Gary Numan Digest Sun, 31 Jan 99 Volume 1 : Issue 508 Today's Topics: "Stars" by Nicky Robson A FEW THINGS...... A FEW THINGS PART 2 Another story Any More US Tour Info + 10 Ten Artists / Groups converting to Numan Derek's other fave albums Eagle reissues favourite albums :) favourites including non Numan Gary Numan Digest V1 #507 numan (2 msgs) numan albums for an unknowing friend Numan reference on Conan 1/26/99 on sale other bands... OUT OF PRINT NUMAN BOOKS for sale !! Random 2 Strange Charm (2 msgs) Top 10 Non Numan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 22:41:00 -0600 From: Jeff Tolva Subject: "Stars" by Nicky Robson To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Fellow Numanoids, Does anyone out there actually own either the 7" or the 12" single for "Stars" by Nicky Robson from 1981? Gary does some backing vocals on the title track, and he may even do some keyboards on it as well. Maybe more? For both the 7" and 12" singles, I'm looking for the exact tracks on the sleeve, the track times if you've got them, and any instrumentation listed for the tracks (i.e. Gary Numan-vocals, keyboards...Nicky Robson-vocals, keyboards, etc). Many thanks in advance, if you've got this information! Jeff Tolva (The Machman) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 03:15:01 -0000 From: "King Richard" Subject: A FEW THINGS...... To: "gary numan digest" HOWDY !!!! KING RICHARD HERE..... Well, first things first..... It seems to be impossible for any of you to believe I sold my copy of EXILE for $3.00 at a used cd store.. The place I got it from would not take it back because it was opened... store rules. So I sold it to a used music store in ATHENS, maybe I should have held out for $4.00 instead.... I see everyone listing their favorate non NUMAN cds, I see alot of great 80's titles in there....gotta love it. here is mine..... 1. CALL OF THE WEST-WALL OF VOODOO 2. FREEDOM OF CHOICE-DEVO 3. TO LIVE & DIE IN L.A-WANG CHUNG 4. GHOST IN THE MACHINE-THE POLICE 5. SEVEN DAYS IN SAMMYSTOWN- Wall of Voodoo 6. --- ---------------------------------------- A series of shots, sneakers fall apart..... earth keeps on turning.....Witnesses falling... It's got nothing to do with you. If one can grasp it. -D. BOWIE,( Up the hill backwards) 1980 ---------------------------------------- King Richard The Kingdom King Richard's 80's Musical Kingdom: Band write ups for January, THE CARS/ THE GO-GO'S/ TEARS FOR FEARS..... Stay for dinner next time...we're having barbecued iguana! http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kingofeightiesmusic/index.html Check out my chat with TOMMY TUTONE at KING OF 80'S MUSIC http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kingofeightiesmusic/reviews.html Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 03:20:56 -0000 From: "King Richard" Subject: A FEW THINGS PART 2 To: "gary numan digest" DARN BUTTON, sorry, here is the rest of the list... 6. THE BIG HEAT- STAN RIDGWAY 7. MUSIC THAT YOU CAN DANCE TO-SPARKS 8. SO- PETER GABRIEL 9. WAR- U2 10. DARE-HUMAN LEAGUE Also I got this in an email, the guy calls himself roddy radiation..... see what you think. I was driving somewhere tonight, listening to the radio, when I heard a familiar sound ... that oscillating synth that ushers in Gary Numan's best known song (on these shores, anyway). At first I was surprised, since the station I was listening to is better known for hard-rock than new-wave classics. But as it turned out, it was both: a cover of "Cars" by a metal band called Fear Factory. The verdict: not as good as the original, but not bad at all! It misses the synth hook in the bridge -- the way the grinding rhythm guitar tries to replicate it just doesn't suffice. But the general arrangement hues close to Numan's, and the singer has a decent voice. Fear Factory approach this song with a genuine sense of respect. They don't treat their own version as a novelty, and they don't try to desecrate the original. (For clues on how to do both -- in case you need or want such clues -- check out Marilyn Manson's disembowelment of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams are Made of This." When you're done puking, wipe your mouth and drop me a line.) This isn't right, is it? K.R. --- ---------------------------------------- A series of shots, sneakers fall apart..... earth keeps on turning.....Witnesses falling... It's got nothing to do with you. If one can grasp it. -D. BOWIE,( Up the hill backwards) 1980 ---------------------------------------- King Richard The Kingdom King Richard's 80's Musical Kingdom: Band write ups for January, THE CARS/ THE GO-GO'S/ TEARS FOR FEARS..... Stay for dinner next time...we're having barbecued iguana! http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kingofeightiesmusic/index.html Check out my chat with TOMMY TUTONE at KING OF 