Customer Reviews

Mix

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"By pressing down my special key, it plays a little melody." Those are words that all fans of electronic music are familiar with. They come from the 1981 song, Pocket Calculator, by the German techno group Kraftwerk, possibly the most influential group on all modern music. Pocket Calculator as well as many other Kraftwerk greats are found on the astounding disc titled, The Mix, a reworking of classic Kraftwerk hits from the 70's and 80's that would inspire genres such as new wave, rap, and techno. This disc has great beats, creative samples, innovative sounds, and catchy hooks. After pioneering the sound of synthesized music over three decades ago, Kraftwerk impressively stands atop the heap of the big-beat wasteland spawned in their wake and reassert their place in history with this hit spectacular. Back in the early seventies, Kraftwerk exploded onto the music scene in Europe with the release of the single Autobahn. They were tapping into a sound that would end up changing music forever. The roots of rap, techno, dance, and new wave were born in the release of this song and the many others to follow. The singles kept on rolling as the music industry began to take notice, as did the first generation of Kraftwerk fans. The latest release, The Mix, showcases those singles with 90's modifications. The beats are mostly samples of electronic sounds created with synthesizers, but are much more creative than any of today's mainstream techno, R&B, and rap group's sounds. Instead of distorted guitar, booming bass, and screaming voices, Kraftwerk uses an array of sounds that are unique when compared to such acts as The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and Crystal Method. While most of today's electronic bands sound similar to one another, Kraftwerk maintains that edge that earned them the praise of critics around the world on their historic past efforts. Even though this release is a reworking of previous material, it still sounds fresh and new. The assortment of sounds and heavy hitting beats are very good on The Mix. They are varied in such a way that no matter what your mood, there is a beat to please you on this album. The slow, mesmerizing beat of Autobahn relaxes listeners, while the following three tracks, Radioactivity, Trans Europe Express, and Abzug, showcase the harder side of Kraftwerk's beats. The eerie keyboards and metal on metal clangs are enough to send chills down anybody's spine. The drum machine is loud on all of the songs, thus giving every song a beat that must be acknowledged by the listener. Another interesting thing about this record is that the beat never stops. Every song is mixed into the next, via a breakdown, or a bridge that slows or speeds the beat to match the tempo of the next song. Classic Kraftwerk samples are thrown in to help fans distinguish the next song before the track even changes. Fans and non-fans alike will be pleased with the samples used to compile the robotic sounds this album offers. Unlike much of today's rap and electronic releases, Kraftwerk uses all original samples. No other artist's work is used on a single song on this, or any of Kraftwerk's albums. This sets this German group in another domain that none of today's techno groups can claim to be a part of. It sounds as though the beats are layered with many different levels and structures made with things as simple as pots and pans. This strategy works well, as this makes for a more textured sound with harder hitting beats than past Kraftwerk releases. This brings us to the innovative sounds Kraftwerk displays on The Mix. Sound effects that are not of this world would be the best way to describe the virtually indescribable sounds Kraftwerk comes up with on this collection. Everybody must hear this disc to fully comprehend the depth and charismatic style delivered by Kraftwerk on each and every song that makes up this 11- song album. The only problem with the choice of sound effects used on this album is the overuse of robotic voice boxes. They pretend to be robots almost to the point of amusement, as they robotically sing the line, "we are the robots," over and over again in the first song on the album, The Robots. The strong point to be made about this song is the fact that it has universal club play written all over it with the catchy loops and irresistible disco beat. Kraftwerk is what is called a "loop group." What this means is that they use catchy pop-style repeats, choruses, and refrains to keep the attention of the listener and make the songs recognizable. The over-all appeal is good, as fans can learn the lyrics without difficulty and dance comfortably to the beats that they can easily remember and recognize. The monotone voices of the men in Kraftwerk are looped during the chorus of each song so that the heavy German accents are placed into one's head eternally. This adds individuality to the legends that created the sound of rap, R&B, and techno music as we know it today. This is also why the hooks created by Kraftwerk are sampled by today's artists more than those of any other group or solo artist in history.

