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Frequently Bought Together
Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. The Robots |
| 2. Spacelab |
| 3. Metropolis |
| 4. The Model |
| 5. Neon Lights |
| 6. The Man Machine |
Product Description
Review
The opening passage of The Man Machine, released in 1978, is a very particular vision of the future. It's the chatter of servo-motors, the slow whine of monorails, of control signals manipulating remote machines. It's the sound of abstracted production. Over six tracks and 36 minutes, Kraftwerk thoroughly and succinctly explore the impact of technology upon humanity. It's their defining theme and one which makes the group arguably the most important in the canon of popular music.
Opening track The Robots is a remarkably confident statement which sounds contemporary more than 30 years later. It's difficult to imagine a world before the synthetic sounds essayed here became so influential. The words themselves are a manifesto: “we're full of energy / we're dancing mechanic". Kraftwerk embrace the repetition inherent in dance music and equate it with the automation of industry.
Spacelab and Metropolis are instrumentals full of pathos and wonder. Their references to science fiction made fact and Fritz Lang’s vision of a future dystopia highlight cultural references that provide extra context for the album’s themes. The Model became a UK number one on its reissue in 1981 and as a result is probably the group’s best-known song. It identifies an object of desire, a female counterpart for the man machine.
Neon Lights may be Kraftwerk’s most beautiful composition. It’s a hymn to the unintended beauty of modern life whose synthesizer melodies evoke the neon glow of the city. Once again the music is utterly consistent with the lyrical subject. The album ends with its title track echoing and haunted, gliding effortlessly into a future that is now well on its way to arriving.
The Man Machine is remarkable for its consistency, elegance and absolute deliberation. It’s made all the more powerful by the marriage of Karl Klefisch’s El Lissitzky-quoting design and the group’s appearance as minor variations on a single theme. The remastering and inclusion of previously unavailable photography make this reissue the definitive edition. --Colin Buttimer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
This is of course one of the best ever electronic music albums, the father of not one but probably several genres of contemporary music, and as much of an "important classic" as something like Sergeant Pepper or Bob Marley Legend - possibly more so if you consider what we listen to nowadays (hip hop, R&B and other electronic sounds).
It's certainly the most influential electronic music album ever, I don't think that is open to question.
There's just no way any of us are going to resist buying/downloading this one. We know it, they know it. It's just inevitable. Aaargh!!!!
So far I'd say there is definitely more depth to the sound with these remasters. They still sound perfectly old skool but there's more power in this re-issue. Specifically the bass goes lower in "the robots", and the "snap" sound in Metropolis is... snappier!
It's not like the original CD issue was that bad or anything, but this is such a classic that even a small improvement in sound quality is nice to have.
It's certainly the most influential electronic music album ever, I don't think that is open to question.
There's just no way any of us are going to resist buying/downloading this one. We know it, they know it. It's just inevitable. Aaargh!!!!
So far I'd say there is definitely more depth to the sound with these remasters. They still sound perfectly old skool but there's more power in this re-issue. Specifically the bass goes lower in "the robots", and the "snap" sound in Metropolis is... snappier!
It's not like the original CD issue was that bad or anything, but this is such a classic that even a small improvement in sound quality is nice to have.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
The definitive edition, but not worth re-purchasing unless you're a massive Kraftwerk fan...
10 Oct 2009
Format:Audio CD
...like me!
THE RE-ISSUE: The campness of the original Man Machine cover (which IS retained for this edition) is toned down by a plainer outer cardboard slipcase (as pictured in the Amazon product info). There's a proper booklet with lots of previously unseen pictures. So many in fact, that I can't help wondering if these are authentic period photos or if Ralph and his new mates have lugged the old dummies out of the back of the Kling Klang cupboard, dusted them down and taken a few new snaps. No matter, it's entirely in keeping with the vibe of the album. As for the sound, well, for me there wasn't that much wrong with the existing CD release. It's fine, it certainly doesn't detract from the original but I don't know that it adds all that much either. Maybe a slight disappointment given that band members Fritz Hilpert and Henning Schmitz, who did the re-master, did such a sterling job with the last Kraftwerk LP Minimum - Maximum?
THE ALBUM: Which Kraftwerk album is the best is, I think, a matter of preference as they're all 5 stars. Personally I've always seen The Man Machine as a concept album based on a day in the life of a modern citizen:
The Robots - the morning: starting the day and bemoaning the drudgery of every day life.
Spacelab - the wonders of modern technology (whatever that was in the late 1970s) around the home.
Metropolis - going to the day job in the city.
The Model - the night-time: going out and getting the initial buzz that you feel when the night is still young.
Neon Lights - the night is at an end and you're on you're way home through urban desolation. Pre-dates Burial by about 30 years.
