The Model was a chart hit in the U.K. in 1982. It made number 1 on 6th February that year. This was the first Kraftwerk album I bought which got me into all there other stuff. Loved them ever since.
The Man-Machine is clearly Kraftwerk's musical pinnacle. The album remains relevant almost forty four years after its release ! I always found that there was a certain symmetry in the way the two sides of the album were put together. Each side begins with a catchy track ("The Robots" / "The Model") and continues with a more hypnotic and atmospheric piece ("Spacelab" / "Neon Lights") then ends with a cold, robotic and darker track ( "Metropolis" / "The Man-Machine"). Perfect symmetry ! For the next Kraftwerk album that you could explore, I suggest you go back to the excellent Trans-Europe Express (1976-1977) and after this one, you could look at the case of Radio-Activity (1975) which is an album mixing electronic pop songs with more experimental things.
I loved this when I bought it in 1978 and still love just as much to this day. Still sounds modern and fresh 44 years later. Whilst I love Trans Europe Express, Radioactivity, Autobahn, Computer World etc.. this is still my go to Kraftwerk album in 2022.
I would personally move on to Computer World as the natural successor to Man Machine. Having bought Man Machine as my first Kraftwerk album in 78 I bought Computer World on release and saw Kraftwerk live in Lonon on this tour too so it had a big impact on me. I then bought Trans Europe Express, Electric Cafe (When it came out), The Mix but for some odd reason avoid Autobahn and Radio Activity for many years until becoming a completist collector. One album I really love is Minimum Maximum which is live but stays true to the core track whilst adding improvisations and new twists. Its a DVD Audio CD setup too and just really sums up Kraftwerk with its two original core members. I love it plus you get visuals too and quite estatic audiences as tracks are taken from all over the world. One track for me on that which absolutely blows me away each time is Vitamin, perhaps because for me it is very Man Machine album - ish. :) Thanks for your hard work.
@@Katehowe3010 I bought the 1978 release: The Model, Neon Lights and Trans Europe Express. It reached #1 in the UK in 1981 with Computer Love as the other track.
This was a glimpse of the future to me at the time. Where music was headed. It holds up pretty well. Bringing the unfolding technological advancements into something as universal as music. Having worked EDM festivals, it’s amazing what electronic music has become. And yet today we can still enjoy a simple three chord song strummed on an acoustic guitar.
"The Man Machine will make you dance!" -- One of my room mates in college had that album in our rented house, but when he said that, I'm sure now he wasn't quoting the album. Nice constrained use of the Vocoder for vocals. And nice constrained use of electronic instruments - I know the Moog and ARP synthesizers were popular in late 70s rock music, but I none of these were distinguishable on this LP. And since it was played on a turntable, I am always gratified to hear those lower bass tones (the Shure cartridge on my Technics also produces that rich sound).
As much as I like Harmonium, Genesis and Yes, the title track, The Man Machine, is one of the most important pieces of music I’ve ever heard 😳 It change the way I see music and that groove!!!! Wow 🤩
My favourite Kraftwerk album although i would say Trans Europe Express is probably their best album to many fans, Timeless and Endless its a great album. Computer World and Radioactivity are pretty good too
Kraftwerk were pivotal in bringing machine music to the masses, and this album did that in spades. How lucky are we, to have been "wired" to love Kraftwerk and electronic music.
I love so many of their songs, but Neon Lights is the one that resonates the most for me. Man Machine is absolutely a banger. It sounds totally relevant to stuff that's out today.
