Kraftwerk

[Avil]

Alphaville and Kraftwerk...They are both from the same country, but oh so different.
KW is just so...electric...It just screams computerized around them...

I´m your best friend-the dream

[poul e]

Yeah they are very electric, and a little too much in my opinion. But they have influenced a lot of other bands (Depeche Mode, Human League, OMD etc). I like these bands better than Kraftwerk, but they have made a couple of songs that I like, the best being "The Model".

[Avil]

The model is the only song KW´ve done with that much vocals. Allt the others are just Piiip piiip..You know...*hehe*

*I´m your best friend-the dream*

[Trent]

I got a Kraftwerk cd not too long ago, only for the mere fact Mr. Gold had spoken about them before, I liked it, but not something I want to listen to over and over again like Alphaville, I could listen to Alphaville 24/7 and never tire, About the 3rd time hearing Pocket Calculator I was ready to toss the Kraftwerk out the window!!!
Trent

[Avil]

I think that KW is something you can listen to a couple of times. Then it gets boring, and the salvation then is AV...*hihi*
Pocket calculater is not a very good song if you want to get a first impression of KW...
I would prefer Radio Activity.

*I´m your best friend-the dream*

[rolandk]

I guess you need to see Kraftwerk in the context of the time, when they released their LPs. They started to make electronic music in the late 60s/early 70s and they were one of the first, to do so. This was really a revolution for the music business! They build their own synthesizers and made a lot of experiments with sounds.
The first of their records were made with almost no money and just with the support of an engineer in a music studio.

I´m sure, that today´s music would sound different without Kraftwerk.

[SPAWN]

Without Germanys Synth bands like Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream, the music world wouldn't be as we see it today! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Avil]

I haven´t heard tangerine dreams...Are they like KW?

*I´m your best friend-the dream*

[Avihai]

Yep, They are the pioneers !
and she's a model ...

[Avil]

Gonna check it on then...

*I´m your best friend-the dream*

[Mario Mastroianni]

I like Kraftwerk in general,but the songs of theirs that i really love are:
&quot;ComputerLove&quot;
&quot;The Model&quot;
&quot;Sex Object&quot;
&quot;The Telephone Call&quot;
&quot;The Hall of Mirrors&quot;

[Avil]

I just love Radio Activity.
Think I´ve said it before, but I´ll say it again...*lol*<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

*I´m your best friend-the dream*

[hardin]

KRAFTWERK!!!

Autobahn!
Trans Europe Express!
Radio Activity!
The Man Machine!
Neonlights!
Tour De France!
Spacelab!
Musique Non Stop!

....I have order all Kraftwerk album after I saw a documentary of them on the swedish television.

Radio activity... is in the air for you and me!

[wonder2000]

We Are The Robots

"J.Moon - strange boy"

[micki]

"The Robots", "Das Model", "Autobahn"...so great, so great...
I have their album "Man Machine", and I gotta say that it isn't that good as a wholeness, but there are real pearls too...
I just saw a document about them on a Swedish channel a few days back and it made me listen to that album...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[nightchild]

[hardin]

http://home.t-online.de/home/discokerl/3fot77.jpg

IN THE HONOUR OF THE MEN WHO DISCOVER THE SYNTHS!
I'm in a very Kraftwerk influenced period now... actually right now I'm listen more to them than Alphaville. Some times you have to take a break for a while <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
I'll be back :)
radioactivity... is in the air for you and me

http://alphaville.org/hardin/sign2.gif

[SPAWN]

hmm... I still say that Tangerine Dream "discovered the synths"... :)

[Jonatan]

From http://www.side-line.com/

Kraftwerk to unleash comeback album this year
In a comment to the Australian Undercover magazine leader Ralf Hutter of Kraftwerk confirmed they will have a new album out this year. Still according to the magazine, Hutter was tight lipped about what it would sound like. Their last recorded work was 1999's "Expo 2000", a limited release. The rumour has been travelling around for quite some time, especially when an album was announced on EMI's official releaselist before disappearing quickly after without leaving a trace (see earlier reports in Side-Line in 2002). Let's see if the seed that is planted now will grow out to be a real tree.

