Gary Numan: "Intruder" Album Review

[@frankmacari3067]

At last Tyler.....someone speaks the truth!! Been a Numan fan for over 40 years and thank you for your honesty! IT ALL SOUNDS THE SAME NOW!!!

[@cnfuzz]

Now he drags his kids on stage it really has become " pension goth" instead of machine rock , where is the time that he tried to reinvent album to album?

[@SuperAnatolli]

I was amazed that intruder sounds so different from Savage. Not at all what I expected, and damn good!

[@lancegfoin9117]

How?!

[@mikeydashank3897]

Tyler, I always appreciate your honesty. Gary seems to have oversaturated his own library of music once again with too much of the same. That said, I always take into consideration that his massive output of music will result in tracks that will seem bland, unfinished, or just off to certain people. There are always at least a few tracks on a Gary Numan album that will click with you, it's almost a guarantee. But I feel you. On one final note, with this album and also Savage, I feel the listening experience is heavily dependent on mood now more than ever. You really have to be in the mood to listen to these albums from front to back. Things just have to fall in the place and you think you know what, I'm going to pop in Savage or Intruder tonight and it'll almost seem like you're hearing it for the first time and you'll have a whole new appreciation for it. Or maybe not haha but as you said we still have a plethora of amazing albums to go back to. I still go back to Dance, Berserker, The Fury, Sacrifice, Pure, and Jagged as much as his Machine trilogy. Love your stuff man

[@theechothief5594]

Gary Numan-isms and keywords: Shadows, can't breathe, old man, ghost, dead man talking, dead man walking, dead man falling, Judas, betrayed, in the dark, black box, fear, drowning, sacrifice.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Don't forget screaming and being torn!

[@ryanhunter226]

To be fair: Here am I/I am Here in/Here inside/Here on Me, I/Me, I'm/Me, I've/And Me, I You are/We are Turn off/Turn on Machine/Machines/Machinery The Image Photo/Photograph/Picture A mirror/the mirror/Reflection Yellow newspapers I dream/Do you dream? Remember Cry/Crying Cold A corner/The corner/corners Real/Like I'm real/Are you real/ For real/Nothing is real Eyes Fade/Fading/Faded A friend/Friends/Friends of mine My face The light/a light The window/A window/Windows The scream/They screamed Confusing love with need All we need/All you need The phone/telephone On air/On the air Glass Crawl on the floor You could make up Gary Numan lyrics like: I pause me Rubber skin, we are arranged My glass eyes dissolve My face fades The light flickers, me I'm cold My body turns off And me, I'm an old image Reflections, you are all Mirrors, they melt. And me, all I need is to recall You aren't like the rest of us somehow. The screamers stare through the window The circuit is frozen And, this? So broken like the Telephone Crawl on the floor Find your face Switch on your memories And find no pictures This photo is so old and me, I'm an old wreckage in the corner Who are you without my time? We are both obsolete and Your body is vapour

[@ken_tiki5241]

There’s a drinking game there. You’d be pissed after two songs 🥴🍻

[@theechothief5594]

@@TylerKingNuReview definitely! And sometimes, Judas, angels, fallen, and lots of yodeling (although Gary’s yodel type voice is amazing and it’s one of the things that makes him awesome)

[@sethmatthews7394]

@@ryanhunter226 aaaaahaaaa! got em!😝

[@valerianteritron4424]

I can understand what he is basically saying. I personally loved Savage because Splinter was too agressive for me. Of course that is a personal thing. But now with Intruder, was happy that it smooth followed Savage, and that no radical changes have been done. I even find Intruder even more grown. My question is, why a musician has always to invent himself and people want different music from him??? There are sooo many Artist out there, with all possible kinds of music. Why if you feel the need for a different music, not listing to another artist, and when you are in the mood of Gary's current music, listen to it? And please consider that Gary is not releasing an album year by year. Splinter was 2013. Since that he now made only 2 albums, that sound very similar. I can understand the lyrics critisism as well. But since I am not a native english speaker, lyrics may not have that impact, as when you understand every word and every phrase. Most probably you all know that there will be a Intruder II. I could agree, that this might be not a good reason, because I am expecting that it will 1:1 sound like Intruder I. But maybe Fenton will layer the new tracks into a different sounding environment.

[@ken_tiki5241]

Man, you absolutely nailed it. I feel the same about Intruder. I’ve listened to it a bunch and really wanted to like it but ultimately it’s pretty forgettable. I loved Splinter but wasn’t a big fan of Savage - and rarely play it. Intruder just doesn’t sound or feel fresh. I’ve been a fan since ‘79 and have bought everything he’s released as its been released and while I’m happy for his recent successes and renewed relevance, Intruder has been well marketed, building anticipation but ultimately isn’t very fulfilling. Thanks for you honest and heartfelt review. 👏

[@futureisgosub]

Gary's sound will only change when he stops using Fenton as his producer, I imagine deep down Gary probably wants to change his sound but someone close to home won't allow him to do so.

