Of all places in post-war Europe, Germany was probably the most depressive ambient to grow up. Artists born after Hitler’s suicide in 1945 were facing the demonic past of their country with the strong feeling of guilt. That is why many of them were oriented towards creating the vision of the future than had nothing similar with the past. This is the creative context that stimulated boys from Dusseldorf to form a band known as Kraftwerk.
Contrary to majority of musicians who were singing about relationships between a man and a woman, Kraftwerk have investigating a relationship between a man and a machine in their work. Excited by the endless possibilities of technology, but conscious about the dark side of dehumanization, fear of radioactivity and abuse of machines, Kraftwerk became the true pioneers of electronic music.
Explaining Kraftwer’s music as a relationship between a man and a machine is just partly true, as they are equally obsessed with freedom expressed through movement, either by automobile (Autobahn), train (Trans Europe Express) or bike (Tour de France Soundtracks).
When we talk about their work, it is impossible not to mention the use of computers, synths, voice coders, rhythm machines and all the other miracles of technology. Some of the instruments were literally invented by Schneider, Hutter, Karl Bartos and Wolfgang Flur, while the others were utilized in an unconventional manner.
I highly recommend you to purchase their 8-disc collection titled The Catalogue If you are into learning the complete discography of the band. I will review my favorite two albums from the collection, and I am sure you will find your favorites pretty soon.
The golden age of Kraftwerk started with the same-titled album and the single Autobahn, which represented a milestone in their work. Until then, the guys were relying on complex, progressive compositions with perplexing melodies. Autobahn brought changes in dynamic of the rhythm. The audience applaud the change, and made it a top 10 album from the both sides of the Atlantic. The sound is more mellow, intertwined with mantras, so the final result creates a meditative space for the listener.
Radioactivity is probably their darkest album. Slow rhythms and alarm sounds are compatible with anxiety and panic. Radioactivity does not have taste, color and smell, but it spreads through everything alive. The title track is one of their most famous pieces. It is a special record, since short tracks generate a concept. Sadness is not the most popular feeling, but Airwaves and Ohm, Sweet Ohm make it acceptable.
Kraftwerk were so ahead of their time, you won’t even notice the difference between this collection and almost any Boiler Room out there.
