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OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark): Universal

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Virgin Records
Released: 1996.09.02
Time:
 49:42
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): See Artists ...
Rating: *******... (7/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.omd.uk.com
Appears with:
Purchase date: 1998.02.07
Price in €: 10,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Univeresal (Andy McCluskey)
[2] Walking on the Milky Way (Nigel Ipinson)
[3] Moon and the Sun (Karl Bartos)
[4] Black Sea (Stuart Kershaw)
[5] Very Close to Far Away (Paul Humphreys)
[6] Gospel of St. Jude (Andy McCluskey)
[7] That Was Then (Andy McCluskey)
[8] Too Late (Stuart Kershaw)
[9] Boy from the Chemist Is Here to See You (Andy McCluskey)
[10] If You're Still in Love with Me (Paul Humphreys)
[11] New Head (Simon Fung)
[12] Victory Waltz (Andy McCluskey)

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


ANDY MCCLUSKEY - Music, Vocals, Mixing, Producer
JIMMY TAYLOR - Guitar
MATTHEW VAUGHAN - Bass, Guitar, Piano, Producer
ANNE DUDLEY - String Arrangements
PHIL SPALDING - Bass, Background Vocals
CHUCK SABO - Percussion, Drums

CAROL KENYON - Background Vocals
HANNAH CLIVE - Background Vocals
BREDA DUNN - Background Vocals
MAGGIE KEANE - Background Vocals
RICHARD ALLEN SINGERS - Gospel

DAVID NICHOLAS - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
GREGG JACKMAN - Engineer
JULIE GARDNER - Assistant Engineer
NEIL TUCKER - Assistant Engineer
PETER SAVILLE - Cover Design
MICHELLE TURIANI - Photography

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Prior to the writing of Universal, Andy had expressed a desire to capture a more 'epic' sound than on recent albums. In a sense, the final album attempted to provide a retrospective view on OMD's career, particularly on the autobiographical Walking On The Milky Way. Universal's powerful, anthemic lyrics revolved around the theme of religion and, as Andy put it "the refutal of God's existence". It was also released as the second single. Walking On The Milky Way was the first single taken from Universal. The Moon & The Sun was co-written with Karl Bartos and was similiar to many of the album's songs in its theme of the passage of time. The Black Sea was co-written with Stuart Kershaw and was originally titled Oboe Song. Andy described the lyrics as "about being unable to be truthful when confronted with emotional pressure".

Very Close To Far Away was co-written with Paul Humphreys - marking the first time they had collaborated since the band had split up - and features a lyrical theme of attempting to communicate with someone who won't listen. The song title was inspired by a TV ad Andy had seen. The Gospel Of St Jude, originally titled Gospel Song, deals with searching but not finding what you're looking for. The song theme and title inspired by St Jude who is held as the patron saint of lost causes. Andy also described the song as being "about the struggle to achieve happiness but no matter what you do and what you change, you can never attain it". That Was Then also has a reflective theme: "It echoes how your life, and your attitude towards it, change as you grow older just through the pressures of living". Too Late actually dates back to 1994 during a period when Andy was writing songs in Dublin. The lyrics focus on regret at the end of a relationship. Too Late was also considered as a possible single. The Boy From The Chemist Is Here To See You was inspired by a sculpture which showed a Barnardo's collecting box of a handicapped boy positioned behind a frosted glass door. Andy mused on the idea of the boy actually turning up at someone's house and asking why they hadn't donated any money. That led to a general theme of all the people who you might have hurt or upset coming back to confront you. The song features older analogue synth sounds and was also considered as a possible single.

If You're Still In Love With Me is the oldest song on the album dating from 1987. Andy had written the song with Paul Humphreys, originally as a reggae song. The song's theme deals with trying to escape a relationship someone won't let you out of. While Andy and Stuart where in LA in 1995, they met up with Anne Dudley (Art Of Noise) who arranged the song for a 12 piece string section. New Head is the second example of what Andy described as "psychedelic" songs (Very Close To Far Away being the first) written for the album. "I wrote it ten minutes before leaving the studio one night" Andy says of the song "I was just trying to make a song out of whatever came into my head - a lot of noises to song along to. Next day I had to translate the noises into coherent words". Victory Waltz is a slow ballad that looks at the last day of a relationship that's ending, examining the thoughts that are running through your head at the time. A number of songs were considered but dropped from the final track listing. These included Sister Maria Gabriel and Resist The Sex Act.



