One of the reasons Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark have called their brand new album, their eleventh,’ History of Modern’ is because they are acutely aware of what it is they’re doing with this release. On paper, this is the UK synth-pop pioneers’ first new material since 1996, but in spirit, it has more in common with the group’s early ’80s heyday when their hits lit up the charts and set the agenda for a bold new movement in British electronic music. Fast forward 30 years to the reunited OMD of 2010 and it’s clear that that sense of mischief and youthful idealism still fuels the group.

CD New/sealed

1. New Babies; New Toys 2. If You Want It 3. History Of Modern (Part I) 4. History Of Modern (Part II) 5. Sometimes 6. RFWK 7. New Holy Ground 8. The Future, The Past, And Forever After 9. Sister Marie Says 10. Pulse 11. Green 12. Bondage Of Fate 13. The Right Side?