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Splinter: Songs From a Broken Mind
by
Splinter: Songs From a Broken Mind Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: The 20th studio release for the British electronic artist features guitarist Robin Finck and was produced with Ade Fenton.
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Top Track

I Am Dust
We we're dust in a world Of grim obsession. We wouldn't taunt from mouth Like an isolation. We we're pulled from our path Of least resistance. And... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Record Collector
    Oct 14, 2013
    100
    Kicking off with I Am Dust, it hangs together marvellously as an album.
  2. Magnet
    Oct 18, 2013
    90
    Splinter offers a hammering continuum of some of Gary Numan's most stunning synth rhythms to date. [No. 103, p.59]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The Quietus
    Oct 17, 2013
    80
    This time Numan struggled with depression in the past few years (which nearly broke up his marriage). This all comes through in the lyrics, which are mostly good (one particularly haunting line: "I don't believe in the goodness of people like me"), even if they lay it on a little thick sometimes.
  4. Filter
    Oct 22, 2013
    78
    The most compelling moments (“I Am Dust” and the title track) are like mechanized, sci-fi mini-operas, awesomely grandiose and yet disturbingly proximate enough to breathe all that fear right down your neck through your spine.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Nov 4, 2013
    70
    It's electronic-age angst, refracted through pop history, back to its source.
  6. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 25, 2013
    70
    As well as an intact ability to craft and deliver a song, is a sonic techno-armoury far superior to that of his Tubeway Army days. [Nov 2013, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The Guardian
    Oct 10, 2013
    60
    The carapace of violent noise that encases each song needs breaking before you can appreciate how fascinating it is musically.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Dunc437
    Dec 19, 2016
    10
    There isn't one bad track on this album. I normally consider maybe one or two tracks on most albums weaker, therefore fast forwarding to theThere isn't one bad track on this album. I normally consider maybe one or two tracks on most albums weaker, therefore fast forwarding to the best parts. Not on Splinter! Every track is just brilliant. I've played it constantly for 2 weeks now and just can't get enough of the different varieties that each track represent.

    His voice is still the same unmistakable calling, but he has certainly mellowed with the pain and angst that he has encountered over the last 5 years. Some of the tracks are very dark as you might expect, but somehow upbeat. That might sound a bit of an oxymoron, but if you listen carefully you will understand. I did.

    All the tracks have that unmistakable haunting Gary Numan signature beat, but also something very different. The sort of beat and rhythm that gets into your thoughts and conscious that you just can't help singing, playing the drums and instruments with him and remembering just how fabulous and talented he really is.

    I loved this album so much, I had to give a review. I can't really pinpoint one favourite track, that's the measure of the album when all of them are amazing. But as I'm reviewing it for future listeners, the last track My Last Day is awesome. How anyone can give it a negative score?    … Expand
  2. Fenham
    May 2, 2014
    9
    Bought yesterday and now on 5th play-through.
    Exceptionally good. The tunes are lovely and melodic in a minor key and they often rock along    Bought yesterday and now on 5th play-through.
    Exceptionally good. The tunes are lovely and melodic in a minor key and they often rock along like a train. Lyrics are dark, black and gloomy much like early period The Cure, which is still my favourite Cure incarnation.
    The musicianship's excellent throughout. Always liked Numan's vocal style and here it's as good as it was in the early 80s.
    First time I've bought any of his more recent stuff and I'm thoroughly impressed and really chuffed with this.
    Going to see him in Melbourne in a couple of weeks so really looking forward to that    … Expand

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