|
Robots |
| previously released material | |
| Released on 1986 | |
| no chart information | |
| Find it at GEMM | |
| 4XL-9445 cover |
R obots is a compilation that draws from Kraftwerk’s three-album tenure with Capitol: Radio-Activity, Trans-Europe Express and The Man Machine. Seminal albums all of them, but too self-contained to be taken out of context as they are here. The Man-Machine is the best represented: “The Robots,” “The Model” and “Neon Lights” are exemplary of that album’s concise, disco-oriented sound. Radio-Activity suffers by comparison; “Geiger Counter” was originally conceived as a question mark - is it music or a defect on the elpee? As an opening track, it is highly effective. Sandwiched between tracks (as it is here), it’s just noise. The same holds for “Uranium.” At least “Antenna” and “Radioactivity” give some indication of that album’s weight; for my money, it’s the best of the Kraftwerk albums, but as Robots proves it’s best appreciated in its original concept. Pulling snippets from Radio-Activity is Trans-Europe Express’ loss - “The Hall of Mirrors” or “Franz Schubert” are more deserving than “Transistor” and the rest of Radio-Activity’s experimental segues. As a result, Robots doesn’t serve any purpose other than to offer cheapskates a way to sample some songs from their Capitol days. I’d recommend saving your money for Radio-Activity, Trans-Europe Express and The Man Machine (in that order), since they’re much better than the sum of Robots’ parts. Capitol Special Markets re-released these albums in 1993 (on very nice vinyl to boot), and can be had for a good price if you shop around.
TRACK LISTING
CREDITS
return to KRAFTWERK discography
| REGION | RELEASE DATE | LABEL | MEDIA | ID NUMBER | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK/US | 1986 | Capitol Special Markets | CS | 4XL-9445 |
For more discographies visit...
© 2004 Connolly & Company. All rights reserved.