Although later reappraised, Dazzle Ships (1983) was seen as overly experimental, and eroded European support. McCluskey and Humphreys attracted the moniker, 'the Lennon–McCartney of synth-pop'. Weathering an 'uncool' image and a degree of hostility from music critics, the band achieved popularity throughout Europe with the 1980 anti-war song ' Enola Gay', and gained further recognition via Architecture & Morality (1981) and its three hit singles. McCluskey and Humphreys led precursor group the Id from 1977 to 1978, and re-recorded their track ' Electricity' as OMD's debut single in 1979. In the United States, the band were an early presence in the MTV-driven Second British Invasion.
Regarded as pioneers of electronic music, OMD combined an experimental, minimalist ethos with pop sensibilities, becoming key figures in the emergence of synth-pop McCluskey and Humphreys also established the 'synth duo' trend in Britain during the 1980s. The group consists of founding duo and principal songwriters Andy McCluskey (vocals, bass guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards, vocals), along with Martin Cooper (keyboards, saxophone) and Stuart Kershaw (drums). Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ( OMD) are an English electronic band formed in Wirral, Merseyside, in 1978.
