Appreciably, not one of Numans more traditional works, but a close read of his autobiography reveals why. At one of the lowest times of his career, dwindling finances and record company pressure gave birth to Machine and Soul. For Numan, things couldnt have gotten any worse, but retrospectively its still quite a tight sound. Nice production, smooth female backing vocals, and some cleverly-placed samples tie this somewhat average effort together quite nicely. Its major fault is that its just not Numan!
Posted by Anonymous, on 1999-08-08
A 50/50 CD
3
I do agree with the previous posts - this is not Gary Numan's best album. I think the Prince cover songs have a lot to do with the negativity sorrounding the CD. "1999" and "You Got the Look" sound strange and out of place. But there are a few brilliant moments on this CD: 1. Skin Game - a great mechanical sounding wall of sound! 2. Machine and Soul - Another good song amid the uninspired tracks. 3. I Wonder - a great ballad with wonderful lyrics 4. Cry - another awesome ballad 5. Generator - The song has a definite dance clubfeel, but it actually works.
The rest... well, it's just there. I'm a huge fan of Gary's music (I don't hate any of it) but I'd have to rank this one just below middle of the road.
Posted by Anonymous, on 1999-09-21
Numan's Masterpeice
5
This is Numan's masterpeice... Every song is cringe-worthy really, layers of 87-91 style drum-machines and female backing vocals with Numan singing regurgitating uninspired ideas 'GLASS HOUSES' 'SELLING ONE'S SECRET TO THE MAN' 'BREAKING THE WORD' 'NOSTALGIA' and 'E PLEASE BOB'... This is what Numan was described as being from the very beginning yet he never was (quite the opposite) HEARLTESS, DEAD, COLD, SILLY, and UNINSPIRED. It's contradictions are totally obvious but beautiful in a way, auto-pilot time murdered poppers like 'EMOTION' and the title track 'MACHINE AND SOUL' were backed up on singles with completely oddball instrumental dips into Numan's future industrial style. Overall this entire album is meant to be taken totally seriously, it is numan unconsciously answering what was being asked of him his entire career.
![Gary Numan - Machine + Soul [Bonus Tracks]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000IWWX.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg "Gary Numan - Machine + Soul [Bonus Tracks]")