Gary Numan / Tubeway Army: [The] Premier Hits (1996/2015)

Back in 1996, The Premier Hits was released in various markets on CD. It emerged again in 2008. In 2015, it got the vinyl treatment with three extra tracks. Oddly, it was renamed Premier Hits with no definite article. It's a good collection that covers a lot of ground.

Gary Numan: Splinter: Songs From A Broken Mind (2013)

For me, this was an impressive return-to-form. It gave Gary a new direction that I hope he follows for some time to come. With this record, he found a focus and something he could hang on to. Sure, it's an obvious homage to Nine Inch Nails, but it really works and I am happy that he made his way to this new dark industrial realm. Obviously, Numan was making his way to this sound slowly, having experimented with it on Dead Son Rising.

But, about the jacket image: are we to understand that he is Jack the Ripper, or something?

Gary Numan: Scarred (2003)

Originally released in 2003 on CD, Scarred was re-issued on vinyl in 2011. I paid about $15 for it. Right now, a vinyl copy is listed on Discogs for $124.67. Wow. The sales history lists a median rice of $61.92. I got a good deal, it seems, though prices do fluctuate. This is a good live record, focusing on Pure, which is a very good Numan record.

Gary Numan: The Skin Mechanic (1989)

Of course, Discogs lists this record under the title: The Skin Mechanic Live, presumably because Live is printed on the album jacket. But, have a look. The word live is way over to the right hand side. The title on the spine and labels is The Skin Mechanic, not The Skin Mechanic Live. Duh.

I will say this: Gary released too many live records. I don't mind this at all. Perhaps he knew that his fan base would buy all of these live records, and maybe compete with the bootleggers. Who knows?

Gary Numan: New Anger [AKA Metal Rhythm] (1989)

In North America, Metal Rhythm was released under the title New Anger. Why? We can only guess. Also, the label messed around with the track sequencing. It means that the North American release has a title track, but the UK pressing doesn't, unless you count Cold Metal Rhythm as the pseudo-title track. This might be Gary's least impressive record, though Voix is a strong track.

Gary Numan: Exhibition (1987)

Exhibition is a double compilation record with some new mixes, notably a remix of Cars (plus the companion extended remix). I don't hate the remix but I also don't love as much as the original. Notes from Discogs:

Includes two single-sided printed inserts: the first is a discography of albums and cassettes, the second is a singles discography.

Includes a glossy colour eight-page booklet that includes photos and an chronology excerpt "...from the book on Gary Numan - DECADE..."

The booklet is missing from my copy.

Gary Numan & Bill Sharpe: No More Lies (1987)

No More Lies was originally released in 1987 as a 7" single. The following year, an extended mix was issued on 12". The flipside is Voices. I can't say that I love these tracks.

Gary Numan: This Is Love (1986)

This is a UK 12" picture disc with This is Love and Survival from the Strange Charm LP. Too much saxophone.

Gary Numan: This Is Love (1986)

This UK 12" single was originally released with a bonus 7" interview flexi disc. Sadly, that is missing from my copy. So, this contains the same two tracks as the other This is Love 12". Survival, the b-side, is far better than the a-side.

Gary Numan: Miracles (1985)

Here's a UK 12" containing:

Side one: Miracles
Side two: The Fear

Gary Numan: Strange Charm (1986)

"Assassination of the voice of god"

This is a mixed bag that starts out well with My Breathing. But, the album doesn't really hold together. Perhaps My Breathing was a leftover from another session. There is not much else I can say about this one.

Gary Numan: Call out the Dogs (1985)

Why Numan decided to dress as James Bond is still confusing to me.

The tracks are:
Call Out The Dogs
No Shelter
This Ship Comes Apart

Gary Numan: The Fury (1985)

The first thing that one notices bout this record is the way Gary is dressed on the cover. He went through a blond phase, followed by a blue phase, and on the record, he is in his James Bond phase, except that Bond probably wouldn't wear a bow tie that colour.

Perhaps Numan was listening to Springsteen during this period and decided that what he needed was more saxophone. On the other hand, the last track samples Blade Runner.