The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!
Volume 24 features our cover stars IDLES as they celebrate the release of new album, ‘TANGK’, which we review inside. We also review ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ – the new album from PET NEEDS. On the live side of things we catch Enter Shikari in London, IDLES in London and Noah and the Loners in Norwich!
Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Gary Numan, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Boston Manor and Willie J Healey!
Plus all the best new releases including Pearl Jam, REWS, High On Fire, While She Sleeps, Boston Manor, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Bears In Trees, Seasick Steve, The Dandy Warhols, Mad Caddies, Stand Atlantic, Greywind, Gun, Blackout Problems and The Longest Johns!
Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist including Cosmic Ninja, Exploring Birdsong and paradise fell.!
Music icon and pioneer Gary Numan arrives in Norwich on a warm Sunday night, as his lengthy UK Tour draws towards a close.
This has been a tour that has included a statement headline show at Wembley Arena, as the career resurgence continues for Numan. Part of the reason for this renaissance is the cult-like devotion of Numan fans who fill the venue well in advance of their hero’s arrival.
The second reason for this rejuvenation is the current hot streak of releases from an artist very much in form. After reaching Number 20 in the Album Charts with 2013 effort ‘Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind)’, Numan has delivered not one but two Number 2 Albums with 2017’s ‘Savage (Songs from a Broken World)’ and last year’s ‘Intruder’.
Vindication for an artist who has never taken the easy route via the nostalgia circuit and has always followed the creative path.
The third reason for recent successes is that Numan is a force of nature live, but we will get on to that in just a moment. First a mention to opening act, Divine Shade, who do a fantastic job in warming up the receptive UEA LCR.
Fans early arrival is well rewarded with a superb performance from the French trio; who much like our headliner are able to perfectly blend rock and electronic influences into an aurally stimulating sound. Combining this with a visually pleasing stage presence, the band has the winning formula down.
Soon enough, it’s time for Numan to take to the stage, but he doesn’t just take to it… he owns it. As we mentioned, the live presentation of Numan and his band is a large reason for his recent success, and from the stunning opener, ‘Intruder’, onwards the band have the audience in the palm of their hands.
The visual effects on offer on this tour are incredible and complement the music splendidly. This dynamic typifies Numan live and creates an immersive experience for gig-goers. It’s hard not to be mesmerised by the light show whilst simultaneously being captivated by the music.
On the set list front there is a great mix of new and old material with latest album, ‘Intruder’ at the forefront. There is no real lull in the set, but obvious highlights include ‘Metal’, ‘Down in the Park’ and ‘Cars’.
It’s newer tracks though such as ‘The Gift’, ‘My Name Is Ruin’ and ‘Love Hurt Bleed’ that really standout this evening; which again provides evidence that whilst undoubtedly a music icon, Numan is far from a nostalgia act.
An encore of ‘A Prayer for the Unborn’ and ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric’ sends the audience home happy and cements Gary Numan as an artist at the top of his game.
2021 has been another tough year to live through. There have been some signs of normal life, for example the return of live music, but we end it as we started with true normality a distant memory.
This year has however been a stunning year for new music releases. Yes, lockdown musicians and the odds are their creativity will take over. In Full Pelt Music’s first full year of existence we have reviewed 65 albums and the quality of those releases has been exceptional.
Last year we counted down our Top 20 albums of the year, with a special Advent Calendar countdown on our Twitter. This year we have expanded! Our 2021 countdown has taken place across all our social platforms, and has listed our Top 50 albums of the year!
With that social media countdown completed, it’s now time to compile our completed Top 50 in one place. So let’s get started!
What we said:
“there are stunning moments spread throughout the album”
Rob Zombie – ‘The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)’
What we said:
“was anybody craving a new album from The Offspring in 2021? Perhaps not, but actually in this messed up world we live in, maybe, just maybe, we needed it!”
“vitality shouldn’t be mistaken for relevance and whilst the band may have peaked commercially, they remain of utmost importance to a generation of music fans”
Check out:
Rise Against – ‘Nowhere Generation’
What we said:
“anybody that had any doubts about the natural talents of this group of musicians, they should now acknowledge a new force”
The quality of this year’s releases has been truly phenomenal as our opening 30 albums attests. The competition is extremely tight for the coveted top spot and that is clear throughout the prestigious Top 20 that follows.
What we said:
“a sublime collection of upbeat, heartfelt and powerful songs that is bound to be stuck on repeat for the foreseeable future”
“a rare talent that have now reinforced their passion and ability to create great music for anybody who wants to listen but without concession on their vision”
Well there you have it! What a truly magnificent year for new music 2021 has been. What will 2022 have in store? Remember to discover the best new acts by following our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist’!
Stay tuned for our 2021 Year in Review coming very soon.
‘Intruder’ has been teased since mid-2019, with Gary Numan debuting the title track on his ‘(R)evolution 40th Anniversary’ tour. The wait is now finally over and has most definitely been worth it!
Numan has been undergoing something of a renaissance for a good few years now and everything about ‘Intruder’ just goes to punctuate that. This is very much Numan at the top of his game.
From album openers ‘Betrayed’ and ‘The Gift’ to the finale of ‘When You Fall’, there is quality in abundance. This is a record that sucks you into it and holds your attention through its ambient peaks and troughs.
‘Intruder’ is typically lyrically and thematically dark as typified by the title track. Numan delivers a philosophical assessment of a possible future apocalypse which feels all too relevant these days.
Whilst other artists at this stage of their career are happy to rest on their laurels, Numan still has his creative juices flowing. He clearly isn’t ready to join the nostalgia circuit and his efforts are being rewarded.
It’s no coincide that he is enjoying his best chart positions in years and is about to embark on his biggest tour in just as long. Numan will be headlining Wembley Arena for the first time since 1981. That is over 40 years ago.
WATCH ‘SAINTS AND LIARS’ ON YOUTUBE
Gary Numan – ‘Saints And Liars’
With ‘Intruder’, Gary Numan is once again showing his ambition both artistically and vocationally. The likes of ‘Is This World Not Enough’ and ‘Saints And Liars’ will sound atmospheric at Wembley. There is a reason that Numan is enjoying the success he is. After all, to use an old football analogy – form is temporary but class is permanent!