Universal is a rote collection of synth-pop and dance-pop from OMD, demonstrating only a fraction of the sophisticated craft that made its predecessor Liberator enjoyable, and none of the adventurous spirit of their '80s records.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine - All Music Guide



Noch eine Computer-Liebe: Andy McCluskey, Kopf der Liverpooler Elektronik-Popper OMD, frönt nach 18 Jahren mit teils wunderschönen Songs immer noch seiner alten Leidenschaft: Auf "Universal" dringt er mit eingängigen, leicht sphärischen Melodien und pointierter Elektronik zwar nicht in unendliche (Musik-) Welten vor, für den irdischen Genuß taugt's aber allemal.

© Audio



1996 album for Virgin by the '80s synthpop balladeers. 12 tracks, including the singles 'Walking On The Milky Way' & 'Universal'. Founding member Andy McCluskey wrote & produced the entire album. Anne Dudley of Art Of Noise guests.

1996 Release. Final Studio Album under the Omd Banner from Andy Mccluskey. Never Released in Us.

Amazon.com
 

 L y r i c s


UNIVERSAL

It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white
Or the god that you choose to pray to
It doesn’t matter about the clothes you wear
Or which creator made you
We all bleed the same blood
We all need the same love
And when we die there’s no heaven above
It’s Universal, It’s Universal

It doesn’t matter who you think you are
You’re living and you know you feel it
It’s not important as to why we’re here
You know there is no reason

We all bleed the same blood
We all need the same love
And when we die there’s no heaven above
It’s Universal, It’s Universal
It’s Universal, It’s Universal
We all bleed the same blood
We all need the same love
And when we die there’s no heaven above
It’s Universal, It’s Universal
It’s Universal, It’s Universal


WALKING ON THE MILKY WAY

When I was only seventeen
My head was full of brilliant dreams
My heart would call and I would gladly go
At twenty one the world was mine
And I was yours and you’re divine
And nothing else would matter to us so
I don’t believe in destiny
I don’t believe in love
I don’t believe that anything will ever be enough..

Man you should have seen us
On the way to Venus
Walking on the milky way
It was quite a day hey hey..
Walking on the big stuff
Acting like we’re real tough
Baby we were on our way
So what do you say hey hey.

As time goes by reality
Destroys your hope and dignity
There’s nothing left but writing on the wall
But just remember who you are
And where you’ve been you’ve come so far
And never ever let them see you fall
I don’t believe in miracles
I don’t believe in truth
I don’t believe that anything can recreate your youth

Man you should have seen us
On the way to Venus
Walking on the milky way
It was quite a day hey hey..
Walking on the big stuff
Acting like we’re real tough
Baby we were on our way
So what do you say hey hey

Man you should have seen us
On the way to Venus
Walking on the milky way
It was quite a day hey hey..
Walking on the big stuff
Acting like we’re real tough
Baby we were on our way
So what do you say hey hey


THE SUN AND THE MOON

The Autumn leaves were falling
As we raced against the sun
And all but friends stop calling
They assumed the race was run
And no one here can understand or reason
What we’ve done
We can’t provide the answer
But we can provide the gun

It always looked so easy
When we watched it while we’re young
We always found a reason
To be cheerful having fun

Don’t blame the moon
Don’t blame the sun
Just tell me everything will be done
Don’t blame the stars from up above
Just tell me everything is done for love

The energy of arrogance
Is wasted on the young
The power of all the thoughts
We have is greater than the sum
Don’t believe your brothers
They will break you one by one
Don’t believe your daughters
They will never bear you sons
*Repeat Chorus
It always seemed so easy
When we watched it while we’re young
We always found a reason to be cheerful having fun

Don’t blame the moon
Don’t blame the sun
Just tell me everything will be done
Don’t blame the stars from up above
Just tell me everything is done for love


