Reviews (page 3 of 9)
this shit blows ass
Weird mix of stuff but works. Have to try it on shrooms
The originators of electronic music. 2.75/5
Im once again getting the pleasure to review the perfectly wholesome futurism of Kraftwerk. This is probably my second favorite Kraftwerk album of all time and it’s just nonstop creativity. And I know this is basically cliched to say about kraftwerk but they were just so crazy ahead of their time. And also at the same time it has the ability to be completely timeless. It also goes without saying but this album is a no skip album, just pure bliss.
nice, ambiental, it really feels eccentric
1.5
Was worried but I didn't hate this. Nothing I would add to my faves list but I found it very soothing and pleasant. True to a 3/5 for me
This was OK. I get that it was ahead of its time, but it's still boring at times. 2.5/5.0: Mixed
easily my least favorite of the kraftwerk albums on the list.
Highly influential record way ahead of its time. A 22-minute opening song is a lot but I still liked this (just not as much as The Man Machine). Favorite: Kotemenmelodie 2 Would I listen to it again: Yes
Surprised by how much I'm...not into this. I love electronic music and Kraftwerk has always been cited by artists I love as an influence. This is just okay. I can get into repetition but the title track didn't do it for me. The other tracks fared a little better, with more expansive soundscapes. When I go on Apple Music they have three other Kraftwerk albums as the "essential albums" and not this one, so I guess I have higher hopes for those.
That was a ride on the Autobahn I wasn't prepared for.
I'm not quite sure why this is so captivating, but it is.
Very kraftwerk.
FUN FUN FUN ON THE AUTOBAHN Good for the time but age has dampened the technological mastery it was in the 70s.
Hell yeah, the ultimate driving song. Autobahn is a transformative piece of music, 25 minutes of immersive 70's German synth bliss. It sounds very robotic as Kraftwork does, but so great. The rest of the album doesn't really match up to that. but it still has some good moments on the second side and the entire side feels like the comedown from Autobahn itself.
Autobahn - 3 Kometenmelodie 1 - 2 Kometenmelodie 2 - 3 Mitternacht - 3 Morgenspaziergang - 2
I have an undeniable urge to drive on the Autobahn.
Boring as hell
Didn’t like the album. Just old techno misic
Made a wrong turn.
Undoubtedly innovative and historically important. However most of kraftwerks output is a little bit knowing. This collection of songs is ok but electronic music as a whole is a bit like a lolly ice. Temporarily satisfying then a bit irritating
Innovative, influential, and goofy as hell.
An absolutely unreal album, it’s beautiful, it’s perfect. Kraftwerk really fucking changed the world of music. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: Kometenmelodie 2
Easy 5, could listen to it forever, every song is perfect. I love how electronic it starts and the way it ends with the flutes, feeling very pastoral, like going back in time. It could be one of the all time best albums, it's just absolutely genius, blows my mind it came out in 1974.
Much like Trans-Europe Express, this album just does not have the punch and catchyness that The Man Machine did. I will say, I do think I like this more than Trans-Europe Express though, since it's got more variety in it, and it doesn't sound as dated to my ears. But The Man Machine is still their best album by a mile for me. That one feels like the most influential of the bunch, with it's sounds popping up in modern sci-fi properties today.
nice
A groundbreaking electronic record and it's influence can be heard decades later. As a first time listen, I can say that the title epic is incredible, the final two tracks too, but the two part middle piece didn't do much for me. The essentially German vibe makes this a little dated, but otherwise it could've been recorded today, as far as how great sounding this is. 4/5
This was fine. About halfway through the first song I was starting to getting bored of it though.
super experimental
Overall: 7/10 The title track on this album is over 20 minutes long and it takes you on a pretty wild ride (pun intended). They did a great job of making you feel like you're speeding down the highway. After that, things slow down and get a bit more ambient, but it's all pretty pleasant to listen to overall. Fav Song: Autobahn
ONE
This is just not for me
ok ? long mais pok
unlistenable
Beautiful and experimental
2.5
What????
Electronic Ambient Album from Germany
FAHREN FAHREN FAHREN
3,5
so so
Appreciate the electro-pioneering ambient cosmic-grooves, though only stretches of each track really lock in and feel good. When it hits, you want it to last and last, which, of course, it tends to do.
I know Kraftwerk is legendary. They sound like they’re from another planet. I’m glad I finally listened to one of their albums. To be honest, I probably don’t need to listen to this one again.
wat een album! ik ben geen al te grote fan, maar dit is echt de top! voor mensen die het gedateerd vinden : dit is meer dan 50 jaar oud en was de start van alles wat elektronische muziek inhoudt...zijn plaats in deze lijst dubbel en dik waard
Perfect for an interstate drive
I don't understand how a 22 minute electronic song about a German highway holds my interest more than the same length song from a jam band. But here we are.
‘Autobahn’ was a good track; others were kinda just ‘meh.’
too funky
One of the most influential albums of all time? It sounds so futuristic, the sampling is crazy, the different sections come together in a great harmony. After the epic first song things take more of an ambient direction but still work very well. The constantly evolving synth leads keep the songs exciting, there is always those little details to hang onto. It's a very beautiful record that paved the way for pretty much all sample-based music.
Man, really interesting album. It does suffer a bit from the "I have to remind myself this was groundbreaking and ahead of it's time" thing, but it was enjoyable.
Highly overrated.
Больные люди , у которых поездка по автобану ассоциируется с этим
Very offbeat. Love the exploratory synth.
Electronic, quirky
A bit more ambient than The Man-Machine, and consequently less satisfying for me as a listener. Groundbreaking to be sure, but not the Kraftwerk album I'd personally choose to listen to.
A pioneering entry in the world of electronic music. Fun, imaginative, captivating, mesmerizing. If I have any criticism, it’s that the vocals on the title track took me out of the soundscapes a bit, and just seemed rather goofy. Then again, I spent the rest of the day singing “Fahren fahren fahren auf der Autobahn,” so maybe it’s good, actually? In any case, there’s no doubt it deserves a place on this list.
3/5? No idea, bizarre album
Interesante
Electronic wallpaper
A highway in Germany.
Really enjoyed this. A deep krautrock classic.
Electronic pop, electroacoustic, kosmische.
Dnf
All vibes. I didn't really care for it.
Not my thing but appreciate it for what it is
22 minutes of autobahn was overkill and I was braindead before the end of it. A 3 minute version is fine. All of the tracks would have been ok if they didnt drone on for so long. They should be short and sweet. Bill Bailey did it better. Best thing about this album was it wasnt Jean Michel Jarre
I get there's an atmosphere, but it's just a bit crap. Why does this need 4 men in a line to make it? It's 45 minutes of fannying about with a keyboard and a sound effects machine. I must be missing something.
