OMD, one of the best New Wave acts of the ‘80s, has returned with their third reunion record, and while it doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of their best work, there are still quite a few winners to choose from.
The title track will immediately remind people of the OMD of old: very spry and upbeat, it will certainly leave the listener with a nice skip in their step. “Isotype” is one of their more experimental tracks that still comes off well. It’s quite nice to see after all these years and history that they still have it and haven’t really lost a step.
One song here a lmost brings things to a grinding halt: “As We Open, So We Close” has a bit of an EDM feel to it, which doesn’t lend much to the overall proceedings. The vocals, however, courtesy of Andy McCluskey, are outstanding as always and help to outshine the oddball musical proceedings going on in the background. “Art Eats Art” is just boring, plain and simple. It’s very dull , lacking in life and charm, and it is one that should’ve definitely been a B-side.
“Ghost Star” is one of those songs that goes on just a bit too long and doesn’t really seem to go anywhere. It just kind of sits there waiting to get started and never gets to its destination. “One More Time,” on the other hand, is a fantastic, amazing pop song. It’s almost a classic for the ages, one of their best songs that should be enjoyed endlessly.
Overall, the record is decent. It is not one of the band’s best, but like every single one of their previous discs, there’s enough here to recommend and at least one track that everyone will be able to enjoy. And isn’t that what everyone wants – at least one great song?
