A Review of "The Premier Hits" by Derek Langsford
(who gave it 10 out of 10)
August 26th 1996
(originally published in the Gary Numan Digest, date unknown)

Gary Numan is an artist that seemingly all but his rabidly loyal fans pretend to hate. Never mind that hundreds of thousands are secretly hiding copies of "The Pleasure Principle" in their collections. Ridicule cannot hide the fact that he produced some of the best synthesizer based songs of the early 80s. They continue to hold up well even today. To date, Numan has been well served by CD compilations of his 1978-83 period on the Beggars Banquet label in the UK (Exhibition, Collection, Document Series Presents Gary Numan, Best of Gary Numan 1978-83) but this CD is one in which more casual buyers will be interested, especially in the UK where Numan is experiencing greater exposure and recognition than he has done for a decade.

Prompted by the use of a 1987 remix of "Cars" being used in a lager ad on UK TV and in Cinemas, this is the definitive singles collection for his Beggars Banquet days with no album tracks or obscure b-sides to "dilute" them as is the case on the other previously noted releases. While not necessarily collectible for the fan, this CD will provide an excellent sample of what Numan was all about for people who liked "Cars" but didn't really follow the rest of his early career.

Lavishly packaged with multiple pictures of the 7" covers, years of release and UK charting info, one can only compliment Polygram TV for their effort. In addition, an intelligent commentary piece by Steve Malins reflects more acurately the career of Numan up to the present day than you'll find in any psycophantic fanzine or the often acerbic UK music press. Pictures from all of Numan's images during his BB career are also included.

The a-sides include Numan's contrived but successful efforts to land a recording deal in the heyday of punk (That's Too Bad, Bombers), the stunningly successful electronic chartbusters (Are Friends' Electric?, Cars) and the jazz and funk influenced singles that were released as Numan's career started to wind down (She's Got Claws, Music for Chameleons, Warriors). Also included are such electronic classics as "I Die: You Die", "We Are Glass" and "Down in the Park" (recently covered by Foo Fighters on the Songs In The Key Of X CD). Also included are Numan's collaborative singles with his backing band "Dramatis" and his Tubeway Army bass player.

Numan was the first synthesizer based artist to appeal to the UK masses for more than one release. Bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Ultravox might not have succeeded were it not for Numan's ear for a catchy hook presented without the use of guitars. Numan pioneered the European electropop field with the first number one of it's kind, the first commercial music video release, and the first electronic ballad. But Numan's huge success was relatively short-lived as sales dropped, the press took every opportunity to criticise him, and his relationship with the media deteriorated. That antagonism extended to BBC Radio 1 which has unoffically and unfairly boycotted all of Numan's work since 1986.

While Numan has continued to make music since then, and has even won over new fans with his most recent album (Sacrifice, 1994), "The Premier Hits" is a splendid retrospective that allows the listener to relive some of the best electronically based music from the early 80s. The songs have also been newly remastered for CD making it essential for anyone who wants to include a broad sample of one of the founding members of the synth revolution in popular music in their collection.

If you would like to be added to an informal mailing list to receive monthly updates of Gary Numan's doings etc email me at dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu