Random : A Gary Numan Tribute

We Say...

Review by Doug Levy

To put this 1997 double-disc collection in context, it needs to be pointed out that, while notching up only one hit song ("Cars") in the US, Gary Numan was a chart-topping superstar in the UK. That not only explains why most of the acts here are British, but also why this compilation stretches over two CDs. Of course, as with any compilation like this, there are both hits and misses, but as an overall package, it shows not only what a huge influence the synth-pop pioneer had on modern music, but also how highly regarded he remained a decade and a half after his heyday. Perhaps most tellingly, Numan continues to receive attention and acclaim even now, when many of the acts featured here have already slipped into obscurity.

The first disc's highlight, Matt Sharp and Damon Albarn's recording of "We Have a Technical," remains true to the original, but also serves as a perfect foil for both musicians, who trade lead vocals throughout. At the other end of the spectrum, the Orb's "Jo the Waiter (Bon Appetit Remix)" seemingly takes little from Numan's track, but remains an excellent slice of late '90s UK dub. St. Etienne's version of "Stormtrooper in Drag" is also a standout, taking the tune into house-inflected Atomic Blondie territory, while An Pierle's cover of "Are Friends Electric?" sees the song deconstructed into a Tori Amos-meets-Bjork piano-and-voice stunner. Also be sure to sample the Magnetic Fields' understated "I Die, You Die" and revisit the brief reigns of bands like Jesus Jones and EMF via their respective contributions.