Celebrating
30 years since its release is the fourth studio LP by Laibach, Kapital,
which was issued on April 21st, 1992. Uniquely, the album is different
depending on the format, with different versions of the songs being
used for the vinyl, cassette and CD variations.
Thematically, the
album came about at a time when communism was reaching its end and
Yugoslavia was about to enter into a particularly bloody time of
conflict. As such the concepts around the album were decidedly
disillusioned and dark, with a foreboding sense of industry and
commerce. This is most clearly stated on the album's lead single,
"Wirtschaft Ist Tot," or "Economy Is Dead”. They were just as
suspicious of the new looming gods of gangster capitalism as they were
of the old communist insiders.
In general, this is probably
the group’s most “electronic” album, often veering into a
Kraftwerk-esque sound, albeit with a somewhat more “east of the wall”
feel. It still maintains an “industrial” edge, but does so with a great
restraint and a decidedly funkier electronic precision. It was their
longest album to date, taking advantage of the full CD runtime, and
featured all original material. After their bombastic interpretation of
The Beatles’ Let It Be album on their previous release, Kapital offered
a tight, minimalist and club friendly vibe. With that disposition, it
became very popular within the burgeoning techno landscape which had
taken the underground music scenes over since the explosion of rave
culture and acid house in the late 1980s. With this album, Laiback
could sidle up alongside artists like Aphex Twin and Autechre and not
seem out of place. They even incorporated a bit of rap into the
proceedings! Ultimately, it offered up a fresh and funky approach to
proletariat techno-pop for the ‘90s.