Maybe going off to a stroll, not driving into a driveway kind of album. Still, its a pretty experience.
I was autobout to lose it! jk it was good
I've listened to a lot of electronic music over the years, but for some reason I've never got into Kraftwerk. Electronic music has to start somewhere I guess, but the music sounds too rudimentary and the lyrics are too silly for me to really like. Maybe I'm too steeped in how music is now that I fail to appreciate its beginnings, but in any case, I'll pass.
Those sure were some noises. Germany is weird
Really nice relaxing album.
I’ve heard of Kraftwerk but I’ve never heard any of their songs. Autobahn: 1/10 Don’t really know what to say. A 22 minute song with just random sound effects and the occasional line repeated. Kometenmelodie 1: 0/10 Kometenmelodie 2: 0.5/10 Mitternacht: suck full Morgenspaziergang: suck full
Hasn’t aged amazingly
Out of 400 or so of the 1001 albums this is the third Kraftwerk one to come up. C’mon already.
Sometimes, I thank Robert Dimery for putting me on, but bro does whatever to revert it. I think it’s fine to die without hearing this one! A passable 2, based on it's history I guess
Tectastic!
A group and album ahead of it's time. Both innovative and musically appealing. Driving home at midnight was never better with their wonderfully simplistic approach to making music.
No. 120 Kind of mesmerizing but it felt more like background music.
Quite enjoyed that, they did manage to capture a nightly german autobahn drive. 3/5
I get why people like this and consider it a masterpiece. It's just something I don't really feel the need to listen to again. But I can't imagine there was much of anything like this in 1974. Ahead of it's time? I believe that claim, for sure. Electronica is my least favorite genre on here according to my stats. I don't hate this album and I'd much prefer it to that Fatboy Slim shit I had to listen to a couple weeks ago.
What the hell was that
I had fun on the Autobahn!
Förstår att det är tidig elektronisk musik. Men det låter som första gången man fick testa en mer avancerad keyboard i skolan och bara tryckt på lite olika saker med diverse effekter
Not a huge fan of 20 minute songs, but these weren’t at all bad to listen to.
Really dug this because it made me uncomfortable at times and reminded me of other experiences. Autobahn sounded like something they would play at Epcot and the others sounded like I was in a creepy sci-fi movie.
When you put a 22 minute song on an album, it better be good. For 1974, I think this was different. It was unique and new! But now it's stale and repetitive. Sounds like early AI music, which is stunning considering how far away AI was ... :D
Good one
Banger
I heard this one before, but it's a good chance to revisit it. The title track is interesting. Kind of difficult to describe. While I find it interesting, and it definitely takes you on this journey, I sadly don't find it very fun. It's enjoyable as an experience in a way, but not the beauty of the music is what does it for me. Musicly, I think side B of the record is actually better. Kometenmelodie 1 is kind of a ambient track with great textures and atmosphere. Kometenmelodie 2 has great driving rithem and beautiful glisandos under the main melody. Song 4 which translates to MIDNIGHT sounds like a frightening midnight indeed. Last track is morning walk. It's a chicky little tune. Quit a nice way to end the project. It's a very ambitious, and revolutionary album. Personally, I find it laking something. I'll give it a (high!, .8) 3
Autobahn es el cuarto álbum del grupo alemán de música electrónica Kraftwerk, and I mean.... WTF!! que carajos este álbum?? o no llego a entender el concepto musical que tal vez va más allá y yo no estoy a ese level musical?! No tiene nada de letra, yo creo que hay mejores dando vuleta, sorry not sorry si no entendí el concepto, pero no me parece un álbum que se TIENE que escuchar si o si antes de morir?.. Pd: está bueno para musicalmente un ambiente
I listened to it a couple of times in the past. Always enjoyed the title track. The rest is pretty meh, maybe apart from the closing song. It's cool to witness how much electronic music has evolved, but I don't think Autobahn stood the test of time.
The title track is, unsurprisingly, the centerpiece — a bright, hypnotic electronic voyage that still feels inventive and strangely uplifting. The rest of the album can’t quite match that momentum, though 𝗞𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝟮 offers a genuinely lovely melody that softens the drop-off. Even with its uneven pacing, 𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘩𝘯 is a compelling early landmark for Kraftwerk, showing the moment when their experimental impulses began to crystallize into something unmistakably their own.
You know who else liked autobahn?
Good but maybe a tad bit too boring. 3/5
one of the best, ever ever ever. still feels like this fresh and vital lightning bolt, a disorganized optimism honed out of a sense of Dead Culture (damn i wonder why krautrock is still so relatable!), which kind of sets the tempo for a lot of kraftwerk in general....its kinda Sad And Spooky that we're robots...but its also Cool that we're robots. theres just enough instability (esp on the B side, which is genuinely just as good and who's reception i will never understand) to feel astute, but also enough aesthetic appreciation to really humanize the desires present here....The Future as depicted by kraftwerk is a fight between whether technology will expand our possibilities or limit them, with the needle never quite coming down fully on either side. kraftwerk kinda best band ever and i love so many of their albums dearly but this is the one that feels the most coherently and fully like A World...like all their future albums take place Inside the places and situations that have been sketched out here. special attention must be played to the closing track and its flutes....i kinda dont even have a fully articulated read on what it Means to me, but it just grabs me by the stomach...thats album construction, thats artmaking, thats reaching towards the unknown right there!!!!
I still don’t get why people love Kraftwerk as much as they do, but this one was pretty enjoyable.
Undeniably influential and forward-thinking for its time, but not really for me. I think that Kraftwerk has better songs coming up in their discography, though I really enjoyed the flute on Morgenspaziergang and the start of the title track
I was about 18 minutes into the album when I realised I was still on track 1. This was a really cool listen though, as I’d only ever heard the song about the pocket calculator I was surprised by this album. The ambient electronic sounds were a great listen while I was seeing the afternoon out plugging away at my desk at work. I can see how they get so much recognition for being trail blazers of techno, that this was created 50 or so years ago is mind blowing
I liked this album but I’m rating it a 3 because of my experience at the Munich airport which was dirty and the food wasn’t very good
Pretty innovative sound for 1974 but once was enough for me
I've always heard Kraftwerk mentioned as a defining artist and influential to so many. The opener was cool, I don't mind a long song as long as it's fairly dynamic. I certainly got the vibe of driving down the autobahn. I found the rest of the album harder to get into. I liked Komentenmelodie 2 though. I respect it, and will probably seek out more Kraftwerk but I'm not all the way there yet
I really liked that! I hadn't listened to early Kraftwerk before, I had the CD called "The Mix" which I really enjoyed and this was a pleasant surprise.
