Kraftwerk have recently remastered eight of their albums and all this week I’ve been listening to Trans Europa Express – the album which most reviewers say is their best.
Now in 1977 when this was first released, I was only 13 and I can clearly remember a friend of mine bringing this album over to my house and playing it. I was not impressed – I was just starting to listen to real music (Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash etc) and not yet ready to broaden my musical horizons for 4 rather gay-looking Germans. Of course, I was wrong – this album is a classic.
What is so nice for me (and I have mentioned this in one of my discussions Old or New? I just don’t seem to know anymore) is that I recognize that I have not listened to and enjoyed many classic albums of the 70’s and 80’s – which means now I listen to these with new ears/old heart – deep joy. And this album definitely falls into the classic album category.
I am not an authority on Kraftwerk or any music of this genre but I do know great music when I hear it and just love the strong classical melodies, the precise percussion, the use of vocal vocoding and the general feel to the music – I can’t believe I refused to like it all those years ago.
The album received much critical acclaim:
#1 in Slant Magazine’s 25 Greatest Electronic Albums of the 20th Century. [4]
#253 in industry magazine Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. (2002)
#36 in music magazine NME’s “100 Greatest Albums of All Time”. (2003)
#71 in Channel 4′s (UK) “The 100 Greatest Albums”. (2004) [5]
#56 in TV network VH1′s “100 Greatest Albums (of Rock & Roll) of All Time”. (2001) [6][7]
#6 in Pitchfork Media’s Top 100 Albums of The 1970s.
With even Andy Gill of the Independent calling it “Probably the most influential album released in the final quarter of the past century”
These guys were/are true innovators, (visit their website it’s amazing) and remember this album is 32 years old and still sounds so fresh – timeless even. A must-buy recommendation for you and please feel free to recommend music like this I may enjoy.
Track listing for German release
Side one
# Title Length
1. “Europa Endlos” 9:41
2. “Spiegelsaal” 7:56
3. “Schaufensterpuppen” 6:17
4. “Trans Europa Express” (1)
6:36
5. “Metall auf Metall” 1:46
6. “Abzug” 5:18
7. “Franz Schubert” 4:25
8. “Endlos Endlos” 0:45
I have to say that I was a bit surprised when this one popped up in your reviews. Kraftwerk aren’t the kind of band I would have expected you to listen to but I am glad that your tastes stretch this far.
I appear to know this band a bit more intimately than you do, possibly due to the time I spent in Germany. More than likely though, it’s due to my perpetual mission to find the weirdest music on the planet.
I do have a few Kraftwerk albums, but not this one. I hadn’t realised they were re-mastering their older ones so in the fullness of time I will have to pick up this one on your recommendations.
I just checked, the re-masters are released on Amazon on 12th October so it appears that you have them before us again. I also noticed that Radioactivity has been given the treatment so that’ll be the first one for me.
I aint a big fan but this album is just so good any music fan should own it. I don’t have the remastered copy I’m still playing an old CD I bought in Amsterdam years ago. I added the new cover cause I reckon the original must be the gayest album cover ever!!
Not sure if you buy any music mag on a regular basis but the November issue of Mojo has a free electronic CD and a piece about Kraftwerk which is good. The CD ain’t brill but has an exclusive remaster of ‘The Robots’ by Kraftwerk and a couple of other good tracks especially Ultravox’s ‘Slow Motion’. Its actually just occurred to me that ‘Get Innocuous’ the lead track by LCD Soundsystems album ‘Sound of Silver’ sounds so much like ‘The Robots’ its almost criminal.
BTW – good to know I can surprise you once in a while
Thank you I think I will buy now as you recommend it
I have to agree that the original cover for this CD isn’t perhaps the most macho ever conceived. I never did really consider them much of an aesthetically pleasing band, but at least some of the music is quite good. At least they appear to be correcting that problem with the re-releases.
Music mags? Now that’s a strange one. For some strange reason, every month I buy Classic Rock. I really don’t know why cause to tell you the truth for years it’s been crap. But I just keep on getting it every month out of habit. I must have about 40 – 50 CDs from it that are still sealed. Too much metal on the vast majority of them for my liking although just occasionally they come up with a half decent one.
We also have another mag here every 3 months – Uncut. That’s a much better read as they tend to focus mainly on lesser known bands so it can be really informative. There’s a free CD with each issue and in the main they are really good as they offer a wide variety of genres.
Haven’t bought Mojo in years and I can’t see myself rushing out to buy the latest copy.
Ken, why not give us your opinion of the Kraftwerk one once you’ve had a good listen. I would like a second opinion on it.
I was referring to the magazine not the CD
I don’t feel that I can offer an objective opinion of this CD as it means so much to me – has too many memories – too many scars.
I will not divulge too much in this forum but at the time of release I was working in the Music Business in Northern Europe and discovering myself (my sexuality) etc. – Kraftwerk were a big part of my life then and even bigger part of my partners life. Enough said.
I will however, comment and say that I was extremely pleased to see this website giving it such a great review
mr Ken
Very Interesting comment what job did you have? It sounds all very mysterious where in Northern Europe where you working?
I have just bought MoJo after Mr LD recommended and the free CD is good Mr SP you should give it a go
Thanks Ken – interesting post, I hope you can expand more on your experiences in future posts.
Also glad you like my review its great to receive feedback like this – makes cyberspace not such a lonely place
Classic Rock? You are a true optimist I stopped buying that ages ago – not very well written crap CD’s
Uncut I like but unable to buy here in Doha – only Q and Mojo with both being around 8 quid – Q aint worth 8 pence these days and Mojo does the job while I’m sitting and contemplating my navel each morning
If you enjoy Kraftwerk, you might like this too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNOQs0QI68
(There was a version in English as well, called Triad Dimensions. Wish I could find a download somewhere).
Try this one for size also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiIF7g2Zj6A&feature=related
Man, I miss the Eighties !
man I hated the eighties – this calls for a discussion.
UncleRavey can you email me why you loved the eighties and I’ll start a post in your name – could be a great discussion.
Just stumbled across this. I have a reason to love the ’80′s.
Quite simply, Fish era Marillion. Not much more needs to be said, conversation over, the ’80′s were worthwhile for that reason alone.