Radio-Activity

1. Geiger Counter

2. Radioactivity

3. Radioland

4. Airwaves

5. Intermission

6. News

7. Voice of Energy

8. Antenna

9. Radio Stars

10. Uranium

11. Transistor

12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Radio-Activity,Kraftwerk,Capitol,Electro,Electronic,Germany,Rock

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Average customer rating: A great album of progressive electronica Kraftwerk - good old songs An Underrated Concept Album genius of a child prodigy .-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.--

Radio-Activity Kraftwerk Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Trans-Europe Express The Man-Machine Computer World Autobahn Electric Cafe ASIN: B00000DQT0 Release Date: 1995-09-26

Tracks:

1. Geiger Counter
2. Radioactivity
3. Radioland
4. Airwaves
5. Intermission
6. News
7. The Voice Of Energy
8. Antenna
9. Radio Stars
10. Uranium
11. Transistor
12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Amazon.com essential recording

Kraftwerk built upon the international success of Autobahn by expanding their conceptual conceits to an album-length exploration of radio waves (and the band's other favorite wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum). Musically, the album represents a quantum leap of pop sensibility; though still distinctly a "prog" soundscape, its brilliant melodic hooks (best represented by the title track and "Airwaves") are organized in more traditional--read shorter--form. In tracks such as the minimalist audio-verite "News," Kraftwerk pay homage to another of their musical influences, the great modern composer/theorist Karlheinz Stockhausen. "Antenna" foreshadows the techno-gods they became, with its electronic washes and clever less-is-too-much lyrics, which read, in total: "I'm the antenna catching vibrations; you're the transmitter, give information!" Radio-Activity is an underrated masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A great album of progressive electronica.......2007-04-03

Kraftwerk's 1975 album Radio-Activity (this is the English language version), is apparently a concept album exploring the theme of radio communication. Interestingly, there is a staccato Morse code sound on the album that reminded me somewhat of the introduction to Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd, 1967). Given the huge influence of 1960's Pink Floyd on the German electronic scene, this really does not come as a surprise. In general, this is a great Kraftwerk album and is a bit gloomier sounding than their famous Autobahn album (1974).

The lineup on Radio Activity included Ralf Hütter (vocals, electronic sound, drums, synthesizers, voice); Florian Schneider (vocals, electronic sound, drums, synthesizers, voice); Karl Bartos (electronic percussion); and Wolfgang Flür (electronic percussion). Although the liner notes do not say anything about instrumentation I was able to dig up the following "internet factoids" regarding equipment use on the album: (1) Ralf Hütter sings through a Roland RE-201 Space Echo on the song Antenna; (2) a military speech synthesizer, based on creating phonemes, was used on Radioland; and (3) In addition to the usual keyboard instruments (e.g. minimoog; ARP Odyssey; EMS Synthi A; and Farfisa electronic piano on "Transistor"), the Vako Orchestron (not a mellotron) was used to provide the warm choir sounds. For those of you that are curious (like me), the Orchestron was an analogue sampling instrument that used optical disks (rather than tapes) to store the sounds of real voices and orchestral instruments (e.g. choir, string and organ sounds). Initially Kraftwerk owned a single-manual Orchestron, but later, they used one with two keyboards which was used until the first half of the 1981 tour at which time it was replaced by the Polymoog (polyphonic) synthesizer. Other pieces of equipment used on Radio Activity included a vocoder, Farfisa Rhythm Unit 10, and even an oscilloscope. In contrast with Autobahn, the group did not use acoustic instruments (flute, violin or guitars) on this album.

The 12 tracks on the album are arranged in a suite of sorts that lasts for approximately 37'55", with the individual tracks ranging in length from 0'15" to 6'44. The music on Radio Activity is a bit more hypnotic, brooding and sullen than Autobahn, and yet is also more "mechanical" sounding than albums released by their peers including electronica giant Tangerine Dream at the time. Although the Orchestron contributes a very soft and spacey feel to the pieces with a luxurious cushion of "mellotron-like" choir sections, the thumping electronic percussion and "computerized" vocals lend a somewhat rigid feel to the music - yet not distractingly so. It actually makes for a nice contrast. Although I have described this music as brooding and sullen, there are a few cheery melodies and unaltered vocals that brighten the grey soundscape somewhat.

