Unfortunately, I don't seem to have followed this up with an apologetic post that said: "Yes it is as good as he says it is!". So I'm going to put that right today.
When it was released I bought this album on CD and I liked it so much I acquired the vinyl a few months later. I'm rather glad I did pick up this record as not only do I enjoy it, but it is now quite collectible and seems to sell for over £100.
The dark industrial sound of this record has been used by Numan since 1994 and he has always known how to write a tune - but there was some magic happening this time around. These songs touch on love, the fragility of relationships, inner doubt and ultimately, death. Whilst he does go on his usual "I don't believe in God" rants occasionally, Numan seems to be channelling something that is profound and affecting into many of these songs.
There isn't a bad track on here but "The Calling", "Love Hurt Bleed" and "I am Dust" stand out immediately as being superior. The raucous "Who are you" and the deeply personal "Lost" would definitely be on my "Best Of Gary Numan" mix-tape too. It's a testament to Gary's skills that songs like "My Last Day" can be a hard listen as they are so affecting. This is the first Numan album where I realised I was listening to what he was saying rather than simply hearing a song. This album feels personal, it feels deep, it feels like Numan. Welcome back Gary, we missed you. 5/5