One of the things I like about the early electronic music is that it's the product of exploration, not development of some craft. They had to figure out how to make all these new instruments sound interesting (and good, too, if possible). I love some of the sounds they tried out that weren't widely adopted by those who followed them (like the chiming sound in Neon Lights - it sounds like nothing else on Earth. At very least, it sounded like nothing that had ever existed before.) (Maybe that's why I like the earlier experimental Kraftwerk. Sure not all the experiments "worked". They were experiments - or journeys of Explorers. That's what happens. One day you might want to look for their concert in Soest. It probably won't be popular content on the channel, and is disparaged as "Kraftwerk before they got it right" by some people, but it might be interesting for you to listen to.) (And then when you go to Germany one day you can go to Soest, with something more to commend it than the medieaval walls that are still intact - with medieaval houses that are hard to drive a truck through. It's right next to the Ruhrgebiet post-industrial area (just 20km or so away) but it's managed to keep a lot of its history, somehow. Just surviving what it's surviving makes it a bit special. 30 Years War, WW2, for starters.)
If the Night at the Library concert is too long to listen to in one session (although RU-vid always remembers your place), they've started putting out individual audio tracks from the show, like *Baseball* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JZ8feCw0YeU.html (Major Parkinson. I've probably only mentioned it five times or so before.)
Great reaction. I travelled from the UK to Iceland to see Kraftwerk in 2013 as I loved them. Before the gig I went on a coach trip around part of the island & when coming back towards Reykjavik whilst listening to The Man Machine album on headphones the achingly beautiful Neon Lights came on at twilight as I watched the twinkling lights of the city ahead. Utterly perfect!
There's a very good quality live Japanese bootleg from 81 where Neon Lights is absolutely massive. Ralf does an extended solo (somehow he could get the sweetest lead sounds out of the Minimoog) and Karl is an absolute monster on the bass synth, so punchy and funky, I can imagine how it blew people's minds when experienced live. All played by hand, no computers. And the drumbeat at the beginning is absolute perfection, the best tempo ever.
It's been a while since i've listened to any Kraftwerk in English, but my god... to my ears the lyrics and delivery don't live up to the German versions at all! I might be a bit biased here, since I am native in both German and English, but whilst the German lyrics are well crafted and timeless, the English (which were clearly an attempt to translate the German text almost verbatim) just come across as childish and uncomfortable. Alone the German lyric "Halb Wesen und halb über Ding" ("Half being and half super-thing") is a million times cooler to me than the English "super/pseudo human being". The German evokes a far more mysterious and enigmatic image in my mind. The same goes for a lot of the lyrics on this Record, and the greater Kraftwerk discography. The German lyrics in "Das Model" come across as persistent and matter-of-fact. In German, "Sie stellt sich zur Schau für das Konsumprodukt" ("She displays herself for the Consumer Product") is far more candid than the English "She's posing for consumer products now and then". In German, she poses for THE product, not any old product. And she poses for it now and always. These lyrics accord far better with my interpretations of the album and its robotic and futuristic themes, In which said model really is more of a "model" in the statistical sense. "Die Mensch-Maschine", Which is a very rhythmic song by nature, is also quite boring in English, as the chorus has straight quarter note delivery, while its German counterpart has an additional syllable per phrase, causing the chorus to cascade in triplets. The verse, which has a few words in German, also has a rhythmic variation between its first and second half, resulting in a delightful melodious disparity. The Instrumentals between the two languages are of course identical, and a lot of people seem to love the English versions regardless.
You are absolutely right. The English versions never have that „certain thing“. Die Übersetzungen sind zum Teil echt banal. Was Du ja schon zeigst, vor allem mit dem Beispiel „sie stellt sich zur Schau für das Konsumprodukt“, da schwingt soviel Gesellschaftsbeschreibung und auch Kritik mit, and it‘s completely missing in the English translation.
@@ivanoleg054 Das sieht man bei vielen deutschen Liedern des letzten Jahrhunderts leider zu oft. Banale Englischübersetzungen der beliebtesten Deutschen Hits, die dann Weltweit verbreitet werden, jedoch lyrisch komplett ihren Anspruch verlieren. Das fällt dann halt nur denen auf, die beide Sprachen beherrschen.