I’ve heard the name Kraftwerk for decades. I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to their music. I know they are German and they’re the fathers of electronic music, which scares me. After just listening to the Boards of Canada, electronic music isn’t high on my list of enjoyment right now, but these guys are supposed to be good, I think. Hmm, five tracks, 42 minutes long, and the first track is Autobahn and is 22 minutes long. Ooooh, it starts out with some robot repeating Autobahn about five times. This song is already better than anything on the last album I listened to, mainly because it actually sounds like a song. I will say, it’s hilarious to hear these Germans chant the lyrics with a heavy German accent. The music has synths in it, but I can also hear what sounds like guitars and a flute. They may also be synths, I don’t know. I feel like I’ve heard this song before. It’s essentially an instrumental except for what sounds like 4 Germans chanting, “The fun, fun, fun, of the Autobahn.” Then later, they chant something in German. There isn’t much to the song, but it gives me the nostalgic feels of the 80’s. This album came out in 1974, which seems crazy, but it took the ad geeks at least a decade to start using music like this in commercials or TV shows. I enjoyed track 1. It was worlds better than the Boards of Canada. However, I think time will suck some of the amazement or wonder out of my listening to this album because I’m so far removed from its release. Electronic bands today are making better music than could be made in 1974 with that technology. Track 2 is Kometenmelodie 1, and I already dig it. It sounds very foreboding. This song kind of reminds me of what Eddie Van Halen was trying to do with synths on the Fair Warning album, which came out in 1981. Track 3 is, of course, Kometenmelodie 2. This song has more of a beat to it. It’s more of a dance track than the first one. It reminds me of a David Bowie song, but I can’t put my brain on the title. This song has more of an old-school 50s rock and roll swing to it, if electronic music can indeed swing. Yes! I got it! This song reminds me of Modern Love by Bowie. It has the same feel, though it sounds like it is the elevator music version of Modern Love. Track 4, Mitternacht, sounds like it might be played in a haunted funeral home, at least the first 30 seconds do. Mitternacht means midnight in German. Yes, this is a spooky song. Hmmm, this song has a lot of what sounds like electronic drops of water leaking from the basement pipe of a killer’s lair. It was an atmosphere, but not much of a song. I can see it being used in a Halloween movie. Final track, Morgenspaziergang, and it sounds like ASMR. It’s like more electronic drops of water falling into a digital puddle. There’s some flute playing, giving it a very Asian feel to the song. And just like that, it’s over. For today’s standards, there’s nothing ground-breaking here. This was Kraftwerk’s fourth album, and they did in fact add a guitarist who could also play the flute, as well as a percussionist. According to our good friends at Wikipedia, this album completed a shift from their earlier experimental krautrock to a more electronic pop, which was more synth and drum-based. It was alright for me. It’s not something I’m adding to my rotation. I can see how they could have influenced all of electronic music, but I’m a rocker at heart. If you want to hear where electronic music came from, then check this out, otherwise, you can skip it.
Good album. But more background than some of their better work.
Very interesting. The melodies repeted a lot, but it felt seldom repetitive. My favorite's probably Autobanh. Pretty good but not something I'd listen to again. 5.1/10
Not a big fan of electro - but this was hypnotic. Repetitive but propulsive and engaging. I'm impressed by how current it sounds despite its age. Glad to have give this a shot.
Definitely an odd album but an oddly enthralling one at times
As a lover of long songs, "Autobahn" surprisingly didn't do it for me (at all—I struggled to finish that one), but there's a lot of beauty hidden in this otherwise bite-size album that still compels me to give it a 3.
I appreciate it but it's just not my vibe
My 2nd favorite Kraftwerk album (Tour de France is my favorite)
if i based this purely on the sound, probably a 3/5, but Kraftwerk really pushed what electronic music that i listen to like EVERY DAY sounds like today. always good to hear the roots.
The Germans certainly have different ideas about many things, and certainly Kraftwerk is one of them. When I first encountered them a few years ago, I was perplexed by the sound and dismissed it as strange, and I really did not understand it one bit. Recently, when I opened myself up to music as well as with my girlfriend's sister, who is a fan of Kraftwerk, I began to understand it. This will never be my type of music, but it is certainly interesting and pivotal to influencing many parts of the electronic scene. For the album itself, it is very futuristic in its approach and has aged well in that respect, even if music wouldn't be made like this today. It achieves its goal of sounding like driving on the highway.
It's a classic without which the electronic music scene might look very different.
Another band that I respect more than I enjoy. I think there's 3 Kraftwerk albums on the list and I'm pretty sure I've heard them all, but I can't remember if this was one of my favorites or least favorites. I know that probably shouldn't really matter with how I rate the album..... I think I like the other albums better because they're less ambient, so let's just go with a 3. It's influential, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be reaching for the other albums first.
Ich verstehe schon, dass das prägend war. Es hat auch einige spannende Elemente, überzeugt mich aber in Gänze auch nicht wirklich. Also: Ganz okay.
Der Titeltrack ist ein guter Beginn, danach verliert es sich teilweise etwas und hat seine Längen - quasi wie eine Autobahn-Fahrt.
Gehört für mich noch nicht zu den ganz großen Kraftwerk-Klassikern, Einfluss hin oder her. Man merkt, dass sie ihren Sound noch nicht ganz gefunden haben. Das Albumkonzept, was sie später perfektionieren werden, wird hier nach dem Titeltrack (der - wenn man mal ganz ehrlich ist - auch nicht genug Ideen für 22 Minuten bereithält) über den Haufen geworfen. Alles danach sind ein paar nette Soundkollagen, die aber leider sehr stark in ihrer Zeit verhaftet sind. Hat mich aber teilweise dann doch ganz unterhalten.
Habe ich irgendwie mehr erwartet. Es funktioniert sehr gut, wenn man sich drauf einlässt und als Album insgesamt auch. Aber bei mir kam nicht der Aha-Moment. 3,5 Sterne dürfen es dann wohl doch sein.
Anhören könnte ich mir sowas nicht dauernd, aber ich erkenne die Qualitäten durchaus an. Interessant ist es allemal.
Ich mag klingen wie der letzte Hater aber nach Autobahn hat keiner der Songs mit mir was gemacht außer mich zu langweilen. Für die Pionier Rolle aber einen Bonus Punkt
Oh man... I think this is one where I can easily see the influence it's had on the world and on music since it's release, being one of the early truly electronic albums, but it did not resonate with me at ALL. It truly was a painful listen for the majority of it's runtime. "Autobahn" the title track, no less, has absolutely no business being 22 minutes long with the lackadaisical pacing it has. Maybe this was more enticing in another time, when these sounds were new, but I was tired and bored of the listen by the time the track ended. The album, at the very least, gets slightly better following it. The two part "Kometenmelodie" and "Mitternacht" both have a sort of primal early ambient soundtrack feel that makes me see the appeal a lot more- it isn't hard to trace the line from this album to later ambient works- and made me think every so slightly of C418's "Minecraft - Volume Alpha" or soundtracks from some of the Zachtronics programming games in it's general tone and theme. Still, it's hard to recover from the start of the album. Favorite Track: "Mitternacht" Least Favorite Track: "Autobahn" Fahren, fahren fahren, auf der Autobahn: Nein, ich kann nicht heute.