80'S MUSIC http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kingofeightiesmusic/reviews.html Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 11:46:35 GMT0BST From: "James Chapman" Subject: Another story To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Something else funny that happened over the Christmas holidays: I was listening to Metal Rhythm with the volume turned up high and my father hears it, comes into my room and says "Why are you listening to that same song over and over again?" . I said "No, it's a whole album" "Well it all sounds the same" "That means it's consistent and coherent" "No, it's just boring...." A couple of days later I put Berserker on and as the title track startred he said "It all sounds the same!" I then made him listen to "A Child with the Ghost" and "The Hunter" consecutively and he still wasn't convinced! But what made me really laugh was that later, I was playing Machine and Soul and after 5 or 6 tracks he came into my room again and said "I didn't think you liked Prince" I laughed so much! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 18:29:32 -0800 From: Rich Godsil Subject: Any More US Tour Info + 10 Ten Artists / Groups To: "'Gary Numan'" A while back I read about GN touring again in 1999. Any more info about = this tour materializing? Secondly, this newsletter is alot more fun to read than it used to be. = It's interesting to read opposing viewpoints, the opinionated banter = about which GN albums are best & worst (I rediscovered GN w/ Exile=20 and I think it's fantastic), and, after 1 1/2 years, I still don't know = what happened to GN's career from after Telekon up to Exile (other than = he seemed to sign with some lousy record companies & played small venues = mainly in the British Isles). Lastly, I can't come up with my top 10 albums, however, the following 10 = groups are mainstays of what music I listen to: David Bowie Brian Eno The Talking Heads The Cure U2 Peter Gabriel King Crimson Depeche Mode Pink Floyd Bill Nelson=20 So in 5 digests or less, what happened to Gary Numan between years 1983 = - 1995? Rich=20 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:26:26 +0800 From: Jean Burgess Subject: converting to Numan To: Gary Numan James Chapman wrote > So the question is, if you were trying to convert a friend to > Numan, which albums would you lend him/her ? I have converted a number of people to like Numan, but I wouldn't have a list of songs or albums. I would either generally give them a few exposures, maybe play them my favourites or I would establish their tastes and play them the stuff which comes closest ie a Punk fan I would play Tubeway Army, The Plan, Live at The Roxy etc., a new romantic I'd play, TPP, Replicas etc, an industrial fan, A Question of Faith. I do a good job at converting people, some of them thank me for introducing them to him. I had a boyfriend who was a Stranglers fan and he used to use Numan as a general term of abuse towards me, I used to smile because I knew I'd got to him with the Numan, he probably plays it all the time now. I'll catch up with him one day to confirm my suspicions. We shall overcome Jean ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 22:37:59 -0800 From: Derek Langsford Subject: Derek's other fave albums To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I have very much enjoyed the lists of others so decided to have a go myself. This is what I selected this time but it could change next week :-) In alphabetical order Kate Bush - The Dreaming Thomas Dolby - The Golden Age of Wireless Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel (3) The Human League - Dare Peter Murphy - Love Hysteria New Musik - From A to B OMD - Organisation Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81-81-83-84) Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring Ultravox - Rage in Eden Can you guess I was finishing high school and went to college in late 70s early 80s? For Numan my top five at the moment are: Exile extended (his best extended album by far IMO) Sacrifice Dance The Pleasure Principle Berserker Cheers, Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek Langsford Ph.D. Environmental Management Specialist County of San Diego, Dept. of Planning and Land Use 5201 Ruffin Road, Ste. B San Diego, CA 92123 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 22:47:12 -0800 From: Derek Langsford Subject: Eagle reissues To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Gary said on NuWORLD that Eagle will release the Numa albums as separate CDs February 22. He also has a picture of the completely new cover for M&S. This is a distinct improvement in that it doesn't have that horrible picture of Gary looking 50, and like a washed up has-been if there ever was one. I cannot believe how dead he looked in that photo compared to now and seeing him up close and personal last May. These reissues will give those who didn't want to buy the set but needed one or two albums a chance to get them. I hope they correct the Fury disc by using the album rather then extended versionm of Call Out the Dogs. It'd be nice if track volume was consistent across the album and bonus tracks. That will be a test of how much Eagle are paying attention to detail. Gary has 5 tracks on tape for the new album. Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek Langsford Ph.D. Environmental Management Specialist County of San Diego, Dept. of Planning and Land Use 5201 Ruffin Road, Ste. B San Diego, CA 92123 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 04:01:12 -0500 From: "..s.c.o.t.t.." Subject: favourite albums :) To: I've been a lurker for some time, but seeing as i have Exile on the player now along with some free time, i thought i'd rattle off some favourite non-Numan albums :-) ((in no particular order)) Marilyn Manson - Mechanical Animals Kraftwerk - Ministry - Moby - Fear Factory - Obsolete Rancid - ...and out came the wolves My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult - Slayer - Young Gods - Only Heaven Lords of Acid - Lust U2 - Zooropa As for Gary... i do not own a complete collection of full length albums (yet :), but from what i have, i must say that my favourites are Sacrifice Tubeway Army (greatest hits) Exile White Noise (live CD of the Beserker tour) Live Dark Light (live CD of the sacrifice tour) Telekon Pleasure Principle ((scott)) -- new york USA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 04:23:18 +0800 From: Jean Burgess Subject: favourites including non Numan To: Gary Numan Hi everyone I would really like to be able to just list my favourites in order of preferrence, but I can't. So I thought I'd just list songs that make my hair stand up on end and my spine tingle. Wise up sucker, Everythings Cool: Pop Will Eat Itself The Beautiful People, Rock Is Dead, Posthuman: Manson Exhibition, Photograph, I Don't Believe: Numan Back to Nature: Fad Gadget Rebel Yell, White Wedding: Billy Idol Heartbeat City, Road To Nowhere: Talking Heads Circling Overland, Headhunter: Front 242 Closer, Head Like a Hole, Sin, Wish: NIN The Image Is, Letters, Survival, My Love Is A Liquid: Numan Kick In The Eye, She's In Parties, Lagaritija Nick: Bauhaus The Chaufeur: Duran Strip, Personal Jesus, Master & Servant: Depeche Imagination: Belouis Some Blue Hotel: Chris Isaak Great Southern Land: Icehouse I Got You: Split Enz Billy Porter: Mick Ronson Homosapien, Telephone Operator: Pete Shelley Slow Down: Balaam and the Angle Love My Way: You Don't Know: Berlin Great Dog Man: Gena X KMFDM Light: KMFDM version and Die Warzau version I like a lot of classical music, I noticed someone included a classical composer, I think its a good idea to include the classical stuff. One that totally chills me is Hungarian Rhapsody No.2: Liszt; then there's Mars: Holst, Danse Macabre: Saint-Saens, and Sheherazade: Rimsky-Korsakov, I mustn't forget Carmen Suite No.1 (Aragonaise and Seguidilla), Suite No.2 (Danse Boheme): Bizet. There are many others. I'm glad people write in their favourite non-Numan because I can listen out for bands I don't know. I discovered Kraftwerk, Ultravox (John Foxx) and Brian Eno because Numan mensioned he liked their stuff and at the time I hadn't heard of them. I really hate to think I'm missing out on some more spine chillers (I know there's more stuff out there). Well I'm off before I can't resist the temptation to mension loads of others I love. Jean ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 14:16:41 +0000 From: Tom Gorham Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #507 To: "Gary Numan" Oh well, if you can't beat them... These ten albums always seem to be popping up on my CD player: Mario Lanza: The Ultimate Collection The Wedding Present: Bizarro Morrissey: Vauxhall & I Peggy Lee: Peggy Lee Pulp: Different Class Stan Getz: Essentiel Jazz The Smiths: Hatful of Hollow Blondie: Autoamerican The Ramones: The Ramones Pet Shop Boys: Behaviour Favourite 5 Numan albums 1 Dance 2 Replicas 3 Tubeway Army 4 Telekon 5 Sacrifice 6 I Assassin 7 Warriors 8 Exile 9 The Fury 10 Berserker Regards Tom Gorham ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 19:18:58 -0000 From: "Mark Granville" Subject: NUMAN To: CAN ANYONE SELL ME OR GIVE ME A COPY OF NUMANS WARRIORS PROMO VIDEO ALSO = WHITE BOYS AND HEROES THANX=20 MARK ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 10:10:37 -0000 From: "Mark Granville" Subject: numan To: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable thanx for your message how long have you been into numan Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable thanx for your message how long have = you been=20 into numan ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 