Kraftwerk

[BeBop]

I never seem to tire of this band, though I suppose some might find their music to be 'tiring' (repetitive, hypnotic...).

The 'Tour de France Soundtracks' are particularly compelling to me, for personal reasons. But I've been enjoying 'Trans-Europe Express' since it came out, many years ago.

Any other fans out there? Am I the only person to put Kraftwerk on his/her 'Desert Island Disc' list? And what other band is quite like it?

For whatever reason, Neu! has never done much for me, but I could probably benefit from more listening time.

[7/4]

I never seem to tire of this band, though I suppose some might find their music to be 'tiring' (repetitive, hypnotic...).

The 'Tour de France Soundtracks' are particularly compelling to me, for personal reasons. But I've been enjoying 'Trans-Europe Express' since it came out, many years ago.

Any other fans out there? Am I the only person to put Kraftwerk on his/her 'Desert Island Disc' list? And what other band is quite like it?

For whatever reason, Neu! has never done much for me, but I could probably benefit from more listening time.

Cluster baby.

[Jazzmoose]

I haven't listened to them in years. I think of picking up a disc of theirs once in a while, but never seem to think of them when I'm actually in a music store. I had Trans Europe Express once years ago, and actually had an 8 track of Autobahn back in high school. I tell, you, that is the album the 8 track format was created for....just let it run for hours and uh..."meditate".

[Use3D]

I have this bootleg Kraftwerk DVD that I haven't gotten around to watching.

[Aggie87]

I had "Electric Cafe" while in college, and we used to drive around in my buddy's Camaro and blast that album! Nobody else understood it, but we loved it!

Wasn't their greatest, but it holds fun memories.

[dsgtrane]

I still have AUTOBAHN and RALF AND FLORIAN from my college years. Used to love listening to them on my old Koss headphones in the dark. Been many a year since I last heard 'em.

Edited September 16, 2004 by dsgtrane

[J Larsen]

I like the early stuff sometimes - I and II in particular. I used to have a really cool edition of Ralf & Florian with a gold-imbossed design on the cover that looked like an electric circuit, and a bizarre picture of them gazing into each other's eyes on the back. Hawked it on eBay a couple years back when I was hard up.

Tonefloat was sort of interesting, too.

I've never liked the later synthy stuff, not even Autobahn.

[AfricaBrass]

Ah... Kraftwerk!

I have so many GREAT memories with their music as a soundtrack.

Back in my crazy trippin' days, I spent MANY nights coming down to Kraftwerk.

My favorite album of theirs is the MAN-MACHINE. I always loved the track "Metropolis" - I'm surprised that people don't mention this album much.

My second favorite album of theirs is RADIO-ACTIVITY.

I also dig the earlier stuff (which I have on vinyl), but I could never really get into AUTOBAHN.

[DTMX]

Now is the time on "Sprockets" when we dance!

[Jazzmoose]

If you bring out your monkey, we'll be forced to move this thread to the political forum...

[BeBop]

Just thought I'd put this thread back into the public eye. Kraftwerk is on my mind, not to mention in my CD player.

[rostasi]

Wasn't here when this topic came around the first time.

Always've loved these guys - thru the various incarnations -

since the Organization days. ALL of the stuff I could get my hands on

for the past 35 years: 8-tracks, LPs, cassettes, books, posters, T-shirts, CDs, DVDs, downloads...

even a promo cassette of "Techno-Pop" which was never released and various versions

(German and American) of the other recordings.

I've seen them, I think, 4 times now - starting in the mid 70's.

In high school, I used to drive the rednecks CrAzY with this music!

Do you have this great Notebook version of Minimum-Maximum?

Great stuff!

Thanks for bringing them up again,

Rod

Edited February 14, 2006 by rostasi

[BeBop]

I bought Minimum Maximum when it first came out...and it's been in my mailbox ever since. Someday, I'll get off the road long enough to pick it up.

I'm working my way backwards - Ralf and Florian, Kraftwerk 2, Kraftwerk, Organisation... and finding the evolution of the group pretty interesting.

[rostasi]

I bought Minimum Maximum when it first came out...and it's been in my mailbox ever since. Someday, I'll get off the road long enough to pick it up.

I'm working my way backwards - Ralf and Florian, Kraftwerk 2, Kraftwerk, Organisation... and finding the evolution of the group pretty interesting.