All in all, this is a great Kraftwerk album that is very enjoyable. Highly recommended to all electronica fans along with Autobahn (1974).

Kraftwerk - good old songs.......2007-03-09

first generation of electronic sound, very relaxing, makes me return to good old times.....

An Underrated Concept Album .......2006-10-05

After the huge success with "Autobahn" Kraftwek continued with yet another concept album, this time around about Radio and communications. It feautures far more songs then "Autobahn" (12 songs) but almost half of them are not actually songs, more like intro's. It was hard to come up with a follower to such a groundbreaking album like "Autobahn" and "Radio-Activity" doesn't always work. The best songs are fantastic bt some songs feel a little unapreciated considering that they are just short intros. What we can clearly say however, is that they truly capture the diffrent sounds of communications and broadcasting and just by that it's a very fascinating album.

First song "Geiger Counter" is not an actual song, Just broadcatsing. Title track "Radioactivity" feature everything that a Kaftwerk song normally does, great melody, percussion and beats, they sing "Radio Activity, discovered by Madade Curie". The best song of the album. "Radioland" is very slow and it perfectly captures the mystery and sounds of comminucations. Here you got to listen to amateur radio broadcasting and robotic voices. Perhaps the song the is technologically the greatest of this album, remember this was 1975. "Airwaves" continues being a great number. It got a hypnotic melody and also suits well into this concept. Next two songs are intro's. "News" is very good. "Voice of Energy" is a robotic voice speaking. Before it's time but not so fun. On "Antenna" we'll find yet another trademark "Kraftwerk" song, very happy and uptempo wit good sounds loops. "Radio Stars" sounds like an arcade video game of the late 70's early 80's. It doesn't have much melody and seques into the next song "Uranium", with a robotic voice speaking again. "Transistor" is short, but very meliodic while the closer "Ohm sweet Ohm" is one of the best, but I don't know what it is suppost to represent.

Overall, an often critisized album and it is far from their best, but it is a concept album and all of those songs were needed to fit the concept of broadcasting and communications. The greatest songs here are fantastic like any Kraftwerk song, but the short intros are what makes this album weaker then the average Kraftwerk project. I think it's a worthwile album to buy, partly cause of the fantastic sounds they created. However, don't start your Kraftwerk collection here, start with "Autobahn" then "Trans Europe Express".

genius of a child prodigy.......2006-08-07

After listening to this album, it inspired me to get on the keyboard. I can write and play this music, and I've never taken a piano lesson in my life. My daughter could probably play the same caliber music, and she is not even three. I know Kraftwerk is more talented than this. RADIO-ACTIVITY sans the sound effects show little imagination and creativity. The normal and synthesized vocals go great with the music, since they were both subpar. This album doesn't hold a candlestick to AUTOBAHN, or T.E.E. If you are buying Kraftwerk for the first time, don't start with this album.

.-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.-- .......2006-03-14

This album has morse code on it, what more can you say...

...well some of that morse code actually sounds like that UA6 you just worked on 40 metres, complete with T6 buzz and slow drift.

And the music is pretty good too.

Average customer rating: One of the best Atmospheric masterpiece "Turn the dials with your hands" Kraftwerk/ Radio-Activity A true masterpiece

Radio-Activity Kraftwerk Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Trans-Europe Express The Man-Machine Computer World Autobahn The Man-Machine ASIN: B000087HXM Release Date: 2003-02-03

Tracks:

1. Geiger Counter
2. Radioactivity
3. Radioland
4. Airwaves
5. Intermission
6. News
7. The Voice Of Energy
8. Antenna
9. Radio Stars
10. Uranium
11. Transistor
12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Customer Reviews:

One of the best.......2007-01-16

I've been exposed to Kraftwerk since I was little. My uncle owned the original Autobahn and Radio-Activitat vinyls so naturally we'd hear it at full blast during visits. One interesting note is that the first track of this album sounds like a defective record, and my uncle did not know it was supposed to sound like this, and did not find out otherwise until he angrily returned it to the record store and had the clerk listen. I grew up on this so I'm already a biased fan. But this is by far the most intricate of albums for the titled subject, Radio.

