User:EHonkoop/WorkInProgress1
Song information[edit]
Radio Prague[edit]
The "Radio Prague" track is the actual interval signal of the Czechoslovak Radio foreign service of the same name, including the time signal and station ID spoken in Czech. "Radio Prague" has no writing credits at all, with OMD being credited only for arranging the track.
Genetic Engineering[edit]
"Genetic Engineering" was the first single released from the album. Like the title suggests it's about genetic engineering. The subject is dealt from a positive point of view.
| “ | I was very positive about the subject! I didn't expect someone like Monsanto to come along and say, "Fuck it, we can make money out of cross-pollination." | ” |
| — Andy McCluskey | ||
During the song a Speak & Spell machine is used to produce the words "Babies, mother, hospital, scissors, creature, judgement, butcher, engineer".
The 2008 re-issue has the "312MM version", originally on the 12" single, as a bonus track. 312 is simply 12 inch made metric: 312 mm = 12.28 inch.
ABC Auto-Industry[edit]
"ABC Auto-Industry" deals about the use of robots in Czechoslovakian industry. The song is built around separate loops of the letters "ABC" and the numbers "123", sung by Paul Humphreys. Over these loops a recording from an economic item on Radio Prague is played. Percussion and sound effects are added.
Telegraph[edit]
"Telegraph" dates back to the recording sessions of "Architecture & Morality". An early version of the song, with different lyrics, is added as a bonus track on the 2008 re-issue titled the "Manor Version". The "Extended Version" of the song, originally on the 12" single, is also added as a bonus track on the 2008 re-issue.
This Is Helena[edit]
"This Is Helena" is an instrumental. Every now and then there are short breaks in which a woman says "This Is Helena". This voice was also recorded from a Radio Prague broadcast.
International[edit]
"International" starts with a newsreader reading "The youth anti-Imperialist Tribune was also addressed by a young girl from Nicaragua whose hands had been cut off at the wrists by the former Somoza guard..." and than turns into a waltz with emotional singing by Andy McCluskey.
Dazzle Ships (Parts II, III & VII)[edit]
"Dazzle Ships (Parts II, III and VII)" is a sound collage designed to give the impression of ships in war. Most of the sound effects of ships and submarines were taken from a company that specialises in film soundtracks. The break in the middle, punctuated by a lone bass sound is actually McCluskey saying "Blue" but the sound has been fed into an Emulator.
The Romance of the Telescope[edit]
"The Romance of the Telescope" was originally released on the B-side of the 1981 single "Joan of Arc". It was remixed for inclusion on this album.
Silent Running[edit]
"Silent Running" was originally called "Walking on Air". It takes its title from the science fiction film Silent Running (1971) which starred Bruce Dern. The song itself has nothing to do with the theme of the film but the band simply liked the title.
Radio Waves[edit]
"Radio Waves" dates back to the pre-OMD days of The Id. Former The Id member John Floyd wrote some of the lyrics. The opening intro is a short wave radio scanning radio frequencies. "Radio Waves" was considered as a possible single.
Time Zones[edit]
"Time Zones" is a sound collage of various speaking clocks from around the world. "Time Zones" has no writing credits at all, with OMD being credited only for arranging the track.
Of All the Things We've Made[edit]
"Of All the Things We've Made" was originally released on the B-Side of the 12" release of the 1982 single "Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)".
4-Neu[edit]
The punning title of "4-Neu" was a dedication to the influential "krautrock" band Neu!. It was originally released as the B-side of "Genetic Engineering".
66 and Fading[edit]
"66 and Fading" is an instrumental. It was originally released as the B-side of "Telegraph".
Swiss Radio International[edit]
"Swiss Radio International" was dropped from the album at the last minute due to the band being unable to obtain the rights to use it, but was added as a bonus track on the 2008 re-issue. Similar to "Radio Prague", it contains the call sign for the radio station Swiss Radio International. Drummer Malcolm Holmes referred to the tune as "The Ice Cream Song" due to its similarity to the melodies played by ice cream vans.
Personnel[edit]
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark[edit]
Other[edit]
- Maureen Humphreys – backing vocals
External links[edit]
- The Guardian - "How OMD lost 3 million fans in one easy step"
- Clash magazine interview - "Electro pioneers OMD discuss their career"
- ^ Stanley, Bob (7 March 2008). "How OMD lost 3 million fans in one easy step". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2009.
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