"We Have a Technical" isn't dissimilar to "Cars". This isn't surprising, considering that both were recorded perhaps a year apart, during Numan's fertile years with Beggars Banquet.
During these early years (right after taking full control of Tubeway Army), Numan wrote consistently excellent songs marrying sweeping, glacial synthesizers with conventional rock structure. "Cars" is one of his best songs from this early period, but "We Have a Technical" is better.
Remarkably enough, "We Have a Technical" was an outtake of the Replicas recording sessions; I have no idea why such a compelling song wasn't a part of the final album (which would have been better off without, say, "The Machman").
All the hallmarks of a great Numan song are present:
Propulsive beat? Check.
Jagged hard-rock guitars? Yup.
Paranoid sci-fi inspired lyrics? You betcha!
Synths? Damn straight!
In short, imagine "Cars" with more pessimism and an extended second half given entirely to showing off that gorgeous melody. In recent years, "We Have a Technical" has found a welcome place in Numan's live set. It will undoubtedly never receive the recognition that "Cars" has gotten, but I'm hopeful that any who come across this song can appreciate its power.
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