Kraftwerk
What can I say about Kraftwerk that has not been said by people more respected and influential than I? Not much but I'll do my best.
Frankly the themes and ideas covered by their songs are lovely. I mean they're everyday things but there's not really any sex or violence. The tracks are just nice and there's no hidden agenda. Many people say Kraftwerk are a pop band, they aren't - there are pop songs for sure but the avant-garde and darker techno songs are more abundant. Everything is on Ralf and Florian's terms and there is no compromise.
Kraftwerk have a really good sense of humor, which has caused me to laugh out
loud on certain occasions when reading stuff they've said. They're work is as much a warning against misuse of technology as it is for its promotion. Ralf and Florian are excellent improvisers and this is the thing I can personally take most from the band. Let us not forget /everything/ they sing about has happened.
Here's a quick lot of album reviews:
Tone Float
Not a Kraftwerk record by name, but by nature and personnel it is. The tracks are all live avant-garde jams using conventional instruments with many effects. The musicians are artists in the purest sense, creating landscapes of sound and quirky melody. People have said this is self-indulgent. See it as a work of art rather than an album.
Kraftwerk
I listen to this frequently and you can even buy it in HMV these days. 'Ruckzuck' is a fun song and should be made into part of the soundtrack for a cult 70s film. 'Stratovarius' is an insane track that could get signed to Rephlex if they sent it in. Drones and industrial sounds lead to a frantic climax. 'Megaherz' is really chilled out. 'Von Himmel Hoch' has a really good bit which sounds like their phat analog synths are having a nice little chat, but its really warlike at times.
Kraftwerk 2
In the same vein as the previous album, this is the first commercial album to use a drum machine throughout. Popcorn was the first song to use one. Good in that it's purely Ralf&Florian's work with no egotistical drummer.
Ralf and Florian
You can tell they've started to get into sequencing with this album. The humor comes through and it's properly quirky.
Autobahn
The title track is my favourite Kraftwerk song and needs to introduction. The other songs are still avant-garde improvisations, I like 'Morgenspanziergang' (Morning Walk) a lot too. My ambition is to drive on the German autobahn with this album on.
Radioactivity
Quite a European album in feel. There's still a lot of obvious improvisations and avant-garde style tracks - which is good. I love the French singing, I bet Ralf and Florian speak really good French.
Trans-Europe Express
Even more European than Radioactivity. I can really see the places Ralf sings about in 'Europe Endless'. The beat on the title track rocks.
The Man Machine
I think every Kraftwerk fan agrees that this is their most complete album. 'Spacelab' is often over looked, its a really rushing track.
Computer World
Many people say this album is the peak. It isn't, every album is a constant evolution from the last, just like Black Sabbath. It has the lovely 'Pocket Calculator' and the darker 'Numbers' and 'Home Computer'. This album is the most conceptual by far but this doesn't get in the way of the tracks. 'Computer Love' is disappointing and isn't as good as 'The Model'.
Tour de France
This has a return to the European romanticism of TEE and Radioactivity, but with shiny beats which glisten even today. Its just been repressed so check it out. The radio edit is my favourite.
Electric Cafe
A lot of people say this is the most wank Kraftwerk album. Its true to say that as a whole it doesn't hang together at all well. On the other hand, why is this the most sampled Kraftwerk record? The beats are pure and really modern. In fact the rhythm sounds of Kraftwerk haven't changed since this album, this is good and no one has really approached them yet. 'Telephone Call' is my tip.
The Mix
So many people say this album was a mistake - I say not so. It is an outstanding work in its own right. Here's why:
- The German way has always been to evolve existing designs and improve them.
- Kraftwerk have always updated old material to fit into they're live sets.
- If you want the originals then buy them, they're all available easily and they sit much better in the original artistic context.
- The dancey mixes introduce Kraftwerk to a new audience, such as myself.
- The new version of Radioactivity is a punishing tune.
My favourite Mix song is not on the album, but on the single of 'The Robots' its called 'Robotronik' a kind of darked up version of 'The Robots' which I cane.
Expo 2000
All the good elements of Kraftwerk are in this song. The romantic melody eg TEE/Tour de France, the beats eg Electric Cafe, minimal vocals like 'Computer World' and the dancey mix (with evil bassline) from the Mix. The video is OK too, except they look like fat old men. People say its a sell out advertising jingle, let them, I don't care - its good, and well packaged.
gwem 2001
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