Magazine 1＜限定盤＞

Wolfgang Flur began his solo career in the mid-90s, a decade after leaving Kraftwerk, with a Mouse on Mars-produced album under the name Yamo. Hes since put out music under his own name, and has become more active since the 2000s, even if he hasnt been prolific on an album level. 2015s Eloquence (Complete Works) included collaborations with Meat Beat Manifestos Jack Dangers, Anni Hogan, and (as a bonus track) Pizzicato Fives Maki Nomiya, as well as a previously issued single sharing the name of his controversial memoir, "I Was a Robot." (The other members of Kraftwerk took Flur to court over some of the books contents following its initial German publication.) His subsequent work has included an album with German rave survivors U96 and an electro single with producer Fabrice Lig, as well as guest appearances on releases by lesser-known synth pop acts. Magazine 1 is his first album since Eloquence, and its another collaboration-heavy set of electro-pop tunes that break away from the robotic demeanor of his former group. Though Kraftwerk have a sense of humor, however dry and subtle, and they have more playful moments like "Pocket Calculator" that can verge on novelty songs, theyre generally regarded as serious musicians, given their importance as an electronic music institution. Flurs music is more mischievous, and his exuberant vocal style and goofy lyrics would seem like a parody if they didnt come off as a genuine expression of his personality. There are some moments on the album that seem curiously imperfect coming from a former Kraftwerk member, like when he twists the vocals and beats slightly out of sync during the bridges in "Magazine." A few tracks inevitably echo his past work -- "Zukunftmusik," a previously released track with U96, is essentially "The Robots" redux, and "Night Drive," which greatly benefits from guest vocals by Victoria Port of U.K. duo Anushka, delves deeper into the story behind "Trans Europe Express." The track is also impressive in how it switches between straightforward, cruising electro and a more manic drumnbass section. Likewise, "Electric Sheep," with U96 and British dance icon Carl Cox, injects an electro-breaks bridge into its cheerful techno-pop structure. Flur seems to be in megalomaniac mode over the mad scientist electro of "Billionaire (Symphony of Might)," with Detroit techno godfather Juan Atkins. The most overt 80s flashback on the album is "Birmingham," which has dreamy vocals by Propagandas Claudia Brucken and a low-mixed but welcome Peter Hook bassline. ~ Paul Simpson