The Pleasure Principle

Not my jam, but I can see where people like it.

I like this more as an electronic/avant-garde project than I like it as a rock/new wave record. I'd be interesting to hear it redone without the rock drums and with perhaps an alternative vocal of some kind (maybe Annie Clark would be interested?).

this came out in the 70s. THE 19-freaking-70S!!

Bold of Gary Numan to pay homage to the greatest film of all time Freddy Got Fingered in the tracklist

As good as recall it being from middle school. Eerie, but still has sort of a danceable quality. The synthesizers both carry the melody and contribute to a cold, anxious atmosphere. His odd lyrics and vocal delivery make the thing still sound futuristic today.

Kind of the same after a while

I have heard the name Gary Numan before, but was not familiar with his music. It was not what I was expecting. Had a early techno, Kraftwerk type vibe. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A one trick album, but damn it's a good trick

I have to say, I feel like Gary Numan is more of a singles artist. There are some interesting sounds and ideas on this album, but they're somewhat few and far between. I think that's most plainly illustrated in the songs Observer and Cars, where the former genuinely just feels like a duller imitation of the more popular latter. I'd find it hard to believe they were 2 tracks from the same album if I was shown them in isolation before listening to it.

Favourite tracks: M.E., Conversation, Cars

not my thing

I knew a few of these tracks. The album is okay. It probably belongs on this list because it's groundbreaking in terms of electronic pop music.

I really like "M.E." but I feel like I would like it a lot more if the synth parts were played on guitar instead, and Gary's singing isn't great either. And in general I feel like that holds true for most of the songs on the album. I'd probably really enjoy some rock/stoner band taking up the challenge of doing a full-album cover of this.

What would be electronic music without this guy?

The pleasure principle was a simple pleasure to listen to, 5/5, no questions asked ;-)

I always assumed Gary Numan was just a one hit wonder, but this was a pleasant surprise of an album. Solid all the way through. Although Cars still clears every other song here by a lot

First album on here and such a solid start..you can tell the historic importance of this album for future sounds. Does it stand out in history of pop? Not really, but not a bad way to start.

I wanted to hate this album after the first song, but the more I got in deeper the more I started to enjoy it. Then I hit Card, did not know this was Numan’s song. I love that song!

I like this a lot; obviously Cars is the standout, but M.E is also great (as recognized by Basement Jaxx), and the general vibe is very much to my taste. Maybe one or two slightly filler-y tracks, if I had to find a criticism.

Not terrible, but not really exciting. A lot of it sounded the same. 3/5

Pioneer of synthpop which is impressive but the world didn't need the Pet Shop Boys.

3/5.

Best New Wave album out of the 600 we've had so far

The synthpop is great, fantastic even - but it's hampered by the droning vocals that are trying to act a bit too special. Cars is the best track simply because Numan is more subdued.

Pretty much every song sounded like his hit, Cars. It wasn’t bad music, but it wasn’t very exciting.