Understanding Gary Numan: The Machine Quartet (1978-1981)

Great read but there is an error in print: page 45 is in the wrong place.

Low on facts and heavy on opinions; felt like I was reading an angry blogger's rant rather than a thorough analysis. There are several factual errors that would've been easy to fix before print (writer mentions "Dawn of the Dead" instead of "Day of the Dead", for example). Overall, feels rushed and only skims the surface of its subject.

I have read many accounts of people's experiences regarding Mr numans work, but none that explore the actual impact and significance of this musicians place in popular music history. The writing is eloquent and insightful, it is in no way a fan's nostalgic musings, it explains just how important and original Gary Numan was in the machine music period of the late 1970 s. Gary inspired and changed popular music on a level more profound than he was ever given credit for at the time.Yes I'm a fan from the time, but with reason. I recognized the innovative nature of his music and gravitated to it. It's true that the music someone discovers during their teenage years stays in that person's nostalgic sweet spot, Gary Numan is in this field for me, but so were many other musicians of the time. In hindsight, collectively they made an impact, but none as individuals had the significance on popular music that Gary had.I like a diverse range of music, but Gary occupies a special place at the top of my affections. He may have been too young and naieve to realise what he was doing at the time, but intentionally or otherwise, he is significant.It's good to read recognition coming to the fore in recent times. Shame it wasn't forthcoming at the time.I guess there were a lot of people feeling either intimidated or simply not understanding what they were hearing.Gary Numan can go down in history as being a more important part of musical evolution than some other more lauded artists.Read this book and you may understand why.

Pretty boring and thin book, stuff any Numan fan already knows and a not interesting for a non Numan fan...sorry.

For any early Numan fan. Fantastic read brought back all this great early Numan memories back to life.

At last an intelligent review of Numan's great years, long overdue and giving credit for the groundbreaking artist he was at this time.Sutton writes with humour and passion and clearly has a broad knowledge of this era. (PS This is a 13,000 word essay in paperback form) Essential reading.

Fantastic book, it really took me back to my younger days as a Numanoid! Very witty and touching recollection of what it was like to be a Gary Numan fan :-)