Die Mensch Maschine is Great. But the absolutely peak of Kraftwerk is the Album Computerwelt. And especially the Track Nummern / Numbers (For me as a German, of course the original German versions)…
Hi JP ! So glad you're enjoying Kraftwerk : they easily are in my top 10 favorite bands (top 5 when it comes to most influential bands ) ! Hope you'll be reviewing Trans-Europe Express soon : there might be a surprise reference somewhere in the lyrics ;) ... Keep up the good work and have a nice day !
The Vako Orchestron was mostly used for strings and choirs as a forerunner to modern samplers. Think of an Orchestron as a Mellotron that used an optical disc instead of loops of tape. It used what looked like an LP sized optical disc that you load in to the draw underneath the keyboard. You hear the Orchestron more on TEE Trans Europe Express for the strings on the title track and choirs on Show Room Dummies.
It was with absolute fright, the Bushman gazed upon the Neon Lights. Too much for his hunter-gatherer mind to swallow. Concrete and asphalt this Man-Machine had no structure in their brain to comprehend The Model. Existential dread all in a day's Kraftwerk! Peace prog-nerds.
@@IllumeEltanin I'm certainly better today than yesterday the extreme chills have stopped and I'm able to eat some things... I just feel really tired and generally crappy... No respiratory issues at all. I only did the over-the-counter Covid test I didn't do the PCR test. My father has it as well and he did do the PCR test so I figure why waste my time... I don't think I need them to prescribe any meds for this and I guess that's the only way they will is if you take that test. If I get worse I'll consider it. Thanks for asking.
I feel I must confess, now 40+ years later, on how I acquired this record. On a day off from school back in '79 I took a trip to downtown Toronto's vinyl district on Yonge St. I purchased one disc at Sam's and then another at A&A's being just at opposite corners from each other. After these purchases I decided to wander through the newly opened Eaton Center across the street. As I lingered through their music department I saw this record in one of the bins. Picked it up looked at it and put it back. Then something clicked. I took the two records I bought earlier and placed them one on each side of the mark with Kraftwerk sitting in between. I continued browsing and when it was time to go (meaning worked up enough nerve) I picked up all three and calmly walked out of the store and into the subway. Made it home still shaking a bit, put it on the turntable, and sat there listening and smiling at what I had just done. Never stole again ever.
The great pioneers of Electronic music from back then: Tangerine Dream: Ricochet , White Eagle, Stratosphere etc. Klaus Schulze: Digit, Timewind, Moondawn, X, Dune etc. Synergy: Audion Kitaro: Silk Road series etc. Richard Wahnfried (Klaus Schulze): Tonwelle, Time Actor, Meditation etc. Michael Brook (with Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois): Cobalt blue, Hybrid Johannes Schmoelling: Wuivend riet, The zoo of tranquility, etc.
@@IllumeEltanin airsculpture, , Redshift, Arc, Arcane, The Orb, Broekhuis Keller Schönwälder, Syndromeda, Solar Fields, Ken Martin, Software, Peter Mergerner, Vanderson, Back to earth, Ishq, Synth-NL, Pyramid peak etc.
People usually claim that Trans Europe Express was their most seminal work, but it's really this album imo, that set the template for most of the synthpop of the 80s, rather than TEE, which was still more prog. This one's pure pop.
This, David Bowie and Roxy Music, Sparks, Japan, Telex, Gary Numan / Tubeway Army were the cornerstones of the New Romantic - movement's music before the "own bands" of it appeared. The Soviet 1974 Sci-Fi film "Teens In Universe" is a must along this. :) Kraftwerk's next album "Computer World" is a step forward from this album. Its lyrics are sparse as well but they feel relevant to this day with the themes they present, "Computer Love" for example.
Oh shoot. I'm in the wrong room. I thought you said: "Long Dong Saturday". My doorbell seems to be broken. While the "ding" is fine, the "dong" is rather more legato than is its normal habit. But since I'm here...on to das Kraftwerk!
