Kraftwerk
The Mix
(Elektra)
There's really not much I can say about this album that hasn't been said better elsewhere. It's one of those modern-day classic albums that you simply need to own if you enjoy electronic music. First, let me explain a few things before you go out and buy this album and get all pissed at me because it doesn't sound like The Prodigy or The Chemical Brothers. The first thing you need to do is look at the release date on the album. It's 1991, so what? Well, the thing about this date is that in 1991, neither of the above groups had released anything, and chances are, they were probably grooving along with Kraftwerk anyway. A good portion of the current onslaught of electronic artists (Aphex Twin and Orbital included) have admitted that Kraftwerk was a major influence on their work. The more interesting thing about the album is that the 1991 date is actually misleading, since most of the songs on the album were originally composed in the 1970's and 80's anyway. The Mix is simply an effort by the group to 'update' the songs a bit for the 90's.
Like me, upon first listen, you'll probably be thinking that Kraftwerk is the cheesiest electronic music you've ever heard. There aren't any big beats (that seem to rule electronic music these days) to speak of, the electronic sounds are distinctively light and playful, and there are vocodered vocals on almost every track.
Give the album a couple listens, though, and I think you'll find that although it sounds a bit simplistic, it really is put together quite well, and several of the songs are catchy enough that you'll find yourself humming along to them later, which is more than you can say about most electronic music. While you're at it, listen to the lyrics to the songs "Computerlove," "Radioactivity," and "Homecomputer" and you'll find that they seemed to have predicted the future of society, as well as that of music.
Rating: 9