[@zomzoms793]

He won't do it though because of Gemma and that he has found his "winning formula". I get that this is the third album on the "broken" trilogy but I honestly haven't even played it right through. Groundhog Day is an understatement. Every son starts the same, most are in exactly the same key and most are the same tempo. Put this up against Telekon and you realise very quickly that he actually has "lost" his way again. As for the "Pennywise" makeup...

[@slumdogjay]

I honestly think his sound has evolved over the last 3 albums. There was a period between 200 til 2012/3 where his music was very samey but I was quite surprised at the difference in sound between the last 2 albums especially.

[@MrBoy-qj3bs]

I knew you’d feel this way! You echo the same frustrations I’ve had with his music since 2006. When “Jagged” came out, I remember thinking, “Ugh, more songs about hating God? Time for something new, Gary.” I agree that “Now and Forever” is the best song on “Intruder,” but even that sounds uninspired. St least it has a pleasant melody.

[@sarahdisco-dolly1150]

Jagged was so hard to listen to.....

[@NilodeRoock]

Gary sits alone in his home studio creating some choruses and then sends them off to Ade Fenton in England who puts it through the same workflow as last time. Hence, the "sameness" and lack of feeling and lack of human interaction on his latest albums. His albums are clearly "low budget" ( done at home ) productions. You hear that too. - Numan may be capable of creating great songs but =that= Numan has retired long ago. He's gone.

[@merton69]

One of the best and honest reviews I have read/watched. Yes, GN's ideas have dried up hence the 17 year 'same old' formula he gets Fenty to polish. No longevity in this album. Concept album? Yeah, right. Time for GN to drop Fenty and find a new sound, but this won't happen as he is far too lazy.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

I agree. I don't think that anyone will be coming back to this album in even 10 years

[@weirdcritter]

I quite like it (more than Savage). I agree with the 'sameness'. I think he needs a change of producer now to shake things up a bit.

[@simoningate2056]

How about Chris Corner? He is interesting in that he has variety in his own albums - also lives fairly close by

[@Theprincecrabbie14]

He’s definitely found a formula that he wants to stick with, and I think it’s because he feels safe in it. He has incredibly loyal fans, so he’s not really being forced to go outside his comfort zone. As you said, they can be fanatics instead of fans. I’m a huge fan of Gary, and I’m in the same boat as you. He’s such a major artist in my life and his music is so important to me. Telekon literally got me through High School. Artists obviously change, and I encourage it, but jesus I feel like Fenton has overstayed his welcome. Enough of the Inception sounds! Less eerie beep boops! And please stop talking about the dark and bleeding! It doesn’t even sound dark anymore. I’m hoping Gary will be able to work with a new producer who could really bring Gary out of his shell. Splinter was incredible, and one of my favorites he’s released, but I really miss the more experimental side to him. It feels like he’s like trying to recapture the spark Splinter has. It’s the same freakin trap he was in during the 80s. It really sucks to see it happening again. 😣

[@molletre9606]

I totally agree. Both of Garys old enemies, repetition and inconsistency. He can write fantastic albums, but needs a lot of time to meet that level again, while repeat himself over and over again. Besides his 3 masterpieces in the beginning of course, these albums are perfect. But after another very good album (like Berserker, Pure, Splinter, etc.) he repeats the formula while being mediocre at best in doing so. This literally nearly killed his career during his worst in the late 80´s. There are 2-3 good songs on intruder, but the rest is just another "bleed, torn, dark, god, blabla" cringe fest, I just cant stand anymore. I know Intruder is a success in the UK Charts, but only because many new Splinter/Savage fans just dont know how much better Gary can be.

[@cnfuzz]

He got slagged a lot in his career and thinks of his pension fund for the kids , he is afraid to take risks, he could send an avatar on stage and no-one would notice😅

[@onehundred8661]

Spot on - about time someone mentioned the cognitive dissonance involved in hating god then saying he doesn't exist - which has been going on in his lyrics for 20 years. His lyrics were never brilliant, but they're now beyond parody.

[@stevenyates6250]

Good review Tyler. Agree with your sentiments. To me it sounds like songs rejected from the OK-not great Savage sessions and brought back to life with some tinkering. As a fan not fanatic who departed after Strange Charm then came back with Exile, I know all the albums now and from a new peak with Pure he's been mainly regurgitating concept and sound since then but especially since Splinter. The sound and image of the last two albums have also descended into (involuntary?) self-parody. Even the title Intruder is lame, akin to a bad Arnold Schwarzenegger film.

[@sylvestersnet]

I am 56 now been a fan since 79. Was A Numanoide in 80s seen him loads of times live. cant beat his 80s stuff

[@TylerKingNuReview]

What was the best show of his you've been to?

