Sign up to receive special offers and exclusives
Search
Home & GardenBooksCell Phones & Service
 
 
Minimum-Maximum
View larger imageEmail a friend

 
 
 

Minimum-Maximum  (Audio CD) 
by Kraftwerk

In Stock
Availability: Usually ships in 1 business days
List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $14.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
You Save: $4.99 (25%)

Note: Item may be sold and shipped by another company. Learn more.
Product Promotions:
  • Get $1 worth of MP3 downloads from Amazon MP3 after you order your item.  Here's how (restrictions apply)
Description:

The Godfathers of Glitch and the Kings of Kling-Klang come out of seclusion with a double live CD culled from various concerts on their 2004 tour. Minimum-Maximum is essentially a greatest-hits album with an audience applauding and occasionally shouting. Without them, of course, you'd never know the album was live, since Kraftwerk is the band that put the programming in pop music. Not much has changed with them since the 1980s. They're still wired to the same sonic circuitry as on Electric Café in 1986, sculpting glistening electro-soundscapes that pulse but never quite groove. And they still sing in that flat, German-accented English and French with Speak and Spell electro-voices. But rather than sound dated, this has a timeless charm, especially since Kraftwerk are among the few Kraut rock groups with a sense of humor. With only two studio albums in the last 20 years, you have to give them credit for not caving in to current electronica and techno trends--Kraftwerk remain resolutely electronic. Even their samples sound synthesized. But also give them credit for some of the most relentlessly glistening electronic music ever crafted, and a sound that remains surprisingly pure. All the hits are here, from "Autobahn" to "Tour de France," but nicely buffed to a high chrome finish. --John Diliberto

Product Details:
Audio CD Release Date: June 07, 2005
Studio: Astralwerks
Number Of Discs: 2
Format: Live
Average Customer Rating: based on 54 reviews
Track Listing:
Disc: 1
1. Man-Machine
2. Planet of Visions
3. Tour de France Etape 1
4. Chrono
5. Tour de France Etape 2
6. Vitamin
7. Tour de France
8. Autobahn
9. Model
10. Neon Lights
Disc: 2
1. Radioactivity
2. Trans Europe Express
3. Metal on Metal
4. Numbers
5. Computer World
6. Home Computer
7. Pocket Calculator
8. Dentaku
9. Robots
10. Elektro Kardiogramm
11. Aero Dynamik
12. Music Non Stop
 
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:4.5
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

0 of 20 found the following review helpful:

1unsophisticated Krautbot noise  Jul 09, 2008
There is something inherently prosaic in this dead dull "music of der future". Fortunately, man has still some sense of individualism, but barely, and Kraftwerk's fascist goal for music has not rendered vocals obsolete. Listening to this, it harkens back to the techno geek 1970's when Germans laden in neo-fascist uniforms with thin ties and a pound of grease on their hair, showed no emotion on stage, acting like machines. Most of them wore leather pants so tight that they froze while playing, hence the dumb and inarticulate Krautbot look. They copied architecture chic from the 1930's, added some 70's porn montage and called it "modern" 1970's and praised the revolution of robots and computers. Not only is that very idea horrifying, but it is also silly. "Kraftwerk" means "cheese plant" in German and they are very cheesy.

The CD is probably one of the most horrible things I've listened to. If you can get to the end of it, you'll find all sorts of unwanted electronic noise, Krautbot voice dubs, electro fuzz, beeps, computer konks, repugnant computer-generated vocals, static, repulsive synthesizers, and extremely unpleasant clamor that goes on forever, that you'll soon be reaching for a hammer to crush the CD. In my estimation, all crap. A few American bands at the time tried the stale trend with deadly results, Gary Numan The Pleasure Principle (1979), Styx Kilroy Was Here (1983) , both tossed their careers away because of it.

You'll be reminded of foolish telephone companies, lumbering computer screens, electronic wires, gay 70's discos, and moronic techno cabarets in smelly, dark German cellars. This is the 2nd album by these Krautbots in 28 years, so be glad their production output has ceased. So, unless you're a nerd or have little taste in music, forget this stuff ever existed.

