"Obey the Time" is the eighth studio album by English band The Durutti Column, released in 1990 on Factory Records. It marked a departure in style for band leader Vini Reilly, who integrated elements of acid house and electronic dance music with his signature guitar work.
Conceived during Manchester's acid house era, Reilly crafted the album in his home studio alongside engineer Paul Miller. Drummer Bruce Mitchell appeared on only one track, with the remaining songs featuring drum machines, leading many critics to view "Obey the Time" as essentially a Vini Reilly solo effort.
The album's title was inspired by a line from William Shakespeare's "Othello," chosen by Reilly to reflect the innovative musical approach of the album. The artwork, designed by 8vo, represented a shift in The Durutti Column's sleeve designs with its use of computer-generated imagery.
Upon its initial release, "Obey the Time" received mixed reviews. However, retrospective evaluations have been more favorable, praising its fusion of electronic and rock elements. A remastered edition was released in 1998, and in 2019, an expanded, remastered double album titled 'Obey The Time'/'The Acid Guitar' was released as a limited edition on yellow and purple vinyl for Record Store Day.
Overall, "Obey the Time" stands as a significant entry in The Durutti Column's discography, showcasing Vini Reilly's innovative musical vision and his ability to evolve the band's sound amidst the changing musical landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