Talk about an album with clear theming. From the abstracted A out of a highway for the cover art to the synth sounds mimicking the doppler effect of passing cars, this project could not be more clear about needing to be listened to on a road trip. It's a bit plodding at points, and parts of some songs can stretch on for quite some time, but I feel like that only reinforces the vibe. I did struggle with the darker moments in the album like Mitternacht and that middle stretch about 10min into the titular track. But, overall I really enjoyed the slow, subtly developing nature of these electronic tracks. The experience is almost like an opera in how it forces you to sit with certain notes for a while, sometimes longer than is maybe comfortable. I also specifically adored Morgenspaziergang, what a beautifully light closing note.
You ever driving and you hear a song and you’re like ‘I don’t love this but I’ll let it play out”? Well, imagine that song lasts your entire commute. 1 star. Would not listen again
The title track is great and you can hear the innovation and influence.
It's very German. And Spots autoplayed a Neu track afterwards and I thought 'damn, you can see the influences from Kraftwerk on Neu'
Very electronic. Very futuristic and synth-y. I really like it. The 22 minute title track Autobahn is the best on the album. Very futuristic- sounding for 1974.
Repetitive, motorik-driven grooves built from rigid electronic pulses, synthetic textures, minimalist melodies, and emotionally distant vocals move this electronic album like being trapped in a car with a malfunctioning engine hum—relentless, noisy, and so unyielding in its mechanical repetition that it feels stubbornly inaccessible.
I tried to find a reason not to give this album a 5*... but I just couldn't find any. I love pretty much everything about it - the experimental aspects, the minimalism, the simple but efficient hooks, the eerie atmosphere, the retro-futurist vibe... It's like a dreamier, more accessible version of Neu (and of Kraftwerk's own earlier records). Half a century has passed since Autobahn was released ; it's not the sound of the future anymore, but the sound of a future that could have been. It felt like a lucid dream, driving through snowy landscapes dotted with weird machines escaped from an alternative, futuristic version of the 80s reminiscent of Simon Stalenhag's work. It's so trippy and peaceful that I can play it on a loop. Bonus points for contributing to the birth of popular electronic music. Kraftwerk's first and second record are even more interesting in my opinion - but let's be honest, they're so experimental and deconstructed that they were (sadly) never gonna become mainstream music. Autobahn played an essential role in helping this kind of sound gain wider acceptance. 9/10
This album is essentially the blueprint for electronic music; it was way ahead of its time and had a massive influence on today’s scene. Even though it has aged well, I still wouldn't recommend it to a friend—it feels too dated and honestly doesn't offer much of interest by today's standards. There’s much better out there now... though certainly much worse, too. For its huge influence and avant-garde spirit, I’m giving it a very well-deserved 3 stars.
Honestly, I always preferred the krautrock side of Neu! and their other stuff, but Autobahn feels smoother and more fluid than I remembered. It works surprisingly well both as ambient background and as something you can actively sit with, and it doesn’t feel as cold to me as it did back then. I can totally admit how important this record is, and it’s way easier for me to connect with now than when I was younger, but it still doesn’t go that much further for me. The flute parts, the more organic side of the album, actually feel weirdly complex once you get past the slightly toy-keyboard, Bontempi vibe.
Excellent concept album
Long ass music
Love this album, it’s so strange yet so listenable. On top of the satisfying synthetic tones I heard either real or great facsimiles of flutes. Need to do a deep dive on the themes of the album. There was one section in the 3rd quarter that lost me, so I will go 4.5
This is #day545 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… hell yeah, here's to the one that started it all, aka the one that influenced them all. As essential as it is historically, I prefer The Man-Machine. Still, this is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day546.
Not an album I was expecting, and definitely not one I was expecting to like, but here we are. I put this on for my train ride home from uni, thinking I would get a few songs out of the way. Instead, I listened to one track for the entire trip, with Autobahn finishing as I reached my car. That song takes you on a journey, and it was the perfect song to accompany me on my way home today. You can tell that Kraftwerk had a blast making the song, and their love for the Autobahn shines in it. I couldn't imagine listening to one of the cut down versions of this song, it feels like it's exactly what the band set out to make. The other songs on the album all have their merit too. The two Kometenmelodies feel like they have to be listened to together, so it almost seems like a shame that they're split into two tracks, but I also don't think this is an album most people would be shuffling into playlists. Mitternacht feels like the closest thing to an interlude the album has, and Morgenspaziergang captured the vibe of a nature walk impressively well. At multiple points, it reminded me of Pikmin series music. It has such a warm feeling, which is greatly enhanced by the flute. As an aside, while I was listening to this album I was sure I was hearing sounds produced in the 1980's, maybe even the 90's, so I was stunned when I found out it released in 1974. No other album I've heard from that year, or the surrounding years, even come close to sounding as modern as this. Kraftwerk were obviously pushing boundaries when they released this album, and it's very clear that they influenced the modern musical landscape in a big way. Favourite song: Autobahn
A classic that started so much. I don't personally enjoy this too much but I really respect it.
Just kick back and let it wash over you
Kometenmelodie 2 //
Amazingly I’ve not listened to Kraftwerk before although I’ve seen them live. I can really hear how influential they were on music I like. Very good!
Motorway noise perfection.
City and travel related sound interpretations
This was really great jogging music. In the era it was released this kind of sound must have felt like it came from space.
Sounds like maja keyboard very interesting
Would be fine is smaller doses as a soundtrack
"Fair?! Who's the fucking nihilist around here?!" 4/5 Highlights: Autobahn
Opened the doors for ambient/electronic music! A classic but I did skip most of the tracks.
You have to appreciate these mad kraut innovators for what they were doing. Building synths and drum machines, among the first to do it, experimenting, playing with the industrial and computerized sounds of our Information Age, melding it with sounds of our machines and sounds evocative of nature. As an album listening experience, it’s not exactly a banger, but I appreciate them.
Okay, started off being quite glad to have more of an education on Kraftwerk, but now, with this 3rd album, I’m kinda done. My education has taught me that I don’t like them. Just don’t connect well with synths and basic drum machines. A kind of unskilled A-level music project. 22 mins for an opening track is a lot of nerve! Honestly like some kids have just found a copy of Cubase. Yeh, like the others, kinda bored by this. Nothing too skilled or engaging. Pretty flat and basic. Yeh, this has now passed into the frustrating category. I’m done (2.5)
This album of course is incredibly influential but the question is: is it good? Yes. All the songs can be a bit repetitive but with multiple listenings subtle melodies start to reveal themselves
Rating: 7/10 Short Review: A very unconventional album. I think this is the first album where a 22-minute track is the most popular... and that's kind of fierce. This record is definitely a patient one, it makes you wait a lot. It pays off nicely sometimes, other times it feels like a bit of waste. Though, I don't really think it's one of those albums you just throw on, it's more of an experience.
