Kraftwerk – The Man • Machine

The Man Machine is the most important album by Kraftwerk and, in general, of that genre of electronic music that influenced bands like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys and all the electro-pop and synth-pop bands of the 80s but also dance music (The Acid House, New beat, Techno) also thanks to Giorgio Moroder. The best songs, in my opinion, are The Model, The Robots, The Man Machine and Spacelab but the whole album is still fantastic.

From the first note of Kraftwerk's "Die Mensch-Maschine," I was thrust into a world where man and machine merge in perfect harmony. This album, which has become a cornerstone of electronic music, feels both retro and remarkably ahead of its time. It's not just music—it's a vision of the future as seen through the lens of the late 70s.

The repetitive, almost hypnotic rhythm of "Die Roboter" feels like an anthem for a new era of human-machine synergy. I found myself mesmerized by its simplicity and precision, embodying the album's central theme: the growing interplay between humans and technology.

"Spacelab" continues this futuristic journey with its ethereal melodies and cosmic ambiance. It's like a soundtrack to an interstellar voyage, conjuring images of vast, unexplored galaxies. The combination of lush, synthetic textures and clean, minimalistic arrangements is nothing short of captivating.

One of the standout tracks for me is "Metropolis." Inspired by Fritz Lang's classic film, the song weaves a narrative of an industrialized, automated city. The driving rhythms and layered synths evoke a sense of relentless progress and the underlying tension between man and machine.

"Das Modell" is an absolute classic. Its catchy melody and clever lyrics critique the superficiality of fame and consumer culture, yet it remains undeniably enjoyable. The song has a timeless quality, resonating just as strongly today as it did when it was first released.

"Neonlicht" is another highlight, offering a more melodic and somewhat romanticized view of modernity. The shimmering synths and gentle rhythm create a nostalgic feel, almost as if it's a love letter to the neon lights of the cityscape.

The closing track, "Die Mensch-Maschine," perfectly encapsulates Kraftwerk's philosophy. The pulsating synths and steady, robotic delivery of the lyrics highlight the band's unique ability to blend human emotion with machine-like precision. It's both an acknowledgment of technological advances and a reflection on what it means to be human in this new age.

Managed to bag a great copy. Lovely press. Clean, precise and warm. Best I’ve heard this classic.

((Turntable used for this review:
Rega P3:RB880 tonearm,Denon DL110 HOMC,Delrin Platter, Rega Neo, (4)Isoacoustic Orea bronze feet.
Phono Stage Whest Audio TWO.2 class a dual mono fully balanced phono stage, 50db/47k ohms,HOMC setting))

For fans of Kraftwerk & of great sounding dance electronica music this is a v/good buy & spin on your turntable.
Excellent compositions by probably the best that they were at electronic music,even though I`m personally more of a fan of Daft Punk just prefer more of their LP`s. This is my favourite by Kraftwerk & doesn`t have a bad track on it,even if you can only get a VG+ like mine you WON`T be disappointed with the sound quality full dynamics throughout.
Recommended five stars thank you for taking the time to read this review & good luck with your search for a decent copy.
Mastering /production 5.0
Music 5.0
Originality 5.0

managed to get this exact pressing in NM for like £18 shipped. awesome stuff!

I have a later ‘fame’ pressing of this and it is very quiet compared to my original pressing
Get the OG press it sounds amazing

Matrix/Runout is a little different in the copy I have:

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped; HTM, etched):
E ST1 11728-1 68 4 HTM
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped):
E - ST2 11728-2 69 2 HTM

This is the pressing you want. Very clear and dynamic.

my copy has a 1 and -1 on Side A
and O stamp on side B

At the heart of Kraftwerk's artistic aesthetic is the relationship between Man and Machine, a topic that they pursue with quiet, concentrated efficiency throughout this LP. The arresting imagery that dominates "Die Mensch Maschine" is inspired by El Lissitsky (he's even namechecked on the sleeve), one of the prime graphic proponents of the Constructivist artistic movement that emerged from Russia during an artistic upheaval that dominated Europe in the 1910's. Whilst influenced no doubt by the Italian Futurist movement, and in particular Russolo, the Constructivists had a romantic aspect to them that truly believed in a utopian marriage of man and machine in harmony. With the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, this short-lived flowering of truly original artistic styles offered hope, but was predictably crushed by Stalin.

The futurist/romanticist axis (Russolo and fellow futurists detested the likes of Wagner) is dominant throughout "Die Mensch Maschine". This is Kraftwerk celebrating the 1920's and the dream of machinery and industry offering the hope of hauling humanity out of the apocalpyse of the Great War, but at the same time recognising that dystopia was just around the corner with "Metropolis" and "The Robots".

One of Kraftwerk's greatest achievements, as in all great art, was to be ambigious, and to let the listener interpret their work themselves. So in this case the lyrics remain steadfastly basic, not making any clear definitive statement. Interestingly enough, some quarters of the media tried to label the band "fascistic" for appearing on the cover with red shirts, but they were completely missing the point. Fascists wore black shirts. Kraftwerk were looking to the east, towards Russia.

Like all Kraftwerk's LPs, listening in hindsight often makes certain songs all the more romantic, as they cherish something that has been lost; for T.E.E there's "Europe Endless", Computer World's "Pocket Calculator" and for this LP "Spacelab". Written in 1978, with Skylab a very recent memory, this seems now a romantic ideal that has long gone.

Something prevents me from saying this is their best work - it was more impressionistic at the time than "T.E.E" and gave rise to a whole slew of bands who missed the point entirely about Kraftwerk, but it is their most distinctive LP - encapsulating their ethos, style and musical agenda with a flair that very few artists have ever matched.