[@sylvestersnet]

1981 telecon tour odeon BIRMINGHAM UK. Also 1980 Touring pinciple again Birmingham uk. i think as a teenager his music hit me more then. it was so ahead of its time. Back in the 80s the uk Was a very negative time to live through no hope, unemplyment was high. Garys music was a breath of fresh air for the youth of that time. i look back with great fondness. I WAS PART OF THE NEW ROMANTIC MOVEMENT IN britain at the time. GREAT TIMES

[@TylerKingNuReview]

@@sylvestersnet That's amazing! I can't imagine seeing him during that time

[@sylvestersnet]

@@TylerKingNuReview it WAS AMAZING Tyler. That was the birth of all synth music we have now. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE ENERGY. HEARING THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME' nothing beats it. saw his wembley gig also that was epic

[@rittiswelt4287]

I listened to the album for the first time yesterday and began to force myself through to the end by the halfway mark. It basically felt like Groundhog Day.

[@glennthompson4684]

In today's world piling on has become fashionable. Love his recent albums.

[@lancegfoin9117]

I think the main problem with Gary's output, since 1994, is that it's just him. He needs the input of other musicians, like when he first began, to add that certain spark. He has always been a control freak over his songs but just having another person play what he tells them (Steve Harris) and then burying it in his "wall of sound" just doesn't cut it. When you listen to Replicas, TPP, Telekon, Dance and even I, Assassin, you can hear the other musicians' influences coming through which adds another dimension to his songs. I too write on my own but I understand that your own ideas can become stale, even without you realising it. I, like some others, wish he would work with Chris Corner (IAMX) instead of Ade Fenton, as I don't think Ade Fenton is accomplished enough as a musician to know what is needed to halt the monotony. I personally think M&S is a better album than both Savage and Intruder - yes it is a mish-mash of ideas, but at least it isn't boring, and sadly that is where we are today. Intruder is a bore and no amount of "effected" CR78 or Vox Humana makes it better.

[@Gnumanfan101]

I thought about it, because you raise some good points, but it does feel like “Savage part deux.” Which makes me kind of afraid of the follow up to this; in his recent autobiography he stated that there might be an Intruder 2 - later this year. I agree that the story is SO similar or even the same as Savage, which had some good tracks. But I just think Splinter did a better job. Favorite tracks: The Chosen - Something about it clearly stands out. Saints and Liars, Betrayal, A Black Sun, The Gift. The other tracks were good, not great. When the title track dropped, I was so excited. But after a few listens, it didn’t grab me the way other tracks have. It might be his voice/vocal range or the lack of an interesting solo or instrumentation on the chorus. What I would love to hear next.... Remember when Gary did that track, My Machines, with the band Battles? That was good. Or maybe some more uptempo electric would be nice - not like a DJ but something that just gets us away from the “dark, screaming, bleeding, hiding, cold, afraid” stuff. I’d like to see him collaborate with one of the artists he’s influenced: Beck, Jack White, (of course) NIN, Andrew W.K. ... Or some other artist outside that realm: Kendrick Lamar or Childish Gambino. But yeah... I think it’s a decent/good album but compared to other albums, it’s not great.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

My Machines was great, as was his feature on Losing Myself In You by VOWWS. He's stated before he would love to collaborate with Trent Reznor, but for some reason I don't see that working out. Supposedly he recorded some stuff with Al from Ministry, hopefully that ends up seeing the light of day

[@peterleighton7504]

have to agree time for a change mr numan

[@sylvestersnet]

Gary's music has become just a wall of sound with a click, drone, or pop, here and there. His music was more enjoyable back in the day because it was clear and clinical. Also his subject matter is all the same. I put the sound production down to Fenton. That all needs to change Sorry.....

[@FeonaLeeJones]

I think intruder is pretty well done… It’s a whole challenge with being a musician for as long as he has is how do you constantly reinvent yourself while staying true to your voice and craft. I recently saw him at the Mystic theater in Petaluma California and it was one of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen. It was quite amazing how he has shifted to more of an industrial sound and also bringing in a lot of Nine Inch Nails influence but without the crazy time signature changes. On the first year and I wasn’t too impressed but it’s one of those albums where the gems are hidden in the music and they are revealed more and more you listen to the songs. This is more of a concept album so one song leads right into the other and needs to be experienced as a whole. But I did wonder why this album had to be so dystopian and dark…

[@dkrmedia4019]

I feel some of these songs will sound better live as they usually do with Gary's music imo. However, I agree about this formula he seems to be sticking to and unfortunately his recent live performances seem to be consisting more of prerecorded sounds with the conventional instruments being more faint in the background. Kind of defeats the purpose of a live performance. I would like to see him try something new on his next album and perhaps go back to a more simplistic approach. His Pleasure Principle concert at moogfest is a good example and was fantastic to listen to. but I am happy to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves by many critics.

