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Jim Snook
60+0. Canadian. Lives in Germany. RYM profile: https://rateyourmusic.com/~guidedbyvices Last-fm profile: http://www.last.fm/user/guidedbyvices
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Jim Snook's Album Reviews
it's hard to talk about a Gary Numan release in 2017 and use words like 'relevant' or 'important'. Like virtually all artists nowadays who had their salad days pre-2000, Numan is oft cited as a pioneer or influence, but it's doubtful that his audience has expanded much as he inches toward his 60th birthday. He has a fanbase that has either stayed with him from the beginning or joined after his stylistic and career re-invention as Trent Reznor's cool uncle in the mid-90s. Numan's transition to Electro-Industrial seemed natural enough considering the android coldness of his personae and his dystopian worldview. And during that time when Nine Inch Nails and the like were enjoying some popularity, it allowed him to expand his market beyond those clinging to the "Replicas/Pleasure Principle/Telekon"-era.
The problem though is that it's now 2017 and Numan's music (not to mention the genre) hasn't evolved much in 20 years. Stylistically he's in a comfort zone using a very predictable palate. All of the ingredients that were found on "Splinter" (and "Jagged" and "Pure" before it); the damp metallic atmospherics, scratchy synth bleats, menacing bursts of industrial guitar, all tempered with a decidedly melodic gloss, are here on "Savage" as well; amounting to a kind of de-sexualized version of NIN.
Thankfully though, Numan's attention to detail, quality control and ear for melody is still intact, which means that even though "Savage" doesn't have any surprises, it's a solid listen front to back and holds up to repeat listens as well. This album also rectifies the minor problem of "Splinter"s lack of an identifiable single with the stellar "My Name Is Ruin", probably Numan's best track since "Dominion Day". If you feel like buying into its post-apocalyptic concept, it's there for you as well, but if not, it's easy enough to ignore.
Anyway, even though I can't imagine "Savage" bringing any new converts and the negligible chance it has getting heard outside of Numan's dedicated base, it's still an album worth recommending.
The problem though is that it's now 2017 and Numan's music (not to mention the genre) hasn't evolved much in 20 years. Stylistically he's in a comfort zone using a very predictable palate. All of the ingredients that were found on "Splinter" (and "Jagged" and "Pure" before it); the damp metallic atmospherics, scratchy synth bleats, menacing bursts of industrial guitar, all tempered with a decidedly melodic gloss, are here on "Savage" as well; amounting to a kind of de-sexualized version of NIN.
Thankfully though, Numan's attention to detail, quality control and ear for melody is still intact, which means that even though "Savage" doesn't have any surprises, it's a solid listen front to back and holds up to repeat listens as well. This album also rectifies the minor problem of "Splinter"s lack of an identifiable single with the stellar "My Name Is Ruin", probably Numan's best track since "Dominion Day". If you feel like buying into its post-apocalyptic concept, it's there for you as well, but if not, it's easy enough to ignore.
Anyway, even though I can't imagine "Savage" bringing any new converts and the negligible chance it has getting heard outside of Numan's dedicated base, it's still an album worth recommending.
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