Customer Reviews

Computerwelt

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

 

 

It's always great to hear Kraftwerk's albums in German and many times, it's even better than the English versions. There are subtle differences in some songs such as Taschenrechner (Pocket Calculator). On the German version, you can actual hear the song end as it fades out. The English version fades before that point. On Numbers there is a slight difference immediately when the second voice starts counting in German and on It's More Fun To Compute", there is an extra sound a few seconds after the first chorus. The problem with the disc, or at least the one I have, is the sound quality. It sounds a little duller than the English version and the sound level is definately lower. I played them one after the other to compare and I had to raise the volume on the German version. Still, I always like to have both the German and English versions of Kraftwerk's CDs whenever possible and this is a great addition to my collection.

"ComputerWelt" is much better, when sung in German, by the way "TaschenRechner" or "ComputerLiebe" are more incisive. Words really change: in "ComputerWelt" they say: "FBI und Scotland Yard, Deutsche Bank und BKA haben unsere Daten da", while in "ComputerWorld" they say: "FBI and Scotland Yard, FBI and Scotland Yard".... that's a nonsense!! It's really a poor translation!!!! I would have translated it like: "FBI and Scotland Yard, Deutsche Bank and BKA have our data stored there" ore something like that... even the toy-voice you hear in the song says less words than the original version... I don't know why they always have to tranlate their songs...

Having owned the English versions of Kraftwerk's "Werks" this was a supplemental purchase for me. In German, the album "Computerwelt" sounds even more ominous and mechanical, which appropriately suits the "musik"; in fact, I think I may even prefer it this way. I believe this version also has an extra verse in the title track.

As for the remastering, it is quite good, and much better than many recent CDs I've heard. Apparently, the 2009 English version of this album got botched up with bloated bass and other problems, so I am glad enough to keep my old CD for that.

There is no question that Kraftwerk were remarkably prescient with this 1981 album, foretelling as it did the rise of home computing, on-line dating services, and so forth. Like Kraftwerk's earlier albums, Computerwelt/Computerworld was also influential on the rising hip-hop/techno/house scenes. Given its relative obscurity nowadays, it would make a fine gift for any person either not familiar with it, or who may be learning to speak German...the track Nummern/Numbers is particularly great for that!

Not as groundbreaking as Man Machine or Trans Europe Express, but nevertheless one of the greatest electronic albums ever made, and an album which everyone else working in trance, techno and dance is still stealing ideas from on a daily basis. And, as a bonus, Computer World also contains the most melodic Kraftwerk song of all, which is "Computer Love". For me, my favourite Kraftwerk song ever. After this album, Kraftwerk lost their way a bit, but at this stage they were as good as it got. Witty, ironic, tuneful, soulful, and above all, exciting. Daggy cover though.