Last month, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - the British synth pop band best known here for the top 5 single “If You Leave,” from the “Pretty in Pink” film soundtrack - marked the 40th anniversary of their U.S. breakout album Crush with an excellent expanded reissue on various formats.

On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council will officially recognize Nov. 7 as “OMD Day in Los Angeles,” presented by LA City Councilwoman (7th District) Monica Rodriguez. The group, led by singer/bassist Andy McCluckey and keyboardist/vocalist Paul Humpreys, also performs at House of Blues in Anaheim on Sunday and Monday.

OMD’s solid sixth album Crush, produced by Stephen Hague (New Order), often featured a more streamlined sound than prior efforts. The U.S. hit single "So in Love” and fan favorite “Secret” are still mainstays amid OMD live setlists, as evidenced earlier this year by stellar sets this writer witnessed at Pasadena’s Cruel World Festival and the Greek Theatre.

Available in stores on 2LP, 2CD and digital formats, the remastered edition of Crush sounds better than ever. There are seven unreleased tracks from the album’s multitrack sessions (mixed by Humphreys) as well as two demos, an alternative mix, four never-before-heard songs, non-album single B-sides and extended or 12” mixes (some never previously reissued or issued on CD or digitally). The great packaging has rare photos and informative liner notes by journalist/author Jason Draper, who got recent quotes from McCluskey.

Besides the aforementioned singles, Disc 1 highlights include the darkly hypnotic “Women III,” “88 Seconds in Greensboro” (another in a long line of topical lyrics ripped from the news), a haunting “Native Daughters of the Golden West” (inspired by a LA museum trip), and the lovely understated “Hold You.” Among the Disc 2 gems are “Wheels of Steel” and fun, Caribbean-tinged “Lana Turner” (both strong enough that they would’ve made the original album better), plus the glorious “So in Love – Special American Dance Remix” and “Secret – Extended Mix.”

The deluxe edition of Crush is a must-purchase for serious OMD fans.