Shiny synths from the electro pop veterans which is a little too indebted to the sound of their heroes, Kraftwerk. It’s pleasantly enjoyable, although it is a little skinny on content (one of the nine proper tracks is a pointless revamp of ’93′s collaboration with Karl Bartos). Nice cover though. Tweet
The latest chapter in Heir Schnauss’ ambient shoe gaze odyssey, “A Long Way to Fall” is a warm synth driven piece of work – a welcome progression from 2012′s excellent collaboration with Mark Peters. Tweet
So, you thought you were a Knife fan? Well, if you survive this lurid pink slice of aggressive sonic malfunction, spread over a double album, then you a truly certified. Many of the tracks are lengthy and seem initially cluttered; but after a few listens the ear adjusts and the genius is revealed. Hugely innovative [...]
Every four years we wait in the hope that the new DM album will have something to offer. At last the day has come. “Delta Machine” is easily their best since ’97′s “Ultra”. Sonically, the synths and bluesy guitars compliment each other across the 13 tracks. It’s too long (a nine tracker would have been a belter), [...]
The ‘Chipsters fifth LP sounds fabulous. It’s how pop albums should sound, with album opener “Motion Sickness” frankly brilliant and setting the tone. But for the slightly yawnsome balladry moment (stand-up the Prince-ish “Now There Is Nothing”), this continually cuts the mustard. Mid-point “Flutes” is a progressive techno beast which has us dancing around like a benny. [...]
Following-up the uber-selling (and critically acclaimed) “Violator” was a sizable task. We knew this. However, we did not expect DM to go ROCK (or gospel for that matter). Thankfully, Mr Martin Gore had the songs to pull it off. Ten tracks of redemption, repentance and soul-bearing. Essential stuff. Download: I Feel You, In Your Room, [...]
Solid (if not quite as good as we’d hoped) follow-up to last years excellent mini-LP “Knee Deep”. This is a decidedly down-tempo affair in the vein of LCD Soundsystem, which climaxes rather magnificently with the melancholy ”Below the Cherry Moon”. Download: Head on my Pillow, The Sun, Below the Cherry Moon Tweet
Excellent return from Hartnoll brothers after seven year hiatus. Imperial synths shimmer over their trademark textures and rhythms. Nostalgic, yet thoroughly modern – a result. Download: Where is it Going?, One Big Moment, String Acid, Straight Sun Tweet
Early nineties minimal electronica – both “Testone”, “Clonk” and “CCCD” (the first ever Warp album) repackaged as a 2CD compilation (with a few rarities thrown in). Hugely influential. Download: Testone, Clonk (Freebass), Trick Jack Tweet
Glacial electronic textures (Robert Solheim) shimmer under the unmistakable vocals of Billie Ray Martin. Understated, sultry and sophisticated. Download: Candy Coated Crime, I’m Not Simone Choule, Jalousies and Jealousies, Anatomy of a Plastic Girl Tweet
Third album of loops and high-brow repetition from Berlin-based Swede Axel Willner. The textures are a little more organic with he album as a whole feeling like a cross-breed of his first two efforts. When it’s good (the silky “Arpeggiated Love”), it’s very very good. When it’s bad, it’s a little yawnsome (the endless lumbering “Sweet [...]
Another hugely influential release from the electro godfathers. TEE is a cool, clinical, metronomic piece of sonic art. The remaster is recommended as it adds a little beef to the original CD’s slightly weedy sound quality. Download: Trans-Europe Express, Showroom Dummies, Europe Endless Tweet
After a wait of 17 years (Kraftwerk fans have learnt to be patient), the German pioneers finally unleashed a new album in 2003. Returning to the Tour de France for inspiration, this is an album with a modern techno sound palette; noticeably minimal beats and percussion throughout. Far better than it aught to be and a fine addition [...]
