For their time, they were way ahead. Absolute pioneers! I would totally dive into some more of their work, and even their later rework and remixes of their own classics.
I used to listen to a lot of Kraftwerk back in the day. Autobahn was the first album of theirs I owned. I believe Computer World was the last one I bought.
I heard "Radioactivity", "Robots" and "Model" songs in childhood. But a year ago I listened to all Kraftwerk albums and fell in love with this band. Я твой слуга. Я твой работник.
Every song on this album is a must-listen - The Robots, The Model, Neon Lights, Space Lab, and Metropolis. The music video to this song features clips from the Fritz Lang sci-fi silent film, _"Metropolis."_ (which also dealt with robots, technology, etc) Kraftwerk had at least two other rock solid albums: "Computer World" and "Tour de France."
Been a Kraftwerk fan since I was a kid...I was immediately drawn to electronic music at an early age and found old Switched-On Bach records and stuff like Tomita, Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre. But Kraftwerk was always my favorite and sparked a love for synth pop. Finally got to see Kraftwerk last year and it was great.
Wow. we had Walter Carlos Switched-on Bach on vinyl growing up, and I'm big fan of Vangelis (Heaven and Hell is my fav) and listened to Jarre in the 80s - don't know Tomita - will investigate...
Yes, Kraftwerk made me want to get a synth when they got more widely available. It is still one of my great regrets I never did - absolutely no self-confidence at that time. Me today, would definately have bought one ...
Die Roboter, Kraftwerk founded multiple later styles of music, yet few have been brave enough to walk in their exact footsteps Except my work mate! “We are machine pop” by Plonk.
I started to listen to Kraftwerk in late December of 1970 (I was 14) I would listen late at night the FM radio station from the university in my home county on the Central West Coast of California, that the DJ was spinning albums of experimental/avant garde/electronic music. Sometime in January of 1971 shortly after my birthday when I became 15 I bought Kraftwerk's debut album 'Kraftwerk Vol. 1' , then in 1972 I bought their second album 'Kraftwerk Vol. 2'. Then when Kraftwerk released their third album 'Ralf und (and) Florian' in 1973 (which by the way that is an excellent album) to me it is a bit more structured and ambient. Their album 'Autobahn' released in 1974 is a slightly bit more on the techno side, but an excellent as well. I also bought their albums 'Radioactivity', 1975, 'Trans Europe Express', 1977, and of course 'The Man-Machine', 1978. Their last two albums that I did not buy was 'Computer World', 1981, which is OK, and 'Electric Cafe', 1986. My least favorite album by Kraftwerk, but their are some occasions I will listen to it on RU-vid when I am in the mood to do so. So my favorite Kraftwerk albums are their first four releases. And don't get me wrong, I do enjoy listening to Kraftwerk albums 'Radioactivity' through 'Man-Machine because their innovation with their electronic music sounds. And on occasions I will listen to 'Computer World' more than 'Electric Cafe'. Also their 'Tour de France' album which had a later release is not too bad either.
Still listen to this band today, I love Metropolis on this album, it's alright this guy saying there is high hat, delay and reverb etc, don't forget these were just basic synths back in the day, this group also made most of their instruments
I've always liked Kraftwerk (born in 68). It's interesting that most of the synth stuff from the 80s I didn't like, with the exceptions of Thomas Dolby and Tangerine Dream.
KRAFTWERK invented and crafted each instrument. They could not buy a synthesizer at the store, and choose from the available songs. Thye designed each sound. Each one had a purpose.
That was cool. First introduction to Kraftwerk except for clips in various "history" videos. Thanks! This must have been hard to record since there wasn't computer editing and this is before midi, right?
The Beatles edited Kraftwerk's records? Amazing! :-) just kidding. Nah, my comment was about the difference between electronic music recording in the 70s versus now, and it must have been hard to get it all to line up exactly since this stuff is precise.@@JustinPanariello
Wow. Justin continues to defy my understanding... I wanted this on the channel, but was expecting an almost Residents-like thumbs-down reaction... Bzzzt! It's another Talking Heads "Heaven" moment - back to my drawing board... 😑 BTW, Justin - did you see the comments that are calling this whole album great? They are correct... Just like God Shuffled His Feet... not that you will do a Kraftwerk "classic" album, but on the tiny chance you do... this one will beat Computer World imo... so there's that...
I think it makes immediate sense to Europeans; "semi-human being" - this is our music, and has no reference to traditional American music, which is probs blues and rock 'n roll. But it isn't exclusive. Frankie Knuckles proved that :)
LOL, I totally didn't think this would be your jam, JP. But I get how your production brain would get fired up by it. I first heard Kraftwerk via the Autobahn video around 1980. I thought it was super cool, but music like that had already been out for a while so I didn't consider it revolutionary at the time. But where would Devo and a gazillion other new wave bands be without Kraftwerk? Re: that art style, it was hugely influential on early 80's graphic design (and album cover art.) Bowie was probably embracing it back in the 70's, but it didn't really enter the mainstream til the 80's.
Concur - wanted it on the channel, but was expecting thumbs-down from Justin - I just can't wrap my head around what sort of "simple" tracks he is or isn't into... Biggest surprise is still that he was so into Talking Heads "Heaven"...