20:27:29 EST From: "jon glass" Subject: numan albums for an unknowing friend To: numan@cs.uwp.edu it was brought up somewhere last time, numan albums for someone to check out if they havent heard anything from our hero: for the more underground lovin kid: tubeway army replicas for the gothie kid: sacrifice or exile <> for the normal kid into different music: hard to say...probably berserker ive learned FROM EXPERIENCE that the pleasure principle & telecon ARE NOT the first albums you should give someone interested in listening to numan. they will say "oh it sounds like the same 'my sharona' riff the whole time" especially after conan o brien had that skit where gary numan only plays Cars & no other song ever. the best thing to do is: MAKE A MIX TAPE (not 'the mix' :p) of songs from every album. jon behind glass "i can feel a child with the ghost here, you let yr heart slip away" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 13:00:20 -0500 From: "Terrence Thoman" Subject: Numan reference on Conan 1/26/99 To: Gary Numan Digest A friend who is not a Numan fan but knows that I am mentioned that the Conan show on Tues (1/26/1999) featured a bit where Conan was running through a list of possible replacements for network shows that were being cancelled in mid-season. One of the shows he was proposing was 'Gary Numan: A to Z'. Apparently, he showed some Numan clips while explaining the premise of the show was to run through Gary's songs A-Z. After he got to 'B', Conan decided that the show would last about 2 days, slagged it off and moved onto the next show. I'm not a Conan watcher, but perhaps someone else saw the show and can fill in further details. Is any press, good press? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 14:01:52 +0100 From: Stefano OK Subject: on sale To: Gary Numan Due to a change of address I sell some of my the Pet Shop Boys - ULTRAVOX - GARY NUMAN merchandise: PET SHOP BOYS Literally Issue: 06 June 1991 07 November 1991 08 May 1992 10 June 1993 11 November 1993 Magazine Issue with Melody Maker writen by Jon Wilde The Mega-mix Annual (an indipendent publication) written by Huw Collingbourne 1988 2 pictures of the 2 members 20cm x 30cm Pictures from: full pages from Smash hits ULTRAVOX The Voice VII 84/85 Book The Voice VIII Newsletter The Voice IX Newsletter Ultravox Memories ( a complitely black book) Ultravox Italian Book with poster 32 pages 20cmx30cm 4 pictures of the 4 members 20cmx20cm 1 picture of Midge 20cm x 30cm Articles: Ultravox "EuroVision" Ultravox "Vienna" Ultravox "Own Up" (U-Vox) Ultravox "Wembley Arena Live" Ultravox "Chris on Midge" Ultravox "Same old song" Ultravox "Barrowlands Ballroom Glasgow Live" Ultravox "Vox Pop" Ultravox "Little things that keep us together" Midge Ure "Has Midge Ure Gone Soft?" Midge Ure "The Last of the matinee Idols" Midge Ure "The Midge Ure story" Midge Ure "Glasgow" Midge Ure "Obsession" Midge Ure "One small day on the ski slopes" Midge Ure "Gentleman Jim" Italian Article "Ultravox & Vienna" Italian Article "Ultravox & Quartet" Italian Article "Ultravox & Lament" Italian Article "John Foxx The Garden Review" and many others... Poster: 60cm x 60cm 50cm x 80cm 80cm x 40cm Plus several interesting clippings GARY NUMAN Electric Shadows Volume one (a history in cuttings) 64 pages of Vital Information (Rare photo's Facts Interview) This book is issued in a Limited Edition of 1.000 copies. This copy is number 897 Gary Numan Book entitled "By computer" Omnibus Press 64 pages Gary Numan The Authorised Biography by Ray Coleman 128 pages Gary Numan Yearbook 1988 Gary Numan Yearbook 1989 plus mini poster Sharp+Numan News letter #25 plus photographs News letter #26 plus photographs News letter #27 plus photographs Communication from Illegal Records for "America" Articles: Italian Article "Rock and Beauty" Smash Hits "2 October 1980" The Mad Max Factor The Joy Circuit Who the hell does GN think he is? Plus several interesting clippings Picture 20cm x 30cm stefano@glamm.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 09:56:10 +0000 From: Andy McHaffie Subject: other bands... To: Gary Numan Well other than Numan, in no particular order, my favourite bands are: Babes In Toyland, Husker Du, Prodigy, Metallica, Queen, Bowie, Faith No More, Veruca Salt, Blur, Nomeansno, Jesus Lizard, Therapy?, Moby, Eels, Bellatrix, Nightnurse, Nirvana, Soulfly, Marilyn Manson, Sonic Youth, Diamanda Galas, Adam & the Ants, Sheep On Drugs, The Fall, Hole, Tom Robinson, L7, Sugar, Tura Satana, Consolidated, Celtic Frost, Primus, Foo Fighters, Sugar, Japan, Talking Heads, Helmet, Fear Factory, Coal Chamber, System Of A Down, Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey, Sleater-Kinney, Sister George, Perfect Blue, Betty Boo, Frank Zappa, Flinch, Feline, Nick Cave, Bob Mould..... ...covers most of it... On the substituting Wank for Die thread...