Customer Reviews

The Mix

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kraftwerk are a very intriguing proposition, Germanic proto-dance music made on analogue synthesizers. Not really something most kids would bother with nowadays but I found myself drawn to them after hearing the remixed version of 'The Robots.'

I bought this album on the back of that and have been very happy with it, the loops and swoops of the prehistoric synths sound warm and lush and very engaging, the remixing of these hits have made them slightly more accessible and dancey which is no bad thing.

My kids have been walking around the house shouting about operating pocket calculators and being robots so I know the tunes have infected their synapses, always a good sign.

This music doesn't seem to age either and is perfect for listening to with heapdhones or when driving.

All told, if you have any interest in dance music you owe it to yourself to get right back to the roots.

Dig it!

This is an exceptionally well mixed and exceptionally well dubbed version of the band's best songs; such as Computer Love, Pocket Calculator and Music Non-Stop. Granted that this CD may not be to the purists taste, but I would say that it's best to have Kraftwerk do this mix rather than a moron with a midi and a cheap lap-top!
The mix CD is balanced out with some tonal variations in the high and low frequencies, perhaps a little too much synth drumbeats, however the music of Kraftwerk has to evolve and change; but yet this is still classic Kraftwerk.

This was a gift for my nephew and by the expression on his face when he opened it on Christmas morning, I had to give this a 5-star rating.

Five years silence saw Wolfgang Flur depart through a lack of activity,. And Bartos leave on the eve of the release of the unusual compilation "The Mix" : a virtual greatest hits that represented a lavish representation of the bands favourite and better known work, re-recorded and re-interpreted for the modern age with Fritz Hilpert on board and the re-arranged, re-thought material : in this post-modern foreshadowing of the modern age of nostalgia, Kraftwerk remixed themselves. To an extent this was the band staving off a creative paralysis with a digital re-interpretation of their own body of work. "The Robots" and "Radioactivity" were the lead singles - sounding timeless yet utterly timely, and most of the songs were no tired retread, but incorporated into them new melody lines, musical parts, lyrics, and melodies : "Radioactivity" ceased to be a hymn to the power of an FM transmitter, but a warning about the invisible hand of nuclear power, and a warning of the dangers of technology that had previously entranced. It was the perfect entry point for a new fan, and wisely eschewed some of the obvious songs such as "The Model", "Showroom Dummies" and "Tour De France" in favour of a valid and worthy collection that complimented the history : no mere lazy cash in.

The remastered sound improves the original release, but not in any radical way.

I've loved The Mix ever since I bought it in the mid-90s. It is very much of its time - although the original songs date back as far as the 70s, the remixes give it a very early 90s feel - but this is exactly what draws me back to the album again and again. Many of the songs, especially Computer Love, Home Computer and The Robots, sound fabulous in a retro way and the added drums and remixes give the songs an extra punch that the originals don't have. A classic late night driving CD.

On one hand, maybe it's a more accessible intro if you like Radio 1 dance music - I wouldn't want too be precious about 'my' music.

I appreciate analogue synths and vinyl crackle, but also clean cut all-digital recordings. This is the later, but for me, where this falls down is that most tracks try too hard to play a (weak) homage back to dance music.

The exceptions that are defiantly good for all are Autobahn (not the original 22 mins but still a respectable 9+) and Trans Europe Express/Abzug/Metal On Metal (essentially one long 'journey' or 'concept' track that takes twists and turns). In these cases it's been worth slight re-arrangements (rather than full re-mix) and clean cut all digital recording.

Bought this as a christmas present for my husband. Arrived in plenty of time and he was pleased with this.

just a tad dancy but probably kraftwerk at there best if you wish to purchase this cd
be prepared for it to sound more modern BUT if you are a fan you can cope with this

Whilst interesting, The Mix, being made in the height of the late 80's/early 90's pop era, certainly reflects this. So in most respects, it has sadly dated. The stark and timeless 'being' of the originals has been almost been sucked away and the pop beat and hi-hat has been added almost as a matter of course. If you like it poppy, then I would go for it. On the plus - side, one can hear, especially on 'Radioactivity', the present tour-mix in the making. But this is 10 years on.
I was rather hoping that The Mix would have been RE-mixed/made for the 21st century. Sadly, it hasn't happened - yet....