[Avil]

Tsss...
I remember when everyone waited for this album three years ago...and it never came. I was one of these.

Kraftwerk..., you can´t trust that band...

[rolandk]

Tsss.... three years... I´m waiting for more than 16 years now, since I bought the Electric Café LP in 1986. ;) That´s a looooong time, if you ask me.
I´ve heard this rumour many times before, but probably there will be a new album this year, we will see.

[hardin]

better rumours than nothing

[simpledumbpilot]

quote:Originally posted by SPAWN

hmm... I still say that Tangerine Dream "discovered the synths"... :)


Im going to have to go with Ron Grainer, the guy that made the original Dr Who theme in 1963. It was another decade before anything else sounded like that.

[rolandk]

There´ll be a NEW Kraftwerk album, called "Tour de France Soundtracks", to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France. Release date is the 28th of July.
A Maxi-CD is already released, called "Tour de France 2003".

And I had given up hope, to ever get a new Kraftwerk CD. [wink]

[JaJaJa]

Tssss...
Still that sounds like an infusion of already well-known stuff.
Kraftwerk have done epochal works. And they did quite everything in the last seventeen years to lose
their greatness!!!
Kraftwerk now is just a hot-air-balloon!

(even though I´m confessing I would go to see them live...)

[Avil]

The album is out and it sounds just like the old Kraftwerk we know.
Check out
http://www.kraftwerk.com/info/default.htm for samples

[Kaz]

I've heard the whole album and I have to say that it's nothing spectacular. It's Kraftwerk...

[Avil]

Some people say that Kraftwerk are spectacular..

Album=kraftwerk
kraftwerk=spectacular
album=spectacular

;)

[JaJaJa]

Nothing spectacular songs, ok.
Not the half innovative as in the seventies and early eighties.
The main problems are the missing melodies (who the f. develops unique melodies nowadays?) and
the synth-sounds, which are original Kraftwerk of course but in the meantime inflationaryly used
by so many people.
As to the sound (and this has to be mentioned): one of the best records I´ve heard in the last few years. I´ve tested it on several systems, it totally convinced me at most while listening by car radio (title: Elektro Kardiogramm), because of the considerable pressure and the stereo scopic picture - and believe me, I know that system very well. Somebody might say "Nothing else is what I expect of them!" Ok, still such a result is not easy to achieve!
All in all: Look above at my earlier expression and see me enthusiastic about -hmm- five songs
(guess, which ones). I´m very surprised that they made this album and some failings on it can´t change that Kraftwerk still put a lot of modern bands in their places!

[Kaz]

By not spectacular, I meant it's just Kraftwerk doing what Kraftwerk do. I like them, don't get me wrong, but it's nothing more than I would have expected from them.

[JaJaJa]

I knew what you meant as almost usually.

[Kaz]

@ Justus [wink]

[FallenAngel]

Maybe the fault of the 21st century?

We have so much that nothing impress us anymore?

I have listened to them but not enough to give a honest impression, it sounds nice but I will listen again...

[JaJaJa]

We who live in the western world are oversupplied.
As artists and as consumers.
But would Kraftwerk have made a better record without that fact?

[JaJaJa]

Ladies and Gentlemen!
The story goes on. Karl Bartos, ex-member of KW, is gonna release a new album (release date Sept. 8th). Further information and promising sounds at www.karlbartos.com

[Jonatan]

I liked Karl Bathos' "Fifteen minutes of Fame". It sounded like New Order!

[Agnes]

And don't forget that Bartos has a Hungarian origin! [wink]

[JaJaJa]

@ Agnes

Incredible! I didn´t know that, but I won´t forget from now on...
(*should I really buy his record?*)

[Agnes]

@Justus:

[smile2] Well, I don't really follow Bartos's art, but that is sure that he is very talented (not only because he is Hungarian, too [wink] ). Anyway, "Bartos" is a very common Hungarian family name. [smile]

[Jonatan]

Today I saw Karl Bartos with my own eyes! Phantastic!

[Agnes]

@Jonatan:

Geez! [bouncy] And what was he like?

