Ellen Allien's debut, _Stadtkind_, may have come out in 2001, but it's aged well. The ticky darkness of "Send" hits like an industrial fist, but she can also make a convincing soundscape like "Fenstermusik." She gets minimal on the pure rhythm track of "Shorty" and more maximal "Data Romance." But if this album lacks the polish of her later work ("Licht" feels particularly empty), it's not necessarily a drawback, but rather an indication of progression. Because, in the end, there's no arguing with a track like "Wolken Ziehen."

Excellent album from beginning to the end. It's got a very nice minimal tech-house, almost industrial sounding feel. Highly recommended!!