Exile
UK (EAGCD008) US (CLP 0192-2)
© 1997 Eagle Records, Cleopatra Records

Exile marks Gary Numan's return to North American record shops. After a long hiatus, he finally managed to get the right record deal, with the newly-created Eagle Records of the UK. They, in turn, have licenced Gary's material to Cleopatra Records for release in North America. This is his first release under the new deal, and what a release it is.

Much has been said about this album, and certainly it is one of the most controversial albums Gary Numan has ever released. When his previous album, Sacrifice, had been criticized by some fans for being too anti-religious, Gary didn't back down. Rather the reverse - this album explores many of the beliefs we hold dear, but from a decidedly unfamiliar - and perhaps uncomfortable - perspective.

In the tradition of the best concept albums, Exile starts with a basic theme and then runs from there. And that theme is: "what if heaven and hell were the same place?" This of course would mean that God and the Devil are one and the same entity (assuming they exist - Gary is on record as saying he believes in neither), and that all of the traditional good/bad roles that we're used to could, in fact, be turned inside out.

What would the world be like? With Exile, Gary explores many facets of such a world, in which angels piss on the graves of children, God dances in flames, and Mary is raped by the Three Wise Men. It's definitely not for the squeamish, nor the weak of faith.

Where the controversy comes in is that some of Gary's more religious fans have dismissed the album as heresy and/or blasphemy. Indeed, one fan publicly gave his copy of Exile away in disgust. Yet it seems to me that these people have missed the point entirely, and that is this: Gary is asking the question "what if?" He's not saying "this is how the world is", he's asking "what *IF* the world was like this?" - and then answers that question lyrically. I guess some people just aren't ready to question their own beliefs or have them questioned by others, even by (essentially) a work of fiction.

Taken the right way, Exile lives up to its creator's premise brilliantly. It's a very dark piece of work, with driving grooves and some amazing guitar licks. It's occasionally disturbing, yet never offensive. But most importantly, it is one of Gary's most listenable albums ever - indeed, it rarely leaves my CD player these days.

Taken the right way, Exile goes further than just giving you something interesting to listen to. It makes you think. It makes you question the world and the way we all live in it. Indeed, you're left with more questions than answers.

Taken the right way, it proves once and for all that Gary Numan is more than "Cars" - not that any real fans ever doubted it. He has served notice to the music industry that he's more than just the latest retro retread, to be dragged out for the occasional "80's weekend" and then put back into the cupboard. Gary is as relevant - indeed, I'd venture to say more relevant - than any other band out there.

Gary Numan is back. And this time, he's here to stay.

- Joey Lindstrom, June 20th 1998

Note: The UK and US releases are identical except in one respect: the latter includes a live performance of "Down In The Park" as originally released on the 1987 live album Ghost.

Listen To All RealAudio Clips Consecutively

UK Version Track Listings
# Song Title RealAudio
1 Dominion Day 28K G2 02:00
2 Prophecy 28K G2 02:00
3 Dead Heaven 28K G2 02:00
4 Dark 28K G2 02:00
5 Innocence Bleeding 28K G2 02:00
6 The Angel Wars 28K G2 02:00
7 Absolution 28K G2 02:00
8 An Alien Cure 28K G2 02:00
9 Exile 28K G2 02:00

US Version Track Listings
# Song Title RealAudio
1 Dominion Day 28K G2 02:00
2 Prophecy 28K G2 02:00
3 Dead Heaven 28K G2 02:00
4 Dark 28K G2 02:00
5 Innocence Bleeding 28K G2 02:00
6 The Angel Wars 28K G2 02:00
7 Absolution 28K G2 02:00
8 An Alien Cure 28K G2 02:00
9 Exile 28K G2 02:00
10 Down In The Park (Live, from Ghost) Coming Soon...


This Album Appears Courtesy Cleopatra Records.
If You Like What You Hear, Please - Buy A Copy!

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