[Jonatan]

He looked exactly like on the Man Machine cover, just a bit older and more tired [smile]
He was signing his new CD in a record store here in Göteborg. I didn't have time to stand in the gigantic queue but at least I saw him and heard him speak. Surrealistic!

[Jonatan]

http://www.skivhugget.se/v3/foto_galleri/bartos1.jpg

http://www.skivhugget.se/v3/foto_galleri/bartos2.jpg

[Avil]

What? WHAT? KARL in Sweden?? That's cool!
He's a legend ;)

But, I were not very impressed with their new material. Nothing spectacular. Just...Kraftwerk.

[Agnes]

@Jonatan:

Thanks for these great snapshots!!!! [love2] Yea, he looks older and much more tired, but yet he is "from my blood", as we, Hungarians say it... [angel]

*sends a virtual hug both to Jonatan and Karl [smile2] *

[JaJaJa]

@ Agnes: *taps his forehead virtually*

@ Folks:
Very funny, folks! Just listening to his new one "Communication" for the first time, bought it one hour ago in my favourite shop - unfortunately Karl wasn´t there.
Btw: The older he grows the more he looks like our foreign minister Joschka Fischer, doesn´t matter,
both are very intelligent (Don´t expect I would send hugs to them...)

[Agnes]

But don't forget, Justus, that Joschka Fischer is also Hungarian!!!! [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

[JaJaJa]

Of course, sweet Agnes. But oddly enough he is not that nuts as most of his compatriots...

[Agnes]

And do you think, my dear Justus, that those certain compatriots are nutty enough to be the members of the forum of another German synth-pop band? [wink]

*meanwhile discreetly blushes*

[JaJaJa]

I think they try at least, Agnes...

[FallenAngel]

I saw an article in a Flemish newspaper about their latest cd 'Tour de France' and the critics were very possitive!

They really loved the music and told that it was a very good album full of qualitative high music...

[Agnes]

@Justus: I can tell you that they try their best... [smile2] [love2]

[MacAngel]

Greetings [angel]

In my opinion, Tour de France is their best track [smile2]

I really enjoy the 12" version, the arrangement, the instruments and the sound.

This track also takes me back to the early 80's, around '82-'83 Tour de France featured in a movie called Breakdance! This was when breakdancing became popular and many movies were released at the time to show-case this new style of dancing [jump]

Yeah, I am most certainly interested in the Kraftwerk sound, so much in fact, that one of the trax on my new album has destinct elements of Kraftwerk...

[wii]

I will see Kraftwerk live here in Copenhagen in Feb 2004 [wink] - it sure will be interesting...

[Krapplund]

I heard that Hardin and Fredlund will join the Kraftwerk concert in Stockholm.....

[JaJaJa]

Have lots of fun everyone! (I´m not envious!)

[Mags]

I have heard a lot about Kraftwerk, seeing the kind of music I like...but I have never heard anything by them.

*curious*

[Kaz]

I've always loved Kraftwerk. Reminds me of my childhood...

[JaJaJa]

quote:Originally posted by Mags

I have heard a lot about Kraftwerk, seeing the kind of music I like...but I have never heard anything by them.


*flabbergasted*

We´ll have to change that, dear Mags!

[Mags]

ohhhh...vielen Dank, Justus!!!! [smile]

[JaJaJa]

I booked tickets for the midnight concert 8th April 04 in Dresden [jump2]

[Kaz]

Wow Justus! That'll be a great gig!

[Agnes]

Wooooow! Justus, that will surely be great! [party] Hugs to Herr Bartos as well [wink] [love2]

[JaJaJa]

I hope so, Kaz and Agnes [approve][smile][party][jump2]. (I´m not gonna hug Mr Bartos [laugh])

[simpledumbpilot]

Is anyone going to any of the UK shows? I'll be at the Royal Festival Hall March 18th and then on March 20th I'll be seeing Sparks at the Ocean in Hackney and then jumping on the tube to see the midnight Kraftwerk show at Brixton Academy, if any fellow Dreamroomers will be there it would be good to say Hi and have a drink!

[wii]

I´ll join the Copenhagen gig next month !

[Mags]

*wonders if she should go to Kraftwerk in Berlin...*

Had better decide soon.