I really wanted to like this more than I actually did. It was pretty fine and fun but not as cool as I had hoped.
Se penso ad Avanguardia penso ai Kraftwerk
Cmon bruh
I can definitely see how this influenced many later electronic artists. It was fun, chill, a bit repetitive (fun fun fun on the Autobahn), but overall it was pleasant and groundbreaking for coming out in the 70s.
This is a concept album done right. It starts with a 20 minute car ride, the title track, the big hit. I can see it being tedious upon reception, there's a particular mood for hearing a similar beat for half of your listening experience, like a long car ride or an early morning ritual. The ride continues with a musical rendition of what I imagine is a night full of shooting stars, followed by peak darkness at midnight, and a morning stroll. It feels like 12-24 hours condensed into 40 minutes of beautiful electronic music. I've heard Kraftwerk before, I know I own some digital release remix, but I can't remember where it came from and nothing in the Kraftwerk rabbithole rung any bells. I'm so glad I climbed down, though. This album in particular is a great experience, but getting into their most well known singles lets you understand exactly how fundamental they are for the future of EDM. Easy repeated listen. Would love any version of this album on vinyl. 4.3/5
That was a bit more laid back than I was expecting. It's incredible that this was done in 1974. It sounds a bit dated now, though. It's good, but I liked The Man Machine better.
This was the beginning of the legendary sound that was most popular by them, it's ethereal, hypnotizing and flows incredibly well. I haven't listened to this one before and I'm glad I did now, it's an experience of synths with minimal lyrics that makes you dream of listening to this while driving. So so good.
Another album i expected not to like, this time after resding the wikipedia page. The songs are actually fun and seem like some kind od video game music.
Enjoyed this way more than thought I would. Really like how it's divided into movements, like a symphony. A gentle flow.
Reminded me a bit of Brian Eno’s Music for Airports ambient album
There is a special place in Hell for programmatic music but these guys' Teutonic charm is irresistible. My biggest criticism is that too often this sounds like a demonstration record commissioned by the keyboard manufacturer. Like every time a new sound comes on I can almost hear a voice "Hey Klaus! Klaus! Das ist gut! Ja?" Still, hard to not like these guys. There is an infectious, childlike sense of wonder that comes through everything they do. For sure this is what Gary Gygax was listening to when he invented D&D, and when whoever soldered together the first Pong videogame. I feel like Wozniak had this cranking when he was first assembling Apple computer kits in the garage. I feel like for the next 10 years after this album, every sci fi movie and TV show stole these sounds for its soundtrack. And you are forgiven for constantly expecting this to segue into Joe Jackson's Stepping Out. I might need to go listen to that now to cap this off.
I like it that this Kraftwerk album is in many ways *very* different than the other one I've listened to in this collection ("The Man Machine"), yet pretty recognizably Kraftwerk too. The title track seems like the main and almost only attraction, and I'm glad I listened to it with headphones, as that's probably the only way to really get the simulation-of-driving-along-the-autbahn-through-various-regions-of-Germany experience (although it definitely helped to read about the album to understand that there were distinct and identifiable regions at different points in the 22-minute track). It also made me realize that the single-version of "Autobahn" (and the only version I'd ever heard before this album) is basically a completely different song, since it's not a journey at all. The other tracks on the second side of the album are less distinctive or interesting, but also more experimental/ambient, which I admire. I think I enjoy "The Man Machine" more, but I can see why this earlier album helped get Kraftwerk on the music map.
Classic! It's great hearing this again. This album can flex in a few ways; I sandwiched it in a continuum between Jean Michel Jarre and Philip Glass but my SO thought of it more as a lead-in to Gary Numann, which was definitely the bent of the guy who introduced me to this album. However, I'm not a Numann fan, the guy was not a me-fan, so there you go. Kraftwerk? Kraftwerk always loves you back. :)
Fick dich, Autobahn.
It was fine. Standout song: komemenmelodie 2
Rlly nice instrumentals, Autobahn was best
Not one of my favourite Kraftwerk albums, but an interesting one nonetheless.
Welp the androids did it again
Nope
Terrible, incredibly boring.
This is a hard record to review. Most have some understanding of it's tremendous impact on pretty much all electronic music that came after it. I first listened to this album on tape decades ago, probably in the mid 90s. Back then, I thought of it as a pleasant bit of music history, kitchy and enjoyable but not a favorite. Age and better listening equipment has changed my original assessment of Autobahn. It's a beautiful record in its own right. The long title track of the album is the signature anchoring piece, but I think it's quirky accessibility actual masks the music depth of the other compositions, especially the electronically mimicked natural landscapes and flute that close the album. I usually get the most detail out of my end of day listens of good files through headphones. And while this record does sound great that way, oddly enough it was the hi Fi listen that revealed the impact of Autobahn. A good digital copy, proper EQ, and highish volume suit this record, especially in the quieter, more delicate sections. Essentially, I always respected Autobahn, but felt that this record was highly influential but not really relevant, especially compared to Minimum-Maximum, the beast of the live record Kraftwerk released in 2005. However a few critical listens still had surprise textures that still feel unique to this record even after all these years. Five stars.
beep bop
Feels like listening to the future
own
Autobahn is a tough listen. I can absolutely see why people call it important, groundbreaking and influential — but actually sitting down and listening to it is another matter entirely. The title track takes up nearly half the album at 22 minutes, and for me it just doesn’t go anywhere. It drifts, hums and loops without ever really rewarding your patience. I know that’s kind of the point, but it feels less hypnotic and more like being stuck in slow traffic. Conceptually clever, musically very thin. Overall, I’ve got no desire to come back to this one. I respect it far more than I enjoy it. Favourite track: Kometenmelodie 2 – slightly more energetic, a bit perkier, and crucially much shorter than the rest. Least favourite track: Autobahn – far too long and painfully dull. Nothing happens. It’s like spending two hours on the M40. Album artwork: Brilliant. I love the cover — easily the best thing about the album.
