Computer World | Kraftwerk

Computer World (Computerwelt) is the eighth studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, released on 11 May 1981. It was accompanied by four singles, including a double A-side UK no. 1 featuring "Computer Love".

The album is themed around computer technology and its rise within society. In keeping with the album's concept, Kraftwerk showcased their music on an ambitious world tour. As was the case with the two previous albums, Computer World was released in both German and English-language editions. 

Computer World was ranked the second best album of 1981 by NME. But some contemporary critics were unimpressed. Smash Hits reviewer David Hepworth described the content as "predictable" and "gimmicky" and not the presumed step forward by the group: "Kraftwerk are seemingly content to tootle around on their instrument panels in the service of a bunch of non-songs about pocket calculators and computers", Hepworth wrote, giving the album a 4 out of 10 rating.

Retrospectively, Computer World has frequently appeared in numerous 'Best'-listings. In 2012, Slant Magazine placed it at No. 25 on its list of the 100 best albums of the 1980s. In 2018, Computer World was listed by Pitchfork as the 18th best album of the 1980s. Pitchfork listed the track "Computer Love" as the 53rd best song of the 1980s. Rolling Stone named Computer World the 10th greatest EDM album of all time in 2012.

Track listing

Side 1

1. "Computer World" ("Computerwelt")    
2. "Pocket Calculator" ("Taschenrechner")    
3. "Numbers" ("Nummern")         
4. "Computer World 2" ("Computerwelt 2")    
     

Side 2

5. "Computer Love" ("Computerliebe")    
6. "Home Computer" ("Heimcomputer")        
7. "It's More Fun to Compute"