This album is the german version of the "Radio Activity" album. NOT! Other than the artwork, the lyrics are ABSOLUTELY IDENTICAL to the American version, which, contrarily to what's stated in another review, didn't need to be translated: the original lyrics combine english and german. However, please note that other KRAFTWERK albums (like "Trans-Europa Express", "Computerwelt", "Die-Mensch Machine" and "The Mix") feature german lyrics, so one could say that those are "different". It is not so with "Radio Aktivitat".

This misunderstood album deserves a re-release on CD somewhere. The German version is far more coherent than the insipid translation on the one sold in the USA. Even if we just give Kraftwerk's lyrics to Alta Vista, we can see that Radio-Aktivitat is less an anti-nuke protest, though the title track was redone as one later, and more a dreamy evocation of short wave radio. One can practically see the glow of the radio tubes on the ceiling at four in the morning. One can smell the hot dust on the pilot lamps, and hear all the world's languages and funny radio noises washing together in that wonderful, phase-shifted ambience that is the ionosphere.

Musically, this is Kraftwerk's first all-electronic album, full of wonderful sounds, clever short sequences, and homages to pioneer composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. The sine waves wash over us like ionospheric whistles, and at the end we meditate right along with Ohm Sweet Ohm. It all reminds us why we ever got interested in electronic music in the first place. What we see here is the perfect alternative to post-modern dance thumping. It's one of the great bands just hitting its stride, all done experimenting, but not yet locked into the industrial/techno groove they went on to pioneer.

Not for everyone, but then that's the whole point.

Being in the unenviable position of following the mega-successful Autobahn,and preceding the acclaimed masterwork that is Tran-Europe Express,this release is often overlooked.Mores the pity,because I find Radio-Activity to be their most cohesive and ambitious release.I imagine that those who were looking for another radio-friendly zinger like Autobahn were a bit put off by the "blip and bleep symphony" that confronted them.But this is a work that reveals a new dimension with every listen.Movements{I'm thinking in symphonic terms}such as Airwaves and Ohm Sweet Ohm are immediately appealing,and could have possibly been "hits" if they had been pushed as such.

Bottom line?This is not an album that you throw on for a casual listen.This release,more so than any other KW recording,demands your complete attention.Trust me,you will not be disappointed.I have returned to it again and again over the years...and I always discover something new.

This is strange one ! Simple repeated songs with a lot of electronical details, sounds kind of weird, and is a must for the one who loves funny and new conceptions of the idea af a song. there is a Very dark Mood and original sounds and themes. Listen to Nachrichten, is This music ?!?!? at least it is moody and inventive.

An absolutely charming album. Part computer-nerds toying with synth-effects, part brilliant (if inchoate) musicianship, but the whole project gives off a naive sweetness and charm that is common to all the best early techno (I'm thinking of early Depeche, OMD, and YMO). Rudimentary? A bit. Satisfying, definitely. Prerequistes: Computer World, Man Machine.