What I really learned from this video, and the one on Replicas, is just how beautiful the music on these albums are. Sometimes just hearing the chord progressions is so sweet. Gary said that he didn't really know what he was doing musically, and there were a lot of happy mistakes, but I think he really was a musical genius.
Great video, thanks! Totally agree with your notes on Gardiner’s playing; together with Sharpley, they were perfect to fulfill the Numan sound at the time!😎👍
This album is so simple yet so effective. It doesn't need to be technically mind-blowing in order to reel you in and keep you captivated. Obviously, at the time there wasn't much like it around. It had more feel and groove than Kraftwerk. But even now I still love it. I love this channel - such a broad range of music without any dregs! Hey Chanan, I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions and analysis of my all time favourite album: Green by Steve Hillage - if it's something you'd be interested in.
That's what I love about this album, the fact that you have this very synth driven music sitting alongside more conventional instruments such as electric bass and drums. At the end of the day, Numan was still a bit of a rock 'n roll musician and for me Gardner and Sharply give the music that edge. I'll check the Hillage album and see if I can come up with something. Thanks for watching!
Fascinating commentary on a fascinating album! Paul Gardiner was indispensable on those first 4 albums. Wish he was able to contribute more to "Dance." Great stuff - cheers!
Ah, an excellent and insightful analysis of another album (just after 'Replicas') I bought back in '79 aged 13 and which soon was my best-loved, even though at the time I could tell it was made by someone who didn't know what he was doing. The use of the synth to back Numan's vocal melody was odd (no doubt because Numan was self-conscious about his voice); its use of the bass guitar to follow the tune was even stranger, so it was plain that Mr N hadn't quite grasped how most popular songs are constructed. But all to the better, as the results were so awkwardly fascinating to my ears. It seems he had not discovered minor chords by this point (I don't think there are any on his first LP, Tubeway Army). Numan also double-tracked his vocal part to strengthen it, but it was obvious and quite crude, and when he later discovered the Eventide Harmoniser, he used that to rather better effect. But in total, the album is very well produced by Numan if you compare it to the demos, and consider how inexperienced he was. Airlane: to me, the best version by far is the one recorded at Wembley Arena in '81 and later released as Living Ornaments '81. Some great guitar and lead synth work by Numan and the band. Hear the Polymoog drift badly out of tune, as well! And yes, it's still a great album, one I keep coming back to.
Thanks Chanan for this video and Replicas one, I loved Gary's music in my teens when Albums came out. Nice breakdown of core parts and it was interesting to hear played on guitar. For some reason there is very little published sheet music, in print, of any of Numan's work.
The reason it gets away with no chords , because the analog synths were so powerful one note does the job , no chords required .A lot were monophonic synths , meaning only one note at a time can be played , not chords .
@@ncapone87 But chords were not used, all monphonic parts, Maybe everyso often a couple of two note parts, in the song Me for instance . Like most of Numans early music simple but effective. If you read my comment I say a lot were monphonic, not all.
Another great choice for analysis Chanan. I remember Complex as a single back in the day and I liked the way it doesn't really have a definitive end, just seems to trail off. Something my brother pointed out that I really didn't think about is, back at this time you had a lot on instrumentalism in pop songs. This sometimes means a musical motif replaces a chorus, like it does in Are Freinds Electric, Cars and Enola Gay for example. "We are glass" and "I Die ,You Die" are classics that remind me of this period too.
Really enjoyed that even though I didn't understand a word 😂 - but I think I'm learning loads, so thank you. Would be interested in your take on his later albums especially Savage - it's so utterly desolate but somehow beautiful at the same time.
Probably I listened to both 6:11 Metal and M.E. More than 500 times - try the Moshcam M.E. live version - stunning drums and roaring synths (Access Virus TI)
Would there be any chance in doing a full version, on guitar, of some of the songs from this album? Complex sounds fantastic (from the small part you played). An acoustic/guitar interpretation, with your playing skills, would be rather wonderful! Kind of ironic considering it is supposed to lack any guitar. (I think theres a sneaky bit on tracks and Airlane though)
I remember critics saying his music wasn't "real" because synthesizers were artificial. Come on, guitars and pianos don't grow on trees. When you get right down to it, aside from the human voice, ALL instruments are artificial contrivances. As are the scales of notes and selection of rhythms. If it weren't for these "creations" there would be no music.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m so thankful that I lived to have witnessed Gary’s music. Numanoid forever.
Ive been listening to this album since 1979,its an absolute gem
👍
Me, too. Mom played the crap out of it. Then took me and my sister to see him in Philly, Upper Darby, Tower Theater in Feb. 1980. First concert!
What I really learned from this video, and the one on Replicas, is just how beautiful the music on these albums are. Sometimes just hearing the chord progressions is so sweet. Gary said that he didn't really know what he was doing musically, and there were a lot of happy mistakes, but I think he really was a musical genius.
I loved this and am now watching the Replicas video. Please tell me a Telekon video is in the future!
Numanoids are the most interesting of people 😊
Great video, thanks! Totally agree with your notes on Gardiner’s playing; together with Sharpley, they were perfect to fulfill the Numan sound at the time!😎👍
This album is so simple yet so effective. It doesn't need to be technically mind-blowing in order to reel you in and keep you captivated. Obviously, at the time there wasn't much like it around. It had more feel and groove than Kraftwerk. But even now I still love it.
I love this channel - such a broad range of music without any dregs! Hey Chanan, I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions and analysis of my all time favourite album: Green by Steve Hillage - if it's something you'd be interested in.
A classic album indeed. I was a big Zappa and Gong fan when I was learning guitar and always loved the Hillage era.
