Architecture & Morality is the title of the third studio album by British group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Released in November 1981, it went on to become the group's biggest selling album to date.
The title of the album comes from the book Morality and Architecture by D. Watkin, first published in 1977. Use of the title was suggested to OMD by Martha Ladly, formerly of Martha & The Muffins and partner to album sleeve designer Peter Saville.
The album was preceded by the single Souvenir, which remained the group's biggest hit of the 1980s, followed by Joan of Arc, the first of two songs on the album inspired by the eponymous French saint. The second track, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) was released as the third single, although re-named Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) to avoid confusion (for details see Singles below).
Architecture & Morality was promoted by an extensive tour of the UK, later moving on to Europe and North America. OMD have twice revived the album for live concert tours, firstly in 2007 after the 'classic' group line-up had reformed, and again in 2021 to mark the fortieth anniversary of the album.
Personnel[]
- Andy McCluskey - lead vocals, bass, synthesisers, percussion
- Paul Humphreys - backing vocals, lead vocal (Souvenir), keyboards, percussion
- Malcolm Holmes - drums, percussion
- Martin Cooper - saxophone (Souvenir)
- Michael Douglas - synthesisers, keyboards
Tracklisting[]
- original UK release, Dindisc DID12/DIDC12
Side One
- The New Stone Age
- She's Leaving
- Souvenir
- Sealand
Side Two
- Joan of Arc
- Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
- Architecture & Morality
- Georgia
- The Beginning and the End
Re-releases[]
- Re-mastered CD, 2003
- as above plus seven bonus tracks
- Re-mastered CD + DVD, 2007
- as above, DVD features promo videos plus concert Live At The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - 04/12/81[1]
Scrapbook[]
.jpg "1981-08-29 Record Mirror OMD (1).jpg (468 KB)")
Singles[]
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rel. August 1981, UK chart peak 03
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rel. 09 October 1981, UK chart peak 05
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rel. Jan. 1982, UK chart peak 04
Note: The 7" sleeve features the 'stained glass' design (see right, top); the 12" was issued in the same design and as a limited edition 'silver coin' design (right, lower). Both 12" sleeves list a track 'Experiments in Vertical Take-Off' although this track was never recorded or released. |
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rel. 1988
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The Singles (2021)[]
- In 2021, to mark the 40th anniversary of the album, OMD released Architecture & Morality: The Singles bringing together the A sides, selected B-sides, live performances (from the 'Drury Lane' concert, and demo versions of songs from the album. (See Discogs)