THE BLACK SEA

On a ship to nowhere
On a dark and tranquil sea
I’m sinking with a cargo
Of the things that cannot be
On the far horizon
the final sunsets fall
And Tuesday becomes Wednesday
Becomes any day at all

Everything we do
Nothing remains true
I am frightened I’m a liar
And I’m tortured by desire
Every single day
In all the simple ways
I am torn apart inside
by the things I’ve tried to hide

down the dusty roads we go
And down the leafy lanes
And down the long and winding road
The landscape stays the same

Everything we do
Nothing remains true
I am frightened I’m a liar
And I’m tortured by desire
Every single day
In all the simple ways
I am torn apart inside
by the things I’ve tried to hide

Everything we do
Nothing remains true
I am frightened I’m a liar
And I’m tortured by desire
Every single day
In all the simple ways
I am torn apart inside
by the things I’ve tried to hide


VERY CLOSE TO FAR AWAY

I’m very close to far away
And I can’t hear the words you say
So take what you can take what you find
Take it all into your mind

I’m very close to letting go
Even closer than you know
I need what you have need what you give
I need your love to make me live
So talk to me now talk to me slow
Say the words I told you so
I know you don’t believe me
Or all the things I say
But if you’d just receive me
We’re very close to far away

I’m very close to far away
And I can’t hear the words you say
So take what you can take what you find
Take it all into your mind

I know you don’t believe me
Or all the things I say
But if you’d just receive me
We’re very close to far away
I’m very close to far away
And I can’t hear the words you say
I need what you have need what you give
I need your love to make me live

I’m very close to letting go
Even closer than you know
So take what you can
Take what you find
Take it all into your mind


THE GOSPEL OF ST JUDE

I have walked down this road you call love
It is hard and it’s shallow stony ground
I have built with these hands some great fortune
But my heart still beats a hollow sound

Oh yea, still now my tears remain
With all my dreams embraced
I am told there is peace drawn from wisdom
but no rest only answers have I found
Oh yea, still now my tears remain
With all my dreams embraced


THAT WAS THEN

I would lie awake and cry at night
But that was then and this is now
I had an anger that was strong enough
And I would face the things I run from now
And everything we did was wonderful
Now its practical and I don’t know how
all the moves we made were done for love
Now its not enough it seems somehow
And all the feeling that I knew would last
Well they are gone where are they now
And you were beautiful and dangerous
And now you’ve sacrificed some sacred cow
And I would listen to the things you said
They all made sense why don’t they now
Not a penny in our pockets then
We never worried so why do we now

Standing tall against my destiny
Oh I had visions and I could see
I would walk a thousand miles for you
But that was the, that was then
And this ins now, this is now
Look at me now
This is now

Over decades things are changing me
I have no energy where am I now
Too many people seem in need of me
When I was younger I felt so free
Can you see the things I care about
They are not important now time has run out
And only memories are left with me
this shallow history becomes my destiny
I would lie awake and cry all night
That was then this is now
This is now


TOO LATE

Have you heard about the hollow man?
Too frightened so he turned and ran,
from the vision that he cherished so.
Couldn't see it, so he let it go.
Everybody has a secret sin.
But everybody needs a chance to win.
Anyone could see I'm a man that's sad
and broken by the things I've done.
But now I'm sorry that I said goodbye.
And I'm sorry cause it's me that's crying.
I never finished what I started to,
but I'm just so sorry that I'm hurting you.

But it's too late for us to just be friends.
And too late for anything but the end.
And too many dreams fell through our hands.
And it's just too late to understand.

Now I'll never make a new beginning,
and I'll never stop the pain from winning.
Nothing matters to me anymore now.
I've lost the things I was fighting for.
And now I'm sorry that the dreams are gone,
and I'm sorry cause I'm not the
one who comes running when you need me so,
cause I'm the fool that's let you go.

But it's too late for us to just be friends.
And too late for anything but the end.
And too many dreams fell through our hands.
And it's just too late to understand.

All the tears of pain are falling down, (oh, oh, oh, oh).
All the tears of pain are falling down, and you know...