Atmospheric masterpiece.......2006-10-22

This experimental album with its electronic sighs and bleeps and atmospheric crackles is such a timeless masterpiece not because of the electronics but because of the heavenly melodies and the engaging rhythms. The whooshes, the bleeps and the disembodied voices are just the icing on the cake although they give the music an other-worldly dimension. The title track is mesmerising in its ebb and flow, while Radioland and Airwaves get progressively more weird. The more I listen to it, the more I think that Radio Activity is by far Kraftwerk's most varied and innovative album. What set Kraftwerk's electronics apart from most of the other synth pioneers, is the sense of classical structure that underlies the music. True, Klaus Nomi also used classic and operatic structures but he came much later. Songs like Antenna and Ohm Sweet Ohm with their beautiful melodic hooks are as accessible and addictive as their huge hit Autobahn. I recommend this album to all fans of synthesizer music like OMD, Eurythmics, Yazoo, Suicide, Gary Numan and Sparks, to enjoy the source that most of these artists drew from to some extent.

"Turn the dials with your hands".......2005-07-26

Kraftwerk's 1975 album, "Radio-Activity," is an interesting album. It's sort of strange though. And it doesn't match the quality from some of their later albums, "Man Machine" from 1978, or "Computer World" from 1981. However, I still like "Radio-Activity." Where ever these four guys from Dusseldorf got their ideas from when puting this together, I don't know. But I have to say, this is sure something.

There are twelve tracks featured on this disc. Track one, "Geiger Counter," is just over a minute long. It begins with these thumping sounds. They go at around one beat per second and go slightly faster through the first half of the track. There are these two other sound effects, a zipper sound and some other sound (I don't know exactly what it is though) in the second half. Near the end of the track, the thumping sound speeds up and continues through the beginning next track, the song, "Radio-Activity," fading away after the first few seconds of the song. "Radio-Activity" is a very mysterious sounding tune and is the longest track on the CD at 6:45. It's sung in both English and German, and includes morse code. Track three is "Radioland," a soft melody featuring both regular human vocals and robot vocals. The song also includes various radio sounds. It's sung in German and then in English. "Airwaves" is track four. It's a more faster, more lively tune. It's a little weird. The Jetsons are the first thing to come to my mind when I hear "Airwaves," mostly because of how intergalactic sounding it is. Either than that, this is my favorite song in the album. Tracks 5-7 are all short tracks. "Intermission" is just musical tones, "News" is just people talking (It's hard to make out what they're saying) and different sound effects, and "The Voice of Energy" features only a robot talking in German. "Antenna" is track eight. It's a strange song with echoing vocals and laser sounds. Things get even more strange, and even spooky, when "Radio Stars" plays. "Radio Stars" features deep human vocals and the robot vocals from "Radioland." The only other thing included in the three-and-a-half-minute long track are these like broadcasting signals that go on through the whole track. This isn't even the spookiest track on the CD. "Uranium" has given me oodles of goosebumps the first time hearing it. I was driving down this rural road at night with no one else driving when I first heard this, a perfect time and place to be that freaked out. This track features a whispering robot voice saying "Through constant decay, uranium creates the radioactive ray" and then whispering in German. "Uranium" is ninety seconds long. Track eleven, "Transistor," is an istrumental at only two minutes and fifteen seconds long. It sounds something like a theme song to maybe a TV production company. The last track in the album is "Ohm Sweet Ohm." The track begins with these robots singing "Ohmmmm... Sweet Ohmmmm" seven times before the music starts. The rest of the track is instrumental, starting calm and getting more lively till its a happy, joyful sounding tune.

Overall, this is a neat album. I like it. I only wish they didn't need to use tracks 5-7. Tracks nine and ten I still like, even though I got shivers from those two tracks. I find this an enjoyable album.

Kraftwerk/ Radio-Activity.......2005-06-21

Radio-Activity is a concept album about radio waves and their travels through space and time. This disc launched a series of classic music from Kraftwerk. The vocals are in
English and German. Great stuff from the innovators of electronic music. The CD comes with a booklet filled with lyrics and original art work. Got to love the simple cover.

Highly recommended.

