I know we mostly know Gary Numan for the infamous 80’s song cars, but if you ever have the chance to pick up his whole album, entitled the pleasure principle, you will see how genius his work truly was and how he was way before his time. It’s funny how sometimes artist get caught up in the wrong time era and it’s sad for the artist that gets caught up in this time thing, because they don’t get as appreciated for their work as any other artist would. This is the reason why I choose Gary Numan as the recommended artist for the day. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m thinking this is where Prince got all his synths influence from, what y’all think ?

I am listening to Gary Numan right now!

That's weird...

this indeed is a great album. trent reznor has said that gary numan was one of his first influences (NIN covered the track "metal" from this lp the pleasure principle). basement jaxx lifted the groove whole from the pleasure principle song "m.e." for their track "where's your head at?" (along with another numan sample: "this wreckage" from numan's fantastic lp telekon).

the centerpiece of this lp for me is the track "complex". it's a sad and haunting track, and i feel it's one of the best things gary numan has ever done.

i bought this album for "cars" and ended up loving the other tracks on it more. the day i bought this one, i was 10 years old. i got this one, and (gads...) rupert holmes album "partners in crime" (the one with escape (the pina colada song) on it). the girl at the record store was a new wave chick...i can still hear her saying "this one is great (the numan lp), but i don't know why in the world you would want this one (the holmes lp). do you realize this is a strange combo to be buying?"

--gm--

I love love LOVE Gary Numan.

Tribute albums can be patchy, but there was a Gary Numan double disc tribute called "Random" a few years back that kicks ass - St. Etienne, Magnetic Fields, Moloko, tons of cool bands are on it - I even think Gary Numan himself has a new track on it.

I'm a big fan - check out his autobiography "Praying To The Aliens" if you can get your hands on it. It has the most graphic description of hair plug surgery I've ever read (not that I've read that many, bleagh).

I only listened to this album once, while I was in college. After hearing the whole thing, it depressed me so much that the only way I could go on was to put on a Jimmy Buffet album and get drunk.

"In Cars" is a good groove, though.

minneapolisgenius said:

This sorta thing happens to me ALL the time!

"Cars" is the joint!

Got the LP in my hand right now! I love the song Metal! I love to play it really loud in the car. Is he still making any new music these days?

positivity said:

Yes he is. And it is still pretty similar in style. A little more dark and "gothic". I hate that word, just makes me think of a few teenage dopes wearing white face makeup with black around the eyes and a black outfit. Anyway. His new stuff is good. A lot can be found on Kazaa or whatever.
He had an album called "Exile" back in 98 or so that i really liked and has put out a couple more since then. If you are into syth/industrial/"goth" then you might like it. His voice puts me in a very soothing mood. I love it.