A Review of "Tubeway Army" by Phil Whalley
(who gave it 8 out of 10)
November 2nd 1996


Its interesting to see how Numan managed to develop the themes latent in The Plan, both lyrically and atmospherically, without having much more money or studio time at hand (both were recorded at Spaceward). Check out the differences between the flat versions of 'Something's In The House' and 'Steel And You' on The Plan, and the eerieness of the former and souped-up power of the latter on the blue album. The intro to 'Steel And You' is awesome - if ever a Numan song cries out for a kick-ass 90's remix it's this one - and the whole album drips with mood: fear, tension, depression, anger, defiance, melancholy.

For a 3-day recording by a trio of musicians (two barely out of their teens), this album remains a significant achievement.

BEST TRACK - with a killer riff, good solo and excellent arrangement, 'Steel And You'.