THE MAN-MACHINE [AKA: DIE MENSCH-MASCHINE]

Kraftwerk

Progressive Electronic

3.96 | 440 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

This is the fourth good ''Kraftwerk'' album in a row. And it is probably the one I like best.

It is less repetitive than ''Autobahn'', less avant-garde than ''Radio Activit�t'', more melodic than ''TEE''. In all, this album sounds as an enjoyable journey in the fields of electronic music. Of course, the beats are repetitive and the music is very much synthesized. But this band were a pioneer in the style and many artists were inspired by their music. From the late mid seventies through the eighties.

Some might argue that this album sounds too commercial and flirts with techno. Jerky and hypnotic riffs, monotonous vocals, fine keyboards all the way through: this is the receipt of this album.

I have to say that up to their hit ''The Model'', there is absolutely no weak passages. Some tracks are timeless like the opening number ''The Robots'' which an absolute witness of this era.

IMHHO, their most melodic and poignant track is ''Metropolis''. A bit desperate in the style of the great Bowie/Eno ''Low'' (which was inspired by earlier works of ''Kraftwerk'' BTW). This was also an inspirer of what would be called the cold wave a little later.

I was just a little bit less enthusiastic about the last two songs from album. The childish ''Neon Lights'' could have been a little shorter and the title and closing track lacks of style and inspiration.

I will rate this album with four stars although seven out of ten would have been my choice if it would have been possible. The band didn't invent anything new here (they did it all previously), but they managed to express their ideas in a more accessible and attractive way, at least to my ears.

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 | 2009-1-10

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