Gary Numan returns from a 7 year break. To paraphrase a recent interview he explained there were too many distractions to be able finish anything. Too many songs unfinished and thrown away.
And by that he meant completely deleted. For a songwriter, that's either a very brave thing to do or slightly unhinged, verging on the neurotic. But then Gary has always been a fragile soul and he wears that curse openly,
In past interviews listening to Numan talk about his rise to pop stardom in the 80's you always get the sense he was sort of hurled unintentionally into massive recognition. We all know the effects of such saturation can severely damage some musicians more than others. The thing is after all that pop worship and naturally alongside that comes the trolling, Gary Numan has always seemed a really decent guy.
Now after his recent break of 7 years it's a damn good thing to see his return to recording, and concerts to follow with the new album 'Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind'. See there, even the title reflects that fragility again, but the last thing 'Splinter' is, is fragile. It's a true return to the electronic density, texture and shear audio power in this sumptuous sound. Dark, even ominous with shards of musical technology shattering and reforming before your ears. His voice sounding not a day older than his first record, the lyrics have been well described as "confessional and sharply observational" (Ian Shirley). Numan always did have that turn of phrase that seemed familiar yet completely original in its use.
For artists since the 80's who delve into the sonic zone of electronics, from rap to electro-rock, and their influences have remained guarded there is now some open recognition by them that Gary Numan's music has inspired a whole new generation. Dues are finally being paid to the man.
'Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)' is released today.
And mighty impressive it is too.
Go and buy the album directly from his site.
Here is 'I Am Dust'.
UPDATE 16th October: Gary is currently on tour in the States this month (October). Here he is in the Amoeba Records store in Hollywood (where he's due to play a free gig today), talking about his favorite albums. A decent guy, like we said.
