Kraftwerk: The Mix CD Track Listing

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Kraftwerk The Mix (1991)
Originally Released June 11, 1991 or June 25, 1991\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: By the early '90s, it was quite apparent just how far-reaching Kraftwerk's influence had been. From techno to hip-hop to industrial music to house, numerous others were undeniably indebted to the group. Dance clubs had long been a key part of Kraftwerk's following, and the dance market was the obvious target of The Mix -- a collection of highly enjoyable, often clever remixes. While novices would do better to start out with Trans-Europe Express or The Man-Machine, hardcore Kraftwerk followers shouldn't pass up these remixes of such classics as "Trans-Europe Express," "The Robots," "Autobahn," and "Radioactivity." One could nitpick about the absence of "Neon Lights" and "Europe Endless," but the bottom line is that this CD was a welcome addition to the Kraftwerk catalog. -- Alex Henderson\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nThis 1991 Kraftwerk collection of often drastically remixed "greatest hits" offers a good, if slightly skewed, overview of the Dusseldorf legends' career. Inspired by the band's continuing influence on modern pop, dance, and techno, founders Florian Schneider and Ralf Hutter tweak Kraftwerk's sonic foundations with the intention of making their music more club-friendly. While some of the faithful have lamented the tinkering, The Mix presents a distinct, typically idiosyncratic take on modern club music. It also represents the way Kraftwerk usually sounds in their infrequent live forays; witness the reworking of "Radioactivity" into an unexpected (the band has been notably apolitical) antinuclear statement aimed largely at Britain's Sellafield installation. The Mix bows to trend in concept only; the execution is pure Kraftwerk. --Jerry McCulley \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nKraftwerk's classic hits remade for 1991, August 25, 2005 \nBy The Spastic Fantastic Mighty House Cat "Frosty5" (Waltham, Massachusetts, United States, Planet Earth)\nIn 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. \n\nTracks 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." \n\nSometimes, 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. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Exception That Proves the Rule, June 10, 2005 \nBy J. Brady (PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States)\nGenerally speaking, new remix versions of old songs are the product of a record company hungry for cash, or the last gasp of a creatively spent artist. This, I am happy to say, is the exception to that rule. Classic Kraftwerk tunes are here updated for a new audience, and a new purpose. Mostly they are given great club beats, or just sonic makeovers, to give them a richer, fuller, and more modern sound. These songs will never go out of style - they are genuine Classics of pop music. The Mix just gives them a fresh sheen, a fresh coat of wax, if you will, and brings them into a whole new light. Very well done indeed. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nKraftwerk on the wheels of steel, April 8, 2003 \nBy N. P. Stathoulopoulos "nick9155" (Brooklyn, NY)\nProving yet again that they really were way past everyone else, Kraftwerk released what is these days considered an almost mandatory "remix" album way back in 1991. Though none of the "mixes" are named as such (there's no Hexidecimal Mix or anything) it's basically Kraftwerk reworking a host of their classics into a steady driving mix. However, this isn't The Chemical Brothers, there's no crazy constant mixing of beats. No, this is very mechanical and precise. And only a few of the tracks actually mix together one after the other. \nThe songs are pretty much given a "shinier" CD sound, crisper drum and more squelch for the drum machine and sequencers. I can't decide if it holds up anymore today or if Kraftwerk really intentioned it to be a timeless sort of "mega-mix", not caring about 1991 trends as much.\n\nFunny that this should be the last thing Kraftwerk has released since. With the exception of the retro/timeless and somewhat recycled Kraftwerkian "Expo 2000" single, Kraftwerk has been silent, and this is not original material, either. Semi-retired, I think that they know they don't have to prove anything to anyone at this point, so they're in no rush to return to the scene.\n\nThe opening track, Robots, is a very sharp update of the now-even-more-mechanical version on Man-Machine. The drum machine is played up and it stays catchy and moving enough to be listenable for 9 minutes. \n\nThe vocals are distorted through a computer on many of the tracks to produce an almost creepy German robotic sound that is particularly menacing during Trans Europe Express, making that remix one of the best on the album--a highlight as it should be. Basically, Kraftwerk takes the most dated elements of the 70s and 80s hits and gives them an (early 90s) update, making them dancier, shinier, and listenable for a long time. \n\nI think this fits in very nicely with the rest of Kraftwerk's catalog. I don't think it will blow anyone away at first or second or even third listen, but it will definitely be a treat for anyone who appreciates the group. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMasters of the Kraft ., May 24, 2002 \nBy james houser (amarillo, texas United States)\nThis is one group that has influenced more bands than the Beatles and Elvis combined. They are one of the most important electro bands still in existence today. When I first bought 'the mix' I was blown away by how complex, meticulous, and fresh the sound was(and still is today). It was a joy to hear Kraftwerks old tracks 're-krafted' for a new generation. I hope that anyone interested in electronic music will by this or any other Kraftwerk c.d. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSounds fresher than ever, September 2, 2001 \nBy Gregg Silk (Gaithersburg, MD)\nI'd nearly forgotten these guys until I was watching the PBS "History of Rock and Roll" episode about hip-hop, and when they were asked about who influenced them, several rappers said Kraftwerk !