After celebrating the 40th anniversary of the acclaimed ‘Junk Culture’, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) have announced plans to celebrate 40 years of their US breakthrough record, ‘Crush’.
An expanded ‘Crush’ album will be available on October 10th via UMR/Virgin.
Originally released on June 17th 1985, the record spawned popular hits such as Billboard Top 40 entrant ‘So In Love’, and ‘Secret’, peaking at #13 on the UK Official Album Chart.
It was recorded in Liverpool’s Amazon Studios in the late winter of 1984, before relocating to the more secluded facilities of The Manor (Oxfordshire), where US-born producer Stephen Hague put the finishing touches to the album.
Vocalist and bassist, Andy McCluskey commented: “We felt for the first time like we needed somebody to help us focus on the production. We were too close to these half-written songs and needed someone who could be a little bit more objective.
“Stephen had a very slick production sound. Maybe unconsciously, we were also thinking, ‘If we’re going to break America, we need to be a bit more polished‘. We managed to create an exceedingly good album. We are very proud of every track.”
The 40th celebration of Crush will arrive on 2LP black and coloured vinyl, as well as 2CD and digital formats.
Remastered from the original analogue files, the special anniversary edition also includes seven unreleased tracks from their multitrack sessions, mixed by Paul Humphreys (vocalist and keyboardist).
The release also comes with two demos, an alternative mix, four never-before-heard songs, plus non-album b-sides and extended or 12″ mixes, some of which have never been reissued or issued on CD/digitally.
The package also features with rare photos and comprehensive notes by journalist and author Jason Draper in conversation with Andy McCluskey.
Andy continues: “The 40th anniversary re-release of Crush has been a wonderful opportunity for us to re-assess the album.
“1985 was a period of great intensity with constant touring and time pressure in the studio, but we created a powerful collection of songs and lyrical themes.
“We changed style and musical palette, but Crush retains a confidence and energy that I am very proud of.”
Head to OMD – Crush (40th Anniversary Deluxe) to pre-order.
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