The Man Machine - the come-down: reprises the theme of "The Robots": lamenting the (at times) soullessness and repetitiveness of life. Back to work.
That's my take on it anyway.
THE BONUS TRACKS: There aren't any. Kraftwerk didn't really waste any of their material. No bad thing - this is, after all, the album as it was meant to be heard.
THE CONCLUSION: If you've never owned this LP then this is the edition to buy. If you already own it then it boils down to how big a fan you are. The new pictures are good - but it's just packaging. Or you could always wait for The Catalogue boxset containing all eight albums (and, I understand, large format booklets). This fan was too impatient.
THE RE-ISSUE: The campness of the original Man Machine cover (which IS retained for this edition) is toned down by a plainer outer cardboard slipcase (as pictured in the Amazon product info). There's a proper booklet with lots of previously unseen pictures. So many in fact, that I can't help wondering if these are authentic period photos or if Ralph and his new mates have lugged the old dummies out of the back of the Kling Klang cupboard, dusted them down and taken a few new snaps. No matter, it's entirely in keeping with the vibe of the album. As for the sound, well, for me there wasn't that much wrong with the existing CD release. It's fine, it certainly doesn't detract from the original but I don't know that it adds all that much either. Maybe a slight disappointment given that band members Fritz Hilpert and Henning Schmitz, who did the re-master, did such a sterling job with the last Kraftwerk LP Minimum - Maximum?
THE ALBUM: Which Kraftwerk album is the best is, I think, a matter of preference as they're all 5 stars. Personally I've always seen The Man Machine as a concept album based on a day in the life of a modern citizen:
The Robots - the morning: starting the day and bemoaning the drudgery of every day life.
Spacelab - the wonders of modern technology (whatever that was in the late 1970s) around the home.
Metropolis - going to the day job in the city.
The Model - the night-time: going out and getting the initial buzz that you feel when the night is still young.
Neon Lights - the night is at an end and you're on you're way home through urban desolation. Pre-dates Burial by about 30 years.
The Man Machine - the come-down: reprises the theme of "The Robots": lamenting the (at times) soullessness and repetitiveness of life. Back to work.
That's my take on it anyway.
THE BONUS TRACKS: There aren't any. Kraftwerk didn't really waste any of their material. No bad thing - this is, after all, the album as it was meant to be heard.
THE CONCLUSION: If you've never owned this LP then this is the edition to buy. If you already own it then it boils down to how big a fan you are. The new pictures are good - but it's just packaging. Or you could always wait for The Catalogue boxset containing all eight albums (and, I understand, large format booklets). This fan was too impatient.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Just a quick review for the many who probably got this back in 1978 (yes, really) and are wondering if it sounds as good. Well, it does. This is a great remaster and a real pleasure to hear again. The crystal clear electronica sounds both modern and pristine. Neon Lights remains one of the most fascinating evocations of night in the city. Play it loud, in the car as you go downtown at midnight. Just great.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ANDROIDS DREAMING OF ELECTRIC SHEEP
Man Machine is a beautiful electronic album,one which i would heartily recommend.I think i am just going to retire from listening to music of today. Read more
Published 28 days ago by mister joe
we r the robots
first track is awesome and rest are good as well. its different. min max dvd by kraftwerk is awesome too. must buy
Published 1 month ago by tango
Tunes from the 70s
great to revisit these tunes, had the album back in the 80s but lost it, however this album stands the test of time........get involved in it everyonee.
Published 2 months ago by Allan Davies
Tomorrow's World
Hm. German efficiency: not a beat out of place or a speck of dust on any note. 'Man Machine', like most of Kraftwerk's albums, is truly remarkable. Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. J. H. Thorn
Avant-Garde in 1978
Kraftwerk are a German electronic music band formed by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider in 1970. The signature Kraftwerk sound combines very repetitive rhythms with catchy... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Grahame
"Futuristic Music Machine"
"Man Machine" by Kraftwerk is a superb sounding cd that has a good collection of unique sounds. "Man Machine" definitely sounds like a great cd that would be a good fit for many... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Stella Carrier
Sounds of the past
Excellent album from my past, nice to hear it again now it has be remastered
Published 19 months ago by David Sowerbutts
Still the best
Anyone who grew up in the late seventies early eighties knows what Kraftwerk means to us lot.This digital remaster is still the best album in its class.
Published 19 months ago by Mickey
Model Sound
Brilliant. Great to see someone take the time to really make sure that these reissues are as good sounding as they should be. Read more
Published 23 months ago by vinylfreak
Future Sines
Cold German aesthetes creating from the heart of the industrial complex. All signs point to Kraftwerk from Dusseldorf to Stuttgart and then again to Essen. Read more
Published on 23 April 2010 by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
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