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Gary Numan has made twenty albums, over a period of thirty three years.  I only own two compilations and his last two albums (Jagged and Dead Son Rising).  Exposure (2002) and Hybrid (2003) are both double-disc sets (Hybrid was re-released, with an extra disc, but I don’t have that version).  Exposure contains all the hit singles, plus a couple of remixes.  Hybrid is a remix project; featuring Andy Gray, Alan Moulder, Rico and Sulphur.  It also includes three exclusive tracks (Hybrid, Crazier and Ancients).  Numan had been working on another album, whilst recording Dead Son Rising.  Apparently, Splinter is heavier.  It is due to be released later this year.

Gary Numan’s career in brief: Inspired by Kraftwerk and punk, Numan started making music in 1977; initially with Tubeway Army.  By the end of the decade, he was a household name.  He was one of the synth-pop pioneers (along with bands such as The Human League, OMD and Ultravox).  After a string of successful albums, he collaborated with Shakatak’s Bill Sharpe.  Change Your Mind was a popular single in 1985.  However, the album (Automatic) was only released in 1989.  Numan’s music started becoming much darker from 1994.  He released five albums over the next seventeen years (each more ominous than the last).  In my opinion, these albums contain some of Numan’s best songs (eg. Bleed, Dominion Day, Dark, My Jesus, Rip, A Prayer For The Unborn and Pure).  The production may be dense, but the songs are heartfelt and beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDJcWzSEsL0

Nouvelle Vague does cover versions of post-punk and alternative pop songs, in a boss-nova/lounge style.  It shouldn’t really work, but it’s actually quite pleasant.  The French band has covered songs by The Clash, The Buzzcocks, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, Blancmange, Talk Talk, Talking Heads, Echo & The Bunnymen and many more.  I have the first three albums, plus Best Of…  Nouvelle Vague fans should go for the limited edition, as the bonus disc is full of previously unreleased songs (The Smiths’ Sweet And Tender Hooligan and OMD’s Enola Gay are highlights).  I haven’t heard the fourth album yet.

Paul Oakenfold released two albums, as Oakenfold.  Bunkka is good, but A Lively Mind is crap.  In the late eighties, Oakenfold started doing DJ sets and making remixes – with Steve Osborne.  The Perfecto record label was established in 1989.  Dozens of talented musicians began their careers with Perfecto (including BT, Timo Maas and Seb Fontaine).  Oakenfold’s Greatest Hits & Remixes was released in 2007.  The limited edition is a triple-disc set, and contains most of the best remixes (from The Stone Roses and Massive Attack to The Smashing Pumpkins and U2).  Unfortunately, the Perfecto remixes of Lemon (U2) and World (New Order) were excluded from the compilation.

The Orb pioneered trance music in the early nineties.  At that time, trance was ambient chill-out music.  By the end of the decade, it was something entirely different – and quite dreadful.  The Orb has not always been consistent.  The epic debut album (The Orb’s Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld) was followed by U.F.Orb, which is pretty good.  The Orb’s mid-nineties output leaves a lot to be desired, though.  There was a distinct lack of focus (due to excessive drug use, no doubt).  However, there was enough good material for a decent compilation (U.F.Off) in 1998.  The limited edition includes a bonus disc, which contains remixes and alternate versions.

Since the turn of the century, The Orb has released five ‘proper’ albums (Bicycles & Tricycles is the best of them).  The Orbsessions volumes (featuring various collaborations) are unremarkable.  The Orb’s remix collections (Auntie Aubrey’s Excursions Beyond The Call Of Duty) are mostly worthwhile – despite the omission of some great remixes (eg. Depeche Mode’s Happiest Girl and Erasure’s Ship Of Fools).  In 2010, The Orb collaborated with David Gilmour (on Metallic Spheres).  Fans of Gilmour’s solo work may find it appealing.  At times it is reminiscent of The Division Bell.  It is nice background music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te4xeTKD7LM

Every time I listen to my William Orbit CDs, I wonder why I ever bought them.  There are usually a couple of good tracks on each album.  However, Orbit is not the most adventurous producer.  Whether it’s the Strange Cargos series or his reworkings of classical music (Pieces In A Modern Style), it’s all a bit ‘samey’ – and boring.  His other albums (Hello Waveforms and My Oracle Lives Uptown) are no different.  I have stopped collecting his CDs.

Further listening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KYr66RCvtc&feature=related

Next: Nine Inch Nails

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