Review: KraftWerk _The Mix_
 
  Ok, first let me start off by saying that this is not "angry" music at
all, infact it sounds a bit like it was created by Tom Servo or
something, the music just has a tendency to throw a smile on your face,
and know that somewhere, these computer geeks got together and made
music.
  Kraftwerk as some of you may know, has been out for a _very_ long time,
and some call them the creators of computer music.  There are no live
instruments on the album, its all synth, and people talking through
effect boxes.  While some of the tracks are off other "mini albums" this
is more or less a "best of".  A few minor changes have been added to the
tracks to either clean them up, or make them sound a bit more current.
While songs like _AutoBahn_ came out well before I could drive, it
sounds like it was created yesterday.  The disk over all, has a wonderful
clean sound to it, with snappy highs, and boomy lows.  This is the type
of disk I'd recommend bringing along with you to a Silo when you want to
buy some new CD equipment, it really hits all sound spectrums.
  Most of the songs have a computer theme, technology, or modernism theme
to them.  The music for the most part is *driving music*, meaning that
its a bit slow to dance to, but entertaining enough at 70Mph on 95 to
keep you alert, and fellin good.  The songs _AutoBahn_, and _Trans Europe
Express_ are by far two of the best techno-driving (Jezus?  Did I just
make up a new form of music?) tunes that I have ever heard.  I guarantee
the music will make you drive a bit faster, not because its hard music,
but rather because you just feel.. so.. so.. European, and hey lets face
it, they drive fast over there.  If there was ever a disk that I wanted
to take along with me on a long trip VIA car, this would be it.
 
SideNote:I'd almost swear that VW's "fargvergnugen" theme came partly
         _AutoBahn_ (really!), they bear a very strong resemblance.
 
   There really is not one bad track on this disk, and best of all its
EASY to listen to.  Hell, your folks might even think its kinda neat
(mine did), and ask for a tape.  While yes, at times it might start to
sound a bit repetitive, its not so harsh that it begins to grate on your
nerves.
 
  Personally, I think that German car companies should give you a free
tape of this music when you get a German car.  Driving a solid car, and
listening to Kraftwerk has got to make you feel so German its almost
scary.
 
(ratings of songs on disk 4*'s max)
The Robots - (also CD5 single) *** 8:56
ComputerLove - **** 6:35
Pocket Calculator - *** 4:32
Dentaku - (extension of pocket calk.) ** - 3:27
AutoBahn - **** - 9:27
Radioactivity - **** - 6:53
Trans Europe Express - **** - 3:20
Abzug - *** (extension of TEE) - 2:18
Metal on Metal - ** (still Abzug) - 4:18
HomeComputer - *** - 8:02
Music Non Stop - **** - 6:38
(no hidden tracks exist)
 
On a scale of one to ten, I give _The Mix_, an 8.  If you like
Indy/Techno music, I can almost assure you that you will like this disk.

                                                      //Dan Reed