CLASSIC album. Kraftwerk is so important to EVERY electronic act that followed that I can't really put it into words. They made the foundation for all of it - ALL electronic music owes much to this group. As such, Kraftwerk, that modest, polite group from (of all places) Dusseldorf has become one of the most important bands of all time. Let me just underscore the point once more - EVERYONE - from Aphex Twin to Boards of Canada to Crystal Method... everyone owes something to the Kraftwerk.

Today, listenting to this epic band (with their quirky and naive German sense of humor) is like having a "back to basics" course in musical history. Going back to Kraftwerk is going to square one - hearing the clean, original ideas in electronic music clearly at the fore. It is very cool to hear this album after all these years.

If there is anything else that needs to be said I think it would be that Kraftwerk represents a little known element of the German character. They are playful, witty, simple, humble and very idealistic. Like wide eyed engineers creating a dream project, they forge the future with joy.

What a record. How absolutely visionary, how ridiculously influential, how timeless, how international, how beautiful, how artistic, how technological, and how German all at the same time.

"Computer Love" is my favorite track on the record. I never tire of that song; I mean who can't sympathize with this song's protagonist? The mere fact that I am typing this review of that song and this album should give you an indication of how ahead of its time this project was.

This was the first Kraftwerk album I ever heard, and though I was already into electronic music (then at age 14) such as Tangerine Dream and Depeche Mode, I remember this album as being an absolute revelation! All the other electronic bands at the time were using commercially available synthesizers to make their music; Kraftwerk had built their own...and their sound was as distinctive as it was exciting. Listening to it now as an adult (especially in this day and age) not only is it still wonderful, undated, and adventurous, but it's literally eerie how prescient this album turned out to be. "Computer Love", "Home Computer" ... the whole album predicted our current computer-drenched society, what with email, cell phones, DNA tracking, cybersex, the Internet... One is almost teasingly left to wonder...when did Kraftwerk know, and who exactly told them? A musical masterpiece; if you've never heard Kraftwerk, start here, then get "The Man Machine" and of course "Trans Europe Express". Over the years I have collected all of their releases but this one stands as their "perfect" release - subtile humor and dry wit mixed with their heavenly clean and stark sound. Certainly the most sampled outfit in music history (even over Zep); their sound alone is entirely responsible for the Detroit techno movement of the late '80's, for which they're often given no credit. As a former DJ, forget the rip-offs; this is the real thing. And 20 years later, it's as good as it ever was. Highly, highly recommended.

Although there are already dozens of 5-star reviews of this album, I just had to add my own. Yes, this album is THAT good, and I agree with the reviewer who said it should be on a 10 Greatest of all time list. Tastes being what they are, not everyone in the world will love this album, but if you like electronic music even a teeny tiny bit (and you probably do, since you're reading this page), this album is simply a must-have. Whether it's techno, electro, house, downtempo, IDM, synth-pop, or someother sub-genre(s) that float your boat, this album WILL appeal to you.

It really blows my mind to think that this album was released in 1981, practically 25 years ago. Forget the prophetic lyrics about a computer-connected world and the rise of home computing, the music itself sounds timeless. You cannot pin an "80's" label on this dark, multilayered sound, which if released today would be hailed as a wholly modern, year 2004 electro masterpiece -- yes, I'd call it electro, based on the percussion programming and the "bleepy" analog synths-- and not an 80's throwback. Computer World is remeniscent of the Detroit techno sound, but of course it predates it by many years, and I would also say that it's more original and engaging than most Detroit stuff that I've heard (and I love the Detroit sound, FYI.) Anthony Rother, another German, and his alias Little Computer People also carry on the sonic tradition of this ground-breaking album.

Although I don't own the complete works of Kraftwerk, I'd wager that this is probably their greatest creation. Computer World was the first Kraftwerk album that I ever purchased, and since it was so astonishingly good, of course I bought some other Kraftwerk albums. The other albums range in quality from so-so to downright bad, and not even their better stuff (Transeurope Express, for example) is anywhere near as good as Computer World. Music, lyrics, overall soul and feeling and originality -- Computer World has it all.

Simply stated, "Computer World" is Kraftwerk's musical and conceptual masterpiece. Prophetically portraying a future where human society would be pervaded by and dependant on computers, it is one of the smartest and most cohesive albums ever made. Released in 1981, it foresaw the advent of the internet age, along with the economic and cultural byproducts that would come because of it. Kraftwerk were always fascinated by the fusion of man and machine, both in modern life and in the making of music. "Computer World", for all it's technological obsession, ends up being a very human record amidst all the machinery. Unlike modern electronica, which, for the most part, is merely an aural backdrop to the rave culture, Kraftwerk's music is warm and human, despite being wholly produced with electronic instruments. The song "Computer Love", which I read to be a sort of precursor to online dating, is permeated with human sadness and loneliness, even as the relentless mechanical beat pulses hypnotically amidst computerized bleeps and squiggles. The title track, "Computer World", envisions as future where business and entertainment would be made all the more easy and accessible due to computer networking. "Pocket Calculator" showcases Kraftwerk's humorous side, as well as their almost child-like joy at tinkering with electronics. The production quality of this album is amazing- sharp and clear, yet retaining the warmth of their analog synths and recording equipment. Quite simply, "Computer World" is the perfect musical marriage of man and machine.