On the face it of, the arrival of a collection of OMD flip-sides is unlikely to spark rabid revelry in the nation's record emporiums. Although the duo of Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys were electronic pioneers influenced by Krautrock, they are best known for the opulent Abba meets Joy Division electro-pop of 80's hits such as 'Souvenir', 'Joan Of Arc' and 'Enola Gay' Indeed, McCluskey's pop nous is still much in evident in his role as writer and Svengali for girl group Atomic kitten.
'Navigation' proves that like most combo's, OMD view B-sides as an opportunity for experimentation and occasionally self-indulgence. Certainly, the atmospheric, verging-on-avant likes of '4-Neu', a tribute to German band Neu!, '66 And Fading', and the eerily warped choral effects of '(The Angels Are Turning) The Wheels Of The Universe', are galaxies from 'Sailing On The Seven Seas' and 'Locomotion'. Although, later tracks 'Burning' and 'Sugar Trax', both from 1991, find the chaps in familiar mellifluous pop mode.
On the downside, their clumsy cover of The Velvets', 'Waiting For The Man', fails to ignite, lacking the sleazy nonchalance that contemporaries Soft Cell effortlessly invested 'Tainted Love' and 'Where Did Our Love Go'.
OMD disciples will doubtless be delirious. The less committed would be best advised to invest in a Singles compilation.
