Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk in German means power plant or power station. And it’s a suitable name for the influential electronic band because a power station produces electricity the essential element in their musical style. Kraftwerk were the pioneers of electronic music, back in the 1970s their distinctive sound was revolutionary and has had a lasting effect in many genres of modern music. Comprised heavily of synthesizers, drum machines and vocoder vocals the bands sound was the beginning of electronic music as we know it.

Kraftwerk produced 8 albums from 1974-1981:

·      Kraftwerk (1970)

·      Kraftwerk 2 (1972)

·      Ralf und Florian (1973)

·      Autobahn (1974)

·      Radio-Activity (1975)

·      Trans-Europe Express (1977)

·      The Man-Machine (1978)

·      Computer World (1981)

The group’s first three albums were more free form experimental rock. They didn't feature "hooks" or a very disciplined song structure. They were strictly instrumental, featuring traditional instruments including guitar, bass, drums, electric organ, flute and violin. The Kraftwerk sound came from manipulating the recordings using distortion and tape manipulation.

The next album Ralf und Florian marked the bands movement to its classic signature sound, relying more on synthesizers and drum machines. Almost entirely instrumental like the previous albums, Ralf und Florian marks their first use of the vocoder, which would in time become one of its musical signatures. Their next album would turn out to be their most successful.

With the release of Autobahn, Kraftwerk made its international breakthrough. Featuring new instruments such as the Minimoog, the group now had a newer more disciplined pop sound. With its success the band undertook a multi-date tour to promote the album.

After the 1975 autobahn tour, they began to work on their next album Radio Activity. It was their first album with a "central theme". After a break from live performance in 1976, the band began working on Trans-Europe Express. This album was also themed, influenced by friends who suggested writing songs about the actual Trans-Europ Express.  The album is described as a celebration of Europe and the disparities between reality and image.

The next album Man Machine featured album art was inspired by Russian artist El Lissitzky and the Supernnatism movement. After this album the band wouldn't release another album for three years.

The next album released in 1981 called computer world featured new things like vocals from a Texas Instruments language translator. The album also featured Kraftwerk’s most successful song in the UK "The Model". Greater use of vocals and the use of sequencing equipment for percussion was also used. Ironically Kraftwerk did not own a computer at the time of recording computer world!

Today the use of custom electronic instruments is used more than ever and Kraftwerk was the first to pioneer this practice. Also their extensive use of electronic drum machines and vocoder effects which now are used everyday began with the group.

Being a music producer myself, I have to tip my hat to the innovators of electrical music, experimentation and innovation. When you think of the founders of rock and roll you think of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash amongst others. And when you think of the founders of electronic music you think of Kraftwerk.