[Agnes]

quote:Originally posted by Justus

(I´m not gonna hug Mr Bartos [laugh])



Hug him in my name [wink]

[Kaz]

Not travelling to London to see Kraftwerk. I'd love to but it's too far and money is scarce at the mo and I need it for another, more important place I have to be in in August...

[Jonatan]

I just saw the New Horizons member Håkan on Swedish television!
They interviewed him about Kraftwerk in the show "Studio Pop"!

[wii]

I will see Kraftwerk live this saturday [party]

[Kaz]

Mega Jonatan!!

Another reason I can't join the London shows..I'll be in Germany...

[JaJaJa]

@ wii

How was the concert?

[Krapplund]

@Jonatan: COOL!!! That I would like to see....[love][love]

Håkan is the KING!!!

[JaJaJa]

Might be of interest for you to check out the new live dates of KB
at www.karlbartos.com !

[JaJaJa]

I have seen them yesterday! I did! It was cool!

playlist:

Die Mensch Maschine / The Man Machine
Expo 2000
Tour de France 03
Vitamin
Tour de France
Autobahn
Das Model
Neonlicht / Neonlights
Radioaktivität
Trans Europa Express
---
Nummern / Numbers
Computerwelt / Computerworld
It´s More Fun To Compute
Taschenrechner / Pocket Calculator
---
Die Roboter / The Robots
---
Elektro Kardiogramm
Aerodynamik
Music Non Stop

length: 2 hours 10 minutes

[Kaz]

Wow Justus, sounds like it was a fantastic concert! Wish I'd been there [cry]

[JaJaJa]

@ Kaz [sad]

Get some cool impressions of the current show at www.kraftwerk.technopop.com.br/pictures_2004.php

[Kaz]

Looks really cool [smile]

[Dingerz]

God we really should go... I'll have to ask my friends again.

Tara

[Alien]

Wey hey! I went to Kraftwerk's concert yesterday. The show was incredible! Though I had as much knowledge of Kraftwerk as short report about them in popXport on DW-TV, I really really really enjoyed the concert! WOW!

[Avil]

Kraftwerk will play at the Arvika festival July 17th!!

[JaJaJa]

Well, first rumours came up last year (band bought a new surround
monitor system, allusions of Ralf Hütter during the tour "Well,
we're recording a little bit..."), now it's official:
http://217.69.65.130/de/info/CD/minimummaximum.html

Though we're talking about AV-time³³ some say it'll already be
released on 06.06.05!

[bouncy] [jump2]

[JaJaJa]

Especially our dearest Americans here can relieve:

http://www.kraftwerk.com/info/world2005.html

[WychOfAvalon]

I'm hoping to see then when they play here in LA :D

[Alphavile]

now I listen Kraftwerk... cool group, but Alphaville are BETTER!!

[JaJaJa]

Wow! My copy of "Minimum-Maximum" finally has arrived (4 LP version)!
[jump2][jump2][jump2]

Btw: Two titles (Vitamin + Music Non Stop) were recorded at Moskwa Lushniki June 03rd '04.

I tell you: THIS IS INCREDIBLE!

Addition:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,2100-14411-1639870,00.html

[Alien]

This was great concert............. in Moscow......

[louri Brazil]

Yeah Kraftwerk really influenced a zilion nice bands from the 80´s but in general they are really :Piiip piiip. "Telephone Call" is very beautifull.

[JaJaJa]

*listening to "Tour de France Etape 2" - they are so amazing!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody should buy it!!!

[love]

[Alpha]

Their album "Mimimum-maximum" makes me very strong impression[smile] I haven't heard their music earlier but it doesn't matter[smile2]
I'd love the most:
*The Man-machine
*Vitamin
*Autobahn
*The model
*Neon lights
*Computer world
*Dentaku
*Aero dynamic
Some songs: The Man machine; Radioactivity and Home computer were performed in Poland year ago!