Hi Justin, I am so glad you enjoyed this album. I admire that you are able to recognize so many details even on the first listen. Wow. Thank you, you made my day. I am patiently waiting for the next Mike Oldfield or J.M.Jarre. Take care. Milan
Ii first heard The Model in 1982, it was no.1 in the UK, I was 7. It's been a while since I've heard this album in English, as when I picked up this album and Trans Europe Express on CD they turned out have German vocals and ever since I have preferred those versions.
Big Black's cover of The Model is worth checking out, it drags the sinister sub-currents out of the song and turns it into a gothic industrial monster.
Great choice JP. Just FYI. You did at 12:25, what we all did as kids. Pick up the album cover to look at it. That's what we lost when CD's and digital music came along; the art work and information on the album cover/sleeve
IMO They were the pioneers of electronic music, and in this solid and fantastic album in particular, they found their peak, I am very glad that you liked one of the 2 albums that I requested the most, and I hope that you do not take too long to react to the 2nd 😁. "Misplaced Childhood" one of the best albums in the 80's, It's a masterpiece from start to finish.
Perilously close to my limit here but that would really challenge me to listen without prejudice volume ll😁Thus putting the ethos of this channel in practice..
I've definitely enjoyed this album journey! I would love to see you tackle other albums of theirs, Trans-Europe Express and Computer World. Kraftwerk built their own keyboards and electronic percussion back then. Another album you should hit is Gary Numan's Pleasure Principle. Ground breaking electronica. Cheers.
Hi JP. DP from UK. Neon Lights was the track that did it for me. Interwoven textures and melodies, and some real warmth. A Secret Wish is that Kraftwerk, for all their catchy pop, did not lean so heavily on the robotic synths. A German band I got into in the early 80s was Propaganda, who combined krautrock elements with real drums and female vocals, plus some stellar guests like Steve Howe, David Gilmour and (drumroll!) David Sylvian (only backing vocals though), Their debut album is my song ref, A Secret Wish.
I havent seen anybody mentioning Radioactivity and thats their best album imo and their most underrated album (On some days i might say Computer world tho lol)
Really enjoyed your reaction to this album kraftwerk are a pretty great band. I think you might enjoy their live album Minimum Maximum, it has all their best tracks on it, superior versions imo, including a stunning 7 minute version of ManMachine, and a fantastic version of Radioactivity.
a lot of great Kratwrk covers out there but it would be more than worth your while to check out Senor Coconut's album El Baile Aleman, which is a collection of electro latino swing covers of the Power Station that is Kraftwerk!
There is a German version of this album too; it is called "Die Mensch--Maschine". "The Model", or "Das Model" in the German version, was indeed a huge dance hit. By the way: We are in the process of writing a quite long e-mail to you. Topics in it will be Barbara Dennerlein, Friedrich Gulda (you may not have heard the name, but it is a huge one in music), Women in Jazz, the Canterbury scene and more. Lots of links to excellent videos will be in it. The e-mail will be sent either today or tomorrow.
You know me by now Justin. Guarded yet brutally honest... So if i were to tell ya Thank you for yer Saturday Slots i want you to know how genuinely grateful i am for givin me a context to focus me back pain exercises to!! Via the added inspiration of hiding my blurry eyes under the continental quilt . Ha! Downtown Lights reference. Before i forget: Cold Tea - Dodgy ( 1992 britpop band - no don’t snigger TBN - Broken Loves ( from High) So again thanks! My exercised back dug the process coz my prejudices re: Kraftwerk were positively addressed. So pivotal in their influence. Neon lights was beautiful Title track sounded like how Our Tony B bless him discovered his unconventional rebel streak by 🦛just pressin buttons But don’t go there Go to Erasure ‘s Loveboat Or eponymous 1995 classic. Is my back better? Nope not yet. But my choc olate wispa bar & coldish tea tasted good And i no longer consider KW with disdain. I have issues with bild bak betr though 🧩🐸❓🥽🕺🧠🍔🌸🏴but that’s another story Although the links are there to be clearly seen . Ah my soapbox. Better git off it ya? X
After hearing this album you should really listen to some early records from bands like Depeche Mode such as Speak & Spell (1981) A Broken Frame (1982) Construction Time Again (1983) Some Great Reward (1984) And Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark such as Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (1980) Organization (1980) Architecture & Morality (1981) You can really hear how they incorporated what they heard from Kraftwerk.
