Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Aug 31, 2017
    83
    In the wrong hands, this kind of thing could come across as heavy-handed or detached, but The Punishment Of Luxury exudes warmth and empathy throughout.
  2. Sep 6, 2017
    70
    Like all of OMD’s post-reunion releases, The Punishment of Luxury sounds too clean, too digital for its own good. There’s too little of the analog muskiness that made their early work so haunting. Drummer Malcolm Holmes, forced to retire for health reasons, is sorely missed. Nonetheless, even if OMD’s message is an old one, it is one they can still deliver quite well.
  3. Sep 5, 2017
    70
    Now there is an extra dimension, an extra frisson, for like their contemporaries this year (Erasure, Depeche Mode) OMD are bringing some raw feeling to the studio.
  4. Aug 31, 2017
    70
    It may be a little old-fashioned in places and there's the occasional track that doesn't work 100-percent, but the album is another strong showing from a band that could have packed it in years ago and become a nostalgia act, but have instead continued to make fine pop art.
  5. Uncut
    Aug 29, 2017
    70
    It's refreshing to hear Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey challenging themselves as OMD enjoy their Indian Summer--"La Mitrailleuse" blends gunfire and military drums--even if the results mostly end up as blue-eyed Kraftwerkian pop. [Oct 2017, p.36]
  6. Aug 29, 2017
    65
    Fans of their two albums, 2010's History Of Modern and 2013's English Electric, will not be disappointed. [Jul - Sep 2017, p.59]
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Oct 12, 2017
    10
    This is the best complete OMD album ever! There are no 'throw away' songs here. I've been listing to OMD for decades and i liked songs hereThis is the best complete OMD album ever! There are no 'throw away' songs here. I've been listing to OMD for decades and i liked songs here and there by them but this album is different. Get this album today! Full Review »