Numan's 'Exile' album is a masterpiece of vast brooding music. It could almost be described as a concept album, for every song fits into a theme dealing with aspects of religion, divine intervention, and judgement, telling what Numan himself describes as a horror story. This 1997 album utilises the same stylistic elements as the later and better-known 'Pure' CD of 2001 - heavy guitars, industrial keyboards, and soaring angry vocals.
'Dominion Day' is a strong opener, and one of the more pacy tracks, while 'Prophecy' has an atmospheric melody and haunting vocals brimming with dark religious imagery. 'Dead Heaven' is one of the most memorable tracks from the album, sounding more like a 'Pure' track than anything else here with it's cutting guitars and mournful piano lead. 'Dark' is worth listening to just for the tolling bell accompanying the verse, but the standout track for me is 'Exile', with it's menacing lyrics and droning synth lines.
This is certainly far removed from the music Numan is famous for. Anyone expecting him still to be making songs like 'Cars' would be shocked to see how much his music has changed, but the curious will be pleasantly surprised. However, anyone who has been following the lesser known paths of his career will not be disappointed with this CD - the songs still sound like they could only ever be performed by Numan, and his vocals are still full of paranoia, with lyrics touching subjects nobody else can.

Some people may find this album dull and repetitive, others will think this is a masterpiece. One thing is for sure, this is NOT pop music! Neither is it Industrial Rock.

This is an album to lose yourself in. It has an amazing dream-like quality to it, which is helped by the similarity of all the songs. Normally this is a very bad thing, but due to the style of music on Sacrifice, it actually makes the album. One song seamlessly blends into the next, without much change in tempo, mood or lyrical themes. This is an album to be listened to as a whole, and to be given your undivided attention.

Numans unique vocals are the best of his career, soft, bass-heavy, and pitch perfect. Proving once and for all that he CAN sing! The down-tempo drum loops become very hypnotic, adding to the trance-like state this album can put you in. The guitars are certainly there, but they do not dominate the songs like on Pure, making this much less Industrial than it's little brother. The synth strings and choirs add the final touch, dark, moody and very atmospheric.

Similar in style to: The Sisters Of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Joy Devision, and Disintegration-era Cure.

Like any of those bands? BUY THIS NOW!

This album is supposed to be one of the very best of Gary Numan and sold many times more than lots of the mid-year ones.

Sacrifice seemed to have some good points about it but Exile to me seemed to just lag on and on and on. Dominian day, the first track and lead single as far as Im concerned was so bland with little or no appeal.

Absolution just kind of wallows in existance for about 5 minutes aimlessly.

Im sorry but I honestly can't find a single song on the album I like.
I would advise buying the 'Pure" album instead.

would be an apt description of the sound and feel of this album. Possibly his darkest album to date, Exile was a progression of the style he unveiled on 1994's Sacrifice, with a more biblical-horror tone to it. I don't think it's quite as good as Sacrifice, however, as there is a very repetetive sound to many of the songs, with the same drum-loops and beats used on nearly every song, and similar melodies. Dominion Day is a bone-chilling rocker and Dark is amazing. The whole album is like a soundtrack to the scariest horror film ever made. Not quite perfect, but well worth a listen.

To be honest this is the second Gary Numan album I have ever purchased. The first being his Best Of 1978-1983 album, which I bought for We Are Glass, Are Friends Electric, I Die:You Die, and We Take Mystery To Bed. Gary's latest offering is a great album in my opinion. Very haunting in parts yet other tracks are quite upbeat and reminded me of Depeche Mode (who I like very much) Top tracks IMO are Dominion Day, Prophecy, Absolution, etc... listen for the bells ringing on "Dark", it will freak you out. BUY IT! This will appeal to both fans of electronic music and rock, but is also a great album for chilling out.