[@alanmarsdenful]

As you are a fan, can you please tell me how you missed the statement "I write the music i want to now instead of chasing a hit"......I think that one statement explains all your issues. What you have said here, you could say about any Numan album throught time...repeated lyrical content etc. Why is it the job of the fan to criticise ? The job of the fan is to either buy or not. Yes i am a numan fan and have been since 78. however my job is simply a choice of buy or not. I myself have had issues with various songs over the years. You are of course entitled to your opinion as are we all, however whilst i might not think this is the best album ever, I do appreciate that I am still able to listen to new material from him instead of all the 80's re-run bands and artists, living of a couple of good singles or albums (Human League, Depeche Mode, just about every 80's hair metal band and lets not forget Devo !!!! Oh wait yeah lets. Yes thats right i said Depeche Mode. That fact makes it worthwhile for me, so no more re-hashes of cars, are friends electric....Every album released has good and bad points, Lyrical content you may not agree with etc. If I was you I would also listen again some of the lyrics as you have clearly mis-interpreted some of them. I do agree though that you have been honest with your feelings as have I, no doubt there will be many people hate on you for it, as Gary once said though " I'm now enjoying making music again so the haters can all fuck off " Just maybe you could take a leaf out of his book ha ha

[@TylerKingNuReview]

If you think that the reason why I don't like this album is because it doesn't have a hit or isn't a retread of his previous material, I think that you've missed almost every other review that I've done for his albums. One of the reasons why I don't like this album is because it feels like a shameless, soulless ripoff of the last three or four albums that have come before it with very little variation. I'm just as glad that he's releasing new music as the next person, I'm not saying that the world would be a better place if he had stopped making music after the machine trilogy, but there's nothing groundbreaking or revelatory or new in this batch of songs

[@alanmarsdenful]

@@TylerKingNuReview My point was that he simply is doing what he wants after spending years trying to keep everyone happy. That got him precisly no where. As i said, I actually do agree,that its nothing groundbreaking or even new, however I was not expecting it to be. If you study the patterns we have a great album then at least 4 that are shall we say not so good. Then another change sometimes wrong direction sometimes not. I would probably say i like 60 % of the material on Intruder, however Telekon i did not like at all for the first 10 listens or so maybe more. Now I consider it his best album ever. The point about Intruder is its not an album i will go to every day but will get played when i just want to blast the cobwebs off the walls. I would suggest Tyler revisiting some of the lyrics you mention though. Having spoke with Gary on the subject of God, (I used to be a radio DJ). He does not hate God, it is the religious mis-use that he writes about, I get that from the lyrics also.

[@lgd1974]

I liked Intruder, LOVED Savage. Tyler has some solid points about Gary's constant God references. Trent Reznor does the same in NIN. As far as the sound of the album, it is smoother than Savage, but a lot less impactful. Intruder is slightly bland, and is repetitive, but I can tell it's a concept album. Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind), 2013 - Producer Ade Fenton. Savage (Songs from a Broken World), 2017 - Producer Ade Fenton. Intruder, 2021 - Producer Ade Fenton. No wonder the sound is too much the same. Savage has memorable tracks. Intruder does not.

[@slee3382]

I have been a numan fan since 1980 recently with to see him live in Liverpool great show but you are right people who are not in to is music always tell me it all sounds the same over the years and yes cant blame anything on god i am not religious live brings us bad times and good i have found myself listening to johnny cash excellent music that sounds so much more lively if thats the word i am looking for thank you for your honest opinion and review

[@Adsyt13]

This isn't a dig at all, I genuinely find it interesting how Numan fans have such varied tastes. For example I think we have the same taste when it comes to his early material and late 80s fuckery. But I didn't particularly enjoy sacrifice and I class exile as his true comeback, Dead son Rising and Splinter i thought were very disappointing and then Savage really brought back the energy for me. Intruder is a more refined and darker Savage and I think its actually his best album😂.

[@sethmatthews7394]

damn, i think splinter is his best album.

[@dbristol1701]

You are entitled to your opinion of course. Unfortunately we disagree. I sure hope people don't come by your review and decide not to listen or buy the album. For those reading this - every other reviewer in the world is giving Intruder an "8 out of 10" or better. I literally can not find another negative review of Intruder and this week it is a #2 on the UK charts. Give it a listen and then buy it!

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Rolling Stone Magazine also gave Pornography by The Cure only one star when it came out

[@zomzoms793]

and I wish they would stop giving this material 8/9/10! All he is doing now is writing for the reviewers. I know he was unrealistically trashed in the 80's for his works but they were FAR better than this even in his darkest period as those albums have variation.

