GARY NUMAN

Gary Numan ‎– Telekon Vinyl

Label: ATCO Records – SD 32-103
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Presswell Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro, New Wave, Synth-pop

“Telekon” stands as one of Gary Numan’s most forward-thinking and emotionally charged albums, capturing the moment he pushed beyond his earlier cold synth minimalism into a darker, more atmospheric fusion of electronics and rock. The US Presswell pressing is particularly appreciated by collectors for its warm, weightier mastering and its subtly different sonic character compared to the UK Beggars Banquet editions. Released at the height of Numan’s international success, this 1980 album is often regarded as his final work from the classic “Machine Trilogy,” following Replicas and The Pleasure Principle, but presenting a far more introspective and theatrical vision.

“Telekon” is notable for its deep use of analog synthesizers — Minimoog, Polymoog, Prophet 5, JP4, A.R.P. Pro-Soloist — all layered with unusual percussion and mechanical rhythms that became a hallmark of Numan’s early-’80s sound. Across this LP, he blends icy electronic textures with warmer organic performances, including live piano, handclaps, violins, and guitar, giving the album a sense of human tension inside an otherwise dystopian landscape. Lyrically, the record wrestles with control, surveillance, isolation, and the pressure of fame — themes that would define Numan’s persona for years.

The US edition of “Telekon” also helped cement Numan’s cult status in North America, where his futuristic aesthetic and stark production techniques strongly influenced early synth-pop, new wave, and the later industrial movement. Artists ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Marilyn Manson have cited this era of Numan’s work as formative. For collectors and enthusiasts of electronic music heritage, this LP is one of the most complete and immersive statements of his early career.

Below is the full tracklist for the 1980 Presswell pressing:

Tracklist:

A1 – This Wreckage
Engineer – Nick Smith
Handclaps – James Freud, John Webb
Piano, Synthesizer (Minimoog, Polymoog, A.R.P. Pro-Soloist, JP4, Prophet 5) – G Numan
5:16

A2 – The Aircrash Bureau
Claves – R Bell
Handclaps – Simple Minds Et Al
Piano, Synthesizer (Prophet 5) – D Haines
Synthesizer (Prophet 5, JP4, A.R.P. Pro-Soloist, Minimoog, Polymoog, CP 30) – G Numan
5:36

A3 – Telekon
Piano (Solo) – C Payne
Piano, Synthesizer (Polymoog, Compurhythm) – G Numan
4:23

A4 – Remind Me To Smile
Backing Vocals – C Sharpley, C Payne, D Haines, P Gardiner, R Bell
Guitar, Synthesizer (Minimoog, Polymoog, Synare, Compurhythm, CP 30) – G Numan
Rhythm Guitar – R Bell
Synthesizer (A.R.P. Pro-Soloist) – D Haines
Synthesizer (Minimoog) – C Payne
4:00

A5 – I Die: You Die
Backing Vocals – D Haines, R Bell
Engineer – Jess Sutcliffe
Guitar, Synthesizer (Minimoog, Polymoog, Compurhythm, JP4) – G Numan
Piano, Synthesizer (CP 30, Minimoog, Polymoog) – D Haines
3:56

B1 – I'm An Agent
Synthesizer (A.R.P. Prosoloist, Minimoog, Polymoog, Compurhythm), Guitar – G Numan
Synthesizer (CP 30) – D Haines
4:18

B2 – I Dream Of Wires
Guitar – R Bell
Synthesizer (JP4, Prophet 5, Polymoog, CP 30) – G Numan
Whistle, Synthesizer (CP 30) – D Haines
5:04

B3 – Remember I Was Vapour
Percussion – C Sharpley
Piano, Synthesizer (Polymoog) – C Payne
Synthesizer (Compurhythm, Minimoog) – G Numan
5:08

B4 – Please Push No More
Piano – D Haines
Synthesizer (Minimoog, Polymoog) – G Numan
5:37

B5 – The Joy Circuit
Piano, Guitar, Synthesizer (Minimoog) – G Numan
Violin, Lead Guitar – R Bell
5:11

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