Karl Bartos - Life (2016)

Facts Two tracks from ex-Kraftwerk member Karl Bartos's 2003 album Communication, released in advance of the album's 2016 remastered reissue (TR 20612CD/20611LP). A classically trained percussionist and keyboard player, Bartos was a key member of Kraftwerk's classic line-up between 1975 and 1990, co-writing such masterpieces as The Model, The Robots, Numbers, and Pocket Calculator. Communication is full of melody-driven numbers that operate in a dual universe of pop and electronica. Lead single Life is perhaps the most perfect representation of this; it's lyrics speak volumes, while it's breezy, harmonious, infectious structure almost seems to pay return tribute to New Order, a group that greatly admired Bartos's work.