Synthpop, should be just that, Modern. It sounds to me like an album of OMD's early demos. For some this may work wonders. If you rabidly enjoy 'Speak & Spell' by Depeche Mode, Yaz albums, or Kraftwerk, then by all means, go and get it! If you prefer your electronic music with a bit of heart, soul and originality, you might want to pass on this title. But then again if you are an OMD fanatic, you have to own this, no doubt about it. I preordered it, didn't I?

-Patrick Oltraver OMD Fanatic.