Between 2006 and 2009 Numan played the tours that I always wanted to see and never thought I would. These three retrospective tours offered much that even the original tours of 1979 and 1980 could not offer. Remember, 'The Touring Principle' featured a live set that covered both the 'Replicas' and 'The Pleasure Principle' albums. Numan had not to date played these albums and associated tracks in full.
This album retrospective approach to touring seems to have been thing that has flourished in the last 20 or so years. To my mind it is perfect for artist and fans alike, in that it engages the musicians to learn/relearn long forgotten tracks and it gives fans the opportunity to hear old and well loved tracks often for the first time. It is something that is perhaps best suited to musicians who have enjoyed a long career. Bowie was early on the uptake of the concept when in 2002, as host of London's South Bank 'Meltdown' festival, he played his Berlin classic 'Low' back to back with his then current album 'Heathen'.
So, Numan brought 'The Pleasure Principle' to The Junction in Cambridge, one of my favourite venues in the country, but one that was too small on this occasion. I went with my son who was then 11 and needed to lift him onto a table in order for him to see anything (he is 6'2" now so would be doing the same for me these days!). A few nights later I saw the show at the Indigo in London and access to the stage was easy with perfect views to go with it.
Of this album, there is not much that I need to say for the benefit of this audience. Not as dark as its predecessor, the album took electronic music to a new height. There is not a duff track on the album, with precise instrumentation that perfectly complements the soaring keyboards that dominate the songs. Ever the purist, Numan made the decision to abandon guitar on this album, a decision that he has since stated was a mistake, but in my opinion the combination of bass, drums and keyboards makes for a complete sound. There is no need, or space for guitar on 'The Pleasure Principle'.
FLAC: https://we.tl/t-oyHUgCAQ8K
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pkdDcxsziF
01. Random
02. Airlane
03. Metal
04. Complex
05. Films
06. M.E.
07. Tracks
08. Observer
09. Conversation
10. Cars
11. Engineers
12. Asylum
01. The Fall
02. Pure
03. Down In The Park
04. Haunted
05. Halo
06. Jagged
07. Are 'Friends' Electric?
08. Encore Break
09. We Are So Fragile
10. A Prayer For The Unborn
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