Meticulously prepared career retrospective best-of showcasing classic 808 in original, alternate and revisited versions. Essential for veterans and newbies. Pop fact: the sleeve is a blueprint from a Roland 808 – especially produced for this release. Download: all of it Tweet
Difficult second album post-Vince Clarke. Martin Gore does an admirable song-writing job on an album that’s better than we remember. Download: Leave In Silence, See You, Nothing To Fear Tweet
Client’s third (they’d also become a trio) is their most polished to date (including Youth and Stephen Hague in the producers chair). Good solid pop fair. Download: Lights Go Out, Monkey On My Back, It’s Not Over, Heartland Tweet
Ladytron are getting better a writing albums. This, their fifth, has a more ethereal and spacious feel. They even have the confidence to throw in three instrumentals amongst some of the best material they’ve written. Download: White Elephant, Ninety Degrees, Ace of Hz, Attitude Blues, Transparent Days Tweet
35 track singles compendium documenting the pop genius of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. Just to round things off nicely, the two new songs “Miracles” and “Flamboyant” are also tremendous. Buy It Tweet
The Frenchman makes a bid for nineties electronic acceptance with this vaguely ham-fisted affair. However, it’s heart is in the right place and it does have a certain je ne sais quoi (groan -Ed). Download: Part 4 and Part 6 Tweet
Working simultaneously as an upgraded best of and the finest live album you’ve ever heard, this is a peerless collection of music charting a legendary career. Essential. Buy It. Tweet
Warped Swedish synth-pop which although lighter in tone to “Silent Shout” still has dark unease running through it. The video for “Pass This On” is Lynch-esque genius. Download: Pass This On, Heartbeat, You Take My Breath Away. Tweet
Perfectly formed mini album consisting of six sparse cover versions from Depeche Mode songsmith which is both haunting and affecting. Download: all of it Tweet
About as good as live albums get – Dave Gahan whips the US crowd into a frenzy as they romp through “Music For The Masses” and most of their eighties hits. Actually sounds better than many of the source albums. Download: all of it Tweet
The production suffers from too much reverb and even in the remastered edition a little too flat sounding. However, this still remains one of the Modes career highs and contains two bona fide classics in “Never Let Me Down Again” and “Behind The Wheel”. Download: the above plus To Have And To Hold and Strangelove Tweet
Second volume of remixes with an unfortunate focus on more recent albums. It feels like volume one took the cream of the mixes, with only the new 2011 remixes holding any real interest. Of the 3CD set, a decent single disc is possible. Download: Behind The Wheel (Vince Clarke remix), Personal Jesus (Stargate mix) Tweet
Icy synths coupled with vocal histronics over pulsing dark electronics. It’s all good, or rather it’s quite brilliant. Download: all of it Feel It Break <img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/s/noscript?tag=jut2kcoukalbu-21″ alt=”” /><br /> Tweet
Debut from Sheffield’s finest. Different from their more well known output (no female vocals for a start), this has a more menacing synth sound but is not without its moments. Download: Empire State Human, Circus Of Death, Blind Youth Buy: Reproduction <br /> <img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/s/noscript?tag=jut2kcoukalbu-21″ alt=”” /><br /> Tweet
Blistering career overview/best-of which merely confirms Ladytron’s brilliance. Two new songs, one of which “Ace of Hz” is top drawer, complete the package. Download: all of it.Buy: Best of Ladytron 00-10 <br /> <img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/s/noscript?tag=jut2kcoukalbu-21″ alt=”” /><br /> Tweet
A break of ten years notwithstanding, this is the third great League album on the trot. Thumping baselines, occasional daft lyrics and endless synths – Oakey and co are an institution. We bow to their uniqueness and the pop splendidness that is “Credo”. Download: Never Let Me Go, Night People, Single Minded, Get Together, Privilege, Breaking The Chains Buy: Credo <br [...]
Debut album released in the midst of early noughties electroclash fad. Some track-list pruning aside, this showed promise which would be realised by their third release. Download: Discotraxx, The Way That I Found You, Playgirl Tweet
Over-long, at times direction-less and missing their debuts charm, this is the weakest Ladytron LP but it does contain the seminal “Seventeen”. Download: Seventeen, Cease2xist, Light & Magic Tweet
Missed by the public (in part due to a crumbling record company), “Secrets” ranks as one of their very best. At 16 tracks – some of which are short interludes – “Secrets” is a hefty showcase of what Oakey, Sulley and Catherall do best. It would be ten years before the follow-up… Download: All I [...]
