Computer World

...and not just because it's my favourite Kraftwerk LP. But largely because the previous CD transfers were absolutely rotten. A fact which seems to have escaped most people.

"Computer World" is the only Kraftwerk release, in my view, which DEMANDS a re-master. The only one for which my usually undiscerning ears - not normally concerned with such trivialities as mastering - would actually be able to detect any difference. Maybe this was Ralf und Florian's way of telling the world to buy vinyl? Or even tapes? "Computer World" is, after all, the ultimate ghetto blaster album. There's a raw element to the sound - a sound that emanated from the best studio deutschmarks could furnish at the time, and ironically, became the blueprint for the early bedroom techno EPs released later that same decade on Transmat and NuGroove. Sonically it's just better suited to analogue than digital.

Maybe the fact that not ALL the equipment Hutter/Schneider/Bartos/Flur used was as hi-tech or as expensive as you might've assumed, was what inspired the kids (this kid anyway) to test their Casio VL1s to the absolute limit. A humble Stylophone features prominently on "Pocket Calculator" and, possibly, maybe, allegedly, some sort of Texas Instruments speak 'n' spell-type thing on "Computerworld" and "Numbers".

So anyway, how does this new edition sound? Much better, though, not 100%. The solo on "Computer Love" still suffers from a little "wow and flutter", though nowhere near as badly previous editions, which I suspect is due to "limitations with the source material" (or whatever excuse it was manufacturers used to give for the underwhelming sound of some CDs). Other than that, the transition's been made from analogue to digital more or less satisfactorily this time around.

And what about the music? Well sure, we now live in a Computer World, so enough said on that score. But what I always found interesting is that the music is in places quite anti-computer. "Interpol and Deutsche Bank, FBI..." hardly a utopian dream is it? "By pressing down a special key it plays a little melody" - what the hell use is that on a calculator? Exactly. Then there's "Computer Love" which seems to be saying leave your computer alone and get out more. The album takes a bit of a different turn for the last two tracks which, although they don't have the acid house TB303 sound, have a very similar structure to later records such as Phuture's "Acid Tracks".

Without doubt this is the definitive edition of one of the most influential releases of the 20th century.

i remember having this, first time around and it blew my mind then as it still does now.tracks like :computer love[excellent electronics,ahead of their time],this is a must in any electro collecters c.d. cabinet. every track a musical must

(Let me apologise upfront for being a bit long-winded with this review. I've waited so long to share my thoughts about this album that - now it has been remastered - it seems like the perfect opportunity to share my thoughts on both aspects: the music first, then the remaster).

I am not by inclination an electronic music fan nor, for that matter, a particular fan of Kraftwerk. That said this recording is simply exceptional and a genuine benchmark of not just electronic music but music in general. When I was first introduced to this album (around the time of its release) I was simply astounded by the musical ideas, unique sounds and beautiful execution of the whole concept. Unlike some who may find the glacial sounds and overarching theme a somewhat sterile and ascetic experience, I have always found myself deeply moved by the conclusion of this album. There is no doubt that lyrically and thematically the album can leave the listener with a sense of alienation: we are given a dystopian glimpse of man's increasingly intimate relationship with technology which by the end sounds terribly desolate indeed. The last track in particular strikes a particularly bleak note as we are enjoined by a synthetic voice who assures us repeateddly 'it's more fun to compute'. These sentiments married to the vaguely eastern musical motif and propulsive arrangement of the keyboards make for a highly peculiar - and sinister - musical experience.

However it would be wrong to single out any particular track for praise as the material throughout is equally (and amazingly) strong. There are lighter moments (who could not be charmed by 'Pocket Calculator'?) but the dystopian theme continues throughout. What stops me as a listener from disengaging from what could be seen as an exclusively 'electronic' or synthetic album is that it still (for me at least) retains a 'human' voice. To put it another way: this album still has 'soul'. The song-craft and musical discipline is evident throughout (check the way the robotic and clinical 'Numbers' segues into 'Computer World 2'): every bleep and beat seems to be perfectly judged and placed. Honestly - even after all these years - this still has the power to blow me away.

Now at long last they've given this album the treatment it deserves. Compared to the previous issue this is a quantum leap. In fact I could not bring myself to listen to the previous CD version due to its extremely thin and weedy sound (which is really saying something as this is recording is in my 'all time top 10'). Now however I'm thrilled to report that it sounds almost as good as my old pre-recorded cassette version (sadly long-since gone) that I used to play through my brick-sized Walkman. The beautiful analogue sounds are wonderfully recreated: deep satisfying bottom end and crisp (not tinny) top notes. The mid-range is not too shabby either! At last I can listen to this utterly outstanding album pretty much as I remembered it...

So there you have it: one of the best albums ever in pop and rock now restored to its original sonic glory (or as near as dammit). What further recommendation do you need?