From Architecture & Morality, 1981
"Thus we reach the end,
the beginning and the end..."
OMD is OMG. It's a shame that this band gets shuffled, by those who know absolutely NOTHING, into the category of mid-80s one-hit wonder. True, their 1986 smash "If You Leave", from the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, was the duo's brightest moment chart-wise, but their string of albums preceding are nothing short of stellar.
This song is the finale to the already-amazing Architecture & Morality, yet could have very easily gotten things started, hence the track title, I guess. I could write an essay on this album, with standouts like "Joan of Arc", "Souvenir" and "She's Leaving", but another time I guess. It doesn't rush out the gate, but definitely doesn't drag. Obligatory new-wave synths set the pace for this brisk preemo* jog. At first listen, it's cold and haunting, typical of bands/songs in this era/genre, but a few well-placed piano notes begin to turn this into an almost loving affair. When the guitar finds it's way into the mix...GOLD.
*pre-emo: the stuff that most current "emo" bands listen to and make half-hearted re-creations of
There are some percussive elements present, thanks to a subdued drum machine, but other than that, this one is pretty bare. It's simple and meaningful, as any beginning or end should be. It's quite perfectly stripped of all the dramatics that we encounter during the course of the album. No special vocal effects, no keyboard solos and certainly no cryptic lyrics. Singer Andy McCluskey eloquently presents the timeline for a failed relationship, or at least that's how I interpreted it (take a listen and tell me what you think). The sadness in his voice, though ever-present, is given a reciprocative, yet hopeful musical landscape. The synthesizers are accepting of the defeat, while the guitar blazes onward in triumph, exalting the beauty of what once was, and still optimistic for what's just on the horizon. Okay, now I'm just rambling. I like this song and it would be cool if you dug it, too.
Play "The Beginning And The End"
Peace
2 comments:
I am with you 100%. Pre-emo or "new wave" as it was once called, is totally awesome. And OMD is awesome. I downloaded some of their stuff on your recommendation. And I am enjoying it still.
I especially enjoy finding and listening to new wave bands that aren't ONLY remembered as ironic pieces of a kitsch genre (ie, Flock of Seagulls, though they do have some bangin' stuff). There was real musical content during this period and I'm sad that the only representation of it comes in the form of "Take On Me" on a Totally Rad 80s compilation, or the like.
Happy that you've always got an open ear and very glad that you're liking the OMD stuff. In addition to "Architecture & Morality", I would recommend "Organisation" and "Dazzle Ships", two great albums.
In the soon-to-be famous words of Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas: "my man."
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