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Kraftwerk - Minimum Maximum CD (album) cover

MINIMUM MAXIMUM

Kraftwerk

 

Progressive Electronic

3.94 | 41 ratings

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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars Musique.... Non Stop... Visual Feast... Non Stop

Kraftwerk's "Minimum: Maximum" is a bonafide no holds barred excursion into progressive electronica music with a live edge. The band pour out ambience and percussive electro pulses on every track. The entire set list encompasses the Kraftwerk history from early years to recent treasures. The band stand at their consoles like showroom dummies twiddling knobs and moving mouses to create the visual and aural experience. They could be playing Space Invaders or surfing the internet for all we know as we are never allowed to see the inner sanctum of their monitors, however it is apparent that the members of

Kraftwerk are working overtime on their computer consoles to produce the ultimate Kraftwerk show and what a show it is. It begins with the incredible techno trance of the 'The Man Machine' with retro graphic visuals. The no frills approach to the visuals suits the retro atmosphere. Instead of using CGI or hyper graphics the visuals are essentially simplistic forms of cars, bikes, trains, signs and symbols.

'Planet of Visions' is a highlight and features weird footage of buildings and blocks. Occasionally there are interesting film clips such as the amusing black and white fashion footage of 'The Model', a very funny, and decidedly satiric black and white film clip, showing old fashioned footage of models and strange women in high fashion garments from the late 50s.

However, for the most part, it is all retro symbolism similar to the stark album covers. This is effective and suits the futurist techno sounds created. The images are memorable screened on a massive triple cinema screen behind the shadowy members. The crowd are in darkness throughout and occasionally we see a cell phone filming the action, and why not, it is a visual treat. 'Vitamin' features flowing pills cascading down, 'Radioactivity' is the Mix version with Chernobyl warnings, and 'Autobahn' is a scaled down 9 minute version with cars swooping past. 'Neon Lights' is well sung and has neon signs raining down.

'Trans Europe Express' is excellent with atmospheric click clacking effects and footage of the TEE thrashing down the railways; an indelible image. So ends DVD 1.

The second part focuses primarily on the latter years of Kraftwerk, especially 'Computer World'. It begins with the underwhelming Numbers that looks good as a visual treat. Three more tracks from this album follows and all are executed with skill and mathematical precision. 'Pocket Calculator' is the Japanese inspired Dentaku Mix version and as a result quite a compelling track. The techno loops and percussive vibrations are wonderful and ineffaceable once they enter the conscious.

The band depart momentarily and are replaced by lookalike robots to sing the new 'unimproved', in my opinion, version of 'The Robots'. It is quirky the way the robots move and they do look like the band members. This gets a strong audience reception and then the band re-emerge in new outfits that glow like green neon skeletal robots. This is extremely effective visually and the tracks sung include 'Elektro Kardiogram' and 'Aero Dynamik' from 'Tour de France'.

There is thankfully only one track from 'Electric Cafe' but it is a great way of closing down the show. 'Musique Non Stop' continues for a while and each band member leaves in turn and the music becomes more minimalist until finally the last band member vacates to a roar of applause and it is all over.

The DVD is a great live experience that makes you feel as though you have actually seen Kraftwerk live. The sound quality is A1 with DTS surround capabilities. The visuals are crystal clear. The special features include an MTV appearance in the electro outfits playing 'Aero Dynamik'. The light show is incredible on this clip and well worth a look. Other features are the interactive menu reminding me of their website visuals and the packaging of white cardboard fold out DVD cover is appealing. All in all this is the best record of the band as a live unit and as such is an absolutely essential purchase for Kraftwerk freaks worldwide.

5 solid stars as it is the best record of these progenitors of progressive electronic.

AtomicCrimsonRush | 5/5 |

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