[@SynthJohn]

A very mixed album for me. The most major problem I have with this album is that it feels over-produced. It was like Numan, or Fenton wanted to replicate the crunchy, cinematic sound of Savage, but amped it up to such ridiculous heights it comes across completely unnatural. Each song collides into each other like coked up sledgehammers,with no space for a comedown or subtlety. One of the reasons I always come back to Sacrifice, despite it's muddy, murky, underproduction, it completely fits Numan radical change in sound, style and tone at that time. The songs on Sacrifice are memorable, while having restraint, while the songs on Intruder are completely over-the-top, while being completely unmemorable. I do like the use of the old drum machine on some of the songs, and liked the use of the Turkish instrument, however I feel they wouldn't completely used to the best of its abilities, and could have been used on quieter songs, but unfortunately there isn't many quiet songs on it, and stylistically is way too formulaic. Plus, the guitar and bass on this album were completely buried in the mix on this album, which was disappointing. This is my least favourite album since Jagged, which was Ade Fenton produced, if I remember correctly. I think Numan needs to ditch Fenton, and go into another direction, and not be frightened to experiment. I feel your frustration.

[@molletre9606]

Agree with your fine review here. Especially the lack of "power" when it comes to guitars and bass on Intruder. I´ve watched an early life version of "Intruder" from 2019 here on KZbin and it was still raw and had such a heavy beat and guitars, very much better than on the album itself. Where everything is produced way too much over the top. I agree with your praise for Sacrifice, too. And I think the underproduction, the all present drum loops, the fact that Gary did all by himself, as this was his last bullet in the chamber (financially), makes this comeback album so much loved by his fans. It sounds so unique, you just need to hear a few seconds when the drum loop starts and you know the name of the song.. I read that Gary and Fenton want to re-release Sacrifice/Exile/Pure with a new Savage/Intruder like production. Sorry but this is a no-go. These albums, in the way they sounded back then, (literally) saved Garys ass and they should stay untouched.

[@WolfWinter]

I don't know that it's his "worst" album in years, but I was disappointed. I didn't think it was a "bad" album, exactly, but I think Gary does have a self-awareness problem when it comes to his songwriting and I think Intruder is the most egregious display of this. After album after album of "Belief in God = dunce", now suddenly we're supposed to entertain the notion of the Planet as a vengeful and aggrieved....... deity? Gary, either you're trying to get the cool kids to like you again or you're starting to become forgetful in your old age.

[@mikeydashank3897]

I almost thought for a bit that he was just saying these were concept albums about climate change so the leftist media would clap like seals and automatically say it's awesome, almost like they feel sorry for him in his older age and they want to throw him a bone.

[@dominicaaaaa5547]

Hmm just got this on CD and on first listen I quite enjoyed it. Agree with your points though even as a kind of more casual fan who has only heard pure splinter and savage from his newer stuff this is very same-y. A 5.5 out of 10 from me i think.

[@Candlewhip]

That AC/DC song sounds just like all the other AC/DC songs for the last 45 years... yeah but I like that song.

[@sarahdisco-dolly1150]

The God thing first appeared when he split from Tracy Adam and her religious family. My own view is the lyrics reflect a man trapped in his own persona, Gary Webb now has to be be Gary Numan every day of his life. I have been a fan since 1979, it is like a marriage, so we buy the next offerring. His greatness has never gone beyond 2- 5 songs on every album after Dance, with the execption of Metal Rhythm. This album sounds like a DJ producer doing his best with basic demo's, the weakest in this adventure with Fenton. However, my biggest gripe with him which has been around since Pure is his live miming, I have seen Numan since 1980, he has never sung note perfect, but he does now. Fortunately there is lots of good music in the world to listen to.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

There was one show I went to in Hollywood where he clearly didn't mime, but when the eventual live recording of it came out he had sung over it to make it seem like he had sang every song perfectly

[@jeremyreiff6562]

Big thing about this album is the lack of guitar, there are no credits for guitar in the liner notes. This is a strong album if you like newer stuff but it is a weaker version of Savage. He has found a formula and sticking to it.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Steve Harris is credited in the liner notes of my vinyl copy with playing guitar on somewhere around half of the songs, but I don't hear any of it

[@jeremyreiff6562]

@@TylerKingNuReview you are right, i just reread them and I did not look at the song by song credits and he’s there but the musicians listed on the last page, the guitar credit is missing. Ade gave Steve the Jason Newsted treatment. I enjoy your honest reviews

[@myworldstorm]

Truth of the matter is, most fans (myself included) buy Garys music through shear loyalty alone, I think you're right in your opinion of this album, but expect an onslaught of critiscm from the obsessive fans out there!!

[@TylerKingNuReview]

I'm rolling up my sleeves, ha! I bought the album out of hopes that the record as a whole would be better than the lead single (which was the only song released at the time I bought it). Next time I'm going to wait until after the album is out before purchasing it

[@TommyVarekai]

I bought it because its an amazing album, much better than that telekon stuff!

[@jemmett649]

I thought the first single “Intruder” is one of the weakest songs and I disliked it from day one. I hoped that the album would be an evolution forward from Savage, unfortunately it is not. I’m in total agreement with you on your brutally honest review of this album. The songs all sound the same which again is unfortunate. Gary has clearly hit a creative wall and needs to Ditch Ade Fenton. I had high hopes for this album, creatively it’s very flat.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

@Jeremy Horne It honestly baffles me how some fans are afraid to admit to themselves when an album or a song isn't good. Not every release is going to be a great one

[@zomzoms793]

And that is the saddest part.

