Minimum-Maximum

Culled from their 2004 world tour, this generously endowed 22-track live album finds the German electronic pioneers giving a fresh lick of paint to classics like 'The Model', 'Autobahn', 'Trans Europe Express' and 'Tour De France'.
They've miked the crowd up too, so you get that wonderful cheer of recognition when the songs kick in. Tracks like 'Radioactivity' and 'Pocket Calculator' will be clearly live to most fans; the percussion, speed and treatment are different to the originals, without losing their effect. 'Trans Europe Express' has exaggerated, tight snares throughout that form a crescendo of beats towards the end, but remain in time to mix seamlessly into 'Metal On Metal'. Tunes like 'Computer World' and 'Home Computer' stay true to their original form but have been brought up to date with some cultivated production or the inclusion of more defined, stronger percussion. 'The Robots' has a gorgeously playful ring, with a skippy beat, and the live vocals on tracks like 'The Model', or when 'Neon Lights' is sung in German, sound incredibly apt, with tinkering arpeggios and soft, swelling pads creating the backdrop.

Kraftwerk are doing another tour to coincide with the release of this LP, and are due to play here at the Electric Picnic festival. If possible, catch them live. If not, get this CD.