A true masterpiece.......2004-09-18

To me, Kraftwerk could not have picked a better idea for a concept album and no other band could have given the subject a better treatment. I've been a shortwave radio listener and a radio hobbyist for as long as I can remember and I couldn't believe it when I first heard this album. Just as Autobahn was a journey on the famous German highway, Radio-Activity is a trip through the world of radio waves, frequencies and wonderful sounds of distant voices that can be tuned in while lying in bed alone in the dark and scanning the radio spectrum. It sounds like a cold subject to most people but, Kraftwerk's wonderful melodies and distinctive sound make even the average person take notice of the miracle of radio transmission. Radio-Activity is a masterpiece and the pieces of "static", ringing tone intervals and news clips pieced in between the songs gives the listener the feeling of searching for that distant radio station waiting to be discovered. Kraftwerk's Radio-Activity is typical of the band always being ahead of it's time. Whether you are a radio hobbyist, a Kraftwerk fan or both, I think you will find this to be a fascinating and inventive recording.

Average customer rating:

Radio-Activity Kraftwerk ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000GG4X0Q Release Date: 2006-02-07

Tracks:

1. Geiger Counter
2. Radioactivity
3. Radioland
4. Airwaves
5. Intermission
6. News
7. Voice of Energy
8. Antenna
9. Radio Stars
10. Uranium
11. Transistor
12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Average customer rating: A great album of progressive electronica Kraftwerk - good old songs An Underrated Concept Album genius of a child prodigy .-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.--

Radio-Activity Kraftwerk Manufacturer: Indent Series ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Trans-Europe Express The Man-Machine Computer World Autobahn Electric Cafe ASIN: B000005JHW Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

1. Geiger Counter
2. Radioactivity
3. Radioland
4. Airwaves
5. Intermission
6. News
7. Voice of Energy
8. Antenna
9. Radio Stars
10. Uranium
11. Transistor
12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Amazon.com essential recording

Kraftwerk built upon the international success of Autobahn by expanding their conceptual conceits to an album-length exploration of radio waves (and the band's other favorite wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum). Musically, the album represents a quantum leap of pop sensibility; though still distinctly a "prog" soundscape, its brilliant melodic hooks (best represented by the title track and "Airwaves") are organized in more traditional--read shorter--form. In tracks such as the minimalist audio-verite "News," Kraftwerk pay homage to another of their musical influences, the great modern composer/theorist Karlheinz Stockhausen. "Antenna" foreshadows the techno-gods they became, with its electronic washes and clever less-is-too-much lyrics, which read, in total: "I'm the antenna catching vibrations; you're the transmitter, give information!" Radio-Activity is an underrated masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A great album of progressive electronica.......2007-04-03

Kraftwerk's 1975 album Radio-Activity (this is the English language version), is apparently a concept album exploring the theme of radio communication. Interestingly, there is a staccato Morse code sound on the album that reminded me somewhat of the introduction to Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd, 1967). Given the huge influence of 1960's Pink Floyd on the German electronic scene, this really does not come as a surprise. In general, this is a great Kraftwerk album and is a bit gloomier sounding than their famous Autobahn album (1974).

The lineup on Radio Activity included Ralf Hütter (vocals, electronic sound, drums, synthesizers, voice); Florian Schneider (vocals, electronic sound, drums, synthesizers, voice); Karl Bartos (electronic percussion); and Wolfgang Flür (electronic percussion). Although the liner notes do not say anything about instrumentation I was able to dig up the following "internet factoids" regarding equipment use on the album: (1) Ralf Hütter sings through a Roland RE-201 Space Echo on the song Antenna; (2) a military speech synthesizer, based on creating phonemes, was used on Radioland; and (3) In addition to the usual keyboard instruments (e.g. minimoog; ARP Odyssey; EMS Synthi A; and Farfisa electronic piano on "Transistor"), the Vako Orchestron (not a mellotron) was used to provide the warm choir sounds. For those of you that are curious (like me), the Orchestron was an analogue sampling instrument that used optical disks (rather than tapes) to store the sounds of real voices and orchestral instruments (e.g. choir, string and organ sounds). Initially Kraftwerk owned a single-manual Orchestron, but later, they used one with two keyboards which was used until the first half of the 1981 tour at which time it was replaced by the Polymoog (polyphonic) synthesizer. Other pieces of equipment used on Radio Activity included a vocoder, Farfisa Rhythm Unit 10, and even an oscilloscope. In contrast with Autobahn, the group did not use acoustic instruments (flute, violin or guitars) on this album.