4The Raw Diamonds Have Been Better Than This Polished One  Mar 26, 2008
After all these years, the live Minimum-Maximum might be the best way to listen to Kraftwerk's Music... If not the fact that the German accent of Ralf Hütter in Enclish lyrics got polished out, taking away some character. Too smooth operators.

5Gotta love it. . . gotta!  Jan 19, 2008
How to sum it up in a few words? Well here's a short attempt:

1) The sound is amazing. If you listen to this through a decent system, you will be blown away at the production quality.

2) I assume you have heard these songs and this group before, so I won't go into detail on the song-writing. If you don't know this group, then you are in for a treat!

3) One of the big points of mystery is "who does what?" Meaning, what things are actually being played versus what things are sequenced or taped. Well, I don't think this matters much more than a curiosity. It is them, their songs, and their product. Sit back and enjoy the show.

4) Speaking of the show. . . In case you don't know, KW are not known for their dynamic performances, especially lately. You would never know by just listening that Ralf und Florian are in their 60s. . . but, you can certainly tell by the stoic body language and virtually NO interaction with the crowd. I don't feel this detracts from the performance in any way. But, I think it is fair to tell you not to expect a dancefest by them onstage.

That's all for now. I LOVE both the CD and DVD of this and have watched/listened repeatedly since I bought it. I recommend it for all lovers of Kraftwerk, and for anyone interested in learning more about them.

Hint: 1st time listener? I recommend "The Model" "Numbers" and "Computerworld" as well as "Pocket Calculator." Don't get me wrong, they are all great. . . one of my other favorites is "Elektrocardiogramm." Ok, enough of my yakking. Get to it!

4Kraftwerk still has what it takes.  Jun 07, 2007
Punchy live recordings of Kraftwerk's best known songs.

The CDs are programed wisely and the songs flow from one to the other quite nicely. This makes the CDs easy to listen to.

Some fans have doubts if Kraftwerk are still the leaders in electronic music, this set will ease those fears. They still have what it takes to create compelling music.

They have given us vital sounding new arrangements of aging material on this set. In doing this, Kraftwerk is giving long time fans value. And showing newer fans how a legendary band is able to adapt without losing their vision. And finaly they are showing everyone how a teacher learns from the student. To be a good teacher, one must be able to adapt and progress with the changing times. This is what Kraftwerk has done on this release.

5A great starter kit for those new to Kraftwerk!  Apr 18, 2007
A pivotal, amazing, extraordinary, pioneering electronic group such as Kraftwerk does not have a "greatest hits" collection. However, this really is not that saddening since it forces the interested buyer into purchasing their brilliant classic albums (Trans-Europe Express, Autobahn, etc.) like they should. However, for the timid person this CD is out there. The live versions of the song are studio-quality and since Kraftwerk plays everything post-Autobahn live then this functions as a "best-of". For longtime fans, this is great because it includes newer tracks from the Tour de France Soundtracks and great renditions of their older tunes.

 
 
Bestsellers
Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]
After wrapping up her world-wide sold out Oral Fixation Tour, Shakira is back with the LIVE CONCERT Blu-ray that captures it all. Viewed by over 2M people in 36 countries, Shakira delivers all of her smashes, such as "La Tortura"(featuring Alejandro ...
List Price: $29.98
Our Price: $16.99
You Save: $12.99 (43%)
Add to Cart
Across the Universe [Blu-ray]Across the Universe [Blu-ray]
Across the Universe, from director Julie Taymor, is a revolutionary rock musical that re-imagines America in the turbulent late-1960s, a time when battle lines were being drawn at home and abroad. When young dockworker Jude (Jim Sturgess) leaves Live ...
List Price: $38.96
Our Price: $15.49
You Save: $23.47 (60%)
Add to Cart
Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE
List Price: $92.95
Our Price: $47.49
You Save: $45.46 (49%)
Add to Cart
Web business powered by Amazon WebStore



About Us   Contact Us   Privacy Policy   Shipping Policy
Free Shipping on Orders $25 and Up!

Copyright ©2009 SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. All rights reserved.