Very Interesting, as always, these guys might be the goats of electronic music. I think this is much different to their later stuff, as its much more rooted in Krautrock stuff, than the more 'pop' (vaguely) direction they went in later in the 70s and 80s. Its got a few live instruments, before they seemingly fully committed to electronic sounds, like flutes, pianos and guitars. Autobahn the song is obviously the main masterpiece of the album, and feels quite proggy, at least structurally, not as much sound wise. Some of the synth sounds they managed to get on here are just insane, especially stuff like the textures at the start of the last song. But, all throughout. I think they loved to commit to a concept, like the German traditional 'futuristic' image on Autobahn, which feels like it could be a advert song or something. Not really any downsides, just a timeless masterpiece, which is so unique in certain ways it even overshadows stuff inspired by it. Favourite songs: all. Overall 9/10
this felt like punishment
Eine Anekdote vorweg: In meiner Jugend war die Autobahn mal Sonntags gesperrt. Wir spazierten als Familie auf diesen Asphalt Monstrum, wo sonst die Autos standen und fuhren, je nach Tageszeit. Es ist eines meiner ersten Kulturerlebnisse gewesen. Ich habe nicht nur das Original(10/10) sondern auch die remisieret Version von 2009 gehört, die das Original an Feinheit und Balance deutlich übertrifft. Hut ab für diese außergewöhnliche nachträgliche Leistung.
Danke, Florian & Ralf.
Kraftwerk are one of these iconic bands that I only really know the name of, but hadn't listened to, until now. I was intimidated when I saw 22 minutes as a first track but it is quite good. It flows. Would be a great track for actually driving on the highway with. Definitely 70s album. Super Prog elements. Trippy in places.
Still better than the first Kraftwerk album presented to me. Also, still not really my thing.
Bad. OG EDM?
Sorry but no. Just can’t get into Germann dweebs geeking out on their electronic gadgets. No soul whatsoever.
I'm reminded of stepping into the lobby on an alien's spaceship. These soft, ethereal sounds coo from the walls, creating a relaxing experience.
Düsseldorf, we have achieved liftoff...bahn bahn bahn Autobahn. We are living in the future, I'll tell you how I know. I read it in the paper fifteen years ago. We're all driving rocket ships and talking with our minds. - J Prine (RIP)
Elektronická klasika, najzaujímavejšia skladba je aj tak autobahn...
Two Kraftwerk albums in a month is more than I can handle. Oh brother these guys stink
Man, I wish I could drive on the autobahn. I’ve heard it rocks. Maybe someday. Once again I am impressed and transported by a Kraftwerk record. Forward-thinking synth work. Prog you can dance and even headbang to.
Not bad but I didn't like it.
Kraftwerk paved the way for electronic music. And Autobahn is unique experience that showcases innovation and creativity
Was completely fine.
Like someone threw a tumble dryer down a fucking long flight of stairs. More hardwerk than kraftwerk. Scheiße
Favorite songs: Autobahn (parts), Kometenmelodie 2 Autobahn was redundant at times for me... Like a monotonous drive.
This album is incredibly robust and beautifully produced. However, I am not sure how often I'm going to find myself coming back to this album. I did enjoy my listen though.
The first song was a bit harder to get trough because it was quite long. I thought I was used to longer song because I listen to Ethel Cain and so on but no I was not ready hehe. But I never really listen to album like this one before so it was interesting
I'm a bit of a synth nerd, so this 1974 effort is a treasure. Oozes innovation, combination of proper talented musicians and cutting edge tech. My 1972 VW Kombi was never gutsy enough for the autobahn but I can still get the motoring vibes from the lengthy title track.
this is unfortunately not for me and I like instrumental albums LOL. the songs being interrupted by high pitched laser beams just makes it a hard listen. I'm sure this is fun to enjoy a live performance of tho
Fawn fawn fawn on ta Autobahn. Fawn fawn fawn on ta Autobahn. Fawn fawn fawn on ta Autobahn.
A masterpiece
I wasn't so sure at first, especially with a 22 minute song to start with. Once I settled into the album, I really vibed with it.
Kraftwerk is a early creator of electronic music, and it shows! Their music is engaging and not repetitive, unlike much electronic in the nineties. And let's be honest, opening the album with a 22-minute instrumental that repeats "Autobahn" a lot (because that's the only German word I could make out) is a risky move. But the album was different and edgy, enough that I listened to it twice while bopping. I believe I even heard a little Eastern influence later in Autobahn, too. Nicely done, Kraftwerk.
Not a bad album, but pretty much like every other Kraftwerk album on this project: it seems like a study in electronic music that someone might study rather than an example of music that people listen to for enjoyment. We have Kraftwerk to thank for setting the foundation of electronic music, but their actual use of it at this point in the project has landed a bit dry for me. Yet another middle-of-the-road 3, to Kraftwerk, from me.
Really is like being on a night drive on a smooth road in the night. Quite magical
Kraftwerk has been one of my favorites from this series of albums. Not someone I put on often but when they pop up I know itll be entertaining and chug along nicely. Autobahn is more of that enjoyable energy but in one long track. Cool stuff, not a ton to say about it.
It's weird enough to be outside the mainstream, but not enough to be a real hipster cut. They found their lane, I guess. It's not unpleasant, but there's nothing here to bring me back again.
It was impressive how effectively they would abandon the enjoyable parts of their songs for ambient dog sounds.
I listened to a German guy say the same sentence for 20 minutes, and checked out from the rest.
Not as good as the Astro Bot soundtrack. An interesting 22 minute long track that I will never listen to again in my life
Space mountain without the fun
Meh
Liked most of it
One thing I like about this is the way it takes the icy, alien sounds and turns them into something as everyday as a car journey
I’m not a big fan of minimalism, but Autobahn was a nice listen. I did not enjoy anything on Side 2. I don’t have any gripe against Kraftwerk, I just think Terry Riley, Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson and Caroline Shaw are much more interesting.
I think the ideas, it's fun Will I listen to again: 75%
I’m sorry you’re always gonna lose me when you start the album off with a 22 minute track like wtf?!?????
Oui ok c'est "genre defining" et tout et tout. C'est surtout chiant et nul.
I know how important Kraftwerk were for the development of electronic music, but that’s like saying that because the CD was important to the development of music I should listen to blank CDRs. This is pointless and boring. One star.
Weird and annoying but a guilty pleasure
The first of Kraftwerk's groundbreaking electronic albums. The freewheeling "Autobahn" emulates the feeling of driving a car via fun little electronic tune ("fun fun fun on the autobah"). The rest of the album is spacious textures, synthesizer orchestras, and swirling melodies. Your favorite electronic artist's favorite electronic artist. Incredibly strong material from one of the most important musical groups of the 20th century.
My kind of weird 4/5
Now is the time on Sprockets we dance! Your story has become tiresome.
Okay, the Autobahn song made me giggle every time the lyrics came on. "Fun, fun fun, on the Autobahn!" haha. The random noises at the end, including some wind instrument were unexpected. That is the word- this whole album was unexpected.