The 12 tracks on the album are arranged in a suite of sorts that lasts for approximately 37'55", with the individual tracks ranging in length from 0'15" to 6'44. The music on Radio Activity is a bit more hypnotic, brooding and sullen than Autobahn, and yet is also more "mechanical" sounding than albums released by their peers including electronica giant Tangerine Dream at the time. Although the Orchestron contributes a very soft and spacey feel to the pieces with a luxurious cushion of "mellotron-like" choir sections, the thumping electronic percussion and "computerized" vocals lend a somewhat rigid feel to the music - yet not distractingly so. It actually makes for a nice contrast. Although I have described this music as brooding and sullen, there are a few cheery melodies and unaltered vocals that brighten the grey soundscape somewhat.

All in all, this is a great Kraftwerk album that is very enjoyable. Highly recommended to all electronica fans along with Autobahn (1974).

Kraftwerk - good old songs.......2007-03-09

first generation of electronic sound, very relaxing, makes me return to good old times.....

An Underrated Concept Album .......2006-10-05

After the huge success with "Autobahn" Kraftwek continued with yet another concept album, this time around about Radio and communications. It feautures far more songs then "Autobahn" (12 songs) but almost half of them are not actually songs, more like intro's. It was hard to come up with a follower to such a groundbreaking album like "Autobahn" and "Radio-Activity" doesn't always work. The best songs are fantastic bt some songs feel a little unapreciated considering that they are just short intros. What we can clearly say however, is that they truly capture the diffrent sounds of communications and broadcasting and just by that it's a very fascinating album.

First song "Geiger Counter" is not an actual song, Just broadcatsing. Title track "Radioactivity" feature everything that a Kaftwerk song normally does, great melody, percussion and beats, they sing "Radio Activity, discovered by Madade Curie". The best song of the album. "Radioland" is very slow and it perfectly captures the mystery and sounds of comminucations. Here you got to listen to amateur radio broadcasting and robotic voices. Perhaps the song the is technologically the greatest of this album, remember this was 1975. "Airwaves" continues being a great number. It got a hypnotic melody and also suits well into this concept. Next two songs are intro's. "News" is very good. "Voice of Energy" is a robotic voice speaking. Before it's time but not so fun. On "Antenna" we'll find yet another trademark "Kraftwerk" song, very happy and uptempo wit good sounds loops. "Radio Stars" sounds like an arcade video game of the late 70's early 80's. It doesn't have much melody and seques into the next song "Uranium", with a robotic voice speaking again. "Transistor" is short, but very meliodic while the closer "Ohm sweet Ohm" is one of the best, but I don't know what it is suppost to represent.

Overall, an often critisized album and it is far from their best, but it is a concept album and all of those songs were needed to fit the concept of broadcasting and communications. The greatest songs here are fantastic like any Kraftwerk song, but the short intros are what makes this album weaker then the average Kraftwerk project. I think it's a worthwile album to buy, partly cause of the fantastic sounds they created. However, don't start your Kraftwerk collection here, start with "Autobahn" then "Trans Europe Express".

genius of a child prodigy.......2006-08-07

After listening to this album, it inspired me to get on the keyboard. I can write and play this music, and I've never taken a piano lesson in my life. My daughter could probably play the same caliber music, and she is not even three. I know Kraftwerk is more talented than this. RADIO-ACTIVITY sans the sound effects show little imagination and creativity. The normal and synthesized vocals go great with the music, since they were both subpar. This album doesn't hold a candlestick to AUTOBAHN, or T.E.E. If you are buying Kraftwerk for the first time, don't start with this album.

.-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.-- .......2006-03-14

This album has morse code on it, what more can you say...

...well some of that morse code actually sounds like that UA6 you just worked on 40 metres, complete with T6 buzz and slow drift.

And the music is pretty good too.

