It is truly a shame that this Album was never re-released in the US after the CD boom. It is also amazing how difficult it is to find overall as it spawned one of OMD's biggest hits: (Forever) Live & Die. There's not a bad track to be found here, and though it is still a product of the time, the music does not feel dated a decade & a half later. Not too many other snyth-pop bands of the 80's have weathered the test of time, nor have all of OMD's other releases.

The main reason why the CD stands up is the flow from song to song. The transition from upbeat (Stay) through melodic ((Forever) Live & Die & The Pacific Age), to more emotional (The Dead Girls, Shame, Southern, and Flame of Hope), and back (Goddess of Love & We Love You), and a great closing song (Watch Us Fall), few albums flow from start to end as well.

I was estatic to finally find a Marketplace seller with this CD in stock. Overall, a highly recommended listen.

Beautiful songs: strong melodies and hooks of broken hearts, angst, love lost and more l'amore! The music is mature new wave- and that's a good thing!
I won't comment on the songs individually, as I would be remiss to leave out any of these great tunes. Each song stands well enough on its own, but the album is best enjoyed when you listen to it in its entirity.
Pacific Age started out as being my wife's, but I have become hooked on it, playing it countless times.

Mushy ain't it?

I originally bought this album on tape back in 1986. I listened to it until the tape was thin and ready to snap. Then I didn't listen again for 20 years.

I was surprised to find that it's STILL a very good album. They were doing things electronically that no one else was doing and no one is really doing right now.

Southern was my favorite song back then (voice-overs were big in the late '80s). Listening to it now makes me wish for more historical voice-over songs. To this day, it is still an excellent song.

when i was a bout 5 years old i first heard this album and 2 songs really caught my ear "Shame" and "Watch us fall".
along with the hits- Forever(live and die" And "Stay",
these four songs are the best on an ecletic album of pop, opera, and just about everything in between. but those 2 songs(shame,watch us fall) i think should have been hits, because they are catchy, and beautiful.
i recommend any 80's fan or omd fan should buy this.

I search for the words to describe the mixture of orchestral arrangement and electronic pop, that the traditionally synth / electronic pop only band has achieved. Every track is a winner - with immense depth of sound, and the usually strong lyrics. For owners of other OMD material, you will not be disappointed in the least. "(Forever) Live And Die" is the highlight, and it was the major hit from the album. "The Dead Girls", a sad and sombre track, really shows off OMD's arrangement skills, as does the setting of the famous Martin Luther King speech to music in "Southern".

If you do not own any OMD music, then perhaps the "Best Of" compilation is the place to start. If you already own that, then this is a definite number one to buy next. The other contenders must the "Crush" as well as "Architecture & Morality", although every album is a masterpiece. This is my top rated album of the 80's. Get it.