Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx A New Kind of Man

What a fascinating discussion.
Who'd have thought we'd be disappointed that the sound quality was too good!!!

I also sincerely hope this is the last of the Metamatic releases now. It closes the door nicely.

I'd also have to disagree with the comments others have made about the cover image. While I love the photo, it just doesn't work for me in this context.
I will always advocate using some of the superb live photos we have seen on a release like this. It could be any other John Foxx album and almost seems to be hiding what it is. Live.
Let's see the man on stage, the lights, the crowd, all that stuff. Yes, I know this is NOT original etc etc, but John is so innovative otherwise it wouldn't hurt here.

Its a brilliant piece of art and the other seven pages are equally inspiring, well designed and beautifully made.
Just doesn't look (or sound in places) like a 'live' album to me.

That's not to say that is isn't SUPERB music, of course. The versions of Metal Beat stands out for me.
Perhaps that's because it sounds LEAST like the original

And Burning Car will always kick ass, no two ways about that Louis' BV is perfectly deadpan and fits EXACTLY with John's upbeat delivery of the title.

As Peter suggested, it would be interesting to learn what track comes from what gig.

I think its quite obvious that ANKOM is from somewhere different to No-One Driving before it. The sound level is much higher and the mix is different. Big sound. I love it. Really comes alive at this point on the album.
Similalry Tidal Wave seems 'louder' to me...?

Steve Malins is spot on to pick ANKOM out as the title track - this interpretation is the real fulfillment of an idea. John's vocal treatment takes it to another dimension altogether. Great stuff.

Mind you, hearing John smiling while singing Blurred Girl and 030 is inspiring too. As a once in a lifetime moment, they are performed and captured perfectly. Both these songs really benefits from a more mature vocal. The 'Side two' tracks are those that have the strongest sense of anticipation as none of us will have heard them live before. You can tell John knows this, and his excitement and satisfaction is tangible.

To buy or not to buy? I'm still in the not to buy frame of mind, at the mo.

Do. Buy now.

A New Kind Of Man is full of surprises and I am enjoying it a whole lot more than I expected to

Oh buy it!
You can always flog the f*cker for £50 on Ebay if you don't like it

Yes. This one track made the purchase worth while for me. Not only is it one of my favourite tracks on Metamatic, but I think this live version is just superb, and is quite different to the original. If, on a live album, every song sounds just like the studio version with audience either side of it, then I get bored, which I found was the case with the first few songs on ANKOM.

Then the title track comes on and shakes things up. John becomes electrified and gives his best performance on the whole CD (for me anyway).

I thought John sounded a tired and jaded during Underpass - it's almost like he didn't have the energy to belt out the title. So on my first listen, I was getting quite concerned by this point, but that great version of Metal Beat came along, followed by ANKOM.

Well he is getting on a bit. I met him briefly after the Manchester show and he look absolutely knackered.

Crikey, give the man a break - he barely stops for a break at the moment! If I worked half as hard as he does I would have run out of energy months ago.

Can someone enlighten me as to what was funny at the beginning of Plaza? I was at 3 of the shows - but the giggles I hear on NKOM are unfamiliar.

mongrel

Put it this way: the music is good and different enough from the original studio recordings for you not to regret it if you buy ANKOM, I'm confident of that. But on the other hand, it's not so essential that you would kick yourself if you procrastinated over buying it and it sold out.

I'm sure that helps.

You have transported me back to the Metamatic of 1980 here, mongrel. To the old-school classroom, to be precise - 'if it's so funny I'm sure you would like to share the joke with all of us, come on now'. As strict as a teacher.