I had never heard of Kraftwerk before 1991. In my thirst to broaden my musical horizons I spotted The Mix in the record store and asked someone about it. It sounded like my cup of tea, so I bought it and took it home. I was surprised that a band like this was making this kind of music in the 1970's. They were definitely pioneers. Their brand of electronic music was different from what I had been listening to. So much synth can sound repetitive and cold, but Kraftwerk has heart in their music. Just listen to "Autobahn", "Computer World", "Pocket Calculator", "The Robots", "Radioactivity" and "Home Computer." They're great songs, classics. The entire compilation of eleven tracks combine to make a classic recording. The tracks are not the originals but have been remixed. Even better, because this is a must have for any rock collector and certainly for anyone who listens to new wave, rave, techno, electronica, ambient, jungle, etc. because these guys were the beginning of synthetic based music.

These are retakes of some of the better known Kraftwerk songs retrofit to more energetic, pulsing rhythms. The only song that isn't here, but should have been, is Tour de France, which was released as a vinyl EP many ages ago. I'm not sure whether it is available on CD.

Anyway, this is a great rethinking of classic Kraftwerk that shows off the significant talent of these German boys. Classic Oberheim synths, lyrics for the alienated android, and, now, even organics can dance to it.

If having to pick one cd by Kraftwerk for someone who has never heard of them before, or who cringes every time someone mentions electronic music, this is probably the cd to start them on. Since this seems like a compliation cd, it would make sense to recommend it to someone who is not familiar with Kraftwerk's different alterations of each of their songs. Kraftwerk's regular albums usually deal with one song and have many experimentations of one title. For people who are not intense fans of Kraftwerk might abhor listening to the same song again, so this cd is perfect for the virgin electronic listener. Since the cd is titled "The Mix", you should assume that the songs have had some things done to them for this cd specifically. Yet it shows more of their diversity and they sneak it in as they did with the songs on the original cds. Autobahn, Trans Europe Express and Pocket Calculator are perfect examples of this. I found that I enjoyed every song on this cd, and found it impossible to pick one that seemed more creative than the other. Also, most non Kraftwerk listeners will recognize many songs that have been played briefly on classical radio stations ironically. It was quite amusing to hear the first few minutes of a Kraftwerk song on a station as it was preparing to give the news report. Probably best to start with this cd first, and if you like what you hear, get one of their regular cds and you'll find you appreciate their real "mixes" a lot more.

Well, I haven't followed Kraftwerk throughout their career (I couldn't have; I'm only 18! Computerworld came out the year I was born), so I can't give a longtime fan's perspective. For a new listener, however, this album puts a slightly more modern, beat oreinted face on Kraftwerk with an amazing result (not that Kraftwerk's classic releases weren't amazing, too). This is the most complex electronic music that I have ever heard, with layers upon layers of programmed rythem and instrumentation. The result is perfectly orchestrated without being stiff, and fast without being repetitive. I can listen to this album time after time, and it never gets boring. The first song alone is well worth the purchase price (and try playing that Russian sample at the beginning backwards for a cool hidden message!).

If there were one CD that I could take into outer space with me, this would be the one. I would reccomend it as a good starting point for people new to Kraftwerk, and to longtime fans.

WE ARE PROGRAMMED JUST TO DO

ANYTHING YOU WANT US TO,

WE ARE THE ROBOTS.

Around 1989, 1990 fans of Kraftwerk were talking intsenly if and when they were going to record a new album. There were many rumors and as it always seems to be with Kraftwerk these were nothing more then smoke and mirrors. When the mix was released in 1991 I was skeptical. How good could a remix album be and I was a bit angry since I felt like they had cheated me out of a new album and instead just tinkered with old material. However, I was wrong. This is a quintesential remix album and they have totally remade several sections of the songs and recorded them using new and modern equipment (1991). The book-let is quite odd and stockhausen (one of their major influences and idol') would be proud of their strange and ambigious message. Radioactivity is the best track on the entire album and many of the others have also had a nice makeover. Maybe they should make another the mix and call it the mix 2 and be released 2011 with the technology available then. I love it and I think that Kraftwerk is one of the most importants bands ever since without Kraftwerk there would not be synth, trance, techno, elctro and many other types of music.

I fell in love with Krafterk while listening to "Variables" on KRCL-FM in Salt Lake City, back in 1989 through 1992. Shortly after becoming a volunteer at KRCL-FM in 1993, I made a pit stop at Gray Whale music near the U of U and snagged a used copy of this disc.

