THE CAPITOL YEARS: THREE ORIGINALS

"The Capitol Years ? Three originals" is actually the three early Kraftwerk albums in their entirety. If you have these 3 albums there is nothing new on offer here apart from the packaging which is rather shoddy. However, for enthusiasts new to Kraftwerk this is a treasure as the albums represented are excellent examples of progressive electronic. CD 1 is the full 'Radioactivity 'album with highlights such as the melodious title track. It is a concept album with a running theme of radioactive transmissions, uranium and transistors polluting the airwaves. Each track adds a new dimension to the thematic content and it is rather infectious throughout but really is a taste of greatness to come with the next few albums.

CD 2 comprises the entire 'Trans Europe Express' album. It is an interesting Kraftwerk album as it centres around two excellent tracks and a whole swag of mediocrity that is cheesy and rather shallow in structure. It is a pity really as the title track is a definitive prog statement with massive techno ambience and entrancing repetitive synth motifs. The track perfectly captures the feeling of a long monorail or train in full flight, complete with click clacking percussion and haunting diesel horn effects. The other great track on the album is 'Europe Endless' clocking in at 9 and a half minutes it is a triumph of techno pop. The other tracks do not measure up to these classics but still have moments. Curiously one of the most memorable is the chilling 'Endless Endless' with its computer faced vocals and echoed repetitions. There is not much to this track, the vocals dominate all, but it stays with you. Unfortunately there is not much else I can recommend. 'Showroom Dummies; was never a favourite and I still do not like the structure of this poppy quirky ditty.

CD 3 is the masterpiece 'The Man Machine' and is worth getting hold of in any form, the music is so incredible. The hypnotic rhythms of these Krautrock pioneers of white noise and eclectic electronic is entrancing. 'The Robots' is an outstanding punchy, cold, alienated track and is easily the highlight of the album. The synthetic robotic vocals work brilliantly against the wall of sound from computerised electronics and percussion. The song has since been revamped but this is the best version, trust me. 'Spacelab' is a space electronic excursion into the stratosphere featuring high level percussion and gorgeous synth pads throughout. The droning 'Metropolis' follows and is full of subsonic electronica with washes of inspired keyboards.

'The Model' is the single and works well, with actual verses sung appropriately in cold sterile tones. The song has since been made into an MTV favourite; a very funny, and decidedly satiric black and white film clip, showing old fashioned footage of models and strange women in high fashion garments from the late 50s. It is a highlight of the album, and is quite a mainstream approach in comparison to the rest of the high strangeness. Back to the strange and surreal with 'Neon Lights' that feature shimmering keyboards synthesised through effects panels on computers. How do you describe this music? It is the weakest song on the album and yet still has the power of trance if you let it into your brain.

'The Man Machine' is a wonderful album closer and has hypno-trance rhythms that are surprisingly contemporary to today's standards. In fact the whole album is contemporary and these pioneers were way ahead of their time.

The three albums offered on this compilation are all worthy additions and a very good Tway to get into the band leaving out those awful compilation albums. This 3 CD collection is a prime example of Krautrock progressive electronica at its best.

4 stars for those yet to indulge in Kraftwerk's stark futurist universe.

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