Always liked Numan's music, he realized that if you're going to replace a band with synths to make electronic pop* you need to replace everything; melody, harmony, rhythm. So there was depth to his music that was missing in other nominal electronic acts (I'm looking at you Soft Cell) . I'd been listening to electronic music for years when this came out and it was the first time I heard that complete sound in a pop song format.
* I know some people will go 'Gary Numan's not pop!', I mean the 3-4 minute song that you would hear on the radio (Cars, Are Friends Electric?), with the Verse-Chorus-Verse structure. Not sounding like The Archies.
Kevin, this is a total tangent, but at least the time horizon is right. I'm looking for bands that blend goth and punk, in the formative style of Bauhaus and Joy Division, but also crossing over to punk bands like Rudi P or even Neurosis. TL;DR: do any punkish-goth bands come to mind? I'll give this record a listen now.
Also, tangent to the tangent, but: The Tubeway Army album is fantastic--maybe my favorite stuff of his--and a fascinating hinge point into what Numan eventually became....
This and his first album are still some of my favorites that I listen to at least once a month. The alienated emotions in the lyrics are perfectly captured in his grinding electronic drones. It's very similar to Brian Eno's work with Robert Fripp but carries more angst in a structured industrial way.
I never listened to this album in full until today! I knew Are Friends Electric? and Praying to the Aliens but that was about it. The album has a much wider range of sounds and instrumentation than I thought it would. I love the experimental side of Numan's music. Glad I finally checked this one out!
Right on! Like you, I was surprised at the range on this when I first heard it. I guess I was expecting to hear an entire record that either sounded like 'Cars,' or 'M.E.'.
I never knew this record until Chris Whitley covered "Are 'Friends' Electric?" on one of his last records, Reiter In. It's a loose, low-key version well worth your time.
I’ve been so busy packing, moving, and unpacking, that I cannot believe I’ve not had time to listen to music! That’s so unlike me! But if I told you the epic story I’ve been through in the past few weeks, you might understand. And once I get my stereo back up and running, I’m going to be sharing my audiobook of feelings!
If anyone remembers how to hook up components from the “old days”, feel free to come to my place! Still not done; probably last on the list as I still have stuff to move from storage.
I just keep on jamming to Lithium and Tom Petty SERIUS XM stations in the car to get my yuks out for now.
Always liked Numan's music, he realized that if you're going to replace a band with synths to make electronic pop* you need to replace everything; melody, harmony, rhythm. So there was depth to his music that was missing in other nominal electronic acts (I'm looking at you Soft Cell) . I'd been listening to electronic music for years when this came out and it was the first time I heard that complete sound in a pop song format.
* I know some people will go 'Gary Numan's not pop!', I mean the 3-4 minute song that you would hear on the radio (Cars, Are Friends Electric?), with the Verse-Chorus-Verse structure. Not sounding like The Archies.
No argument from me: I think it fits in the electronic pop box.
Kevin, this is a total tangent, but at least the time horizon is right. I'm looking for bands that blend goth and punk, in the formative style of Bauhaus and Joy Division, but also crossing over to punk bands like Rudi P or even Neurosis. TL;DR: do any punkish-goth bands come to mind? I'll give this record a listen now.
Chrome are definitely in their own universe, but they do the techno-dread / futurist / nihilist / everything's broken thing like no one else....
NIce! Do you recommend any particular ablum(s)? I'm checking out Alien Soundtracks right now.
Just wanted to say that this description nailed it.
Oh, good question! I'm gonna have to think about this one.
Also, tangent to the tangent, but: The Tubeway Army album is fantastic--maybe my favorite stuff of his--and a fascinating hinge point into what Numan eventually became....
This and his first album are still some of my favorites that I listen to at least once a month. The alienated emotions in the lyrics are perfectly captured in his grinding electronic drones. It's very similar to Brian Eno's work with Robert Fripp but carries more angst in a structured industrial way.
I hadn't made that connection, but now that you mention it, it totally makes sense.
Is this the same Gary Numan who did "Cars"?
Yes!
The same!
I never listened to this album in full until today! I knew Are Friends Electric? and Praying to the Aliens but that was about it. The album has a much wider range of sounds and instrumentation than I thought it would. I love the experimental side of Numan's music. Glad I finally checked this one out!
Right on! Like you, I was surprised at the range on this when I first heard it. I guess I was expecting to hear an entire record that either sounded like 'Cars,' or 'M.E.'.
I never knew this record until Chris Whitley covered "Are 'Friends' Electric?" on one of his last records, Reiter In. It's a loose, low-key version well worth your time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbOs0ojgVOo
I’ve been so busy packing, moving, and unpacking, that I cannot believe I’ve not had time to listen to music! That’s so unlike me! But if I told you the epic story I’ve been through in the past few weeks, you might understand. And once I get my stereo back up and running, I’m going to be sharing my audiobook of feelings!
It's great to see you here! As for moving, I don't envy you at all. If I never had to move again, it'd be too soon.
If anyone remembers how to hook up components from the “old days”, feel free to come to my place! Still not done; probably last on the list as I still have stuff to move from storage.
I just keep on jamming to Lithium and Tom Petty SERIUS XM stations in the car to get my yuks out for now.