My 1001 Albums Journey

‘Jerky funk rhythms’ is a good description. I’ve never heard of this album, nor heard any of the songs. Outstanding, very pleasantly surprised. You know it’s good when you want to play it the 3rd time without a break. Their 2nd LP and the first of 3 produced by Brian Eno. This is interesting, lots going on. Love the band, not sure about the voice at this early stage but the rhythm of the voice and the lyrics bring it together and the rhythm is excellent, would be great live. Can’t help but move to this. Love the sound, the production, the bass in particular sounds amazing. Sounds indie at times, jangly guitars, but always with a funky drums & bass. Music to lose yourself in at the gig or on the dance floor.

An album I know very very well, my favourite album from my favourite band. Bernard Sumner’s vocals are at their Summery breezy best here, made in Ibiza it’s like this album picks up on that magic isle. It’s the perfect sunny day album, managing to be both upbeat but relaxing. Probably their most melodic album. Fine Time is unique, out on its own but works. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this album, it works really well as a whole. Highlights would be all songs but if I had to pick it would be Run, Mr Disco & Vanishing Point. New Order’s performance of Fine Time on TOTP is quite something too if you get a chance to watch.

Still sounds like music from another world. My art teacher used to play this over & over at school. I was rubbish at art but it was great to hear this. The Model hasn’t aged, stunning. Neon Lights is something else, warm & emotional. Absolutely ridiculous this is over 40 years old. I’m reading Carl Cox’s autobiography and he dedicates a whole chapter to Kraftwerk. It’s wondrous, magical music. It makes you feel different to any other music, unique in that way.

Liam’s vocals are spot on. How lucky to have this uplifting anthemic music when I was 23. For me the Liam’s voice sounds of stella, the white noise guitars of speed. The songwriting is exceptional, it’s like a greatest hits album - only qualm is I think it could have been produced better, the guitars aren’t quite right. But that’s me looking back 25 years this is a ***** classic.

Dramatic, cinematic.I remember watching his outdoor light spectacles on TV as a kid - Oxygene Part 4 brings back those memories. Rich textures, Spacemen 3 learnt from this. It’s very different to Kraftwerk, this is more like waves, more atmospheric. No words, this is music to make you wonder. Dreamy. I love it. Nice to hear an album without lyrics that still very much holds the attention.