THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE contains seven bonus tracks which includes demo out-takes and `B' side singles.
Gary Numan's most commercially successful album is, perhaps unsurprisingly, his least representative disc. Powered by the hit single "Cars," arguably the first British synth-pop song to dent the US charts (M's "Pop Muzik" came out around the same time), THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE is a striking turnaround from the guitar-powered, Joy Division-like post-punk of his old band Tubeway Army. Aside from Paul Gardiner's bass and some percussion, every instrument is electronic.
To denote their futuristic simplicity the album's 10 songs are given one-word titles; they're all built on the same layers of analogue synthesizers and futuristic, dystopian lyrics. The album's resulting numbing quality is also pretty much its point. This Cleopatra reissue has seven bonus tracks, including demo outtakes, live tracks, B-sides, and, oddly, a song from a seven-inch single given away with the first pressing of Numan's next album, TELEKON.
;Plus 7 Bonus Tracks
Recorded at Marcus Music AB, London, England. Includes liner notes by Steve Malins.
Personnel: Gary Numan (vocals, keyboards, synthetic percussion); Billy Currie (violin); Christopher Payne (viola, keyboards); Paul Gardiner (bass); Cedric Sharpley (drums, percussion); Garry Robson (background vocals).
Personnel: Gary Numan (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Garry Robson (vocals, background vocals); Billy Currie (violin); Christopher Payne (viola, keyboards); Cedric Sharpley (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Harvey Webb.
Liner Note Author: Steve Malins.
Recording information: Marcus Music AB, London, England.Spin (9/98, pp.188-189) - 8 (out of 10) - "...further honed REPLICA's adolescent angst/android fetishism schtick..." CMJ (1/5/04, p.6) - Ranked #12 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1980". Q (Magazine) (p.123) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "It's often forgotten that this was electronic music's commercial breakthrough." Record Collector (magazine) (p.95) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE is a simultaneously grim and enlightening experience, and highly recommended."
Mechanical Gary 'The Pleasure Principle' was the mechanical Gary. Telekon was more dark and emotional. From the opening track 'Airlane' to 'Films'(one of the best songs ever) to 'Engineers', Gary Numan took us on a mechanically charged trip like no other. This proved that he could write a collection of good songs, but it didn't sound like any one else. Submitted by corky1958 ("Topeka, KS, USA") Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
A electronic classic! One of the most influential albums of the 20th century in my opinion. Great Moog sounds and an excellent rhythm section (the late Paul Gardiner on bass and Cedric Sharpley on drums). Included with this re-release are b-sides to the singles and some live recordings taken from the album The Living Ornaments 79 album. The synth solo on the song 'On Broadway' is one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. Submitted by Zapped (United States Of Electronica) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
The best.... Gary Numan accomplished an awful lot in this CD. Everyone knows the song "Cars", but there's much more to his material than that. While that song was a hit, the rest of this CD is very obscure. Not to mention the fact that the CD was re-mastered and re-released with bonus material. Submitted by a reviewer (Dallas, Texas) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent alternative music album If you liked the song "Cars" that was a hit when it was released then you will probably like this album. All songs have layered synthesizer/keyboard/percussion music (there are no guitars on the album). If you like this type of music or are just looking for something different then this is the album to buy.
Submitted by Brian (Hampton, VA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Happy Memories Listening to the CD again brought back all the fun memories from that era. I am so happy to have been able to find it.
This by far was one of the best album/cd Gary Numan released. The songs have meaning...not just face value. Submitted by KittyKat (Southington, Connecticut, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Have you heard this album?
Buy Pleasure Principle CD
Buy Gary Numan - Pleasure Principle Posters From Allposters.com
Excellent alternative music album
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