Aerodynamik [12" VINYL]

Luckily, Kraftwerk's "Kling Klang Dynamix" version (track 2 on this single) is, in my opinion, a great improvement, with more articulate and vivid sounds, a better sense of flow and a less conservative composition. It is altogether more involving and emtion-inducing than the original - not so much a remix as a realisation of its potential. For this alone, the single deserves five stars. [The "Kling Klang Radio Mix" is essentially a shortened version of this].

Unfortunately, I find the remaining remixes (by Alex Gopher/Etienne de Crecy and Francois Kevorkian) uninteresting. Both seem to have extracted much of Kraftwerk's soul and, in their own ways, turned the piece into what I imagine is the kind of robotic techno music that Kraftwerk is frequently - and mistakenly - described as producing. For some, no doubt, this will be a bonus...


A grower   October 19, 2004
A. Skudder (Crawley, West Sussex)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This was not the obvious choice for a single off the Tour De France Soundtracks album. At the 2004 concerts this seemed at the time like a weak track to finish the shows, with less impact than other new material, let alone the old classics.

Having said that, it does grow on you. Its a hypnotic song that send you into a trance listening to all 4 versions for the whole 25 minutes.

Track one is just like the album version, while track two is similar but vastly extended. The third track adds a more insistant beat and is a lot more 'clubby', while the last track is, if such a thing is possible, much more mechanical sounding than the original Kraftwerk!

Certainly worth having to listen to during the long, long, wait for a new album.


Kraftwerk undermining there own myth   April 21, 2004
R. Clercx (Oostende, BELGIUM)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

I was a huge Kraftwerk fan (and still try to be), but it's hard when youare confronted with there new work compared to the classics Man Machine,Computerworld, Autobahn, ...
What is lacking: Kraftwerk used to combine cutting edge sythesizer andrecording technology (and they still do), with striking catchy melody (andthis has almost completely disappeared).
Aerodynamique is based on a bass hook, which is continued thru out thesong, and it's this bass hook which is also the main point of the remixes.Kraftwerk used to provide in songs, not in four on the floor rhytms whichmay appeal at the first few hearings, but will not proove to be timelessas there earlier work. It is too much lacking in the song department.
Still better than 80 % of the dance music out there (the recording qualityis simply impeccable), but no longer is Kraftwerk the leading guru, only agood follower (and listener of Asian influenced techno: just listen toearlier work of Ken Ishi,and you'll hear that Kraftwerk is relying on whathas be done before).
Sad to see a monument push over it's own reputation.


Gopher the de Crecy mix   March 30, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Although 'Vitamin' might have made a better release (at least it has a melody), Kraftwerk at least get it right with the remixes, especially Alex Gopher and Etienne de Crecy: this must be the best-ever Kraftwerk remix on official release. Even though it's mid-tempo it builds to an insane breakdown no less than 3 times, and will leave you slack-jawed. Play at maximum volume for full effect. The Francois K house mix is predictably beat-heavy and loses some of the original's spacious airiness. Kraftwerk's own Kling Klang Dynamix is a luxuriously extended version of the original. All in all, a great buy - not necessarily a great song - with the trademark pristine Kraftwerk sound.


Gloriously, unmistakably.....   March 26, 2004
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This CD is quite superb. I am not normally a fan of CDs with multiple versions of the same track but this is a treasure with each version carrying a distinct character making it a true track in its own right.

If you like Chemical Brothers, Kevorkian, William Orbit, Fat Boy Slim, give this a try as it has flavours similar to all and maybe none of these, all underpinned with fundamentals that are gloroiusly, unmistakably KRAFTWERK.

In my opinion this is the best material to come from Kraftwerk since the new stuff began with the EXPO 2000 tracks.