The Pacific Age (1986)

[Cassette Carl]

Title: The Pacific Age
Artist: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Genre: Synthpop
Released: 1986

Tracks:
1 - Stay (The Black Rose and the Universal Wheel) -
2 - (Forever) Live and Die -
3 - The Pacific Age -
4 - The Dead Girls -
5 - Shame -
6 - Southern -
7 - Flame of Hope -
8 - Goddess of Love -
9 - We Love You -
10 - Watch Us Fall -

Overview:
The Pacific Age is the seventh album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1986. "(Forever) Live and Die" became the group's third hit single in the US and returned the group to the top 20 in the UK, peaking at #11, but the album sold poorly in both countries.
The Pacific Age was Stephen Hague's second album as producer. He would go on to achieve success with groups such as Erasure, Pet Shop Boys and New Order. For the first time, Graham Weir and Neil Weir were formally credited as full members of OMD for this album; they had been involved with the group as session musicians since the re-recording of "Julia's Song" in 1984 for the "Talking Loud and Clear" single.

The Pacific Age, released in 1986, marks an intriguing chapter in Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's (OMD) discography. Known for their synthpop sound, OMD was at the forefront of the genre during the 1980s. This album, their seventh, features the single "(Forever) Live and Die," which found considerable success, particularly in the US and UK charts.

Stephen Hague, who produced the album, was a significant figure in the music industry during the 80s. His work with OMD on The Pacific Age was part of a broader career that included collaborations with other iconic bands of the era such as Erasure and the Pet Shop Boys.

The inclusion of Graham Weir and Neil Weir as full members of OMD for this album is noteworthy. Their involvement had been growing since their contributions as session musicians, and their formal membership reflects the evolving dynamics within the band during this period.

Despite the success of its leading single, the album did not achieve the commercial heights expected in the US or UK markets. Nonetheless, it remains a part of OMD's rich legacy, capturing the experimental spirit and sonic exploration that characterized much of their work in the 1980s.