Average customer rating:

Radio-Activity Kraftwerk Manufacturer: Astralwerks ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B0001LJC8O Release Date: 2006-01-24

Tracks:

1. Geiger Counter
2. Radioactivity
3. Radioland
4. Airwaves
5. Intermission
6. News
7. Voice of Energy
8. Antenna
9. Radio Stars
10. Uranium
11. Transistor
12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Average customer rating:

Radio Activity Kraftwerk Manufacturer: Emi-Capitol Special Products ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000DST1 Release Date: 1992-06-19

Average customer rating: A great album of progressive electronica Kraftwerk - good old songs An Underrated Concept Album genius of a child prodigy .-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.--

Radio-Activity Kraftwerk Manufacturer: Cleopatra ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Trans-Europe Express The Man-Machine Computer World Autobahn Electric Cafe ASIN: B000001JOL Release Date: 1993-01-15

Tracks:

1. Geiger Counter
2. Radioactivity
3. Radioland
4. Airwaves
5. Intermission
6. News
7. Voice of Energy
8. Antenna
9. Radio Stars
10. Uranium
11. Transistor
12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Amazon.com essential recording

Kraftwerk built upon the international success of Autobahn by expanding their conceptual conceits to an album-length exploration of radio waves (and the band's other favorite wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum). Musically, the album represents a quantum leap of pop sensibility; though still distinctly a "prog" soundscape, its brilliant melodic hooks (best represented by the title track and "Airwaves") are organized in more traditional--read shorter--form. In tracks such as the minimalist audio-verite "News," Kraftwerk pay homage to another of their musical influences, the great modern composer/theorist Karlheinz Stockhausen. "Antenna" foreshadows the techno-gods they became, with its electronic washes and clever less-is-too-much lyrics, which read, in total: "I'm the antenna catching vibrations; you're the transmitter, give information!" Radio-Activity is an underrated masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A great album of progressive electronica.......2007-04-03

Kraftwerk's 1975 album Radio-Activity (this is the English language version), is apparently a concept album exploring the theme of radio communication. Interestingly, there is a staccato Morse code sound on the album that reminded me somewhat of the introduction to Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd, 1967). Given the huge influence of 1960's Pink Floyd on the German electronic scene, this really does not come as a surprise. In general, this is a great Kraftwerk album and is a bit gloomier sounding than their famous Autobahn album (1974).

The lineup on Radio Activity included Ralf Hütter (vocals, electronic sound, drums, synthesizers, voice); Florian Schneider (vocals, electronic sound, drums, synthesizers, voice); Karl Bartos (electronic percussion); and Wolfgang Flür (electronic percussion). Although the liner notes do not say anything about instrumentation I was able to dig up the following "internet factoids" regarding equipment use on the album: (1) Ralf Hütter sings through a Roland RE-201 Space Echo on the song Antenna; (2) a military speech synthesizer, based on creating phonemes, was used on Radioland; and (3) In addition to the usual keyboard instruments (e.g. minimoog; ARP Odyssey; EMS Synthi A; and Farfisa electronic piano on "Transistor"), the Vako Orchestron (not a mellotron) was used to provide the warm choir sounds. For those of you that are curious (like me), the Orchestron was an analogue sampling instrument that used optical disks (rather than tapes) to store the sounds of real voices and orchestral instruments (e.g. choir, string and organ sounds). Initially Kraftwerk owned a single-manual Orchestron, but later, they used one with two keyboards which was used until the first half of the 1981 tour at which time it was replaced by the Polymoog (polyphonic) synthesizer. Other pieces of equipment used on Radio Activity included a vocoder, Farfisa Rhythm Unit 10, and even an oscilloscope. In contrast with Autobahn, the group did not use acoustic instruments (flute, violin or guitars) on this album.

The 12 tracks on the album are arranged in a suite of sorts that lasts for approximately 37'55", with the individual tracks ranging in length from 0'15" to 6'44. The music on Radio Activity is a bit more hypnotic, brooding and sullen than Autobahn, and yet is also more "mechanical" sounding than albums released by their peers including electronica giant Tangerine Dream at the time. Although the Orchestron contributes a very soft and spacey feel to the pieces with a luxurious cushion of "mellotron-like" choir sections, the thumping electronic percussion and "computerized" vocals lend a somewhat rigid feel to the music - yet not distractingly so. It actually makes for a nice contrast. Although I have described this music as brooding and sullen, there are a few cheery melodies and unaltered vocals that brighten the grey soundscape somewhat.