[JaJaJa]

Dchien dobry, Alpha! [beer]

[Alpha]

quote:Originally posted by Justus

Dchien dobry, Alpha! [beer]

Guten Morgen Justus[wave] By the way, it's more correct to say in Poland: Dzieñ dobry[smile2] You are lucky guy having the same nationality as Alphaville's members, aren't you?[wink]

[JaJaJa]

Sorry, mówieng tylko trocheng po polsku...[smile2] (don't know about a proper e font)
[wave]
Nationality doesn't matter to me.
[smile]

[JaJaJa]

Well, somehow I forgot to promote the new double DVD release
"Minimum - Maximum" of Kraftwerk to you!
It contains quite the same material as the live 2CD of the same name - so
live recordings of various places all over the world at their tour in 2004.
But it is really worth the money.
Even if you usually don't like Kraftwerk, you should have a look at both records, because their video show is very amazing.
People who work for media or in similar fields cannot afford to miss it.
You rarely see such a perfect combination of music and stage presentation.
All the animations and movies are full of meaningful details to their songs and
incredibly well synchronized to the music.
The colours are wonderful and create tasteful scenes.
Who still thinks, Kraftwerk live are just four guys behind notebooks playing
to be robots, will see a few views behind their desks, revealing what great
jobs they all actually do.

What a fantastic band!

[FallenAngel]

Hope that I can find it here, as I never saw something from Kraftwerk in my live!!! As Justus say it's good then it's good!![smile]

[JaJaJa]

Seen it tuesday night on silverscreen and in 5.1. surround... Insane! [jump2]

[Lisa]

i just read about the dvd in a newspaper. it seems to be really great. I think I´ll buy it!!

[Alien]

I've seen DVD in the shop and I stared and stared at it but I didn't have enough money for it...

[JaJaJa]

http://www.germankraft.de

[lorenzo]

hello, i want give one recomendation for listen one time at the week. this recomendation is kraftwerk. They are the fathers of tecno-pop and the pioneers of this sound in the world of music. their albums are interesting and they have a lot of songs very good. also , Marian is one follower of their and the sound of alphaville have moments inspired in this band. My favourites songs of kraftwerk are "The robots", "The model" and "Autobahn". Greetings and good luck.[wink]

[Krapplund]

Kraftwerk goes Finland

UrvAUTsMd_s

[Kaz]

Don't know if I've posted this before.

Bill Bailey is one of my favourite English comedians, with his intelligent, outside-of-the-box humour with a musical slant. This is his "tribute" to Kraftwerk with a very famous English song:

LKtxg1D7vZw

[Krapplund]

Looks like Florian leaves Kraftwerk

http://kraftwerk.technopop.com.br/news_recent.php

[JaJaJa]

Interesting.

Hopefully that will fill up Foro Sol, Mexico City twice...[smile2]

[MalilaM]

[bigeyes] Two dates in the Foro Sol!!!
*amazed*


Shame I won't be there, but I will send you the reviews from the newspapers, J. [smile2]

[JaJaJa]

But you should!! Watching those strict looking guys certainly will beat Ricky Martin...

(The guy on the very right is Florian Schneider, the same who played with Sputnik Roadhouse in Klassentreffen btw.)

[JaJaJa]

Neither EMI nor the band have confirmed the news about FS. But some sources claim it would be real
and this coming concerts will be performed with some certain Stefan Pfaffe instead of Florian.
Although Florian Schneider already once had left KW for a couple of months in 1970, it is obvious how
deep his influence and creative input to the whole concept and music of KW had been.
I seriously cannot imagine now KW to be something else than a caricature of themselves - if, honestly
spoken, they partially were not already over the last 14 years - the time when they went on tour without a new album, continued over the years being rather busy with suits and polishing their image
than music.
Tour de France Soundtracks ('03) is an interesting album. But it's just not something pioneer-like as
we all expect of KW.
Let's see...

[JaJaJa]

*continuing conversations with myself*

Just learned that Kraftwerk plays the Foro Sol Stadium twice in Mexico City next March as support for
Radiohead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

http://www.radiohead.com/tourdates/15mar_mexico.html

[MalilaM]

It seemed like a too big venue for Kraftwerk, but Radiohead can certainly fill both dates the Foro Sol. So it rather looks like it's Radiohead who's supporting Kraftwerk: on Mexican Ticketmaster there is no mention of KW anywhere.

