"History of Modern" is the eleventh studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 20 September 2010 through 100% Records. Marking their first album since 1996, it also features the classic four-piece lineup for the first time since 1986's The Pacific Age. The recording process was unique, with band members collaborating remotely and compiling tracks via the Internet.
The album received positive reviews and achieved a peak position of No. 28 on the UK Albums Chart. It was particularly successful in Germany, reaching No. 5, which was the group's highest chart position in that country. In the US, History of Modern was released on 28 September 2010 via Bright Antenna.
On 2 March 2011, the band released an EP titled History of Modern (Part I), featuring remixes and B-sides from the album.
OMD reformed in 2006, bringing together the classic lineup of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper, and Malcolm Holmes. After a solo stint where McCluskey used the OMD name from 1989 to 1996, the band's reunion sparked renewed public interest, leading a planned nine-date tour to expand into 50 shows. This momentum prompted the group to consider recording a new studio album.
History of Modern was created remotely, with band members compiling tracks over the Internet. A demo track titled "Sister Marie Says" was released as a free download on 25 November 2009, featuring backing vocals from soprano Keedie Babb. This song, dating back to 1981, was previously shelved during the recording of Universal (1996). Another track, "History of Modern (Part II)," premiered on BBC Radio 6 Music on 31 May 2010.
The album's artwork was designed by Peter Saville and Four23, while McCluskey came up with the title after attending an art exhibition titled "The History of Modernism." Remixes and B-sides from the History of Modern sessions were later included in the 2011 EP History of Modern (Part I).