All in all, this is a great Kraftwerk album that is very enjoyable. Highly recommended to all electronica fans along with Autobahn (1974).

Kraftwerk - good old songs.......2007-03-09

first generation of electronic sound, very relaxing, makes me return to good old times.....

An Underrated Concept Album .......2006-10-05

After the huge success with "Autobahn" Kraftwek continued with yet another concept album, this time around about Radio and communications. It feautures far more songs then "Autobahn" (12 songs) but almost half of them are not actually songs, more like intro's. It was hard to come up with a follower to such a groundbreaking album like "Autobahn" and "Radio-Activity" doesn't always work. The best songs are fantastic bt some songs feel a little unapreciated considering that they are just short intros. What we can clearly say however, is that they truly capture the diffrent sounds of communications and broadcasting and just by that it's a very fascinating album.

First song "Geiger Counter" is not an actual song, Just broadcatsing. Title track "Radioactivity" feature everything that a Kaftwerk song normally does, great melody, percussion and beats, they sing "Radio Activity, discovered by Madade Curie". The best song of the album. "Radioland" is very slow and it perfectly captures the mystery and sounds of comminucations. Here you got to listen to amateur radio broadcasting and robotic voices. Perhaps the song the is technologically the greatest of this album, remember this was 1975. "Airwaves" continues being a great number. It got a hypnotic melody and also suits well into this concept. Next two songs are intro's. "News" is very good. "Voice of Energy" is a robotic voice speaking. Before it's time but not so fun. On "Antenna" we'll find yet another trademark "Kraftwerk" song, very happy and uptempo wit good sounds loops. "Radio Stars" sounds like an arcade video game of the late 70's early 80's. It doesn't have much melody and seques into the next song "Uranium", with a robotic voice speaking again. "Transistor" is short, but very meliodic while the closer "Ohm sweet Ohm" is one of the best, but I don't know what it is suppost to represent.

Overall, an often critisized album and it is far from their best, but it is a concept album and all of those songs were needed to fit the concept of broadcasting and communications. The greatest songs here are fantastic like any Kraftwerk song, but the short intros are what makes this album weaker then the average Kraftwerk project. I think it's a worthwile album to buy, partly cause of the fantastic sounds they created. However, don't start your Kraftwerk collection here, start with "Autobahn" then "Trans Europe Express".

genius of a child prodigy.......2006-08-07

After listening to this album, it inspired me to get on the keyboard. I can write and play this music, and I've never taken a piano lesson in my life. My daughter could probably play the same caliber music, and she is not even three. I know Kraftwerk is more talented than this. RADIO-ACTIVITY sans the sound effects show little imagination and creativity. The normal and synthesized vocals go great with the music, since they were both subpar. This album doesn't hold a candlestick to AUTOBAHN, or T.E.E. If you are buying Kraftwerk for the first time, don't start with this album.

.-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.-- .......2006-03-14

This album has morse code on it, what more can you say...

...well some of that morse code actually sounds like that UA6 you just worked on 40 metres, complete with T6 buzz and slow drift.

And the music is pretty good too.

Average customer rating:

Radio Activity Frodus Manufacturer: Magic Bullet Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: F-Letter Conglomerate International ASIN: B000069COJ Release Date: 2002-06-25

Average customer rating:

Radio-Aktivität Manufacturer: EMI Electola ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000A63V9G

Product Description

1. Geigerzähler 2. Radioaktivität 3. Radioland 4. Ätherwellen 5. Sendepause 6. Nachrichten 7. Die Stimme der Energie 8. Antenne 9. Radio Sterne 10. Uran 11. Transistor 12. Ohm Sweet Ohm

Meditation Music:

1. Radioactivity [CD-single]
2. Remembering
3. Rendez-Vous
4. Revolutions
5. Romantic Harp
6. Sea of Bliss
7. Sea of Dreams
8. Sea of Joy
9. Seasons
10. Sensitive Touch

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

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Lewis: Violin Concerto/Where The Heart Is Pure/Delicate Sky/Sun Music

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