Having already made a unique sample-based production sound evident on such albums as Yes’ 90125, Art Of Noise releases its first album, (Who’s Afraid Of?) The Art Of Noise, on ZTT Records. The single “Close (To The Edit)”, accompanied by a manic, surreal music video, becomes an immediate hit. At this time, the “band” consists of Anne Dudley, Trevor Horn, J.J. Jeczalik and Gary Langan. 
My first exposure to the Art of Noise was hearing the upbeat “Close (To The Edit)” on the end credits of some documentary about special effects and computer animation, and it stuck with me. When I finally found the album from which that song came, it was entirely different from anything I’ve heard before, though various elements of the Art of Noise sound have become fixtures in dance music here some twelve years later. Samples of loud, metallic crashes and bangs are common percussion elements, along with samples of other people’s music and voices. The beats are quirky and syncopated, though elements of more conventional pop and even classical rear their heads occasionally. Hailing from 1984, this album’s sound may come across as dated to those accustomed to hearing drum machines and samples, but at the time there was nothing even remotely like it.
- A Time For Fear (who’s afraid?) (4:43)
- Beat Box (diversion one) (8:33)
- Snapshot (1:02)
- Close (to the Edit) (5:41)
- Who’s Afraid (of the Art of Noise?) (4:22)
- Moments in Love (10:17)
- Momento (2:14)
- How to Kill (2:44)
- Realization (1:41)
Released by: Zang Tuum Tumb
Release date: 1984
Total running time: 41:17
1992 music review by Earl Green