[@simoningate2056]

I have heard it 4 or 5 times now and kind of know what you are talking about - the sound is somewhat unchanged for the past 4 or 5 albums. I want to hear it a few more times and may be back to comment. I have been a fan since Tubeway Army (not fanatic) and like different albums for different reasons (absolutely love Dance - I think its the bass). Got back into Numan with Dead Son Rising (which I think is excellent) - having missed the awful Sax and female backing singers in the 90s and came late to Exile phase (which are not bad). I was a bit disappointed with Savage (loved Splinter) but listened to it recently and find it better than I originally thought. With the new one I have been waiting for it since March 2019 and followed its making via the tmstore site - during that process I thought a few of the early versions were a rehash of old stuff and was not expecting very much from this new album. Got the disc last Friday (release day) and a few songs do sound like growers. Really like the resurrected CP78 drum machine on one of the songs and some of the atmospherics but you are right the sound palate is a bit samey from the past 4 albums. I have the chorus of "I am screaming" stuck in my head but the verse (with that yucky piano) and the lyrics aren't great. I may be back...

[@simoningate2056]

Ok - had a chance to re-listen (and compare with last 3 albums) and beginning to get it now. I think it is harsh to jump to conclusions on limited listens, but the following are my opinions. (1) Betrayed - this is growing on me a lot. Very good intro and a solid song - liking the drum machine (CP78?) and has good tension. (2) The Gift - Ok song but a lot of broken glitchy telecoms atmosphere (bit done too much over past albums) like the Arabic influence. (3) I am screaming - the chorus is great and classic recent Numan - the verses are a bit weak - incongruous with the chorus - hate the piano patch. (4) Intruder - the verses are a bit funky (as in smell bad) and could perhaps be song with some real venom - the chorus is epic. (5) Is this world enough - really like this and might be the best track on the album - love the heavy distortion on the lead guitar and the sweet voices of Raven and Persia. (6) A Black Sun - very good track - maybe MY second favourite (7) The Chosen - like quite a lot - but the robots on the rampage omnisphere insertions are passe - but it will be great live (8) And it Breaks Me - CP78 again and arabic influence gives this a nice atmosphere - but kind of average (9) Saint and Liars - OK - have the feeling Ive heard this many times before (10) Now and Forever - quite good - but not brilliant (11) The End of Dragons - I like the piano on this one - nice Numan ballad (save for some dodgy sung notes) (12) When you fall good initial atmosphere and distorted guitar but nothing new. Conclusions - yes tend to agree weve heard similar before - lots of industrial bleeps and bloops and layering which is Gary's recent style - maybe now overdone. Nice to hear the old drum machine coming back - not for the sake of nostalgia - just because it sounds great (if not overdone). In the future - next album maybe - I would like to hear Gary's "Songs of Faith and Devotion" - more anger in those lyrics - hold off on the industrial gizmos, put in more guitar and pure synth ands maybe live drumming, some fretless bass (loved Dance) and try an album without the ubiquitous omnisphere washes and glitches - tired of that now. What do others think?

[@sylvestersnet]

Tyler. Check out the compilation of patches put together on youtube titled Numanova available as a downoad for Mininova syth users. I think Gary needs to hear them also. These are the sounds that have made Him Great. I think he should invest in Moog again and do away with digital sounding synths. If he put those sounds back in to his music production he is on to a winner !

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Thank you for the recommendation! Will definitely check it out

[@theechothief5594]

I didn't dislike it as much as you, but the album is very underwhelming. The album is redundant and is like Gary is on autopilot in a way. The last really good GN album was Splinter. I love that record because it's so dynamic, which is absent from Intruder. And as a side note, I think 4 singles is too many. When the album dropped it was less exciting because I had heard most of it.

[@Endzeitstille]

I think pure was his last really great one everything after is just a variation of the same ingredients

[@oldestpunkinargentina7766]

I stopped after Dead Son Rising. I found Splinter derivative, soft, and repetitive, and so have been all following albums. The live versions of the songs he plays live (from those albums) work surprisingly well though, at least on DVD.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

I agree about the songs working live. Even on the tour for the Savage album, the songs from that one worked much better live than their recorded version

[@micktubenow]

We all hope for a new masterpiece from our favorite artist but it is unrealistic to to expect it every time. Having said that I do agree with your review . The album is exactly what I thought it would be ..which is the issue for me . At best I was hoping for at least a couple of tracks that had some surprises in it and experimented a little so it wouldn't be so predictable. The chosen is probably my favorite musically as it sounds a bit techno which lifts it out of the norm a bit . A few more diversions into something a little different is what is lacking and subject matter is like you say been almost the same for too long. I get that it's taken years for him to regain his success so most likely doesn't want to jeopardize that but he definitely need to add some different ideas and influences. I have a great respect for Gary and Ade but it#s all sounding stale now which is a shame because i was very much looking forward to Ade's reworkings he's doing the the old albums but after hearing Intruder I am not really looking forward to those now ( will you review those when they come out?)

