Crazier

Crazier CD1 --- The first single to be lifted from the 'Hybrid' remix album, 'Crazier' saw Numan face off against nu-metal electro-punk Rico (an alternative version of the single with Rico joining Numan on vocals appearing on Rico's 'Violent Silences' album) ...and what a result! The new single mix having been brilliantly re-worked by Steve Osbourne, who took the album version and made it really smack the listener around the head, quickly secured regular exposure courtesy of satellite tv music channel Kerrang! who showcased the video in all it's dark glory week after week in its number 1 spot. This eventually led to the single landing inside the UK Top 20 and getting Numan back on TOTP. From its chugging nu-metal guitars and banging drums to its messy electro flourishes and - of course- Numa's soaring (and for a small part harshly whispered) vocal, 'Crazier' was a true industrial rock anthem.
Also featured on this version of the single (the first of three) were Rico's Hybrid remix of the 'Pure' track 'Listen To My Voice', the Grayed Out Mix of fellow 'Hybrid' new track 'Ancients' and the 'Crazier' video.
Crazier CD2 --- The second version of the 'Crazier' single turned out to be a Rico dominated disk kicking off with a Rico remix of the 'Crazier' entitled the 'Slide Mix' which toned down Steve Osbourne's single mix and brought the track back closer to the original album mix. Throwing in some spaced and buzzing electronics and some Rico backing vocals. This mix may have lacked the "punch" of the CD1 version but fan's of Rico wouldn't have been dissapointed as it was definately his own take on the track (this was however NOT the version that later appreared on Rico's album). Up next was a track written by Rico with both Rico and Numan on vocals called 'Big Black Sea' (this would later appear on Rico's album, remixed and with Numan's vocal replaced by Rico's own) which followed Rico's trademark edgy electronic industrial rock sound. The dark and at times anthemic track saw Rico and Numan successfully trade vocal's off each other like some kind of twisted and electronic version of Linkin Park.
The third track was 'Garden Man' which did not feature Numan and again showcased Rico's undeniable talent. More trademark Rico sounds here continuing the overall feel of this second disk. This track also ended up on Rico's album in a new remixed state. Also featured was Live Arte TV Footage of 'Crazier' being performed in front of a live audience.

Crazier CD3 --- The third and final version of the single began with an entertainingly different 'Acoustic Glide Mix' of 'Crazier'. Although once again this version lacked the "up front" anthemic sound of the Steve Osbourne remix, it did manage to successfully deliver a very different take on the single and with its acoustic strumming and string arangement allowed the song to drift off into an almost Nine Inch Nails-esque sound almost mirroring some of the moments from the bands' two latest offerings 'And All That Could Have Been' and 'Still'...the almost "unplugged" sound here being pulled off rather successfully. Following this was an earlier version of 'Ancients' which , despite lacking the polished finish of the 'Hybrid' album version, did show an interesting insight into the raw ideas and process on the way towards the eventual outcome. The final track was the 'Arte Live TV Mix' of 'A Prayer For The Unborn' which was also included as live footage on the disk and was recorded before the same audience as 'Crazier' on CD2.

Overall a highly successful and thoroughly entertaining package.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gary
• Numan

[TheSpudnic]

This is just magic. Such an original guy.

Gary Numans one of the few dark and unique artists left in the scene.

Him and a few others like Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie,

Tricky, PJ Harvey,Saul Williams, Allflaws

[990racle]

BRILLIANT!

[WillCrazie]

@electroluxia maybe so...but this is NOT a numan track,written and produced by Rico(even the andy grey mix wasn't really....contractual thingy) the whole Numan v's Rico was written and produced by....Rico..... apart from the stupid Rap(?) in the middle of the single version....that was Numans insistance!!

[electroluxia]

@LicoriceLain that may be true, but his 4 latest albums are not the best artistically; they lack originality (they're Manson/NIN rip offs for the masses), and will not stand the test of time like his ingenious, beyond innovative, truly revolutionary '70s and '80s catalogues do, and will continue to do. Numan will not end up doing "Pure," "Hybrid" and/or "Jagged" tours years in the future, as he did with "Telekon," "Replicas," etc. The demand will not be there.

[LicoriceLain]

@electroluxia His last four albums are the best reviewed of his career. >_>

[DDSatani]

Wonderful!!!!! i love gary numan

[neonsolaris]

My Iconic Lord

[electroluxia]

@detoxscission No. They suck, and do not even begin to compare to his infinitely brilliant past discography.

[detoxscission]

@electroluxia Oh shut up. The last 4 albums are brilliant.

[neonsolaris]

Numan is Pure Class. Long live my dark Lord