The Routes - The Twang Machine CD (Double Crown / Otitis Media)

This is the incredible new album by The Routes - following up the release of their Shake Five album on Double Crown, the Japanese combo have turned their sights on the catalog of one of their top influences - Kraftwerk! This album contains reinterpretations of 10 Kraftwerk classics - while you've heard many bands cover "The Model", The Routes version is quite different from the others. You'll hear all of the familiar melodies, but these aren't note-for-note covers and some of them have been influenced by traditional surf rock as well as spaghetti westerns. Hear "Showroom Dummies" reimagined as a Spaghetti Western film opening theme or "Radioactivity" drenched in reverb ala The Astronauts - if you're unfamiliar with Kraftwerk then this album will serve as a melodic instrumental rock release that sounds like it could have been released in the mid-60's. However, if you are a fan of Kraftwerk you will absolutely love this release - the cover artwork is also a great homage to Kraftwerk's Man Machine album cover.

Tracks: Computer Love - The Model - Pocket Calculator - Showroom Dummies - Tour De France - The Robots - Autobahn - Radioactivity - Trans Europe Express - Neon Lights