Kraftwerk
Radio-Activity

Campus Correspondent CD review by Andy Argyrakis,
Campus Correspondent coordinator

For the second installment in Kraftwerk’s lush remastering series Radio-Activity (EMI), the era is 1975 and it’s evident the group is German-bred electronic icons are aiming ever so subtly for the radio without ever loosing its creative flair. With a mixture of instrumentals and the occasional spoken word segments split between English and members’ native tongues, it’s a delightful hodgepodge of computer-generated pulsations that show the fellas laying the groundwork for practically the entire new wave movement.

Just listen to the eerie “Radioland,” the space alien-styled synths of “Antenna” and additional out of this world appeal on the odd but enjoyable “Uranium,” and pretty much every like-minded act that came after this album owes Kraftwerk some influence props. Though the occasional interludes are unneeded distractions, there’s still plenty to devour in the futuristic title track and the cheeky swansong “Ohm Sweet Home.”

This remastered title is available individually or as part of the box set The Catalogue (EMI).