The amount of singles that appear on our beloved CD format in 2024 are easily countable on the fingers of one careless wood shop teacher’s hand! So when one of this Monk’s crucial core collection bands still active manage to issue a single on the silver disc, we’re obviously going to jump that train and ride it to the end of the line. OMD had stated up front that there would be three singles from their last album, “Bauhaus Staircase.” So with this one out late November, the drama is all played out. Let’s find out to what end.
OMD: Look At You Now – UK – CD-5 [2024]
- Look At You Now 3:20
- Tomorrow Is Today 3:33
- Look At You Now (Andy’s Amarone Afternoon Extended Mix) 5:32
- Look At You Now (Walt Disco Remix)4:51
- Look At You Now (Live In Edinburgh) 3:23
- Look At You Now (Instrumental) 3:20
I’ve gone on the record that the putative A-side was not one of the finer moments of Modern OMD. And the fact that personally, I’d be hard-pressed to find three worthy singles on the album said it all. Still, “Aphrodite’s Favourite Child” would have been preferred over this track, which sounded like one of the better chapters of the solo-Andy-in-the-90s’s bits of the OMD canon.
I can’t say that about the excellent B-side, “Tomorrow Is Today!” It was the best song from this period since “Kleptocracy.” With a modern, clean production that nonetheless called back to classic OMD with the sampled string sounds with choral patches and the telltale actual bass guitar from Andy McCluskey! I’ve long stated that the best OMD songs are the ones he bothers to actually play bass guitar on. It’s a blatant give away, as echoed by his excellent vocal performance on this song as well. It actually has a thread of passion and commitment lacking in much of the last album. Making this another of OMD’s classic B-sides.
The remix of the A-side by Andy himself, is another one of his sturdy attempts, that are usually the best in the room. And the embellishment of the slightly soppy song manage to make the 12″ have a bit more staying power, with the delicate buildup adding chocolate box filigrees of countermelody that managed to stick with me more than the perfunctory in comparison original album mix. Though I would have maybe re-sung the track for the remix. Andy’s breathy, overproduced vocal is still an Achilles heel to this track.
The vibe differed greatly on the Walt Disco remix of the track. As if the syncopated, funky bass, hi-hats and handclaps didn’t make it readily apparent. The new countermelody here was appreciated as it made the track less cloying. Too bad Andy’s vocal had even more effects troweled on with a heavy hand. What’s up with producers these days? Do they hate the human voice? I liked the new middle eight inserted in this mix; anything to liven up this nearly dead-on-arrival song! Making the Walt Disco remix of this one almost great.
The live track recorded at the encore to the band’s March 6, 2024 Edinburgh appearance was fairly perfunctory. Adding only a better vocal by Andy to the song’s credit. I find it surprising that this was the song they chose to begun their encore as its fondant icing vibe is far too empty in calories for a band like OMD. And finally, to add one more track and value for money to the CD single format for this release, they added the instrumental version. So we don’t have Andy’s goopy vocal to complain about. Leaving a laser-like focus this time purely on the treacly sheen of the cavity-inducing music bed. Showing that Paul had added his own burden to this song as well. Hear the full CD below.
I mention again that OMD have mooted “Bauhaus Staircase” as possibly their final album. With this potentially as the final single from their reputed final album. Inasmuch as I had hoped that this was the case when reviewing the album in 2023, after this largely uninspired single, I am hoping that OMD don’t close the book on this relatively flat note. The fans deserve better than this for OMD to go cruising into the sunset with. We’ll adopt a wait-and-see-posture on the band’s future.
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Post-Punk Monk 
I downloaded the digital Bauhaus when it was first offered, and Tomorrow is Today is on that download but not on the actual album. I bought the CD and was disappointed. I *really* like Tomorrow is Today – the lyrics, the sound – all of it. Glad to see you like it, too. Too bad it wasn’t included on CD/album proper…sort of a “She’s Leaving” repeat, it seems, with regard to handling by the band/production/Andy (?). Happy New Year!
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Deserat – I never heard about the deluxe digital edition that was on sale for mere hours. So getting “Tomorrow Is Today” was a game changer compared to the lackluster album. When an album is mostly passionless and perfunctory I suppose a song this strong really didn’t fit in the album! Let’s hope that Andy is stirred to bring out his bass on most of the tracks should OMD record again. This was a #2 album in the UK for them so I would be shocked if they can walk away from that.
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Oh – was in the front row at the Edinburgh show….so, has some nostalgia for me, but yes, not one of my fave songs either. *NOT* a Walt Disco fan at all and the production company, 100%, is really shoving them down the audiences’ throats….they are definitely a love-hate type of a band for the audience. I don’t ever remember such obvious screaming hype about a warm-up band before….
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Deserat – I’ve not heard Walt Disco before this single. But all of the OMD opening acts I’ve seen in The States since their reformation were due to my ears. I HATED Scars on 45 and my feelings were stronger in that regard for GGOOLLDD!!!!!
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Last comment (I think) – I detested WD so much I walked into the Nottingham show after their warm-up and slammed earplugs into my ears everry time they played….I know they will be opening for OMD in the USA but I hope they are not in Australia – yes, I will be seeing my band all over the world. I figure they are aging like us all and may not keep going or recording outside of festivals, of which I am also not a big fan….break – one of my OMD concert going buddies in Germany is also a big Nits fan – she was at all of the shows you talked about…she’s been a fan for a long time as well.
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Deserat – I use earplugs to preserve my hearing but there’s also something to be said for preserving one’s mind! You should know me by now… I’ll keep the comment volley going until the column width is only 3-4 characters! Even though I’m at work right now (ssssssh!) So it looks like you are picking up the mantle of OMD superfan Lori Tarchala, who covered the globe seeing OMD and reporting back when the band first reformed for quite some time to no small legend.
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So looking forward to seeing these guys next month in Perth (AU). First time they’ve been here since 1987!! Sure, it’s a greatest hits tour but I hope there are a few of the newer ones thrown in for good measure.
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I completely agree with your comments about this being a weak single. When I saw the Harryhausen tribute video I thought they’d remixed it, as it has a longer intro and the bass sounded stronger, but alas no. OMD do have a track record of releasing weak third/fourth singles when there is better material on the album i.e. Never Turn Away (though the 12” mix is phenomenal), La Femme Accident, Shame, Then You Turn Away, Everyday, Night Cafe and now this. It seems a very weak note to finish an illustrious career, so I’m hoping that, while they have said this is the last OMD album, that this isn’t the last new material they ever release. Maybe a few more singles or an EP? I’m guessing that the reason behind the decision to make this the last OMD album is because Humphreys isn’t interested in doing anymore, which I can fully understand, but I can’t imagine for a minute that McClusky will stop writing music. Maybe a solo album in 2026?
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God I’m annoyed. I should’ve got the CD single for the B-side the day-the HOUR it came out, and now the few times it’s available, it’s through-the-roof- prices. But I’m ALSO annoyed that the CD single of ‘Look At You Now’ with it’s all-important B-side should be only a limited release anyway, this is really unfair, they might as well have not bothered.
It’s bad enough they had the gall to not only restrict the lousy Goldfrapp single they ripped from for that clumsy, childish, artless ‘Slow Train’ they then heard the brass neck to make a single, and then added to it by including ‘Don’t Go’ which was already 4yrs old and a non-album single already released, then couldn’t be bothered adding it to a deluxe version of the album, and the kicker, Paul’s vocals are completely absent from yet another album. Who doesn’t put a song like ‘Tomorrow Is Today’ on an album over the prior listed cheats? OMD are real windups in their later years!
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