BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“Genetic Engineering” is a song by British band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released as the first single from their fourth studio album Dazzle Ships. Frontman Andy McCluskey has noted that the song is not an attack on genetic engineering, as many assumed at the time, including veteran radio presenter Dave Lee Travis upon playing the song on BBC Radio 1. McCluskey stated: “I was very positive about the subject. People didn’t listen to the lyrics…I think they automatically assumed it would be anti.”
Charting at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, “Genetic Engineering” ended the band’s run of four consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK. It was also a Top 20 hit in several European territories, and peaked at number 5 in Spain. It missed the United States Billboard Hot 100 but made number 32 on the Mainstream Rock chart. US critic Ned Raggett lauded the “soaring”, “enjoyable” single in a positive review of Dazzle Ships for AllMusic, asserting: “Why it wasn’t a hit remains a mystery.”
Critics in prominent music publications have suggested that the first 45 seconds of the song were a direct influence on Radiohead’s “Fitter Happier”, which appears on that band’s 1997 album OK Computer. Theon Weber in Stylus argued that the Radiohead track is “deeply indebted” to “Genetic Engineering”.
SIDE A:
Genetic Engineering (Extended Version) 5:10
SIDE B:
Telegraph (Extended Remixed Version) 4:42
Remix – Rhett Davies
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Genetic Engineering | U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | #32 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Virgin – VSX 1170
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition
Country: Canada
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – OMD*, Rhett Davies
Written-By – Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
NOTES:
From the Virgin LP “DAZZLE SHIPS”
Find the 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
