On this day, 47 years ago, Kraftwerk released their iconic album The Man-Machine or Die Mensch-Maschine as the original german pressing was called. The Man-Machine is Kraftwerk’s seventh studio album and was released on 28 April 1978 by their own label Kling Klang. A further refinement of their mechanical style, the album saw the group incorporate more danceable rhythms and less minimalistic arrangements. It includes some of Kraftwerk’s best known singles ‘The Model’ and ‘The Robots’.
In Germany the album peaked at the 12th position in the Offizielle Album Top 100 and reached the 26st position in the German Offizielle Top 100 year-end album charts. The first German pressing was on red vinyl.
In the UK the albums took a slow start, peaking at the 9th position of the UK Albums Chart only 8 months later in February 1982, making The Man-Machine Kraftwerk’s band's second highest-peaking album in the United Kingdom since Autobahn (1974).
The Man-Machine was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 15 February 1982, denoting shipments in excess of 100,000 copies.
The Man-Machine is the first Kraftwerk album to have Karl Bartos co-credited as a composer along with Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Emil Schult co-wrote the lyrics for 'The Model'. AllMusic described the album as 'closer to the sound and style that would define early new wave electro-pop', and noted its 'feel of a divided concept album', with some songs (such as the title track and 'The Robots') exploring the science fiction-esque links between humans and technology', and others (such as 'Neon Lights' and 'Metropolis') celebrating “the glamour of urbanization.
The artwork for the cover was produced by Karl Klefisch, based on the work of the Russian suprematist El Lissitzky. The back cover image is an adaptation of a graphic from Lissitzky's book for children About Two Squares: A Suprematist Tale of Two Squares in Six Constructions.[9][10]
Reviewing the album in 1978, NME stated: 'The Man-Machine stands as one of the pinnacles of 70's rock music', adding that 'the sparsity of the lyrics leaves the emphasis squarely on those robot rhythms, chilling tones and exquisite melodies.'
AllMusic wrote that the album is 'less minimalistic in its arrangements and more complex and danceable in its underlying rhythms' than the group's previous works, and noted its 'tremendous impact' on subsequent synth-pop artists.
In October 2009, a remastered edition of the album was released on CD and digitally by Mute Records (EU) and by Astralwerks (US) United States, followed shortly after by heavyweight vinyl editions.
On this day, 22 years ago, Wire returned after a hiatus of a decade with their 10th studio album, Send!
On this day, 22 years ago (28 April 2003), Wire released their tenth studio album Send. It was their first recording, with the original four piece line-up, since the Manscape (1990). Drummer Robert Gotobed quit after the release of Manscape because he felt the musical direction of Wire increasingly relied too much on drum machines and loops. It was also the first full-length release by any incarnation of the group since 1991! The album contains seven songs previously released in 2002 on the EPs Read & Burn 01 and Read & Burn 02, and four songs exclusive to this release.
The initial first 2000 mail-order copies of the album came with a bonus live album WIRE - Metro, Chicago, 14 September 2002. Reportedly this inclusion was made to boost the sellings since the majority of the tracks on Send had already been released as the two Read & Burn EPs.
The album was critically acclaimed by many music magazines and received an overall 4/5 star quotation.
The British music magazine Mojo ranked Send at 10 on their best albums of 2003 list. The album also scores 84/100 on the Metacritic website, signifying "universal acclaim".
Send (Original 2003 Digi-Pack CD tracklist)
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1. |
"In the Art of Stopping" |
3:34 |
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2. |
"Mr Marx's Table" |
3:02 |
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3. |
"Being Watched" |
2:57 |
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4. |
"Comet" |
3:17 |
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5. |
"The Agfers of Kodack" |
3:11 |
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6. |
"Nice Streets Above" |
3:45 |
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7. |
"Spent" |
4:43 |
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8. |
"Read & Burn" |
2:34 |
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9. |
"You Can't Leave Now" |
3:41 |
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10. |
"Half Eaten" |
1:58 |
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11. |
"99.9" |
7:42 Personal: |
Wire
Colin Newman
Graham Lewis
Bruce Gilbert
Robert Grey (aka Robert Gotobed)
Today we celebrate the birthday of Catherine Elizabeth Pierson, better known as Kate Pierson, singer of The B-52’s. She was born 77 years ago on April 27 (1948) in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA and became in 1976 one of the founding members of The B-52's. Beside singer/lyricist she is also a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitars, bass and keyboards. In the early years of The B-52's, as well as a vocalist, Pierson was also the main keyboard player and was notable for performing on a keyboard bass during many live shows (see The B-52's video below) and many of the band's recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player which differentiated the band from their contemporaries. This along with Pierson's distinctive wide ranging singing voice remain trademarks of The B-52's unique sound until today.
In 2015, Pierson released her first, and so far only, solo album, Guitars and Microphones. She later released the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee" and a cover of "Venus" (video below) as a stand alone single.
Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including The Ramones and R.E.M but probably her biggest worldwide succes, besides The B52’s, was her duet single with Iggy Pop, “Candy’ (video below).
Happy birthday Kate!
Today it’s 39 years since Siouxsie and the Banshees released their seventh studio album Tinderbox (21 April 1986). Two songs were released as singles between late 1985 and early 1986, Cities in Dust and Candyman.
The B-sides of Cities in Dust and Candyman, were added as bonus tracks on the original CD version of this album.
Tinderbox peaked at number 13 in the UK Album Chart and at number 88 on the US Billboard 200.
A remastered CD version was issued in 2009 with bonus tracks including an unreleased version of Song from the Edge of the World and an unreleased song called Starcrossed.
A 180g vinyl reissue of the album, remastered from the original ¼” tapes and cut half-speed at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell, was released in August 2018.
The album is considered a classic by both critics and musicians.
Tinderbox (Original LP Tracklist)
Side A
01. Candyman 3:44
02. The Sweetest Chill 4:07
03. This Unrest 6.21
04. Cities in Dust 3:51
Side B
01. Cannons 3:14
02. Party's Fall 4:56
03. 92° 6:02
04. Land's End 6:14
VIRGIN BIRTH Drops The Single, 'I Can't Read' From Their Forthcoming Album
Industrial synth punk band, VIRGIN BIRTH have returned with a new song called "I Can't Read". This serves as the second and final single from the band's upcoming full-length record titled Total Annihilation, which is set to be released on May 4th via Never Nervous Records.
Lyrically, the song explores the frustration and confusion that comes with misinterpreting seemingly straightforward conversations, especially in digital communication like emails and text messages. It delves into the nuances of language, the gaps between intention and perception, and the subtle misunderstandings that can arise when tone and context are lost in written exchanges.
Add in the upbeat tempo and paranoid synthesizer riffs, and you should get that familiar feeling of second-guessing meanings, overanalyzing responses, and struggling to grasp what should be obvious. This reflects the challenges of modern communication in an increasingly text-based world.
"I Can't Read" is available on all major digital outlets including Spotify and Bandcamp.
