Gary Numan – Splinter (Songs From A Broken
Mind) (Mortal Records)
LP/CD/DL
Out Now
Electronic legend turned potential rock legend,
Gary Numan is back with his long awaited new album.
Firstly, let’s get the Nine Inch Nails
comparisons out of the way. ‘Splinter’
having the same power and raw feel that NINs ‘Year Zero’ album did makes it slightly ironic then
that the new NIN Album, ‘Hesitation Marks’, should actually sound more electronic. Seemingly, both artists have swapped
style. The true test though is they
successful? The latest offering from
Razor, Ross et all was reviewed by Louder Than War here, so you can probably
make your own mind up, but what of Numan and his harder, rockier edge?
The answer is really quite simple, Numan is
clearly a perfectionist. Every guitar
lick, every drum snare, even every curl of that characteristic snarl is timed
and placed into each track with precision.
‘Splinter’ is very clearly a labour of love. Theoretically three years in the making and
worth every single day of the wait.
You can probably guess what’s in store from the
opening of album lead, ‘I Am Dust’.
Slowing juggernauting into view, analogue bleeps, groaning bass-lines,
clear thumping percussion, and, ‘that’ voice.
That voice that has shaped generations, often subject to pathetic
copies, never beaten. Unmistakably
Numan, sounding fuller and stronger than ever, the voice has aged incredibly.
Similarly, ‘Here In The Black’ continues that
post-industrial sound that Numan can easily make his own, complimeneted by a
massive sounding orchestra, it again roars along and can only fail not to move
the most comatose of souls. There’s also
a quite moving string arrangement on ‘The Calling’ which is unexpected and
expected at the same time whilst piano loops to an eerie end.
The vocal on ‘A Shadow Falls On Me’ also shows
the range of his voice which is backed by a more techno beat, and, what is
particularly impressive about the album is that not only are there strong
choruses, but, there are also melodies and musical interludes that are equally
as impressive – none more so than on the fine single ‘Love Hurt Bleed’.
Let’s also not forget the title track which
could quite easily nestle itself in amongst its contempories on ‘Replicas’ as
its sheer spiralling brood weaves its way around an escalating backdrop.
Album closer, ‘My Last Day’, is nothing short
of dramatic. Initially putting on the
brakes and providing a haunting piano with an intimate voice, it slowly builds,
rising and falling until a quite anthemic close with rolling drums and precise
violins appearing again before ending abruptly and fading into the abyss.
The hype around ‘Splinter’ seemed never-ending,
and quite rightly so. After releasing
material in every one of the last five decades, Numan shows no signs of his
unique talent subsiding. ‘Splinter’ is
nothing short of a triumph.
Best album of 2013? It’s certainly up there. Genius.
10/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 28/10/13 - here
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