From: Terre Thaemlitz <Terre_Thaemlitz@qmcumc.mail.cornell.edu>
Date: Tue,  7 Sep 1993 17:07:57 -0500

NUMAN, GARY

albums: (tons. But of interest here is...) "Dance" (81, Numa Records),
and parts of "I, Assassin" (83?, Numa Records)

Of course he will go down in history as the guy who does "Cars," but Gary
Numan has produced a wide variety of innovative music. Perhaps his most
categorically defiant and brilliant work, "Dance" was his response to
critics who said he could not move beyond the boundaries of synth-pop.
With the help of his group's electronic violins, cello and fender bass, 
and by incorporating electronic and acoustic samba and mambo beats with
Prophet synths, Numan reached the height of his unique sound. The majority
of these tracks are mellow and long. The best of which (IMHO) is available 
on vinyl only: "Cry the Clock Said." The sparsity and depth of sound is 
purely amazing. This was mysteriously left off of the CD version, which 
is actually a grouping of two albums (I believe the CD has "Dance" and
"Tubeway Army," his punk debut album.) As of 9/93, I still see the vinyl 
around for $2-$6 US. This is one of the few albums with which I actually 
wore the vinyl out.

"I, Assasin" partially extends some of his sounds from "Dance," but as with
most Numan albums of that era, it is a departure from his previous sounds, so

some of the tracks are more abrasive.

Of course, we all know his lyrics are thoroughly selfish and overindulgent. 
Just remember, when he's singing about "bitches" he's referring to men! *snap*