Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark “Archive Vol. 1 (1981-1990)” limited edition Record Store Day 2026 double-LP release. The highly reflective mirrored cover utterly impossible to photograph (on first attempts it was basically a picture of me taking a selfie). The comp was initially curated as part of the Grammy-nominated 2019 souvenir boxed set and features rarities & b-sides, demos, and alternative mixes from the band’s 1981–1990 era which, according to their Fandom Wiki had until a few years ago been residing “in a vault near Heathrow.” For whatever reason I wasn’t really that into OMD in the 80’s beyond their hits (“If You Leave,” “Enola Gay,” neither of which are on this collection), which is really strange as I was (and still am) gaga for all things 80’s British synthpop and OMD were/are considered one of the best of the genre: they were Britain’s first performing two-piece synthesizer band and have been described as the “original synth-pop duo.” (Wiki). I really did miss out back in the day! The entire album is an excellent representation of the early years of electronic experimentation but my top picks from the first disc include “Dumbomb,” an unreleased song from 1986; “Weekend” from 1985 and the excellently quirky “Cajun Moon” (’86). From the second disc my favorites include the hard-driving, industrial-dance inspired “Guitar Thrash” (a demo recorded in 1982 during the Dazzle Ships sessions); the majestic Kraftwerky “American Venus” (from 1990; from Wiki Fandom “The date would suggest that it was recorded by Andy McCluskey only, after he had split with Paul Humphreys. Since the title refers to an American movie starring Louise Brookes, and part of the treated – and mostly incomprehensible – lyrics mention “Born in Kansas”, the demo can be considered as a very early idea which would lead to the finished track ‘Pandora’s Box.’ In the notes to the Souvenir box set which featured the ‘unreleased archive’ disc, McCluskey states he had no recollection of making the demo”) and the spunky “Dynamo Children” from 1985.