Gary Numan

Sacrifice

Magic

Review Score:

(10/10)
This CD fell into my lap under strange circumstances and under a different title.

It may be Numan's "Sacrifice" in the UK but in the States it's entitled "Dawn" and it pays homage to the artistic magic of Joseph Michael Linsner, creator of the transcendant comic book goddess Dawn. Dawn, herself, is unforgettable....a luminous and yet sometimes dark bit of conjuring....and so is the album dedicated to her.

It's unfortunate that in the United States, Numan is hardly remembered beyond the 80's hit "Cars". And given the fact that he's evolved from that particular pop standard to this sort of dreamy darkness, you've got to wonder what lies between. This much I can tell you, whether you've been a fan all along, a current one or one who just happened to stumble over this delicious body of work by accident...you won't be disappointed. It's driving....much more than just industrial dance...a taste of Goth and even a bit haunted. You can forgive Numan for the occasional murmurs and muttering because it only makes the music all the more grittier and in some instances even darkly romantic. I cannot possibly list all the things that I find so amazing and beautiful about this album so I'll share a few and trust me, with gorgeous lyrics like the ones found in the song "Desire"....'Is this your mercy or sacrifice? No absolution if you come for me'... or the driving rhythm on "Question Of Faith"....'They kneel down, Praise God, shout Allelujah, lift up their eyes when they pray- When children kill children, don't it make them wonder? Don't it make them question their faith?' As you can see, choosing favorites off this album isn't an easy task but I've managed to narrow it down to two selections just to give you a taste.

It is impossible to hear "Bleed" and not somehow find yourself moving to it. It's hypnotic in it's rhythm... the lulling drone of Numan's humming leading the lyrics through a web of sound. It is gorgeous.

And then, there is "Seed Of A Lie". This song is an apparition- haunted. You are swept in by the tragic moan of keyboards- Numan's gift, it would seem. His voice is conjuring the spell...the memory of everything that could have been perfect but somehow went terribly wrong...the memories left will only be the unfortunate ones... 'Like your shadow I will haunt you- do you remember what I said to you? "Love is a mountain but harder to climb...it should be forever but love is unkind to me...Don't let me down"...and you let me down'

I'm not sure if it was Numan's original intent to base this particular body of work on Dawn but it certainly embodies her. The album is pure magic just as the goddess herself.

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