Electronic Music - Kraftwerk

The music and image of the band Kraftwerk was electronic and experimental. Kraftwerk was formed in 1970 by Florian Schneider (flutes, synthesizers & electro-violin) and Ralf Hutter (electronic organ & synthesisers) in Dusseldorf, Germany. They were pioneers of electronic music in the 1970’s, and are considered as one of the most important and influential bands of their genre. Kraftwerk are often described as “The godfathers of electronic music.” Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider were the primary members/songwriters of Kraftwerk, and all other members who came and went were just studio musicians. Kraftwerk’s music has been dubbed by the press as “Krautrock.”

From 1974-1981, Kraftwerk released 5 albums, all of which were conceptual albums. Autobahn (1974), Radio-Activity (1975), Trans-Europe Express (1977), The Man-Machine (1978), and Computer World (1981). German producer and engineer Konrad "Conny" Plank was highly significant in the early years of Kraftwerk, and co-produced the first four Kraftwerk albums. Autobahn was Kraftwerk’s fourth album, and reached number 25 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Autobahn was also the final recording Conny Plank would produce for Kraftwerk. Radio-Activity was a bilingual album featuring lyrics in both English and German, and is also a bit more experimental than Autobahn. Radio-Activity was also less successful in the UK and American markets. Trans-Europe Express was their sixth studio album, which differed from the group’s earlier "Krautrock" style focusing on electronic mechanized rhythms as well as taking more of a minimalistic approach. The album was a flop and failed to chart in both the UK and America. The Man-Machine is a build off of Trans-Europe Express, and charted at number 9 in the UK, and 130 on the US Billboard 200. It was also voted at number 96 on Q magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Albums. Computer World was their eighth studio album. The sound of the album is more reliant on computers and vocals, and was deemed by critics as the peak of their career.

One of the characteristics of Kraftwerk’s music that earns them the position of the biggest influence on electronic music was their album concepts. For instance, Autobahn is about the road and driving through the Autobahn, and Trans-Europe Express is about train travel and European connectivity. Kraftwerk’s music was also an influence in Hip-Hop such as the group Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force, who used samples from Trans-Europe Express and Numbers, and interpolated the samples into Planet Rock, one of the earliest hip-hop/electro hits.

Although I’m not too into Kraftwerk or most earlier electronic music in general, I do respect them for being pioneers, and for their minimalistic ideology.