This is an article about an album which really says something a bit different to me. I couldn't include it in my list of the Top 5 albums of 00s' because, well, it was released in 1983. This is an album by a group who I consider to be the Godfathers of modern electronic pop, despite the fact that I'm certain you'll disagree.
This, Ladies & Gentlemen, is Dazzle Ships.
I'm currently staying at my Mum's over the festive period and one of my favourite things about coming back to Ayr (aside from family, free food and actually having central heating as opposed to living like a Siberian tiger-trapper) is having a vinyl player and my Mum's (now mine, ha!) OMD records. I must admit that like most people I've tried to introduce this album to, when I first heard it I didn't really get it.
I should point out that Dazzle Ships, unlike it's illustrious and well known predecessor 'Architecture & Morality', is more of a conceptual album. Its conventional pop songs are the even numbered tracks and the others are more experimental, using adaptations from shortwave radio to explore themes of isolation, violence and exploitation in Eastern Bloc countries. Thoroughly charming, summer's day stuff I'm sure you'll agree.
Let's talk about the album art first though. Say what you like about not judging an album by its cover- this is one where you think "Aye, let's crack you open and have a butchers at your synthy innards." It's actually inspired by this painting by Edward Wadsworth called "Dazzle Ships in dry-dock at Liverpool" (say what you see):
I'm currently staying at my Mum's over the festive period and one of my favourite things about coming back to Ayr (aside from family, free food and actually having central heating as opposed to living like a Siberian tiger-trapper) is having a vinyl player and my Mum's (now mine, ha!) OMD records. I must admit that like most people I've tried to introduce this album to, when I first heard it I didn't really get it.
I should point out that Dazzle Ships, unlike it's illustrious and well known predecessor 'Architecture & Morality', is more of a conceptual album. Its conventional pop songs are the even numbered tracks and the others are more experimental, using adaptations from shortwave radio to explore themes of isolation, violence and exploitation in Eastern Bloc countries. Thoroughly charming, summer's day stuff I'm sure you'll agree.
Let's talk about the album art first though. Say what you like about not judging an album by its cover- this is one where you think "Aye, let's crack you open and have a butchers at your synthy innards." It's actually inspired by this painting by Edward Wadsworth called "Dazzle Ships in dry-dock at Liverpool" (say what you see):
Without going into needless, pointless detail the dazzle camouflage (used to confuse submarines- but not in the Pokemon way) formed a lovely package for Cold War uncertainty in an album which contains Czech transmissions, Tribune reports and speaking clocks in a variety of languages.
One of the integral songs on the album in fact is this one called "Dazzle Ships Pts II, III & VII" is one of the pivotal songs on the album and opens all their live shows (at least recently).
The light show makes it something truly special I assure you, the first time I saw this done (I'm somewhere below the character that took this video), I was flabberghasted that this was happening until my Mum informed me this was actually a song on Dazzle Ships. I thought to myself "Christ, I've got to hear that." Admittedly beginning more as a rejected sound effect from Jeff Wayne's 'War of the Worlds' the steady build of sirens, klaxons and some properly Scooby Doo 'mystery' music create an amazing air of suspense.
This comes directly in the wake of one of the more conventional pop songs 'International' which begins with a section of an address by"a young girl from Nicaragua whose hands had been cut off at the wrists." Which is interspersed with a sweeping, almost ethereal waltz which brings to mind the images of the shocking abuse of children which we've seen over the years. OMD, you evocative Scousers, you.
As if this wasn't enough, "Dazzle Ships Pts II, III & VII" is followed by a song called "The Romance of the Telescope" which is one of the most haunting, electronic pop songs of a generation and is just as evocative as their other classic 'haunter' (an adjective I've just coined) "Maid of Orleans" despite being relatively short on vocals.
One of the integral songs on the album in fact is this one called "Dazzle Ships Pts II, III & VII" is one of the pivotal songs on the album and opens all their live shows (at least recently).
This comes directly in the wake of one of the more conventional pop songs 'International' which begins with a section of an address by"a young girl from Nicaragua whose hands had been cut off at the wrists." Which is interspersed with a sweeping, almost ethereal waltz which brings to mind the images of the shocking abuse of children which we've seen over the years. OMD, you evocative Scousers, you.
As if this wasn't enough, "Dazzle Ships Pts II, III & VII" is followed by a song called "The Romance of the Telescope" which is one of the most haunting, electronic pop songs of a generation and is just as evocative as their other classic 'haunter' (an adjective I've just coined) "Maid of Orleans" despite being relatively short on vocals.
In case you were curious.
"See these arms that were broken, how they held you so.
Never once did they fail you, they won't let you go.
We're just waiting looking skyward as the days come down.
Someone promised there'd be answers, if we stayed around.
Over decades, now this romance has sustained us all.
Never questioned, only giving what it made us for."
In short, if you have any interest in the good side of 80s' music, a time which is so often dragged through a pile of horse manure by so-called musos who have no time for any form of fun then snap out of it and get your head into this album. Sure, there may not be a Cold War on now but there's still exploitation in the world, there's still child soldiers fighting for their very survival and there's still countries, groups and governments (even our own) who pose a threat to the open, caring and peaceful life that we should all be living. Happily co-existing with rainbows, dancing badgers and the promise of a genuine dancing leprechaun in every Irish theme pub. Even the shit ones.
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