Justin, you crack me up sometimes. Your robotic dance move would fit in nicely with the members of Kraftwerk who had robotic selves for the stage shows and videos. You are such a 'dag' in the best of meaning (look it up) but I love your way of introducing music and the intelligent comments you make about the structure of the songs. Perhaps look at 'Radioactivitat' or 'Trans-Europe Express' next and like I said last time I commented, do try to see them on stage as you will fully appreciate Ralf Hutter's musical creations and the magical sounds. Thank you.
I can't say the name of it, but there's a 2 Live Crew song that samples the title song to this album. Probably the first Kraftwerk I ever heard, wish I'd gotten into their original albums earlier. And I would humbly suggest Trans Europe Express for your next reaction, it's my favorite.
Don't know which 2 Live Crew song you mean. The only oldskool hip-hop song with "Man-Machine" samples I know is "Rockin' It" by Fearless Four. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vUTXithL09s.html
Oh wow... you're covering this whole album, JP. Not a request.... just something you need to do for yourself. Now, on to brew a cup of coffee before I settle in for your reaction. Edit - oh, apparently you are doing that and I missed the side one review. Well, that's what I get for landing up in the hospital and being out of action. Enjoy!
@@JustJP I'm envious you're getting through some of the older "Patient 0" bands of various genres. Kraftwerk was one of those bands with an infectious style. .. and thanks for reminding me. Time to finish what's left in the coffee pot.
Great album. While u r at a german band... ever heard about Grobschnitt ? Awsome prog.. their album Rockpommel's Land is their masterpiece in my opinion...
They updated these trax and kind funkafied the groove of Man Machine and its cool but the original groove is just so cold and different you really can't update it. Also play this groove on a drum set its alot of fun with the rim tap .
So much imagination with such horrible temperamental tools. As much as I am in awe of Tony Banks playing fluid lines on the 70's gear that detuned as soon as you looked at it, Kraftwerk easily squares my awe. I second the calls for Trans-Europe Express which is just slightly better than this one to me (but this is very good indeed already). Also, I think this format of one LP-side at a time really works for this kind of music - keep it up :).
Though i said i was jaded by this time (S1), this is deffo the better side. More accessible, the first 2 tracks in particular. And The Model, a big hit here. That said, Neon Lights, my fave. Arguably overlong, there's a nice melody, fills, going on within, but then there's that dull middle break that has me looking at my watch, just before it picks up again. Sadly, for me, it ends with its weakest track. And its out with a wimper, not a bang. And there's me back to being jaded again...
There's a cure for jadedness, but it's a party song, so won't do if you're too jaded to dance dangerously at the neighbours when they knock. (Sorry, I'm on a bit of a Major Parkinson obsession today.) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eoh62_Gejcg.html (Truth be told the obsession's been around for weeks, now.) Oh, it's called *Sanity Fair* , and offers an insane way to momentary recover one's sanity.
@@sicko_the_ew Cheers for that, and so the healing begins. And by way of reciprocation (dark title aside), here's a real toe-tapper that'll always raise my spirits. Even when said spirits are already exceedingly high. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aLvhbw2m_LE.html
Another song that you get lost in is Computer love from the album Computer world... I guess next you should listen to that album, it's just as good but of course, different.
That's how I (a German) always felt about Trans Europe/a Express, where the German lyrics are much more in line with the rhythm of the music than the English ones (like for example the number of syllables in Schau-fens-ter-pup-pen compared to Show-room-dum-mies). That album seems to have been originally written in German and translated into English afterwards which isn't so obviously the case with The Man Machine / Die Mensch Maschine, which sounds very good and natural in both languages, at least to me. (I haven't heard the English versions of any of the later albums so I can't really say anything about them).
