Album
Architecture & Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
1981 · Electronic
31 collectors on Gatefold own this
Architecture & Morality is an Electronic album by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, originally released in 1981. On Gatefold: 138 pressings tracked, owned by 31 collectors.
About
Architecture & Morality is the third studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 6 November 1981 by Dindisc. Inspired by religious music, the band sought to broaden their musical palette by utilising elaborate choral samples, the Mellotron, and other new instruments to create a more naturalistic, emotive sound. The artwork was designed by longtime OMD collaborator Peter Saville, along with Brett Wickens, while its title was derived from the book Morality and Architecture by David Watkin. Architecture & Morality met with mixed reviews on release, but has since been recognised as one of the best and most influential works of its era; The Morning News named the album the greatest of 1981, and "the blueprint for synth-pop". The album became a commercial success, selling over four million copies and spawning three international hit singles – "Souvenir", "Joan of Arc" and "Maid of Orleans" – which together sold eight million copies.
via Last.fm
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
Side A
- A1The New Stone Age
- A2She's Leaving
- A3Souvenir
- A4Sealand
Side B
- B1Joan Of Arc
- B2Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans)
- B3Architecture And Morality
- B4Georgia
- B5The Beginning And The End
Sound DNA
- Electronic
- Synth-Pop / New Wave
- synthetic
- melancholic
- cinematic
OMD's third studio album, first released on 6 November 1981.
The sleeve design features a square cut-out revealing the inner sleeve. Originally released in a yellow sleeve, the album was subsequently released in a pale blue sleeve and a pale grey sleeve. Subsequent CD editions would also feature blue, green or yellow-coloured artwork.
There's a slight variation with the blue sleeve LP release: On the matrix number on the runout groove it states DID12 A7 on side A and D1D12 B6 on side B.
Album title suggested by Martha Ladly from a book by David Watkin (Morality and Architecture, 1977).
Singles released:
•Souvenir (opens in a new tab), 4 August 1981
•Joan Of Arc (opens in a new tab), 9 October 1981
•Maid Of Orleans (The Waltz Joan Of Arc) (opens in a new tab), 15 January 1982
•She's Leaving (opens in a new tab), 17 June 1982 (Benelux only)
To commemorate the album's 40th anniversary, Architecture & Morality (The Singles) (opens in a new tab) was released on 15 October 2021.
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Andy McCluskeyBASS, GUITAR, HORNS BASS, GUITAR, HORNS , MELLOTRON, ORGAN, ELECTRONIC DRUMS , PERCUSSION , DRUM PROGRAMMING , SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS BASS, GUITAR, HORNS , MELLOTRON, ORGAN, PERCUSSION , PROGRAMMED BY , SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS
- Malcolm HolmesDRUMS, ELECTRONIC DRUMS , PERCUSSION , SYNTHESIZER DRUMS, ELECTRONIC DRUMS, PERCUSSION, BASS DRUMS, PERCUSSION , SYNTHESIZER
- Martin CooperSAXOPHONE
- Michael DouglasELECTRIC ORGAN , PIANO, SYNTHESIZER ELECTRIC ORGAN, PIANO, SYNTHESIZER ORGAN
- Paul HumphreysDRUM PROGRAMMING MELLOTRON, MELODICA, ORGAN, ELECTRONIC DRUMS , PERCUSSION , PERFORMER , PIANO, DRUM PROGRAMMING , SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS MELLOTRON, MELODICA, ORGAN, PERCUSSION , PERFORMER , PIANO, PROGRAMMED BY , SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS
- Paul HumphriesBASS, GUITAR, HORNS , MELLOTRON, ORGAN, PERCUSSION , PROGRAMMED BY , SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS
31 collectors on Gatefold own this · 138 pressings tracked on Gatefold
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