Sharpe and Numan - Automatic

Title: Automatic Artist: Sharpe and Numan Release Date: 1989 Label: Polydor Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPC: 042283952027 Genre: Rock Styles: Dance-Pop, Synth Pop, Experimental Electronic, New Wave, Club/Dance, New Romantic, Punk/New Wave Moods: Cold, Detached, Austere, Dramatic, Refined/Mannered, Restrained, Boisterous, Clinical, Hostile, Tense/Anxious, Wintry, Brooding, Hypnotic, Paranoid, Reflective, Atmospheric, Eerie, Energetic, Ominous, Rousing, Spacey, Playful Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Change Your Mind
2. Turn off the World
3. No More Lies ['89 Mix]
4. Breathe in Emotion
5. Some New Game
6. I'm on Automatic
7. Rip It Up
8. Welcome to Love
9. Voices
10. Nightlife
11. No More Lies [Original 12" Mix]
12. I'm on Automatic [12" Mix]

Year Type Label Catalog # ------ CD Polydor 839520

No other editions were found for this album.

Somehow Automatic has become the most overlooked album in Gary Numan's discography. A collaboration with Bill Sharpe (keyboards, producer), this album isn't as groundbreaking as Numan's earlier work. There's nothing futuristic about this; it's an LP that echoes the predominant sound of England in the mid-'80s, specifically the mix of synth pop and soul brewed by bands like the Human League and Heaven 17. Automatic really moves; there's not a wasted moment. The catchy "Change Your Mind" should've been a bigger hit than "Cars"; driven by Roger Odell's vigorous drums and Sharpe's disco-fueled synthesizers, "Change Your Mind" latches onto a sweltering groove. Sharpe & Numan never deplete themselves of hooks. "No More Lies ('89 Mix)," "Breathe in Emotion," and "Voices" are just as addictive as "Change Your Mind." Numan is as moody as ever, however, he expresses more emotion here than before. The frosty detachment of "Cars" and "Down in the Park" is absent. In addition, anyone expecting sci-fi or supernatural concepts in the lyrics will be let down; the songs on Automatic are aimed at broken hearts. Nevertheless, Sharpe & Numan never allow the feelings of dejection to corrode the album's pace. Sharpe & Numan only slow the tempo on the reflective ballad "Welcome to Love." Numan has never sounded more human than on this album. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Earl Photography Angus Thompson Photography Bill Sharpe Keyboards, Producer, Performer Gary Numan Performer, Synthesizer, Vocals, Keyboards John Davies Programming, Synthesizer John R.T. Davies Engineer Linda Taylor Vocals (Background) Mitch Dalton Guitar Nick Smith Engineer, Mixing Roger Odell Drums Tessa Niles Vocals (Background) Wally Brill Mixing