(amazing what we talk about between albums!!!) you can fit it into most songs... Remind me to wank Wanking in the park Are friends wanking ? God only wanks I dream of wanking Jo the wanker I, wanker Strange Wank Cold wanking An Alien wank The Iceman wanks (mind you thats rude enough already) Please wank no more The wank film Oh...roll on the new album !!!!! Andy McHaffie - Boys Like Us -- http://www.joekeith.dircon.co.uk/mouthfull.html -- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 17:01:22 EST From: BaiHat@aol.com Subject: OUT OF PRINT NUMAN BOOKS for sale !! To: Gary Numan I have the following books in excellent condition for sale. GARY NUMAN-the authorized biography by Ray Coleman. 130 pages.Has some lyrics and many beautiful photographs (all B&W) Published in 1982 through Sidgwick and Jackson.$25.00 GARY NUMAN-by computer by Fred and Judy Vermorel in 1980 through Omnibus press.Many candid photographs of Gary ( all B&W ). A unique book for a unique talent.Here is Gary Numan in his own words-rewritten by computer.Extending Gary's own method of songwriting,Numan's often cryptic sayings are randomized by computer to reveal fascinating possiblities and connections.$25.00 Very rare opportunity to collect these books.E-mail / BaiHat@aol.com (If I receive many e-mails perhaps I will draw a name from a hat to declare a buyer.Any ideas or suggestions?) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 12:35:57 GMT0BST From: "James Chapman" Subject: Random 2 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I bought this CD the week of release last year and I really didn't like it, and so I sold my copy after a couple of listens (not for a paltry $3 either - I got another CD :-) However, becoming the near completist that I now am, I felt I should really get this album as I have kept Techno Army and I thought Random 2 couldn't be any worse. I bought the CD and approached it with a much more open mind than before. Track by track: 1. Metal - Robert Armani This isn't bad - it's one of my favourite synth riffs and I could see myself getting down to this after 8 pints of lager, and it's quite hypnotic. But all he has done is sampled the original riff, and pulled a few knobs and changed the drum pattern, which hardly takes loads of effort. Some vocals or different synthy bits would have been nice. But at least it's fully recognisable to the original which is more than I can say for some other tracks on here :-) 2. Dans Le Parc- DJ Hell Oh yeah, nice name. Good backing track but that's about all. Muffling something in French is hardly constituting a remix is it? Goes on way too long. In the voice of Homer Simpson: BORING! 3. I Die: You Die - Greenhaus Pretty good. Makes the sampled Numan vocals fit very well into a completely different backing track. Uses some nice synth effects, but gets a bit repetitive towards the end. I find it also interesting that the vocals were sampled from the alternate version on the new Telekon CD. 4. Cars - Mike Dearborn Did he bother to listen to the original? I think not. Saying that I do like the track for some reason. Quite addictive. 5. Cars - Dave Clarke The most faithful track on here. Slightly better than the Random version, and very enjoyable. He actually bothered to listen to the original. I couldn't imagine it getting played in nightclubs much, and I reckon some might say he didn't do enough with the track. Not me though. 6. Warriors - Dave Angel This was one I was looking forward to. But oh dear! Not bad backing track, but sampling the word control over and over again ain't going to earn you many brownie points. POINTLESS! 7. Are Friends Electric - Liberator DJs Decent. I see the robots have made a return after their multi-appearances on Random, but I like the way only the last two notes of the main synth riff have been looped. Not as repetitive as some other tracks either. 8. Remember I Was Vapour - Steve Stoll Unfinished backing track time again. No bloody variation at all. . I think he came into the studio, played the backing track, muffled "there's nothing" a few hundred times and then went home. Honestly, I could have done better myself :-) 9. We Are Glass - Claude Young He didn't bother to listen to the original either! 