[wink]

[JaJaJa]

Very funny, Malila...[bah]

Meanwhile I got a confirmation of Florian Schneider's leaving by someone of the KW environment.

[Mateusz]

One slow version sange by some man from my country http://icsx.pl/?id=1&user=dunder&name=7FN5PUFvuzY/adam_brozynski_-_the_model_kraftwerk

[Mateusz]

npANYvolIBk

[JaJaJa]

Finally.
Or should we say After all?

http://10342.forendienst.de/show_messages.php?mid=4146409&lastpost=true

Toby Frith hat in der Antenna-Mailingliste folgende Pressemitteilung gepostet


Kraftwerk

12345678 THE CATALOGUE

FOUR DECADES OF MASTERWORKS

CD, CD BOX SET, VINYL & DOWNLOAD

Mute: 5th OCTOBER 2009

KRAFTWERK: Electro Pioneers, living legends and globally revered masters of electronic sound, celebrate the 35th anniversary of their landmark 1974 hit ‘Autobahn’ by releasing digitally remastered versions of eight astounding albums on 5th October 2009. Rolling back musical barriers with every forward-thinking phase of their career, Dusseldorf's Zen masters of electronic minimalism laid the foundations for four decades of computerised pop and dance music. By chain reaction and mutation, they have influenced generations of artists in all genres, mapping musical futures yet to come. From Bowie to Daft Punk, Aphex Twin to Portishead, Dr Dre to LCD Soundsystem, and almost everyone in between, the mark of Kraftwerk is endless, endless.

In 2009 Kraftwerk have upgraded their Kling Klang masters with the latest studio technology and these eight magnificent recordings still sound like nothing else in the history of music. Kraftwerk are unique, pristine, profound and beautiful. Decades may pass, but their streamlined synthetic symphonies stand outside time, as fresh as tomorrow, transcendent and sublime.

12345678 The Catalogue will be released across the following formats;

· 8 x individual CDs presented in special slipcases featuring newly expanded artwork, including many previously unseen images all of which have been reproduced to the highest technical standards.

· CD Box Set containing 8 x CDs in ‘mini-vinyl’ card wallet packaging, plus individual large format booklets.

· 8 x individual heavyweight vinyl LPs with large format booklets.

· Digital downloads.

After their recent jaw dropping 3-D show at the Manchester Velodrome, Kraftwerk’s next UK live appearance will be as headliners for Bestival on 12th September.

For further information please contact Caroline, John, or Nicki at Out Promotion

on 0207 434 4525 or firstname@out-london.co.uk

www.mute.com / http://www.kraftwerk.com/

12345678 THE CATALOGUE

AUTOBAHN (1974)

With its iconic Emil Schult sleeve, Kraftwerk release their international breakthrough album. The symphonic title track, an epic ode to the joys of motorway travel, wraps a mesmerising motorik rhythm around a sampled collage of car horns, engine noise, whirring tyres and radio crackle. In edited form, it becomes a revolutionary hit single around the world.

Elsewhere, in wordless industrial folk music, the band reveal both their light and dark sides – ‘Mitternacht’ is all creeping midnight shadows, while ‘Morgenspaziergang’ is fresh with morning dew and birdsong. Two versions of ‘Kometenmelodie’, one a starkly gothic prowl, the other a sunny electro boogie, provide further instrumental sound paintings. Pure and strong and bold, Kraftwerk compose cinema for the ears. The pop world falls in love with them.

RADIO-ACTIVITY (1975)

Kraftwerk embrace the atomic age with mixed emotions. Surfing on sine waves, scanning the stratosphere for stray radio signals, they plug themselves into a buzzing grid of energy and communication. From the stately eco-angst anthem ‘Radioactivity’ to the synthetic Gregorian chants of ‘Radio Stars’ and the melancholy machine processional of ‘Ohm Sweet Ohm’, a sombre but engrossing monumentalism dominates.

With heavily processed vocals in both German and English, Kraftwerk go global with depth and majesty. If factories and power stations are the new cathedrals, they write liturgies for a new industrial epoch.

TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS (1977)

Kraftwerk celebrate Europe's romantic past and shimmering future with a glistening panorama of elegance and decadence, travel and technology. The infinite vistas of ‘Europe Endless’ and ‘Endless Endless’ bookend the album, which includes the unsettling Kafka-esque fable ‘The Hall Of Mirrors’ and the hilarious ‘Showroom Dummies’ - Kraftwerk's elegantly ironic reply to critiques of their deadpan manner.

But it is the streamlined rhythmic locomotive of ‘Trans Europe Express’ which dominates with its doppler-effect melodic swerves and hypnotic, pneumatic, piston-pumping rhythm. Along with its sister track, ‘Metal On Metal’ which New York DJ Afrika Bambaataa would re-construct five years later for his own seminal ‘Planet Rock’, this milestone in avant-pop modernism later becomes a crucial influence on the early pioneers of hip-hop & sampling, electro and industrial music. Poetry in motion.

THE MAN MACHINE (1978)

A bold new look, sound and concept for Kraftwerk. Over supple processed rhythms which predate the rise of European techno and trance, they address automation and alienation, space travel and engineering, the seductive allure of urban landscapes and the vacant glamour of celebrity. Clipped and funky, ‘The Robots’ adds another dimension to Kraftwerk's ultra-dry sense of humour. Behind its intoxicating melodic pulse, ‘The Model’ is a highly prophetic satire on the beauty industry, so ahead of its time that it only becomes a UK chart-topper by accident three years later. And ‘Neon Lights’ is Kraftwerk's most achingly romantic song to date, a sci-fi lullaby for cities at twilight. Pure magic.

COMPUTER WORLD (1981)

Kraftwerk beam themselves into the future by writing about home computers, online dating and globalised electronic surveillance years before these phenomena truly come into being. A journey into the bright hopes and dark fears of the booming microchip revolution, ‘Computer World’ is a serenely beautiful and almost seamless collage of sensual melodies and liquid beatscapes. Tracks like ‘Numbers’ and ‘Pocket Calculator’, with their weightless bleeps and elastic beats, predict the silky rhythms of Chicago house and inspire a generation of Detroit techno artists. Kraftwerk's fanfare for the silicon age still sounds ageless, timeless and throbbing with invention.

TECHNO POP (1986)

Kraftwerk return from five years of silence to reclaim their throne as leaders of a machine-pop revolution that they themselves began over a decade before. Their ‘Techno Pop’ album, first released under the name ‘Electric Café’ but now restored to its originally intended title, provides a 360-degree overview of a multi-lingual, multi-channel, musically diverse global village.

From the block-rocking beats of ‘Boing Boom Tschack’ to the electronic funk and computer animation of ‘Musique Non Stop’, Kraftwerk soar into the digital age. Their first excursion into digital recording finds both beauty and unease in a polyglot world of permanent media overload. Once again, Dusseldorf’s test pilots of the musical future effortlessly break new ground.

THE MIX (1991)

Kraftwerk's first fully digital album confirmed their clubland credentials and reworked 11 of their best-loved tunes for a new generation. Painstakingly reconstructed and sequenced in the band's Kling Klang studio, new versions of tracks like ‘The Robots’, ‘Trans Europe Express’ and ‘Home Computer’ now feature more funky rhythms and cleaned-up, liquid-crystal sounds. A stark warning about pollution at Sellafield is added to the glistening overhaul of ‘Radioactivity’, sparking a war of words with British Nuclear Fuels. But most of all, ‘The Mix’ is a career-spanning collection of legendary electro anthems and a classy acknowledgment of the two-way traffic between Kraftwerk and club culture.

TOUR DE FRANCE (2003)

The year 2003 marked the centenary of the Tour de France, the conceptual starting line for Kraftwerk's first album for over a decade. Although it features an immaculate new version of a 20-year-old former single, the exquisitely graceful ‘Tour de France’, pop nostalgia is not on the menu. From the chunky cyber-funk of ‘Vitamin’ to the restless metallic shimmers of ’Aéro Dynamik’, this is emphatically the sound of 21st century techno visionaries.

www.mute.com / http://www.kraftwerk.com/

[Mateusz]

WO-OW. How much infos here...