Margen Schallplatten & CDs

Review: German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are responsible for several vital albums and this newly reissued gem is one of them. Random Access Memory epitomises the group's forward-thinking approach in that it blends precision engineering with emotive innovation, all tied up with their signature mastery of synths, vocoders and rhythm machines. It delivers a sound that is both mechanical and deeply human and all of the tracks are rich in texture as they balance sleek beats with melodic layers that explore themes of technology, memory and connection. The album pays homage to their pioneering roots while also sounding still very futuristic all these years later.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are responsible for several vital albums and this newly reissued gem is one of them. Random Access Memory epitomises the group's forward-thinking approach in that it blends precision engineering with emotive innovation, all tied up with their signature mastery of synths, vocoders and rhythm machines. It delivers a sound that is both mechanical and deeply human and all of the tracks are rich in texture as they balance sleek beats with melodic layers that explore themes of technology, memory and connection. The album pays homage to their pioneering roots while also sounding still very futuristic all these years later.

Review: With a Smiths reunion seemingly off the cards forever due to apparent unresolvable differences, the best we can do is dig deeper into their past. This goes back earlier than most, capturing Morrissey, Marr, Rourke and Joyce performing live at the Hammersmith Palais in 1984. The band were in the midst of a UK-wide tour and were consolidating their swift rise to stardom on the back of their then just-released debut studio album. The set is stacked with choice highlights from it - see 'Still Ill', 'What Difference Does It Make' and 'Miserable Lie', the latter seeing Morrissey hitting all the high notes superbly. Their performance of 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' here came two months before it was released as a single and it varies lyrically and musically from the version that ends up getting consigned to wax, something true Smiths collectors and archivists will need to hear.