The Man-Machine is closer to the sound and style that would define early
new wave electro-
pop -- less minimalistic in its arrangements and more complex and danceable in its underlying rhythms. Like its predecessor,
Trans-Europe Express, there is the feel of a divided concept album, with some songs devoted to science fiction-esque links between humans and technology, often with electronically processed vocals (
"The Robots," "Spacelab," and the title track); others take the glamour of urbanization as their subject (
"Neon Lights" and
"Metropolis"). Plus, there's
"The Model," a character sketch that falls under the latter category but takes a more cynical view of the title character's glamorous lifestyle. More
pop-oriented than any of their previous work, the sound of
The Man-Machine -- in particular among
Kraftwerk's oeuvre -- had a tremendous impact on the cold, robotic
synth pop of artists like
Gary Numan, as well as Britain's later
new romantic movement. ~ Steve Huey
