In 1981 'Dance' saw Gary Numan take the sharpest musical turn of his career. I've got to admit, when I first heard it I despised it. At the time I thought Numan's introduction of saxophone and fretless bass to his music was sacrelige, it was too low-key for all the upbeat connotations of the title, I was simply wanting another full-on Moog-fest. Looking at it now, it is a sombre, haunting masterpiece and is probably the only time Gary Numan seems to have made music with a bit of spontaneity.

'Dance' is arguably Numan's best work lyrically; gone are the ponderings about machines and all things futuristic replaced by stories of broken down relationships, the New Romantic movement and people meeting in cafes but still expressed with Numan's trademark bitterness. Mick Karn's excellent bass playing gives the songs a fluid, almost dreamy quality as Numan reputedly gave him free rein to improvise to his heart's content. Any problems that the album had lay not in it's musical quality but in it's commercial appeal - or lack of it. Numan's decision to experiment with new instruments on a more minimalist, downbeat album probably cost him a few fans, especially after recently quitting touring. As mentioned before, 'Dance' is very low-key, the first 5 songs are all slow to mid-paced, moody affairs and the pace of the album is only raised when we get to 'You Are, You Are' (which I still think was the only obvious single - Numan instead went with the sombre 'She's Got Claws). 'Slowcar To China', 'Crash', 'Moral', 'A Subway Called You', 'Exhibition' and 'Cry, The Clock Said' are, in my opinion, undisputed Numan classics and still among the best songs he's ever written.

There's no doubt that the feel of Japan's 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' is all over this album but there is honestly not a bad track in sight - but be warned, 'Dance' is nowhere near as easy to listen to as something like 'Replicas', but is probably Gary Numan's most 'musical' album of his career.

Gary Numan - Dance Review

I have recently rediscovered Gary Numan and have been buying his albums over a period of months to better appreciate this artist.

I've been listening to his albums in chronological order and have reached "Dance" which was originally released back in 1981.

Firstly, this album is NOT a dance album as its title might suggest. "Dance" is a somewhat sombre affair with only a few more upbeat tracks. Do not let this simple fact put you off, as "Dance" shows a depth to Numan often lacking in many other musicians.

Numan has to be admired for changing not only his sound from the likes of "Pleasure
Principal", but also the theme (i.e. less abstract and more emotional). There aren't many artists who have had the courage to explore their craft like Numan. Since the album "Replicas", Numan has continued developing and adapting his style which is a refreshing change. Numan over his career has taken the listene on a musical journey.
Rarely does Numan produce a bad album, just very different ones. Some people will not like this constant evolution and will instead prefer to stick to more familiar Numan territory.

As is often the case an album can emotionally mirror the mood of the artist and I wonder if "Dance" reflects an emotional scar left behind from a failed romance as much of this album seems to lament a failed relationship perhaps.

"Dance" isn't all pensive listening. There are some real gems here. My personal favourite has to be the utterly charming and melodic "Stories" (Trust me, you'll be humming this one wistfully after a while). I also really like the edgy "Moral" which if I'm not mistaken appears to be a mirror of his earlier "Pleasure Principal" track "Metal" in respect to the rhythm of his vocals - listen to the flow of the lyrics and I'm sure you'll hear the "Metal" melody.

Other upbeat tracks include "She's Got Claws" and "Crash" which also get the fingers
tapping.

"Dance" can initially be a tough listen, but with patience can be a rewarding experience after several listenings - think of it like a fine wine that improves with age.

Diehard fans will have this cd,the rest of the world however,don't know what a gem this really is.Sounding nothing like his previous work,Numan created some of his most fascinating material.The melodic 'Slowcar to China',set's the tone of this cd,somber yet hauntingly beautiful.Mick Karn's bass/saxaphone are excellent,even Nash the Slash's violin fits the Jazzy feel.NOT HIS BEST,BUT FAR FROM HIS WORST.

This for me is one of the best albums I've ever bought of any artist. There isn't a duff track on here. I bought the original vinyl back in 1981 and have waited for a re-release as good as this for a while. Fantastic remastered sound and packaging plus a previously undiscovered vignette of a track 'Dance' which somehow captures the mood & lyric content of the entire album in just 2' 30''! Which brings us to the theme of this album. Contrary to what you might think this is not a dance album (well not an upbeat one anyway). It's an album of lost love and deceit ; there's genuine pain here in every track. Don't play this if you're depressed! Mostly downbeat tracks with brilliant percussion and drum machine use and wonderful guest appearances by Mick Karn, Roger Taylor, Nash the Slash(!) plus some of Numan's old band going back even to Jess Lidyard on the wonderful 'Moral' , a remake of his brilliant 'Metal'. Fave track is the minimalist/ambient 10 minute 'Cry the Clock Said'. I can't stress how great this album is: even the bonus B-sides are truly phenomenal ( like 'Exhibition'). Try this album. It transcends any music fashions that were contemporary in 1981 and is truly timeless.

This is not a typical Numan work, so everyone should try this CD. In my view, Dance is one of the most original albums of the early 80's and one of Numan's finest.
This album was deeply unpopular at the time because for two reasons - one, it was such a departure from Numan's previous long-player, Telekon; two, it's by Gary Numan, who was cannon fodder for the media in those days and was treated as if he had the words "kick me" on his back.
The fact that his style changed so radically in the 12 months since Telekon indicates what a talented and mature writer he was in his prime, bearing in mind he was only 23 when he worked on Dance.
Together with Japan, Numan used the fretlass bass and "sax in reverb" to excellent effect. These combine to alternatly entrance the listener with a dreamy quality (Slowcar to China, Cry the Clock Said) before crashing them down to earth with upbeat numbers like She's Got Claws and You Are You Are. Great guest performances by Japan's Mick Karn on bass and sax, and Queen's Roger Taylor on drums.
I bought this album when it was released in 1981 and still treasure the vinyl - it's timeless classic that bears endless plays I totally recommend it.