The doorbell rang. It was Roger 'fiscal policy' Storrs-Foxton as you've never seen him before. "Don't you bother with clothes anymore?" I said to him. "lend us a twenty. I've just been deported from the Canaries" said fiscal. I told him not to go near that pet shop. "Return my CD first. The other sixty as well while you're at it. Bet you never even listened to it." He protested through chattering teeth. "I did. It sounded just like Depeche Mode's 'Ultra', only without the strong songs. He's still doing that annoying habit of sliding from word to word in a nasal whine and saying 'yow' instead of 'you'." Now, I know these reviews are meant to be one's own opinion and not someone elses, naked or otherwise. I was merely using it as a counterpoint to my own review. So here is my review. I agree with fiscal.

Anytime I have ever brought up to people... that they should pick up "EXILE" or "PURE", they laugh and make jokes about the song "Cars". Well... clear your mind of the 80's or that song for a moment here. This is not the same Gary Numan. "PURE" is a continuation of his previous work, "EXILE". There is no denying that elements of this album sound like NIN, or even DM. That's not a bad thing either. Numan's voice is low, dark and alluring. He draws you into this dark, gothic setting, and never lets up. The music is a bit more up to date, edgier and mature than "Exile". There are more crunching guitars woven in with brooding synths. My favorite track is "My Jesus". Other stand out tracks include "Pure", "R.I.P.", "Listen To My Voice" and "A Prayer For The Unborn". I believe Numan and his wife lost their first unborn child during the making of this album. His anger towards religion, and his sadness of loss are reflected here. This is a serious album, that works on so many levels.

This album got me hooked on Numan. It's great for any person who hates mainstream garbage music.

You might also enjoy Nine Inch Nails and Reznor's cover of Numan's "Metal".