I listened in the car and enjoyed the first track. Second didnt do much for me and the rest more of the same. Top quality album cover though 👌
Partridge aside, this was a bit rubbish. The 21 minute opener is a real gate keeper
The Germans went beep boop and society decided it was ok to let Germans back into the world culture
Enjoy Kraftwerk but a 20 minute track is much harder to digest and even though it was cool some of the quality is lost in its length. Overall 3.5/5
I liked this! Felt ahead of it's time, but I'm not sure if that's true?
didn’t catch me
Yassss that's the stuff. I'm vibin' on the road
I liked the other Kraftwerk album better
Ultimate classic
Definitely weird
Ok, I can maybe get a grasp of how exciting this must have been upon release, and I understand the cultural impact it had too. One of my uncles was (and still very much is) a huge fan of them, however, I found it a bit generic. Maybe it’s because so much has come after it that sounds like it? I don’t know. I didn’t hate it, just didn’t blow my socks off.
Some parts just felt to dragged out and slow, although other sections that were slow were still interesting. Just didn't all click for me.
You can really feel the band eeking out every bit of potential from the technology available at the time. A concept album about the autobahn is really unprecedented in 1974. A confident debut and my second favourite Kraftwerk album. The title track is particularly mesmerising - this track feels like ambiant music 4 years before Brian Eno coined the term. 4/5
Side one is quite strong and almost a complete work. The other tracks are only okay. Didn't quite work as an album.
A couple of months ago I listened to The Man Machine for the first time in 15ish years and really enjoyed it but was slightly disappointed that I was head over heels in love with it like I was when I was 17. It's got amazing melodies, compositions and (of course) cutting edge use of synths but there was a very slight disconnect which stopped me falling totally in love. Listening to Autobahn for the first time today rekindled my love for this band. I had an almost spiritual experience at points. The explorative use of synths, full of childlike creativity, joy, wonder and awe is extremely satisfying. At some points it’s more structured and melodic and at others it stretches out and elongates beautifully. They are working out everything they can do with their emerging technology at their disposal. But these aren’t just experiments, they are emotionally rich songs. I like how the peaks and troughs of the 20 minute title track reflect the experience of driving on the Autobahn. Very clever. I’m hearing the way it influenced Tubeway Army and I’m even hearing bits of The Fall in the occasional vocals. It’s way ahead of its time. I hope Kraftwerk has more records like this.
This didn’t engage me enough and whilst it all sounded lush and for its time was pretty progressive it felt a bit flat to my ears.
The beginning of what the pop world would see as 'electronic music'. Sure there were other rock bands that used synthesizers like the Mothers of Invention, Sun Ra (I said rock bands but as a synth guy I would be hard pressed to mention who Moog gave their first minimoog to) or Silver Apples and 20th century composers that incorporated electronic music with avant-garde results but Kraftwerk were perhaps the first to make it all make sense in the formal dictionary definition of pop music (for the 70s). It's a bit more approachable than The Stooges we'll say. It's nothing short of an iconic record, but I'll shout out the other side of the album that doesn't get nearly the same amount of attention as Autobahn the song. Kometenmelodie 1+2 are dope
What a load of rubbish. Boring and uninspired. Sounds like a 12 year old made it.
I get its significance but I can't stand it.
Not my thing at all
Pleasant as background music, but boring for close listening due to long songs and slow development. Favorite song: Morgenspaziergang.
Day 7 of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die with @marmeu. First time in a while The baboon has now become dinner. I can see how crazy it is that this is made in 1974 because of the sounds used her, but to be honest, it doesn't hold up as well today, its still nice and you can see how this has affected the electronic genre overall, but, it probably hit way harder 50 years ago. The first song was the best obviously but I found myself enjoying the last song quite a bit because of my friend's stupid storytelling about a Chinese baboon going through a forest and ending up as dinner at the end of the song, we laughed about that shit for way too long, its 4am to be fair. The songs in the middle were kind of eh, I do see the concept though of it being the actual german motorway system known as the Autobahn, it makes itself very clear on the first track, although I think they were just fucking around in the 2nd half because I don't really see how it fits in with the first track very much. Wish the first track had some more grand stuff at the end of the progressions. As my friend described it, the last song was straight national geographic music. We also noticed, I believe it was track 4 being kind of similar to pt.3 of Fishmans, Long Season. Overall a nice revolutionary album that holds up a little today, boring at some parts, great background music at other parts. 75/100
Wir fahr'n fahr'n fahr'n auf der Autobahn
Proto-rock is the blues, proto-R&B is gospel, proto-HipHop is jazz, photo-country is hard times and heartache, proto-electronica is the sound your calculator would make if you pushed the buttons with a bit of rhythm. One of the musical styles that doesn’t need to revisit its roots
When I was young I read about how important this album was. I found a second hand copy of the vinyl and can see how it was a prototype for a lot of electronica music. It’s good background music but not totally my cup of tea.
Pan knob needs a writing credit.
I have a soft spot for this one, saw them perform it live in Slovakia
How did you know a few weirdos with synthesizers is EXACTLY my style
I have been anxiously awaiting Kraftwerk’s Autobahn, and finally, at album number 1030, it’s here. I’d heard of Kraftwerk before starting this project, but I’d never listened to them before, and that’s a damn shame, because I really loved Trans Europe Express and The Man Machine. I’ve been drawn to keyboards and synthesizers in music for as long as I can remember, so Kraftwerk’s music feels like it’s completely tailored to my tastes. I’m excited to take a trip down the Autobahn today for my final Kraftwerk review! I enjoyed Autobahn, but it’s going to wind up being my least favorite of the three Kraftwerk albums on this list. Just like the other Kraftwerk albums I’ve reviewed, this one was full of beautiful and epic synthesizer arrangements that were an absolute joy to listen to. The title track to this album was outstanding, and I enjoyed every bit of its almost 23 minutes. The second side of the album was a bit bland at times though, and I thought it really lacked the cohesion, vision, and world building that dominated the first side of this album. Still, this was enjoyable to listen to, and I would listen to the title track again in a heartbeat. Some notes on the songs themselves: Autobahn (Opening to 3:30) I love how this song starts, with the listener getting into the car. The bass tones are excellent, creating the rhythm of a car driving down the highway, while the brighter tones help craft the beauty of the open road as you drive along. (3:30 to 6:35) This section of the song feels like a scenery change, as you leave the city and head out into a more rural area. I loved the guitar arrangement, and the flute sounds were excellent as well. This song does such a great job of recreating that steadiness of driving a long distance. I’ve been to Germany, but I never went on the Autobahn, however, I imagine that this song really captures what it would feel like to drive on it for the first time, as you take in all the scenery. (6:35 to 8:15) I love the return to the mail melody as the listener gets ready for another transition. (8:15 to 13:15) I liked this change in rhythm and these new sounds. It was like passing through a factory town, with industrial plants and cooling towers along the side of the road. It’s got kind of a train like rhythm to this section too, and those steam hissing sounds feel like you’re riding alongside a train track (13:15 to 16:00) I love coming back to the main melody again, and the radio sounds added this time were really cool. What’s a road trip without the radio? (16:00 to end) The slower pace to start this section was interesting, and I liked it when the tempo went back to its usual faster pace. I really enjoyed how this closing section took me to the conclusion of this little road trip I didn’t really care for “Comet Melody 1.” Unlike the title track, this song didn’t really make me feel or see anything, and after such a journey on side one of this album, this song was a bit of a letdown. It was fine to listen to, but I felt like it was a sharp decline from the title track. “Comet Melody 2” on the other hand, was brilliant. I loved that combination of deeper bass tones and brighter sounds. This song definitely had a space-like feeling to it that I enjoyed. Like “Comet Melody 1,” “Mitternacht” didn’t make me feel anything. It was fine to listen to, but it just didn’t do anything for me, and I didn’t think it did anything for this side of the album either. “Morning Walk” was pretty good, but overall, I felt like the second side of this album was a bit of a letdown. The babbling brook sound was a little too on the nose, especially after an album that used quite a bit of subtlety in its sound. Like the other songs on this side of the album, it was fine to listen to, but it just didn’t do a lot for me. Autobahn may be Kraftwerk’s weakest contribution to this list in my opinion, but it’s still a groundbreaking and fun album to listen to.
