Track Listing

1. This Is Emotion
2. Hunger
3. New Anger
4. Devious
5. America
6. Voix
7. Respect
8. Young Heart
9. Gold Metal Rhythm
10. Don't Call My Name
11. I Don't Believe
12. Children
13. My Dying Machine
14. Devious (2)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #55471 in Music
• Released on: 1999-09-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

The best of the funkier material
I always found that opinions on 'Metal Rhythm' fell into two categories:

A) that it was an excellent, tough piece of electro-funk
B) that it's sound had strayed too far from the sounds of 'Replicas' and 'Telekon'

While I understood the concerns of fans who were 'point B', I basically thought that 'Metal Rhythm' stands not only as one of Numan's better collections from the middle years, but is also arguably his last really well-produced album.

Numan adopted a funkier, yet more aggressive stance for this album, losing the dreaminess and occasional lack of cohesion of 'Strange Charm'. From the superb opener 'This Is Emotion' (he generally opened albums well) right through to the final track 'Don't Call My Name', Numan carves up an electro-funk feast with stuff like 'Respect', 'Hunger', 'Cold Metal Rhythm' and the now classic 'Voix'.

Although there is undoubtedly some blatant creative-copying flying around on 'Metal Rhythm' this is still a tremendous album and undoubtedly among Numan's finest.

Sparse funky rock
I've recently returned to this record after a few years of not hearing it. I'd forgotten what a strong piece of work it is. Certainly deserves to be included in the top 10 of Numans albums.

This could have linked Gary from the electro-funk of 'The Fury' straight through to the industrial rock which has got him noticed again in recent years, unfortunately the nadir of 'Machine & Soul' was still waiting.

The album still sounds good now. The best tracks are 'Respect' (why wasn't this a single?), 'Voix' and 'America'. Hard drum sounds mix well with edgy guitar and funky bass. There are smatterings of keyboards and one of the best vocal performances by Gary for a long while. The song writing really is very good hear. With better PR and investment this could have resurrected as carrer a lot earlier than having to wait for another 10 years.

Highly recommended.

Gary at he's funkiest
Around this time Gary Numan was getting some bad press saying that he was a retro pop star that should retire from making hisa own music. When he brought this album out I bought it on audio cassette and just a few months ago. It is an excellent album, probably one of his best in his electronic era.