After the best part of 15 years in the wilderness, Oakey & co unleash an absolute belter. Songs, electronics, witty social commentary and THAT baritone. The renaissance started here. Download: These Are The Days, Cruel Young Lover, Words, One Man In My Heart, House Full Of Nothing Buy: Octopus <br /> <img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/s/noscript?tag=jut2kcoukalbu-21″ alt=”” /><br /> Tweet
After hearing lead single “Sugar” we feared Ladytron had succumbed to guitars and shoegaze. Thankfully it’s a false dawn (although “High Rise” is stunning) as this proved a solid listen with the usual plethora of electro hooks. Download: Destroy Everything You Touch, High Rise, International Dateline Tweet
Fourth album from Liverpudlian electro-pop four-piece. “Velocifero” is their most focussed and consistent listen yet. Still largely ignored in the UK, which is odd. Download: Versus, Ghosts, Runaway, Kletva, They Gave You A Heart… Tweet
Sophisticated abstract electronic rhythms gently pulse and jitter through these four lengthy instrumental tracks. Music for late nights and early mornings. Tweet
Smart micro-electronics which proves consistently difficult to predict. Download: Rest (Encore) Tweet
Inspired array of electronics and melody power this delightfully uncompromising long player. Unique. Download: Pictureloved, Schrapnell, Enrico Tweet
Seminal seventies Gallic electronic masterpiece which Jarre spent the rest of his career attempting to equal. Download: Part II, III, IV, VI Tweet
Superior electronics (described as “minimal techno” in some places), this is grade A glittering precision. Essential. Download: Asha, Saturn Strobe, Urlichten Tweet
Glacial minimal “techno” from German Hendrik Weber. Beautifully constructed and crafted, this is as good as this genre gets. Download: Lay In A Shimmer, The Splendour, Es Schneit Tweet
Exhilarating Andrew Weatherall produced electronic feedback-ear-burning brilliance from the Bristol duo. Dancefloor abrasion extremis (what?? -Ed). Download: Surf Solar and Olympians Tweet
A mighty release this is. The brothers Hartnoll roll dance and soaring soundscapes into one incredible sonic rollercoaster ride. Spellbinding. If “Way Out” doesn’t get your pulse racing, nothing will. Or go to 5:59 during “Know Where To Run” and accept that we are in the company of electronic genius(es). Download: Way Out, Spare Parts [...]
Legendary electronic pop album from Sheffield icon Phil Oakey and co. Absolutely essential. Download: Don’t You Want Me, Sound Of The Crowd, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Do Or Die Tweet
Ex-Kraftwerk stalwart Karl Bartos goes solo and unsurprisingly produces a very electronic album. More pop than his former group, what it lacks in cool and makes up for in fun. Download: Crosstalk, TV, Lifestyle, Show Business Tweet
Overlooked classic from the German pioneers. Side One was too industrial for some people’s liking.Note: 2009 reissue was renamed “Techno Pop” (the original album name) and included “House Phone” whilst replacing Electric Cafe with the 7″ version. Download: Electric Cafe, Musique Non Stop, Techno Pop Tweet
While pre-empting the computer future, Kraftwerk found time to fashion this pristine electronic masterpiece. Download: It’s More Fun To Compute, Home Computer, Computer Love, Computer World Tweet
Caught-up in the electroclash backlash, ‘#1′ is an inventive electronic rollercoaster ride (complete with wigs and bad make-up) which unfortunately runs a little out of steam halfway through. Download: Sweetness, The 15th, LA Song, Invisible Tweet
At times patchy, “Technodelic” still has the privilege of housing two of YMO’s finest moments, the thumping atmospherics of “Light In Darkness” and the persistant electro-pop genius that is “Key”. Download: Key, Light In Darkness, Seoul Music Tweet
Hugely innovative electronic LP from the dawn of the eighties. “BGM” (BackGround Music) is the Japanese equal of Kraftwerk’s “Computer World” – it really is THAT good. Download: Ballet, 1000 Knives, Cue, U.T., Camouflage, Mass Tweet