Franck Vigroux and Matthew Bourne: Radioland: Radio-Activity Revisited (CD on Leaf Label)

Band: Franck Vigroux and Matthew Bourne
Label: Leaf Label
Title: Radioland: Radio-Activity Revisited

Review (1)	Release Details	Add Release	Releases (1)	Articles (0)
Cover Art (1)	Versions (0)	Edit Release	Releases List (1)	Reviews (1)
Pictures (0)			Summary (0)	Related (0)
			Jukebox (1)	List All (1)

Band:Franck Vigroux and Matthew Bourne
Title:Radioland: Radio-Activity Revisited
Reviewed By:Keith How
Date Published:21/02/2016

Label:Leaf Label
Format:CD
Release Year:2015
Lookup:

For many of us Kraftwerk’s seminal 1975 album 'Radio-Activity' is held in the highest of regard. It is, of course, cool to remind everyone of how our beloved David Bowie had his head turned by Kraftwerk and the “Koshmiche“ sound of that era.

I think it is fair to say that the thought of anyone tinkering with such a classic from another time sends an icy shiver down the spine of an older listener.

I pressed play with some trepidation but with my mind fairly open!

I am happy to say that the duo’s collaboration turns out to be a fantastic reworking as they bring this seminal but underrated album into the space age. There are one or two moments where a sharp intake of breath is needed such as with 'Antenna', but on the whole this is great stuff.

From the word go the original motifs and melody lines are there for us. 'Radioactivity', for example, gains in power in a modern setting. The keyboard signature shines and hovers over a humming synthesizer and space bleeps, while 'Airwaves' is full of menace with sampled voices and tasteful electronic signals weaving and pulsating in the mix. 'The Voice of Energy' provides a more restful moment.

The album is the result of a multi-media re-imagination that celebrated the 40th anniversary of the album's original release with artist Antoine Schmitt collaborating with Matthew Bourne and Franck Vigroux. The result is this rather otherworldly imagining of Kraftwerk.

'Radioland' is cerebral and avant-garde while retaining the originality of the 1975 release. 'Radio Stars' hums and broods like a dark storm, the bass throbbing and growling, and, with plenty of electronic fizzle around a repeated vocal phrase before fading out, it sounds very eerie.

I find it easy to be precious about the past and, yes the original has that wonderful analogue emotion, but here Matthew Bourne and Franck Vigroux have indeed re-imagined the past and brought us a new shiny beast to experience.

'Transistor' is ethereal and beautiful before 'Ohm Sweet Ohm' transports us along power lines and spaceways a crackling and vibrating drone.

Is this a result? I think so. It is a brave and passionate creation.

My advice? Jump on the night bus and listen on headphones.

Track Listing:

01) Geiger Counter
02) Radioactivity
03) Radioland
04) Airwaves
05) Intermission / News
06) The Voice of Energy
07) Antenna
08) Radio Stars
09) Uranium
10) Transistor
11) Ohm Sweet Ohm

First Previous Next Last

Related Links
http://matthewbourne.com/blog/
http://www.franckvigroux.com/
https://matthewbourne.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/franckvigroux
https://twitter.com/MortButane
https://www.facebook.com/mortbutane

Commenting On: Radioland: Radio-Activity Revisited by Franck Vigroux and Matthew Bourne

Header

Comment:

Your Name

Your Location ie London, England

tick box before submitting comment

First Previous Next Last

Related Bands (edit)

Related Labels
Leaf Label

Review Header

Fantastic reworking of Kraftwerk's 1975 seminal masterpiece from award-winning British experimental composer Matthew Bourne and French sound artist Franck Vigroux

Articles A-Z
View All				A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K
L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z

Radioland: Radio-Activity Revisited - CD
Fantastic reworking of Kraftwerk's 1975 seminal masterpiece from award-winning British experimental composer Matthew Bourne and French sound artist Franck Vigroux

First Previous Next

Reviews A-Z
View All				A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K
L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z