[@TylerKingNuReview]

What reworkings are you referencing? This is news to me!

[@micktubenow]

@@TylerKingNuReview I think Ade was was reproducing with new vocals on albums like Sacrifice..Exile and Pure as it was felt that the production was somewhat lacking and could do with redoing. I personally felt that wasn't a bad idea initially as the vocals sounded muffled on some of it and the production for me was too monotonous although decent albums I felt that was the case for me too but that's my personal tase, but if they are all going to sound the same as the last couple of albums with no creative originality to them then I think I'm out with those.

[@WestbustahSaucedo]

I'm a fan of numan's 79 to 81 years

[@musicandfilms9956]

You're entirely correct. I first got into Numan when I heard AFE on the radio in May 1979. Even then, as an amateur musician, I was honest enough to admit that he has little real talent, compared to, say, Foxx or Bowie. Each album had perhaps one idea which he reused on every song. Still, I persevered... until the last few years in which I've given up and barely listen to Numan any more. There is a vast amount of hugely superior music elsewhere.

[@nicholasthomas8963]

Splinter's a great album.... then Savage & Intruder. Apart from Bed of thorns, the rest of the tracks over the 2 albums are basically the same.. needs another new invention, or retire.

[@jasmineblack9778]

You and Gary are Supercool,great channel

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Thank you!

[@geraldshearer1455]

i hope you will be happy oneday

[@TylerKingNuReview]

I'm happy as can be, I just don't see the point in fooling myself in trying to enjoy this album

[@pauldavis9567]

Unfortunately this rings totally true in my thoughts entirely. I've played it 5 times now and really want to like it! Last listen an element of boredom crept in which I've never experienced with Gary. Yeah I am screaming is a dirge. I disagreed with your thoughts on Savage (loved it) also on Jagged. However totally agreement here. Hate to agree worst since Machine. Bitter disappointment. Good review.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Thank you for watching!

[@sethmatthews7394]

I think Jagged would have to be the weakest album since machine and soul if not this one, although i am torn between the two. I personally think that they are both still enjoyable. Both of them have 3 or four really good tracks, and the rest i can take or leave. No tracks that are bad enough to piss me off. I can't bring myself to rate them anywhere near as low as "The Fury"-"Machine and soul,"because they just sound so much cleaner, and i genuinely hate the sax, backing vocals and lyrics (particularily the ones sung by the backing vocalists) of that time.

[@jennaleigh-raine]

A blk sun only one I like. Back to Dance 40 this week

[@sylvestersnet]

Garys first 4 Albums best period" down hill from then on . I agree his new stuff is all the same.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

There was definitely magic in those first few albums

[@TommyVarekai]

i feel they're his worst, the last 20 years his been writing gold though!

[@zomzoms793]

@@TommyVarekai You're clearly deaf!

[@sylvestersnet]

@@zomzoms793 Well his ears must still be ringing from that wall of sound Gary is chucking in to his production of late lol

[@zomzoms793]

@@sylvestersnet But it's not HIS wall of sound, it's Ade Fenton's.

[@starshiphonda]

I've been a fan since 1979. I just don't think it's a great album , a couple of nice songs . I'm bored with the God - Heaven lyrics. As Intruder is No 2 I can't see the theme changing . I won't pre order the next album . Disappointed ☹️

[@zomzoms793]

You see, I have no problem with the lyrical content. He's 63 and that is what he wants to sing about. BUT I do have an issue with the songs being all the same style, tempo, key and feel. I think Omnisphere has become tired and Numan along with it...

[@tehdii]

From yesterday I am listening to it practically non stop, LOVE IT... Sounds a bit samey but My GF looks uniformly pretty so that is bad or what?:) Advice for new musicans. Do not write about what your album is about. Do what you like, someone will like it to death ;)

[@Exeter909]

Same old, same old. Gary gets a good idea about every decade, then milks it for everything it's worth.

[@NigelLawrence-z1j]

Board to death with the slow intros

[@roguemoon4599]

intruder is a classic Numan album, the chosen, intruder, is this world not enough, the gift, stop loving in the past!

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Not sure why me not liking it is me living in the past. I loved Splinter and Dead Son Rising, Intruder is just bland and unmemorable for me

[@roguemoon4599]

@@TylerKingNuReview intruder is one of Gary's best latter day albums, it's packed with quality songs numan is an artist of now, yesterday was yesterday.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

@@roguemoon4599 For saying he's an artist of now, he sure keeps making music that sounds like it was from his last couple of albums and using the same lyrical tropes from the last 30 years

[@roguemoon4599]

@@TylerKingNuReview when you play Wembley arena then you're opinion will have some gravitas til then stick to cars, metal, afe, you know, living in the past.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

@@roguemoon4599 If you haven't played Wembley, then your opinion should have no standing either, babycakes. Why not make your own review video about how much you like the album instead of conveniently sidestepping any points I make?