That's what I love about this album, the fact that you have this very synth driven music sitting alongside more conventional instruments such as electric bass and drums. At the end of the day, Numan was still a bit of a rock 'n roll musician and for me Gardner and Sharply give the music that edge.
I'll check the Hillage album and see if I can come up with something. Thanks for watching!
Fascinating commentary on a fascinating album! Paul Gardiner was indispensable on those first 4 albums. Wish he was able to contribute more to "Dance." Great stuff - cheers!
Ah, an excellent and insightful analysis of another album (just after 'Replicas') I bought back in '79 aged 13 and which soon was my best-loved, even though at the time I could tell it was made by someone who didn't know what he was doing. The use of the synth to back Numan's vocal melody was odd (no doubt because Numan was self-conscious about his voice); its use of the bass guitar to follow the tune was even stranger, so it was plain that Mr N hadn't quite grasped how most popular songs are constructed. But all to the better, as the results were so awkwardly fascinating to my ears. It seems he had not discovered minor chords by this point (I don't think there are any on his first LP, Tubeway Army).
Numan also double-tracked his vocal part to strengthen it, but it was obvious and quite crude, and when he later discovered the Eventide Harmoniser, he used that to rather better effect. But in total, the album is very well produced by Numan if you compare it to the demos, and consider how inexperienced he was.
Airlane: to me, the best version by far is the one recorded at Wembley Arena in '81 and later released as Living Ornaments '81. Some great guitar and lead synth work by Numan and the band. Hear the Polymoog drift badly out of tune, as well!
And yes, it's still a great album, one I keep coming back to.
Hi chanan always enjoy your musical journey! Hope your well bro all the best x
Thanks Brendan. Best wishes
Thanks Chanan for this video and Replicas one, I loved Gary's music in my teens when Albums came out. Nice breakdown of core parts and it was interesting to hear played on guitar. For some reason there is very little published sheet music, in print, of any of Numan's work.
You playing these songs with implied chords on the guitar has made me see the link between Numan and the Durutti Column. Thank you!
👍
The reason it gets away with no chords , because the analog synths were so powerful one note does the job , no chords required .A lot were monophonic synths , meaning only one note at a time can be played , not chords .
Perfectly put
A lot of it was on the Polymoog, which is polyphonic as the name implies
@@ncapone87 But chords were not used, all monphonic parts, Maybe everyso often a couple of two note parts, in the song Me for instance . Like most of Numans early music simple but effective. If you read my comment I say a lot were monphonic, not all.
@@stevewebb7126 nice backpedaling
This is brilliant! Keep up the good work. Your channel is superb!
Many thanks.
Funny, it was absolutely lacerated by the music critics when it came out.
Fantastic review! ❤❤❤❤
That's usually a good sign. :)
Another great choice for analysis Chanan. I remember Complex as a single back in the day and I liked the way it doesn't really have a definitive end, just seems to trail off. Something my brother pointed out that I really didn't think about is, back at this time you had a lot on instrumentalism in pop songs. This sometimes means a musical motif replaces a chorus, like it does in Are Freinds Electric, Cars and Enola Gay for example. "We are glass" and "I Die ,You Die" are classics that remind me of this period too.
Yeah I liked Complex for similar reasons, in fact the structure of some of the other songs on the album are unusual too. Thanks for watching.
Great analysis. Really enjoyed this.
Really enjoyed that even though I didn't understand a word 😂 - but I think I'm learning loads, so thank you. Would be interested in your take on his later albums especially Savage - it's so utterly desolate but somehow beautiful at the same time.
I'm working towards it, hopefully I can go through them chronologically, that would mean that Telekon is up next. Thanks for watching.
@@ChananHanspalCan’t wait for Telekon, and the discordant, atonal piano parts in the title track! Maybe you could play them on a piano?
Please do one on Tubeway Army's first album, the one before Rrplicas, PLEASE, thank you..
Interesting, the blues of Cars 'sound' starting at 21:50, is almost exactly like the same notes of 'Me, I Disconnect From You', and it sounds great!
Brilliant commentary
Many thanks.
Great stuff!
Really interesting , great stuff
Loved that you showed Druid
Really interesting, thanks!
fascinating but I'm sure Numan didn't have anywhere near this level of theory and just played what he thought sounded good
Probably I listened to both 6:11 Metal and M.E. More than 500 times - try the Moshcam M.E. live version - stunning drums and roaring synths (Access Virus TI)
This is a great video
Do you offer these Numan songs tablatures guitar tabs ?.. if not do you know where I can get them ?… great videos .. thank you 😊
great!
Amazing Guitar Sound - you should make an unplugged album
Love this! I'd love to see you do Telekon as well!
Dude, can you please do the TA blue album then Intruder..?????
you should record the whole album with your guitar-would sound great
Would there be any chance in doing a full version, on guitar, of some of the songs from this album? Complex sounds fantastic (from the small part you played). An acoustic/guitar interpretation, with your playing skills, would be rather wonderful!
Kind of ironic considering it is supposed to lack any guitar. (I think theres a sneaky bit on tracks and Airlane though)
It's on the radar for sure. Thanks for watching.
@@ChananHanspal I'd love to hear Cars get the whole bluesey treatment. Fascinating bit of insight.
he also a pilot .. imagine that.
Nice Boosh reference there. Thanks for watching.
I never understood why Complex was the follow up to Cars. Films or Metal would surely have had greater success?
I remember critics saying his music wasn't "real" because synthesizers were artificial. Come on, guitars and pianos don't grow on trees. When you get right down to it, aside from the human voice, ALL instruments are artificial contrivances. As are the scales of notes and selection of rhythms. If it weren't for these "creations" there would be no music.
Brilliant deconstruction for a non musician.