The Catalogue

The Catalogue
Box set by Kraftwerk
Released 2 October 2009 (Germany)
5 October 2009[1]
23 November 2009
(box set)
Recorded 1974–2003
Label
Producer
Kraftwerk chronology
Minimum-Maximum
(2005)Minimum-Maximum2005		 The Catalogue
(2009)		 3-D The Catalogue
(2017)3-D The Catalogue2017

The Catalogue (German: Der Katalog) is a box set consisting of eight albums by German electronic music band Kraftwerk that were released from 1974 to 2003. All albums are digitally remastered, with most of the cover art redesigned, including rare photographs in the liner notes that were not part of each album's original release.

Due to licensing issues, three of these albums—Computer World, Electric Cafe (now re-christened with its original working title of Techno Pop)[3] and The Mix—are unavailable in the United States except as part of the boxed set (although they can now be purchased digitally via the iTunes Store). The Techno Pop album contains a slightly revised track listing from its predecessor Electric Cafe: the song "The Telephone Call" now appears in its much shorter single mix, and that single's B-side remix, "House Phone", has been added as a proper album track.

Contents

The albums included in the boxed set are the following:

Formats

As with previous Kraftwerk releases, the collection is distributed in two versions: English-language vocal tracks for international distribution and another (Der Katalog) with German-language vocal tracks. The boxed set contains eight CDs in mini-vinyl card wallet packaging, plus individual large-format booklets. On October 5, 2009, Kraftwerk released several remastered albums with redesigned artwork.

Release

Front cover of the 2004 promo version of The Catalogue.

The boxed set was initially planned for release in 2004 on compact disc and vinyl format and was distributed as a promotional boxed set on compact disc. Copies were often sold on eBay for high prices. An actual release date was not announced and the project remained unreleased for years, despite having a page on the Kraftwerk Web site during this time.

The individual remastered albums were eventually made available on compact disc in October 2009, while an 8-CD boxed set and heavyweight vinyl versions followed in November.[4][5] Due to licensing restrictions imposed by Warner Music Group, the albums Computer World, Techno Pop (formerly known as Electric Café) and The Mix have only been made available in the US from Astralwerks Records as a part of the box set, or individually as imports (the iTunes Store also carries the complete remastered catalogue as well).[6][7] The collection may also be purchased in three different configurations from the group's Klingklang Shop; with a T-shirt, with a set of mouse pads or all three items together.[8][9]

Proposed second boxed set

In 2006 Ralf Hütter suggested that a second Kraftwerk boxed set containing the band's first three albums would be released but there has been no official news regarding such a project or an amended release date since.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
The A.V. ClubA[12]
Consequence of SoundA+[13]
Pitchfork Media9.5/10[14]
The Daily Telegraph[15]
Uncut[16]
Clash9/10[17]
No Ripcord10/10[18]
Record Collector[19]

The box set received universal acclaim from critics.

Finally, after cancellation and consternation Kraftwerk’s back catalog gets remastered and reissued. We think it’s—whisper—better than the Beatles.

— Record Collector

Yes, the remastering is a huge improvement. The sound shines like brand new—a punchier low end, crisper syn-drums, even more shimmering neon lights. And warmer human voices. Looking back, it's remarkable how concise these albums are, averaging around 40 minutes and seven songs each, as is the fact that such feats were achieved by purely analogue means. Even in 2009, compare them to tour-mates Radiohead, and its debatable which band [is] truly the most forward-looking.

— Mojo

References

  1. ↑ http://www.emimusic.nl/external/microsites/Catalogus/binnenkort.html
  2. ↑ Perlich, Tim (April 2004). "article". Now Magazine.
  3. ↑ "Uncut.co.uk". Uncut.co.uk. 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  4. ↑ Mute Records. Retrieved 4 November 2009 from Mute.com. Archived 1 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ EMI Germany. Retrieved 20 August 2009 from EMImusic.de Archived 20 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ http://www.astralwerks.com/kraftwerk Astralwerks Records
  7. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=2012680 Discogs.com
  8. ↑ https://www.klingklang.de/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21&products_id=56 Klingklang Konsumprodukt GmbH
  9. ↑ https://www.klingklang.de/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=57 Klingklang Konsumprodukt GmbH
  10. ↑ Witter, Simon (Spring 2006). "article". Dummy.
  11. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Review: The Catalogue". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  12. ↑ "Kraftwerk: The Catalogue | Keith Phipps | The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "Kraftwerk – The Catalogue| Jesper Persson | Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  14. ↑ Ewing, Tom (2009-12-01). "The Catalogue review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  15. ↑ Perry, Andrew (2009-10-05). "The Catalogue review". The Daily Telegraph. The Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  16. ↑ Cavanagh, David. "The Catalogue review". Uncut. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  17. ↑ Salmon, Ed (2009-08-10). "The Catalogue review". Clash. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  18. ↑ Caldwell, Sean (2009-12-24). "The Catalogue review". No Ripcord. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  19. ↑ "KRAFTWERK - 12345678 THE CATALOGUE| Ian Shirley | Record Collector". Record Collector. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
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