Hybrid comes at the end of an unprecedented revival and re-evaluation of Gary Numan's music. The sample of "Are 'Friends' Electric?" on the Sugababes' 2002 hit "Freak like Me" was the last hurrah in a decade-long revival of the former Gary Webb's credibility, in which everyone from Damon Albarn and Tricky to Marilyn Manson and David Bowie have paid tribute to his post-punk dystopian electro-pop pioneering. This timely 25th-anniversary double album features reworkings of Numan's finest moments, plus three new tracks in tandem with producer/collaborators including Curve, Alan Moulder and Flood. Surprisingly perhaps, Hybrid proves that much has changed for Numan. The trademark disembodied mockney whine has largely been replaced by a breathy, effect-laden croon, and the spookily atmospheric overall sound owes much to Numan devotee Trent Reznor, as well as post-Violator Depeche Mode. However, inventive though Flood's pseudo-classical reworking of "Cars" and dance producer Andy Gray's industrial-funk "Are 'Friends' Electric?" are, Moulder's "Me! I Disconnect from You" and metal band Sulpher's "Down in the Park" work far better by leaving the bones of the originals unbroken. Loyal Numanoids and industrial fans will adore Hybrid, but for a truer introduction to Gary's greatness, 2002's Exposure compilation is the place to start. --Garry Mulholland
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