Легенды электронной музыки йебать
Hard to believe this is over 50 years old - doesn’t sound it. A little repetitive in parts for me but can hear it’s influence on electronic music.
Twee and so much more relaxing than the name suggests.
Essentials of electronic music 3.5
Nothing memorable off the album. A unique sound but nothing stuck out.
Pretty chill
Not for me, super boring and repetitive
This was honestly a lot more background music-y than I expected. Still, I enjoyed it!
Autobahn vraiment longue et plate…
Plutôt pas mal mais je suis peut-être pas dans le ùood
It’s not really my thing but some of it was fine as background music. Occasionally there were noises that were actively unpleasant to listen to which I could’ve done without. But other than those parts it was fine to listen to while I was working. I wouldn’t put it on deliberately though. Fav song: Kometenmelodie 2 Least fav: Morgenspaziergang
Yeah not a fan of this one at all. Would have quite happily died before listening to this one. It’s only rated because of its cultural significance but it’s fucking shit without the context. Specific rating- 0.6 Fav - Mitternacht Least fav- autobahn
Maybe I'd like it more if I could drive. Or was German. Or didn't have ears. I know it was super culturally/musically significant but I just don't think I'll ever be a Kraftwerk fan. Favourite song: Autobahn (would be better if there was about 18 minutes less of it tho) Least: Morgenspaziergang
Monotonous
Favorite track(s): Autobahn Heard before Previous rating: 7/10
Ok, they're very same-y
I have avoided Kraftwerk for all these years. The music is interesting, if not repetitive. It is hugely influential, and I'm glad there's weird music out there for weirdos to consume.
Bored the whole time, why is this album on this list?
Bet these guys were particularly fond of german roads
What an amazing album! The perfect soundtrack to a drive on an open highway.
SYNTHESIZERS
No idea what this is, but it's slow and melts into the background, so it's nice.
Only listened to the first track. Interesting early electronic music. The vocal has been in my head, but overall probably wouldn't relisten to it.
Not necessarily my taste, but not mad about listening to it while working. Glad I took a roll of the dice!
Not what I can listen too, unless I was “Tripping”😂
AUTOBAHN
This was a very cool listen. The title track is 22 minutes long - which just so happens to be the exact time it takes for my morning commute. So it was the perfect soundtrack for my drive to work this morning. At first it sounds kinda quaint, until you realize this is 1974 era analog synth tech, then it's amazing. To my ears, this is essentially a tone poem. There is a simple motif that's repeated in various ways throughout the piece. The rest of the soundscape is filled with electronics that imitate traffic, the radio, and various other sounds one might hear on his or her drive. There's also some singing about driving on the autobahn. The track does contain definite movements. The "drive" goes from hectic rush hour traffic, to leisurely driving. Panning effects and doppler shifts increase the realism. Side two sounds like a collection of electronic experimentation. There are some short, clever songs with creative synth effects. I would most definitely listen to this again.
I love Kraftwerk and I recognize the importance of this album, but I find it more interesting academically. If I want to hear some Kraftwerk, i'll generally reach for something a little more accessible and ready to listen to.
In 1966, fresh off the success of Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys went to live in West Germany while doppelgängers took their places. Ingesting copious amounts of heroin, Eurodisco, binge-watches of Worker and Parasite, and long, leisurely and insanely dangerous highway drives, they at long last produced their masterwork “Autobahn”, under an assumed name. Brian Wilson considered it his greatest work, while Mike Love called it “a piece of scheisse” and bitched the whole time about the food.
Such an influential group. There is so much here that you can hear as early echos of later electronic music.
It was ok - bit different
Fine ambiance music, but not as good as other Kraftwerk.
Last year, this time, I discovered Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre and it was the soundtrack of a long list of train journeys around Italy. One year later, Autobahn put me in a similar state of trance, even better actually, but this time while working. I traveled through all my tasks on a very busy day while my mental carwheels sped on a semi desert highway. A wonderful trip. It's not a 5 just because I'm not sure I would enjoy it the same way if I wasn't working like crazy but I really really loved it (especially because I was sure I didn't like Kraftwerk)
finally something good after so many mediocre albums
when I say I don't like most electronic music, kraftwerk is one of the bands I'm leaving space for with that "most," but this is pretty different from their stuff that i'm familiar with and like. i do still like this when it's a little more melodic but a lot of this feels very drone/ambient and while i can appreciate how innovative that was and how influential it has been, that's also flat out my least favorite kind of music. big ups to the boys and this isn't a bad album by any stretch of the imagination, and undoubtedly influential, but at the end of the day not for me
Meh. High 2. Title track is not my vibe. Nice sounds but wouldn't revisit
It's either this or Trans-Europe Express that's my favourite Kraftwerk album.
pff idk, sikkert kul i ein film:) Va sikkert kulere på sin tid... Beste sang: Kometenmelodie 2
It’s not their best but you can see just how left field these guys were back in 1974/5. It remains a classic to this day
3/10
Pretty interesting for the time. Of course you still hear about bands like this which proves they were way ahead of their time.
Sounds so hopeful for the future.
Great album
The worst album I’ve ever heard. Collection or random screeching noises. Terrible
This is decent. The titular track and last track stand out.
Today I am in a bad mood and won't overthink that I like this garbage or it is somehow interesting
This was exactly what I needed today.