Suffice to say, it still stands as the Kraftwerk disc I recommend to all non-Kraftwerk fans seeking to dip their feet in the techno genesis pool. Kraftwerk were among the first in the genre, and "The Mix" is a nice, updated take on some of their most beloved classics, including "Home Computer" and "The Robots". It was a delight to see Kraftwerk make a rare West Coast appearance at the Paramount Theater in Seattle in 2004, during which they showcased several of these classics in their "Mixed" form.

Even long-time fans ought to enjoy these re-invigorated tracks, and it's nice to know that this group continues to have strong legs in the face of a techno genre which has positively exploded since the early 1990's. Everyone is doing techno now, but almost nobody can tread in this genre without tipping their hat the original masters from Germany.

In 1991, Kraftwerk released a compilation called "The Mix," an album containing some of their past hits reworked. I like some of the original versions over these newer ones. Even though some the newer versions aren't as good as the originals, they're still pretty enjoyable, just as long as there's still quality found in these tunes.

Tracks include "Pocket Calculator." This version may not beat the original from 1981. But it's still a nice version. The original seemed better cause the guy who says the lyrics to the song, "I'm the operator with my pocket calculator. (x2) I am adding... and subtracting... I'm controlling... and composing..." sounded more enthusiastic than this 1991 version. This newer version is more danceable than the original. There's also "Pocket Calculator"'s Japanese version, "Dentaku," after the English version. Instead of having the vocalist from the previous track, robots are saying the lyrics for this track. "Radioactivity" is another tune on this CD. The 1975 classic has mutated into a dance anthem. Not only do I like this over the original, but this is one of my favorites on the album. Another tune featured in the compilation is "Music Non Stop." I love the percussion used in this song. The track also includes lyrics from "Boing Boom Tschak." Other tracks on this CD are "Trans Europe Express," "Abzug," and "Metal On Metal." The music starts at "Trans Europe Express," continues through "Abzug," and doesn't stop till the end of "Metal On Metal," leaving no blank gaps in between tracks. The beats used in the three tracks are dope. There's also "Home Computer," "Computer Love," "Autobahn," and "The Robots."

Sometimes, coming up with new versions for songs is risky. But it all depends on the final outcome of the remade song. There are times where a remade song doesn't match or exceed the quality of its original. But even if they aren't as good as the originals, that still doesn't mean they can't be good songs. As long as there can be quality found in remade songs, that's okay. Overall, I like what I heard in this CD.

I really like "The Mix" because of the powerful beat and synthesized flourishes in all the songs. The collection includes a remix of the popular song, "Autobahn." There is also a remix of "Pocket Calculator," a song about someone who computes and composes on his mathematical, musical, pocket calculator. "The Mix" provides good background music for reading or driving. It grows on you the more you listen to it.
-From the Tangerine Root

As the 90's were opening up as a musical decade, many of the artists of the time were openly acknowledging their debt to Kraftwerk. Be it the fresh wave of Electronica or sample-happy hip-hoppers, Kraftwerk music was being exposed as a root source. So Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider did what any good forbearer would do, and that was compile some of their most influential tracks.

But "The Mix" considerably upped the ante. Taking the original programs and running them through more modern equipment, Kraftwerk retro-fitted these songs for the dance-floor. I know some of the purists blanched at this move, but on many of the songs, it is a marked improvement. "Radio-Activity" becomes a dance monster with its beefier sounds, and an already terrific "The Robots" suddenly has muscle. Both "Autobahn" and "Trans Europe Express" show their progressive roots as originals in a genre that Kraftwerk all but defined as far back as 1974 (with the original Autobahn). The whole idea of making ambient tracks that simulated a 30 minute car or train ride and passing it off as popular music was groundbreaking then, and on "The Mix," still sounds hypnotic and gorgeous.

Since Kraftwerk has yet to release a proper best of in the USA, then this suffices nicely. They aren't the most prolific of bands (in the last three decades, it has been "Computer World," "Electric Cafe," and "Tour de France Soundtracks"), so "The Mix" will help you pass the years between albums. Makes for great driving music as well.