8-Bit Operators - An 8-Bit Tribute to Kraftwerk

8-Bit Operators | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000MCIC74
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,826 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Arranged primarily on lo-bit microchip computers, handheld gaming devices and consoles, a new generation of musicians inspired by early video games has turned these systems into new musical instruments. Now the same sounds heard in classic video games have been re-tooled to perform highly innovative, sound-stretching, mind-bending, heart-thumping versions of legendary Kraftwerk songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is AWESOME., February 7, 2007

By 

Zack McConnell "DNB Fan" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 8-Bit Operators - An 8-Bit Tribute to Kraftwerk (Audio CD)

What do you get when you mix old videogame music with even older Kraut-rock? You get an AWESOME CD. 8-Bit Operators - An 8-Bit Tribute to Kraftwerk is as it says, a tribute to the German band Kraftwerk using mostly old consoles (although some synths like Roland Junos are used) and performed by the chip scene's leading musicians, like Nullsleep.

Each artist chose one Kraftwerk song to cover in their individual style of chip music, and the selection is great, although unfortunately "Autobahn" and "Numbers" were not covered on this CD. All arrangments, at least in my opinon, are phenomonal, and certainly do justice to the original tracks. Nullsleep's cover of "The Model" must be heard to be believed!

The sound is top notch and the sound quality is like listening to the actual consoles/synths themselves. Most of the vocals on this CD are taken from the English translations of Kraftwerk's songs, although some are the original German lyrics. Some sites have complained that the vocals (vocals, not lyrics) are weak, but I find this to be opposite, and since Kraftwerk's vocal talent wasn't all that great to begin with, I have to question whether those people are just hating on this CD.


Overall, this is an interesting and fantastic album, that sucessfully pays justice to Kraftwerk, and proves that Gameboys, NES's, Commodore 64's and what-have-you aren't just bleeps and bloops, they can make actual music, which is what Kraftwerk's music did for synthesizers, so this really is the PERFECT tribute.

If you are a Kraftwerk fan, or a chiptune fan, or both, BUY THIS CD. If not, or you're just gtting into it, buy this CD anyway. It will convert you into Karaftwerk fans and chiptune fans, and it's a great intro to both scenes.

Overall: 5/5

-Zack M. - Chiptune/Kraftwerk fan

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Concept That Works, November 30, 2007

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: 8-Bit Operators - An 8-Bit Tribute to Kraftwerk (Audio CD)

Fifteen artists each tackling a legendary number by Kraftwerk, with a re-tooled twist. They are using old-school 8-bit video game systems and lo-bit microchip computers to bring a new generation of sound & vision to the music.

This phenominal CD finds the songs merging into one fascinating presentation of cutting-edge performance art. Oliver Wittchow and Herbert Weixelbaum capture classic club beats, respectively, in Kristallo & Tanzmusik, while Covox brings even more desperation/sadness to the lyrics of Computer Love.

The most ambitious number is gwEm and Counter Reset's interpretation of The Man-Machine (Die Mensch-Maschine), which is the fitting final piece to this innovative project.

You do not have to be a fan of Kraftwerk to appreciate the new versions of these songs. This is as much a tribute to stretching the boundaries of art as it is to one of the most influential bands ever.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the Awesome of Kraftwerk, Re-Awesomed!, May 12, 2007

By 

Brennan Van Alderwerelt "the cirrus minor" (Davis, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 8-Bit Operators - An 8-Bit Tribute to Kraftwerk (Audio CD)

Kraftwerk: sweet. 8-bit: awesome. 8-bit operators: amazingly awesome sweet! Cool, nostalgic, original remakes of the kraftwerk songs we all love, some even better in my opinion (spacelab, antennae)! A few lack in awesomeness but are funny instead (man machine), i would call this a great album for any fans of kraftwerk, chiptunes, astralwerks, proto-techno, or electro in general!