I refer to the experts here at the org to help me out with Gary Numan/Tubeway Army. I know Anxiety knows a lot about them, and I'm sure there are plenty others here who do as well.

I currently only own 3 albums- Replicas, The Pleasure Principle and the GN/TA compilation. I absolutely ADORE Replicas and have come to love The Pleasure Principle as well. Reading the liner notes of the remasters is fascinating indeed, as Gary basically took ideas for a novel he was writing and fused them with his musical interests to create some groundbreaking, chilling synth work in the late 70s and early 80s.

I know that 1980's Telekon completes the "machine trilogy", and I've got that on the way. I saw Gary live a week and a half ago, and while it was a great experience, it seems that he has moved on stylistically into more industrial/metal territory that doesn't really grab me as much. So, other than Telekon, what other Gary Numan/Tubeway Army albums should I look into getting? I'd say these are my top 10 songs of his, if that helps:

1. Are 'Friends' Electric?
2. Me! I Disconnect from You
3. We Have a Technical
4. We Are So Fragile
5. Down in the Park
6. Metal
7. Tracks
8. You Are in My Vision
9. Films
10. M.E.

Oh, and I totally think Gary Numan would be more than a 1-hit wonder in the States had he released the brilliantly paranoid and catchy "Metal" as a follow-up to "Cars". There's even a video:

I don't know about any of that, but Gary Numan is very, very cool. There used to be a boy at my school that looked just like him, I used to follow him around and stare at him all the time, I was fascinated with him. But he never used to speak to me, he was too busy being 'Gary Numan'. Love it!

Mind if I post this?


[Edited 3/14/09 4:59am]

Jeffiner said:

Cool! And of course I don't mind you posting "Are 'Friends' Electric?", as it's truly brilliant!

I've been totally loving "Tracks" lately. It starts quite timid and quaint, but it launches into a sweeping synth anthem before taking off at the end in a heavenly ascent of piano and violin. Apparently it's about wanting to switch places with an old person in order to get a feeling for both the past and the future.

Good track, I like it!

Moonbeam said:

interesting

cheers!
~svn seven

No recommendations?

Moonbeam said:

I'm not any deeper into Gary Numan to say. I think you have the essential stuff already.

Upon listening to the basic sounds of I, Assassin, I might offer the sentiment that he rivaled Prince at sound usage of the Linn drum machine (though if you'd asked me three years ago, I'd have said it was Numan copying Prince)...

eaglebear4839 said:

Cool! I might have to track it down, then, cuz I love the Linn.

Based on your post, I recommend:


Dance (1981) - The follow up to Telekon and arguably his most experimental album to date with some excellent lyrics. Linn drum sounds galore on this LP as well!

Exile (1997) - I know you said that Numan's industrial leanings aren't your cup of tea, but this slow-paced album is quite beautiful in places and is not as 'heavy' as his other relatively recent recordings. Numan described the sound as 'cathedral-like'... if that helps.


Or perhaps you might like a re-enforcement of what you like already before investing in more studio albums? In which case...

Engineers (1980) - Recorded on the last night of The Touring Principle in Sydney, Australia. It's a bit rough and ready, but it's an interesting document of Numan's 'machine music' phase.

Living Ornaments '80 (1980) - This is a far more polished production and is generally considered the best live album of his early career. The CD re-issue includes a full different show from the same tour recorded from the mixing desk which was previously only available as a bootleg. The sound quality is excellent considering the source, and it's great fun to hear things that would not usually make the final cut on an official album - dodgy notes, forgotten lyrics and malfunctioning synthesizers are abundant.
[Edited 3/14/09 21:01pm]

TheSkinMechanic said:

Thanks for the recommendations! It appears the early 80s is the best way to proceed, and go from there. I'll have to catch a few samples from Exile.