Yeah, it'd be nice if the first three were re-released - officially, that is -

with nice sound, etc. Supposedly Ralf and Florian will get around to it someday,

but the first two albums had a different feel and maybe a different approach is

wanted when it comes to cleaning 'em up. There are some CD boots out there of this stuff,

but it'd be nice if some cleaned up versions would surface.

Don't know if you have the time to sit down with the DVDs of M-M,

but you'll notice an even more laid-back pastoral feel to all of

these great songs being performed in concert.

The visuals they use now have a smoother feel - less jerky -

a gliding feel with lots of old footage of German railway lines,

Tour de France visuals, etc. It may be just because they're just older guys now.

Of course, Kraftwerk has almost always emphasized beauty in their music -

beautiful melodies without being maudlin or cloying.

Normally reculsive, here's Ralf Hutter doing an interview

with the annoying BBC DJ Gary Crowley back in '03:

Hutter interview (24:28 / 23 MB)

Rod

[BeBop]

Anyone seen Kraftwerk live? I caught them in San Francisco at the Warfield last year. (Or was it '04?)

[BeBop]

Incidentally, anyone an avid fan of/listener to Neu!? I've picked up Neu and Neu2 and find them interesting but considerably more challenging listening, even compared to the early Kraftwerk.

[Claude]

I've heard all of Kraftwerk's output, but as far as german electronic music goes I've always preferred the darker sounds and more complex compositions of Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream (70's only for the latter).

I think a large part of Kraftwerk's success is due to excellent marketing (the human robot image). Since the mid 80's, they've been recycling their earlier work for the most part (remixes, live album, etc). Surprisingly, fans still have to wait for CD reissues of the very early albums and remasters of their most successful recordings.

[Guest]

I never seem to tire of this band, though I suppose some might find their music to be 'tiring' (repetitive, hypnotic...).

The 'Tour de France Soundtracks' are particularly compelling to me, for personal reasons. But I've been enjoying 'Trans-Europe Express' since it came out, many years ago.

Any other fans out there? Am I the only person to put Kraftwerk on his/her 'Desert Island Disc' list? And what other band is quite like it?

For whatever reason, Neu! has never done much for me, but I could probably benefit from more listening time.

Hi I love Tour de France on two different levels, a as a superb album and b as an ex cyclist and follower of road racing they seem to have really captured the feel of pro tour racing

[BeBop]

Hi I love Tour de France on two different levels, a as a superb album and b as an ex cyclist and follower of road racing they seem to have really captured the feel of pro tour racing

While I've not ridden any of the pro tours, I can still agree from my somewhat less-lofty perspective. It's a real inside-your-head and -body experience.

[BeBop]

Kraftwerk at the Museum of Modern Art in New York from the New York Times. Eight concerts, eight albums, eight nights. All-you-can-eight. Unfortunately, it looks like the early albums ("Kraftwerk" and "2", with the cone covers) aren't included. And, of course, everything is already sold out.

[rostasi]

...nor is the third album, but you've got an exhibit

somewhat like the one in München last September

and another limited edition release of the "Catalogue"

collection with releases 4 thru 11. Unfortunate the

way that MOMA handled the ticketing of the shows.

®ø∂

---

Now playing: Ton Steine Scherben - Fieber

[alocispepraluger102]

I've heard all of Kraftwerk's output, but as far as german electronic music goes I've always preferred the darker sounds and more complex compositions of Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream (70's only for the latter).

I think a large part of Kraftwerk's success is due to excellent marketing (the human robot image). Since the mid 80's, they've been recycling their earlier work for the most part (remixes, live album, etc). Surprisingly, fans still have to wait for CD reissues of the very early albums and remasters of their most successful recordings.

i completely agree, claude.

the first kraftwerk, autobahn, was a knockout. after that, they went pop and never fulfilled their potential.

[Aggie87]

Just listened to Trans Europe Express (the '09 reissue) recently, and love most of it - except "Hall of Mirrors". I really dislike that track.

Edited April 12, 2012 by Aggie87

[AfricaBrass]

I still love Kraftwerk. My son, starting when he was 5 years old, fell in love with Kraftwerk's music (they are his favorite band). It's been a constant in our lives during these last 5 years (he's 10 now).

[B. Clugston]

Incidentally, anyone an avid fan of/listener to Neu!? I've picked up Neu and Neu2 and find them interesting but considerably more challenging listening, even compared to the early Kraftwerk.

I love Neu!'s first album. The guys from Neu! were briefly in Kraftwerk. Here's a video: