This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
On Tuesday, April 9 — one day before it performs in Utah — the British synth-pop band, Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark (OMD) will release "English Electric."
The album, the band's second since reuniting in 2006, is "not consciously a concept album," said singer and bass player Andy McCluskey, but it does explore the connection between humankind, technology and the future.
"I'm 53," McCluskey said. "I grew up in the time of post-war optimism when we thought the future would be better with flying cars."
But then technology began growing at exponential rates — and without flying cars — escalating fears of cold war nuclear annihilation.
Many of the songs, including the first single "Metroland," feature upbeat music with serious, darker lyrics.
That's a hallmark for the band which first earned success in 1980 with "Enola Gay," a song about nuclear annihilation. While the band's music was used prominently during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the duo is best known for "If You Leave" from the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack.
McCluskey said making new music is important so that they don't end up being "a tribute band to ourselves." Diamond Rings open.
When • Wednesday, April 10, at 8 p.m.Where • The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake CityTickets • $25 in advance, $30 day of, at SmithsTix