10 minutes of stupid boink-boink noises with some Numan vocal repeated over and over again than have been looped to unrecognisability. And he got paid for THIS! Gives me a headache, and I can't see how anyone on living earth is going to like this. God, I must be in the wrong business :-) 10. Films - Alex Hazzard Much better. He's taken out the antiseptic synth riff which was my fave part of the song but this is good. Nice drum effects, and actually has some recognisable Numan in it. At least HE knows what he's doing :-) 11. The Iceman Comes - Peter Lazonby Best track on here. Uses a good part of the original and turned it into something different but not looped to buggery. Reminds me of Jean-Michel Jarre for some reason. So there you have it. It's not total "doggy-doo" like some have said, but I wish some of the tracks had more parts of originals used. My favourites are the more faithful ones. Much better than Techno Army (not exactly difficult). I think it would be intersting to hear some more recent Numan given the Techno treatment. Imagine "An Alien Cure - 150 bpm dance version" :-) James ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 22:59:55 +0000 From: vickers@netcomuk.co.uk Subject: Strange Charm To: Gary Numan Just read Rod's blow-by-blow tour of "Strange Charm". I agree with much of what he says. It's a collection, really, rather than an album. Personally, my heart sinks when NTFLT starts. Am I right that Bill Sharpe wrote the music and that Gary re-wrote the lyrics from the original by - is his name Roger? but anyway, the synth is too poppy for me and not atmospheric and, well it just sounds to me like it doesn't belong. "Unknown and Hostile" and "The Need" aren't particularly my scene. "I Can't Stop" was a genuine SINGLE. A poppy sort of crossover track that would probably have been a big hit if it had been played on the radio - in other words if it had been on a big label. But after all this time, it does get a bit annoying now... "This is Love" - I HATE ballads, all smoochy and syrupy, except, of course, Numan's. They are brilliant. Atmospheric. Moody. Cynical. Sensitive. And this is one of them. "Strange Charm", concocted to be a title track for what Gary thought was a good album title, I imagine. And then, apart from "This Is Love", there are three BRILLIANT tracks: "My Breathing", "The Sleeproom" and "Time To Die" (although I prefer the B-side version even to the album version). I am not going to dissect these three - they each take my to another level of breathless anticipation and wonder....... Paddy Vickers ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 20:23:52 -0500 From: "Terrence Thoman" Subject: Strange Charm To: Gary Numan Digest I'm happy to see all the conversation about Strange Charm. I had not heard much of anything off this album until I found it in a used CD shop just before Christmas. I find a lot to like on this album. My Breathing is very catchy and I find myself running it in my head throughout the day. I especially like New Thing..., the title track, and This Is Love. Overall I think its one of Gary's better albums from the mid/late eighties era. Shame its only 8 tracks. My 7 year old daughter really likes I Can't Stop (probably because she can't stop either). Does anyone know the source of the background chatter in The Sleeproom? I can't make out if it's just gibberish, a sampled conversation (ala Outland), or maybe some more cockpit chatter (ala My Centurion). I think that really adds something to this song. Maybe I should mention its the 1996 reissue in case this version is different from the original. Anyway a good pick up for $10US. Don't let me down... Terrence ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 14:27:13 +1100 From: Bart.Tieman@metrotas.com.au Subject: Top 10 Non Numan To: "'numan@cs.uwp.edu'" Hello all I like most of you have enjoyed the non Numan top 10's and therefore have selected my top 10. So here goes in no particular order. Alphaville - Salvation Devo - New Traditionalists Duran Duran - Rio Flowers - Icehouse Inxs - Shabooh Shoobah Madness - One Step Beyond Men Without Hats - Rhythm of Youth John Foxx - The Garden Mi Sex - Space Race Talk Talk - The Party's Over As you can see I'm heavily into the 80's synth sound since thats what I was into during my formative years. It's also why Gary has had such a big effect on me. Bart Numan Down Under ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ****************************** _______________________________________________________________________ _____ ____ ____ _____ _____ / \ | | / \ / \ / \ / \ | |-----| |-----| | |-----| |-----| | | | G | | A | | | R | | Y | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-----| |-----| | |-----| |-----| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | N | E | W | S |=====| | | | | | | | & | | | | | | | \_____/ I | N | F | O | | | | is produced and distributed by Derek Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the messages in this list, mail to: numan@cs.uwp.edu If you want to be removed, or someone wants to be added, you can mail to numan-request@cs.uwp.edu ----------------- The Gary Numan Digest is brought to you via Datta Production and Development, 905 97th Street, Kenosha, WI 53143 USA datta@cs.uwp.edu and computer resources courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Datta Production and Development. 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