Living Ornaments '81 cover

Living Ornaments '81

Gary Numan · 1998

121 min · 26 tracks · electronic · new wave · synth-pop

A captivating blend of synth-driven melodies and atmospheric soundscapes that echo Numan's pioneering electronic vision.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like dynamic flow
  • captivating atmospheric soundscapes
  • immersive two-part listening experience
  • reflective moments of introspection
  • engaging synth-driven melodies

Maybe skip if you want

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • short, standalone track preferences

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1998, 'Living Ornaments '81' arrived during a period of resurgence for Gary Numan, who had seen his commercial success wane in the late 1980s. This live album captures performances from his earlier, more commercially successful phase, showcasing his evolution as an artist while inviting both old fans and new listeners back to his sonic world.
Stylistic neighbors
Depeche Mode· Kraftwerk· The Human League

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Intro / This Wreckage 7:40
  • 2 Remind Me to Smile 3:22
  • 3 Metal 3:14
  • 4 Me! I Disconnect From You 3:03
  • 5 Complex 3:10
  • 6 The Aircrash Bureau 5:24
  • 7 Airlane 3:24
  • 8 M.E. 4:32
  • 9 Everyday I Die 4:38
  • 10 Films 5:47
  • 11 Remember I Was Vapour 4:34
  • 12 Trois Gymnopedies (First Movement) 3:04
  • 13 Conversation 7:39

Disc 2

  • 1 She’s Got Claws 4:51
  • 2 Cars 3:39
  • 3 I Dream of Wires 4:37
  • 4 I’m an Agent 3:57
  • 5 The Joy Circuit 5:56
  • 6 I Die: You Die 3:43
  • 7 Cry the Clock Said 5:26
  • 8 Tracks 2:19
  • 9 Down in the Park 5:59
  • 10 My Shadow in Vain 2:38
  • 11 Please Push No More 5:29
  • 12 Are ‘Friends’ Electric? 5:40
  • 13 We Are Glass / Outro 7:44

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata