Electronic Music

When the German band Kraftwerk came along the music of their country experienced a completely new sound they weren’t used to in the past.  Kraftwerks’ music demonstrated that German people, who are known thru out history as strong inventors, scientist, and engineers are now people who also demonstrated their unique abilities in electronic music.  This different approach to music from the traditional roots Germany has in classical music was quite impressive for the world to see and hear.  The bands image illustrated the militant uniformed persona and their use of the German roadways in their imagery and song plus was intelligent highlighting not only the band, but their country as a whole.

Kraftwerk released 5 albums during 1974 to 1981 each representing a specific theme and expression.  Autobahn, released in 1974 with the concept of road travel included a 22-minute title track demonstrating the sounds heard while traveling.  Stated in Allmusic by Rovi, at the following link:

http://www.allmusic.com/album/autobahn-mw0000195085

“Within Autobahn, the roots of electro-funk, ambient, and synth pop are all evident -- it's a pioneering album, even if its electronic trances might not capture the attention of all listeners.”

The song was an international hit and was the beginning of a new genre of music we know today. The bands second album in 1975, Radio Activity is another concept album dealing with broadcasting media using electronic devises that make up communication technology.  All the song titles on this album are named according to the components use in radio electronics.  The songs title track was also the first to be recorded in English rather than German.

Trans-Europe Express, Kraftwerks’ third album in 1977, is about cross-country travel expressing the continents accessibility to the world around them.   The music is danceable with pulsating rhythms and a synthetic blend of electronic instrumentation that captures the theme and concept of the album.  Their fourth album, The Man Machine released in 1978, is classified as devoid of human characteristics.

“The Man Machine, a work almost completely bereft of human touches. By this time, the members of Kraftwerk even publicly portrayed themselves as automatons, an image solidified by tracks like "We Are the Robots."

The above as stated by Jason Ankeny, on his Yahoo Music page found on the following link:

http://music.yahoo.com/kraftwerk/biography/

The song, The Robots uses spacey vocals imitating the sound of what a robot from another planet or outer space may sound like.  On the second track the song Spacelab, reminds me of the electronic dance music played today using the repetitive synthesized sounds and mechanical drumbeats.  The only difference is that if remixed today it would be more aggressive and dynamic because of how technology has progressed.

In 1981 Computer World was released and as stated by Rovi, for Allmusic publications on the following link:

 http://www.allmusic.com/album/computer-world-mw0000199024

“The last great Kraftwerks’ album, Computer World captured the band right at the moment when its pioneering approach fully broke through in popular music, thanks to the rise of synth pop, hip-hop, and electro.”

At this point the bands contributions to the electronic music scene are prevalent, plus Kraftwerk as artists are now widely recognized. The bands efforts with experimental music by using technology, opened the door to a distinctive form of music.  I believed the band proved that thru Art & Science and using many mediums, (which included digital electronics, sound design, imagery, culture, history, and advancements in technology) that music can be appreciated on a new level.  They actually created a new genre of music still being dissected for experimentation.