\nIt sounds even better today, because they made very sparing use of their electronic toys when most pomp rockers were going down the path of wretched excess. This is the sort of music even you kids will think is pretty hip. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nKraftwerk shows them how to do it right., September 25, 2000 \nBy Gary Pedoto (America)\nI read somewhere that "The Mix" was Kraftwerk's response to hearing everybody rip them off by sampling and mangling their music. They wanted it done right so they did a complete overhaul of their past music and arranged it like no one else could. Two highlights are "Home Computer" and "Trans-Europe Express". Both are excellent updated versions of Kraftwerk classics. In fact, I prefer the new version of "Trans-Europe Express". It has a more spacious sound and a much better last third than the original. There's even a great "string" arrangement on the last few minutes. Other greats are here, including, of course, Autobahn. Autobahn is a much quicker 9 minutes or so instead of the 22+ minutes of the original but, it's greatness is kept intact by the competent founders of Kraftwerk; Ralf Huetter and Florian Schneider. The other half of the team, Wolfgang Fluer and Karl Bartos, left after "Electric Cafe" and had no part in this project. In fact, after the release, both former members voiced their displeasure about "The Mix" saying that Ralf and Florian should have left the originals alone. One more thing of interest; the Japanese version of "Pocket Calculator" (Dentaku) is given the "Mix" treatment and is started without a break after "Pocket Calculator" ends. "The Mix" belongs in every Kraftwerk fans collection and, as much as I like it, it's no substitute for the original versions; especially in the case of "Radio-Activity".\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nNot Too Funky, But COLD Medina, May 4, 2000 \nBy Aaron W. (California)\nI have to give major props to Kraftwerk for blazing a new path, for taking us all to a whole new level. And props to Charles Lindbergh too, but I'd rather fly the Concorde. In other words, I'd rather listen to Kraftwerk's proteges, like New Order, Devo, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Yaz, "Planet Rock,".... Okay, Kraftwerk's ideas have almost saturated pop. (Spin Magazine even ran a cover story saying Kraftwerk has had more musical influence than the Beatles). Still, the musical genius comes off as brrrrr German cold and assembly line repetitive. And after listening to The Mix for 10 or 15 minutes you start to get hypnotized, you become the machine. (The CD Trans Europe Express is more eclectic in tone and pace). The proteges have long taken Kraftwerk's lead and warmed the sound up with Brit melancholy/romanticism or rap and urgency and increased tension. Whether you prefer Kraftwerk or the proteges is a matter of taste, I just prefer a human face layered on the techno beats. Kraftwerk is computer music's BASIC language, and some updated beats make The Mix a bit more user friendly. For pop music history buffs this CD should provide an interesting backdrop to the sounds that followed.\nOf some interest: One of the guys from Kraftwerk was quoted as saying, "German music is better than American music, because German thought is much more highly evolved than American thought." Hmmmmm. I thought we answered that question a few decades ago... and a few decades before that... (Miles Davis and The Cotton Club... what did you think I meant?) Minus 1 star for the quote. Maybe someday we'll get The Mix II, with some jazz flavor thrown in to loosen up that cold machine sound.... \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nJa Tvoi Sluga, Ja tvoi Robochik..., March 23, 2000 \nBy "reducing_element" (Ballwin, MO USA)\n..So goes the first lines of "we are the robots"..i am your slave, i am your worker...But what does it have to do with the band? Simpliy put, Kraftwerk is to Musik, what Dali was to art. They absotely revolutionzed the course of musik throughout history, shifting the public's eye away from guitar orianted musik, to the warm yet cold power of ANALOg synth and they while they were at it they made some killer song. So in conclusion, if you are a fan of MUSIC, then take a trip trough music's past and into the minds of these Brilliant germans who made us fall in love with that synthetic sound. COMPUTER LOVE!!! \n\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nKraftwerk: Fritz Hijbert, Florian Schneider-Esleben, Karl Bartos, Ralf Hutter (synthesizers).\n\nA collection of remixes of Kraftwerk classics.\n\n1991's THE MIX is a collection of 11 often-radical remixes of Kraftwerk classics from the '70s and early-'80s. Unlike most remix projects, which merely extend the song needlessly or slap a currently-fashionable and usually inappropriate new beat on an old song, THE MIX starts from the ground up, so to speak: most of these songs are so extensively reworked that they bear only passing resemblance to the originals. For example, the opening deconstruction of "The Robots" purposely withholds the nagging four-note synth hook of the original, creating a tension throughout its nine minutes which wasn't present in the original. Similarly, "Autobahn" de-emphasizes its hypnotic beat, giving the track a looseness it's never had before. The album as a whole is beautifully sequenced, with chill-outs like the ambient-ized "Radioactivity" coming at useful intervals between the more insistent numbers. This is a textbook example of a remix album.\n\nIndustry Reviews\n4 Stars - Excellent - ...a revised history of the band, throbbingly danceable and one of the best party records of the past decade...\nQ Magazine (05/01/1995)\n\nHighly Recommended - ...[Kraftwerk] have finally outdone themselves and everybody else, too...\nSpin (08/01/1991)
This rock cd contains 11 tracks and runs 65min 17sec.
Freedb: b70f4b0b
Buy: from Amazon.com

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