[@ianliverpool6623]

i have bought every album b4 release , not now. i waited and im dissapointed.

[@NigelLawrence-z1j]

Love intruder track chosen

[@NigelLawrence-z1j]

I have listened to it a lot. It. Grows on you. But. Like. A lot of Gary's music that I did not. Like at. First. Grow on me then I like wired

[@NigelLawrence-z1j]

Yes o. Understand where. Your. Coming from

[@kurtmeuleman4108]

Sorry, but Intruder to me is a brilliant album. And I say that as a music lover, not as a 'Numanoid'. I rediscovered him since Savage and Splinter, Savage and Intruder are brilliant albums. It's in my top 10% of all the albums I ever heard (I'm 50 now). 28 minutes to review an album?? Sorry.

[@zomzoms793]

You are not a music lover if you think this is brilliant. It's all the same. It's one song idea strewn into an album. Sad really.

[@kurtmeuleman4108]

@@zomzoms793 Intruder is as coherent as an album as Disintegration is for The Cure. I listened to thousands and thousands of albums and to me Savage and certainly Intruder are masterpieces. It has nothing to do with one song idea. It has to do with concepts and creativity. It has to do with efforts and talent.

[@sethmatthews7394]

someone isn't a music lover if they disagree with you? You sound pretentious af dude. get out of here man.

[@rjnuzzi1648]

They all sound the same, same half-step chord patterns with small non-melodic fragments in the verses... his art of songwriting has diminished into style & sound

[@NigelLawrence-z1j]

Very interesting

[@sueferrill5438]

Saints and Liars one of his best songs in years/decades...Radio worthy...End of Dragons blah!!!

[@NigelLawrence-z1j]

Shame chosen was not a single

[@rikgay857]

Not a great album…more of the same:( He’s coming to Belfast next month and I ain’t going…

[@stevewebb7126]

A fair review .Although i would give it a 6 , and Savage an 8...

[@kengarrood-bailey8240]

Fan since 1979 if your not interested don't talk about it or buy it its his best work stop living in the past Are friends and Cars are classics but it's gone

[@TylerKingNuReview]

What makes this his best work in your opinion?

[@antminehead]

@@pm_ordinarychap I completely agree. Tyler goes at length to state WHY he believes Gary's current output is poor and his critique is fair and balanced.

[@sarahdisco-dolly1150]

This will be the post to start the arguments then and defuse the sensible critique of an artist that one would hope would want to attract fans young, old or new to the fold. In doing so anyone can offer a critique of that offerring and compare it to the post M&S period, which is what has been done.

[@zomzoms793]

But this is sooooo boring. It's not fresh, not original and not special. Time for a radical change. Ade Fenton is a good producer but the current Numan output is dour.

[@merton69]

Wow! So TK's opinion is different to yours!! Probably best you don't go outside, just in case you bump into someone with a different opinion to yours!

[@zackspaulding]

Can't stand Numan really.....music for children to me sorry being honest and he can't sing.....best LP was Replica's from 79....These days he's even more farcical. I'd rather watch paint dry....his new look????? 😂😅he's done nothing new for decade's!!!!!! sad and tired.

[@sethmatthews7394]

this album is weaker than splinter and savage for sure, still liked a lot of the tracks. Hes trying too hard to be edgy with this one, i agree.

[@spacepirate2185]

While I respect your opinions. How do you explain all the glowing reviews Intruder has received in the press and on online? Surely not every reviewer can be wrong.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Everyone and their mom seemed to adore Skeleton Tree by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and that's still one of the most boring albums that I've ever heard

[@spacepirate2185]

@@TylerKingNuReview In your opinion.

[@TylerKingNuReview]

@@spacepirate2185 That's all that this video is: my opinion

[@sarahdisco-dolly1150]

Online reviews are designed around the concept of "everything is awesome" that way they get the clicks for payment, the more clicks the more you get paid. Online rviews of anything should be avoided at all costs.

[@spacepirate2185]

@@sarahdisco-dolly1150 I can see where your coming from but I meant the the music review websites like NME, Rolling Stone ect... They have nothing to gain from positive reviews surely as their not trying to sell the album. Plus Intruder is not the only recent GN album to receive mostly positive reviews. Splinter and Savage both received generally glowing reviews too.

[@dmomcilovic9185]

What a Terrible review and way too long, even after I gave up after 5 minutes. When a review is that long you may as well listen to the album for yourself and decide..

[@TylerKingNuReview]

Cool, my next review will just be 5 seconds long of me saying it's bad. Thanks for your feedback!