But it's too late for us to just be friends.
And too late for anything but the end.
And too many dreams fell through our hands.
And it's just too late to understand.

But it's too late for us to just be friends.
And too late for anything but the end.
And too many dreams fell through our hands.
And it's just too late to understand.

But it's too late...too late...it's too late...


THE BOY FROM THE CHEMIST IS HERE TO SEE YOU

Every day of every year you live your life in hope and fear,
that each small sin and imperfection is buried deep beyond detection.
But one by one the ghosts return, and each selects its place to burn,
into your soft and breaking heart, and this is how the aching starts.
The jokes about the ugly kid.
The things you said but never did.
The people torn and crushed and battered.
The ones you broke but should've flattered.

Oh, you should have run whilst you had time.
Oh, you should have left the past behind.

The boy from the chemist is here to see you.
The laughing stops cause he's too near you.
The girl you left that always loved you.
Returns to earth from miles above you now.

So wash away the dirty skin, there's always worse remains within.
The tangled web and bitter mesh, but each shall have their pound of flesh.
No sympathy, no charity, no false pleas of humility.
No money back, no guarantee, no great escape for you and me.

Oh, you should have run whilst you had time.
Oh, you should have left the past behind.

The boy from the chemist is here to see you.
The laughing stops cause he's too near you.
The girl you left that always loved you.
Returns to earth from miles above you now.

And everyone that's ever suffered, friend or foe or wives or lovers.
They'll come back to have their day.
In time you find your mind has no escape.

Don't believe that you can hide, don't believe they'll be denied.
They'll come knocking at your door, this is what they've waited for.
The chance to even up the score.

The boy from the chemist is here to see you.
The laughing stops cause he's too near you.
The girl you left that always loved you.
Returns to earth from miles above you now.

And everyone that's ever suffered, friend or foe or wives or lovers.
They'll come back to have their day.
In time you find your mind has no escape.


IF YOU'RE STILL IN LOVE WITH ME

First you say you're in love with me and that it lasts eternally.
Then I find that you change your mind, but one and one will not make three.
Well, I'm glad to say the distance is one thing I never mind.
But every thought of leaving is the last thing on my mind.

So if you're still in love with me then why won't you just set me free?
Cause if I'm not in love with you then there's no chance to see this through
again.

Everything that I've promised you,
I tried and tried to make it all come true.
But if I break your heart again, well this time it'll never mend.
When I beg for freedom, you only chain me down.
With everyday that passes now, the answer can't be found.

So if you're still in love with me then why won't you just set me free?
Cause if I'm not in love with you then there's no chance to see this through
again.

All across the nation.
People in frustration.
There's those who need someone to stay.
And those who've got to run away.

So if you're still in love with me then why won't you just set me free?
Cause if I'm not in love with you then there's no chance to see this through
again.

So if you're still in love with me then why won't you just set me free?
Cause if I'm not in love with you then there's no chance to see this through
again.


NEW HEAD

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Who's gonna love you so,
won't let go til you blow?
Who's gonna break your heart again,
from the start, all apart?
 
Silly little things tonight,
Won't be right, out of sight.
Every little thing we take,
Won't be late, heaven's sake.
Who's going to hold you tight,
All the night, give no fright?
 
Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Every little things a lesson,
Number one, hold the sun.
Living in a fields a blessing,
With no gun, can't be done.

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Silly little things tonight,
Won't be right, out of sight.
Every little thing we take,
Won't be late, heaven's sake.
Who's going to hold you tight,
All the night, give no fright?

Every little things a lesson,
Number one, hold the sun.
Living in a fields a blessing,
With no gun, can't be done.

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.

Be what you want to be.
Count to three, ABC.


VICTORY WALTZ

Come take me down to your heart of gold, and I will hear your song.
Cover me up in your fantasy world, where I can do you no harm.

And hold me now close to you.
Fear the thoughts I am sending.
Hold me now close again.
This dream is almost ending.

Come take me down to your victory waltz, and I will break your heart.
Gaze once again at the promise we made, that I have torn all apart.

And hold me now close to you.
As though we're still pretending.
Hold me now close again.
This dream is almost ending.

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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