The ‘kestrels seem to have been very active in the summer – playing festivals and headlining very well attended shows in continental Europe, where they remain a very big act as a standalone going concern.
This is Bauhaus Staircase – a song title that screams New Romantic pretencieux-ness from the top of its lungs.
What’s going on? Well, it’s a corker. As with the best of their work, you feel you are walking past a huge industrial machine – a big, loud, rhythmic sound.
McCluskey the songwriter is in there too. The melody is a tessellated membrane, covering the machine and the themes of beauty and the bleak, colour in the monochrome, moments of love within drudgery – all offer a brisk salute and report for duty, sah!
It’s everything you want from OMD – and the forthcoming LP Lufthansa Terminal* promises more of the same.
*not really
Like it.
That is a great sounding track.
For me, these guys best period is their late period.
I agree that the late period stuff is really good. I just haven’t heard it enough times for it to eclipse the first 4 albums – which I know back to front and sideways.
Yes, that’s a really good song, and an interesting video too – I didn’t understand it, but I liked it, and the nod to their previous albums was a nice touch.
I have a lot of time for OMD, just quietly doing their thing but still bringing us the sound of the future. And they seem like decent blokes too – IIRC it was Andy McCluskey who, in that Synth Britannia doc from a few years ago, said something like, “People said the synths do all the work and create the song. Well, if there was a button marked ‘Hit Song’ I’d be pressing it every day. But no, there’s not…”
Also, BC, if the new album is not called Lufthansa Terminal, it definitely should be.
I just casted the video onto the big screen. I love it.
I borrowed Lufthansa Terminal from Not the Nine O’clock News.
Oooh, that’s very good. The synths are especially none more 80’s.
It’s almost as good as recent B-Movie stuff and there can surely be no higher praise…
I haven’t heard recent B-Movie stuff so now I’m a bit curious.
Oh! On second thoughts, this doesn’t sound much like OMD but it’s only 7 years old…
For some reason, despite listening to them loads over the years, OMD have never quite entered my head as a ‘favourite band’ and I kind of forget them for periods. But when I do listen to them I can’t stop for days on end. StatsforSpotify tells me they’re my 8th most listened to band of all time in more than 10 years on Spotify (if it’s to be believed). So really, they actually are one of my favourite bands.
And I like that a lot, both video and song. So thanks for the heads up.
I know what you mean, they’ve rarely been anyone’s Favourite Band, despite their output being fairly consistent (except the solo years). But I think much of it came down to their (lack of) image – two Geography teachers, one Dad Dancing. Compare that to ver League, with Phil’s hair and The Girls (and their patchy output post-Dare).
Offspring the Younger listens to a lot of modern hip-hop, and OMD are often sampled. Catchy tunes, not much singing, ideal for cribbing. I played him Messages and he was “I know this…”
They’re one of my favourite bands and as @fentonsteve says, I don’t think they inspire devotion at the same level as other acts. I think it’s because they wandered off course somewhat, only getting back on track in the last decade.
Lufthansa Terminal , could/should have been an outtake from Berlin – period Bowie
Lufthansa Terminal , could/should have been an outtake from Berlin – period Bowie
I like the early ones where McCluskey sings, Messages, Enola Gay, Electricity. But Paul Humphries has the weediest voice ever
Bauhaus Staircase, did you say?
https://youtu.be/vsqiF62ALuA?si=hUjeU4fhAxCeLsFo
Fine band!
I’ve seem live once. It was at a rather eccentric venue: the Bullring in Benidorm!
I like it. But I probably would – I enjoy most of their stuff.
Like @kaisfatdad, I’ve seen them live, once. At the 930 Club in D.C.
One of the happiest, most uplifting concert experiences I’ve had. A simply wonderful night out.