Possessed

Alexander Balanescu (Composer), David / Fernandez, Angel Byrne (Composer), Ralf / Schneider, Florian / Bartoff, Karl Huetter (Composer), Alexander Balanescu (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexander Balanescu
• Composer: Alexander Balanescu, David / Fernandez, Angel Byrne, Ralf / Schneider, Florian / Bartoff, Karl Huetter
• Audio CD (November 10, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000003Z5X
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,129 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars for whatever reason, it works..., February 18, 1999

By 

"kamachai" (Grand Forks, North Dakota USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Possessed (Audio CD)

when i first heard about this album, i didn't think much of the concept.... the point of kraftwerk is that they were the "man machine" & pure technology & whatnot, so being covered by a string quartet seemed a bit odd. however, the whole thing fits together incredibly well.... the melodies are immediately recognizable and none of the bleeps and buzzes are ignored. balanescu's original compositions obviously aren't quite as much fun, but even on their own would make the album strong.... melodic, slightly quirky 20th century composition. all in all, a must for kraftwerk fans and definately worth owning for any fan of string quartets.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly enjoyable, January 30, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Possessed (Audio CD)

I found this CD accidentally at the library, not knowing what it would sound like. I went home and was pleasantly surprised. The complexity of "Computer Love" was incredible to me, even before I learned the song was originally done with synthesizers. "The Model" is beautiful with the strings, and "Autobahn" and "Pocket Calculator" couldn't be more fun to listen to!

I also enjoyed "No Time Before Time" (now one of my favorites on the CD), and "Want Me" -- which I found annoying at first, but eventually learned to love. This whole album is relaxing and pleasing to listen to when you want something different.

(Please note; I had no idea about the band Kraftwerk before I found this CD; I had nothing to judge them by. In fact, this CD led me to Kraftwerk!)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Ordinary, January 9, 2006

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Possessed (Audio CD)

My encounter with the music of the Balanescu Quartet came via an amazon recommendation for Possessed I got after I reviewed a Glover Gill album. I was never into Kraftwerk, and was only somewhat into the Talking Heads, so I was unfamiliar with everything on the CD except for Kraftwerk's once-ubiquitous Autobahn.
It took a few listens to get into this CD. There were a couple of cuts I liked right off, but I admit to shelving it until recently. After listening several more times with new ears, I found more to like than originally. The music of the Balanescu Quartet reminds me somewhat of that of Darryl Way's old band Wolf, particularly on the hypnotic title cut.
Possessed, clocking in at nearly 17 minutes, is clearly the class of the album. I could listen to that time and again. But I also really enjoy Robots, Model, No Time Before Time, and the David Byrne song that closes out the CD, Hanging Upside Down.
If you are looking for something interesting and out of the ordinary, Possessed definitely qualifies on both counts. Do your ears a favor and check it out!