A 2005 appearance on a German television program, followed by a tour -- throughout which the original four members performed 1981's Architecture & Morality in its entirety -- culminated in the first OMD album since 1996 (and this particular quartet’s first since 1986). History of Modern, for the most part, sounds like OMD. There are two exceptions: “Sometimes” incorporates turntable scratching and guest vocalist Jennifer John, who interjects with lines from “Motherless Child,” while “Pulse” is neo-electro sleaze, full of bedroom whispers, moans, and yearning yelps. Most updates to the group’s sound are natural, while the placid ballad “New Holy Ground” and the somehow cathartic and pensive “Green” rate with the earlier material. At its best, History of Modern is to OMD what Secrets is to the Human League: an inspired return from post-punk-turned-synth-pop greats.