Mahratta’s Picks

Kraftwerk

For too long, the culture of the German Democratic Republic has been associated with monolithic Stalinist edifices and neo-Prussian social discipline – a distorted view of a dynamic society.  One of the rare glimpses available into this lost culture is gained through the music of one of pop culture’s most innovative and truly brilliant ensembles – Kraftwerk.  Although the band hails from Dusseldorf, their instrumental role in the creation of an avant-garde German musical culture has not only given Germans an artistic voice from a tumultuous time but has also captured the essence and attitudes of both East and West Germany.    

 

the Model, from Kraftwerk’s 1978 release the Man Machine

An eclectic blend of pulsating, to-the-point rhythmic structures and repetitive, minimalist melodies matched with a brilliantly modern yet still conservative sense of harmony soon catapulted Kraftwerk from its relatively obscure fanbase in West Germany to a global audience, broadcasting avant-garde German culture to the rest of the world.  Kraftwerk’s music acted as a continuation of Germany’s great musical tradition – indeed, the melodies and harmonies of Kraftwerk’s pieces can also be heard in the modern classical works of German minimalist composers.  

Europe Endless, from Kraftwerk’s 1977 release Trans-Europe Express

Kraftwerk did not simply regulate themselves to capturing the essence of Germany, however.  The band soon released English and French recordings, including their most popular album, The Man Machine.  Even the English-language market, captivated by the disco and glam rock movements, took notice as Kraftwerk exported their European flair to America with ingeniously conceived and musically sound songs like The Model and Neon Lights.  

Neon Lights, from the Man Machine

 

Certeis’ Picks

Whenever a new game comes out it has to set a new standard for the amount of processing power it takes to render the games visualizations. Many games focus too much on how realistic the main characters eyebrows can move up and down. With this in mind, this month i have chosen a game that everyone might remember from back in the day of Windows 95, Duke Nukem 3D. Published way back in 1996 this was a revolutionary game for it’s time, not so much for it’s graphics but for the games content. You take the role as Duke Nukem whose ship has been shot down by aliens, so he is ready to kick some ass and chew bubble gum, however he is all out of gum. With memorable lines from both Die Hard and Evil Dead and various jabs at American popculture, it will keep you entertained throughout the entire game. The game however is not a family game, with Duke Nukem going to strip clubs, porn shops and trying to save babes from the alien scum. Duke Nukem 3D was one of the first games the have such irreverent content, and that is what makes this game great to revisit and help Duke Nukem save babes and planet Earth from the alien’s grubby hands.