Radio-Activity [Original recording remastered]

Kraftwerk | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2009)
• Original Release Date: October 6, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B002N1AF7M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,512 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Kraftwerk built upon the international success of Autobahn by expanding their conceptual conceits to an album-length exploration of radio waves (and the band's other favorite wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum). Musically, the album represents a quantum leap of pop sensibility; though still distinctly a "prog" soundscape, its brilliant melodic hooks (best represented by the title track and "Airwaves") are organized in more traditional--read shorter--form. In tracks such as the minimalist audio-verite "News," Kraftwerk pay homage to another of their musical influences, the great modern composer/theorist Karlheinz Stockhausen. "Antenna" foreshadows the techno-gods they became, with its electronic washes and clever less-is-too-much lyrics, which read, in total: "I'm the antenna catching vibrations; you're the transmitter, give information!" Radio-Activity is an underrated masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

An innovative, all-electronic, communication concept album that surfs sine waves and scans the stratosphere for stray radio signals while broadcasting majestic music for a modern world where factories and power stations are the new cathedrals. At the time Trouser Press magazine notes that the album marks an important step in Kraftwerk's artistic progress converting the band into "Ultramodern Sonic Engineers."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Under-appreciated, April 10, 2002

By 

D. K. Malone (earth) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Radio-Activity (Audio CD)

When the name "Kraftwerk" is mentioned, I think what usually comes to most people's minds are "Tour de France" or "Computer World." I don't think I've ever heard anyone even mention this one. I grew up with a few Kraftwerk records, but I never heard Radio-Activity until relatively recently. This is a shame. I tend to think of their music as generally angular, sharp, cold, etc. Therefore I was surprised to hear so much warmth in this album (though the overall sound isn't THAT different... it's still unmistakably Kraftwerk.) It's probably their most "human" sounding album, for lack of a less ironic term. It's actually soulful. You can hear the genuine affection and romantic notions they clearly had for radio in all of its aspects. This is definitely my favorite Kraftwerk album and I insist that anyone who is even remotely interested in them gives it a try.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Album of the 80's, August 3, 2003

By 

ExtravaganzaSD - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radio-Activity (Audio CD)

For whatever reason, when critics list the important albums in rock history, this relatively obscure little album by Kraftwerk is rarely (if ever) mentioned. Even in the context of the band's own canon, this album is often overlooked, most likely because it is overshadowed by the album the preceded it ("Autobahn" which was an unexpected worldwide hit) and the one that followed ("Trans-Europe Express" which was championed quite vocally by David Bowie and the music press in general.) It is this album though that was the real breakthrough. Originally released in 1975, here was the sound that would come to define pop music of the 1980's arriving fully formed and beautifully complete 5 years before the fact.
For this album, Kraftwerk has found the perfect balance of hardcore electro minimalism (the album's opening track "Geiger Counter" is 60 seconds of electronic pops and clicks - hence the title) and fully realized songs complete with gorgeous melodies and arrangements sounding like nothing that had come before or since (some of these songs are the most beautiful this band would ever record.)
The music contained on this CD is timeless. Unlike the worst of 80's synth music (i.e. the majority of it) this album sounds still sounds remarkably vibrant. The structure of brief vignettes coupled with more developed proto-techno workouts calls to mind the recent work of Scotland's Boards of Canada. This is the closest Kraftwerk ever came to perfection on record. If you have somehow managed to never hear this amazing album do yourself a favor and give it a play.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Classic... There's nothing like it anywhere..., August 21, 2002

By 

David Greenwood (Hanover, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radio-Activity (Audio CD)

The first time I heard Radio-Activity, it annoyed the heck out of me, I suppose because I was too busy waiting for something to happen. But the next morning, I woke up with an urge to listen to it again, and suddenly loved it. Since then, I've been hooked. Out of Kraftwerk's albums, this one is bar none my favorite (with Autobahn close behind).

Radio-Activity is a concept album, and like most of the band's albums, it seems divided among two themes. One is a love of radio and communication. The other is a commentary on mankind's embracing of technology, especially radioactive energy (i.e. nuclear plants).

Those only familiar with Kraftwerk's dancier material will be caught off guard, as there really aren't any danceable beats to be found here. It's a very slow album, sparse and calm, with not much going on most of the time. Most tracks have a simple, soothing backdrop with a repeating melody, and a lot of random radio noises, geiger counters, and whatever else they threw in there. But there are downright beautiful melodies at the core of this album, and they will stay with you long after the initial listen.

And if you choose to think more carefully about the album's "concepts", it's even better. The title track sums up both themes succinctly, likely one of the most powerful tracks Kraftwerk has ever recorded. "Radioland" takes us on a random, soothing tour through the airwaves ("Turn the dials with your hand / Till you find the shortwave band"). "Airwaves" shows random static and beeps coming together into what resembles a song ("When airwaves swing, distant voices sing"). Then a brief newsbreak discusses nuclear power plants opening around the world. The centerpiece of the album is "The Voice of Energy", a short speech delivered by energy itself ("I am your slave and master at the same time / Therefore, guard me well"). It definitely pays to look up an English translation of some of the lyrics.

The second side isn't as thematically powerful, but still an entertaining listen, with the exception of "Radio Stars", which is a three minute waste of time that I always skip. But "Antenna", "Uranium", and "Transistor" are great, and the closer, "Ohm Sweet Ohm" is probably tied with "Autobahn" for my favorite Kraftwerk song ever. It starts seeming a bit boring, but it builds, until about 3 minutes in, when it becomes a full-fledged classical masterpiece.

This album affects me on a deeply emotional level. It's a great album to listen to at night, when you're all alone in the house, in a room lit only by the light of your stereo. The overwhelming message is that despite the possible perils, technology is a wonderful and amazing thing. Radio-Activity is an album by people who clearly spent nights at home listening to the comforting voice of the radio. This album is like an old friend to me, and I can't wait for it to be rediscovered...