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In a nutshell…
Godfather of electronic music showcases his talents for the king of the airwaves.
What's it all about?
A splendiferous 16 track ensemble revisiting each of the three sessions that Gary Numan performed for Peel's BBC Radio 1 show, Gary Numan: The Complete John Peel Sessions reminds us exactly why both the singer and the broadcaster were, and indeed are, so influential.
Who's it by?
Cars is the track that springs to the forefront of most people's minds when asked to name a song by Gary Numan, not unsurprising given that it was his biggest hit. However, the electropoptastic New Wave Dark Wave pioneer is actually an incredibly intense songsmith whose music reveals a plethora of emotions and intriguing ideas, presented alongside those insanely catchy electronic beats.
Born and raised in west London, Gary Numan first appeared on the music scene in 1978 with the band Tubeway Army, a relatively successful three-piece notching up a number one single (Are Friends Electric) and album (Replicas) in 1979.
Later in the same year Numan was once again at the top spot, only this time as a solo artist with his album The Pleasure Principle, a feat he repeated with the release of Cars.
His second solo album Telkon, released in 1980, is regarded as the third in Numan's 'machine' trilogy and is his last number one album to date. A star of the new wave, experimentalist Numan has dabbled with jazz and funk, but is ultimately renowned for his electropop.
As an example…
"I'll give life to obsession, I'll give life to disease, I'll give you one last sin or cure, and then I'll do as I please."
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Inspired by Bowie, Kraftwerk and science fiction, the music press never really warmed to his work but Gary Numan's music has influenced a range of artists including the Foo Fighters, Basement Jaxx, Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails. While this album is a celebration of the twin peaks of Numan's career it is unlikely to win him, an albiet deserved, string of awards.
What the others say
"It's dark, it's depressing, it's deeply disturbed and has a contemporary edge that even an iPod would be proud of. Not for completists: for everyone!" - Alan Sargeant, Crud Magazine.
So is it any good?
In a word, yes. This album is an incendiary array of the best tracks of Numan's career, an evocative slice of the brooding performer's pounding, synth heavy, screeching guitar laden, dark and energetic back catalogue.
Taking place three months before the release of Replicas, the first Peel session was recorded in January 1978 and is a reflection of Numan's initially uncertain sense of musical self. Me I Disconnect From You, with its clear punk overtones and catchy inquisitive beat is neatly juxtaposed with the delicacy of I Nearly Married a Human, a beautiful, considered song and one which would not be out of place on the soundtrack of a Sofia Coppola film.
Later in that same year Numan returned to record a second session for Peel, this time armed with new track Cars. Performed here with a stark vivacity and an obvious degree of freshness it has a contemporary edge and demonstrates the longevity of his creativity, reminding you dear reader just why this song has stood the test of time and remained so popular.
The last session, commercially available here for the first time, delves into the latter part of Numan's career with songs taken from the moody 2000 album Pure, a musical outing described by Q magazine as being "awash with mangled guitars and horror-film atmospherics".
In Listen To My Voice Numan presents a diatribe against organised religion, a recurrent theme in his work and no doubt derivative of his fondness for sci-fi, but a passionate and infectious piece of tunage nonetheless.
I Can't Breathe dives headfirst into the murky waters of goth-rock while firmly grasping the hand of electronica, encapsulating the essence of Numan's work. Impeccably produced album closer A Prayer For The Unborn, inspired by the miscarriages experienced by Numan's wife Gemma, is emotional and intense.
This album is at times dark but is also euphoric, strong and aggressive but decidedly tender, with Numan's distinctive and unfaltering voice superbly matched by the glorious guitars and ingenious synths. Impressive stuff, no wonder Peel was such a
fan.
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