Computer World (German version:
Computerwelt) is a concept album created by
Kraftwerk and released in 1981. It deals with the themes of the rise of computers within society. The track "Computer World" lacks approximately half the lyrics of the German "Computerwelt", and consequently most of its meaning. The last track is a pun based on the slogan "It's more fun to compete" as could be seen on pinball machines of the time. Many see this album as a peak in the career of Kraftwerk, along with
Autobahn.
The compositions are credited to Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, and Karl Bartos. Musically the album is stronger than ever - the sound is further refined to pure electronics and vocals (gone is the last vestige of "real" instruments, the Vako Orchestron), and the sequencing and electronic percussion reach new sonic and rhythmic heights - a real "funkiness" is on display for the first time since 1970's "Vom Himmel Hoch" from the first album, tracks such as "Numbers" connecting with black dance/hip hop music in the USA.
Influence
Coldplay used the synthesizer melody of "Computer Love" in their song "Talk", featured on their album
X&Y.
Track listing
English release
#"Computer World" – 5:05
#"Pocket Calculator" – 4:55
#"Numbers" – 3:19
#"Computer World 2" – 3:21
#"Computer Love" – 7:15
#"Home Computer" – 6:17
#"It's More Fun to Compute" – 4:13
German release
#"Computerwelt" – 5:05
#"Taschenrechner" – 5:00
#"Nummern" – 3:00
#"Computerwelt 2" – 3:30
#"Computerliebe" – 7:00
#"Heimcomputer" – 6:00
#"It's More Fun to Compute" – 4:15
French release
#"Computer World" – 5:05
#"Minicalculatrice" – 4:55
#"Numbers" – 3:00
#"Computer World 2" – 3:30
#"Computer Love" – 7:00
#"Home Computer" – 6:00
#"It's More Fun to Compute" – 4:15
Japanese release
#"Computer World" ("コンピューター・ワールド") – 5:07
#"Dentaku" ("電卓") – 4:56
#"Numbers" ("ナンバース") – 3:19
#"Computer World 2" ("コンピューター・ワールド2") – 3:20
#"Computer Love" ("コンピューター・ラブ") – 7:16
#"Home Computer" ("ホーム・コンピューター") – 6:17
#"It's More Fun to Compute ("コンピューターはボクのオモチャ") – 4:12
Note 1: The French album has never been reissued on CD.
Note 2: On the Japanese re-release CD, track 2 is "Pocket Calculator" while "Dentaku" is a bonus track.Equipment
*Sequential Circuits Prophet 5
*Moog Polymoog
*Moog
Minimoog*Dubreq Stylophone
*Mattel
BeeGees rhythm machine *
Roland MC8 Microcomposer sequencer
*Friendchip "Mr Lab" unit
*Custom-built 32-step analogue sequencers by Matten & Wiechers
*Texas Instruments 'Speak & Spell' language toy
*
Casio FX-501P Programmable Calculator with FA-1 Cassette Interface
Category:Kraftwerk albums
Category:1981 albums
