Trans Europe Express

What's not to love about Kraftwerk? Groundbreaking electronic music and German accents! I've been a fan since a very young age. The Siouxie and the Banshees version of "Hall of Mirrors" was an important moody college song, but sounds positively jaunty next to Kraftwerk's masterpiece of existential dread, which leads nicely to "Showroom Dummies." We are all showroom dummies; "we go into a club, and there we start to dance." I never had this album, but "Trans Europe Express" was on a Kraftwerk collection I had, and was always a favorite of mine with its funky train beat in the background and (retroactively) futuristic feel. On a sleek, high speed train of the future, speeding through the European landscape, I'm filled with ennui and angst under this façade I'm forced to wear. Timeless perfection.

Good job it wasn't the Trans UK Express or it would have been overpriced, delayed, busy and the toilets would have been horrible. AMIRIGHT?

OK, I wrote my first review below but was still listening to it when driving across town. In the space of a mile, I encountered some staggeringly entitled arsehole drivers. I found that it actually was the perfect soundtrack to staring the patriarchy in the face with a cold, dead, unblinking stare. It's just gone from 1 to 4 stars. ---‐------------------------------------------- Yes, I know, massively influential on the electronic music genre. But this is the musical equivalent of eating 6 crackers without water. Joyless, functional and boring. I couldn't finish it. One star.

Early electronica should always be celebrated. It’s the foundation for any synthesised music today. But this foundation has cracks...and their extremely repetitive and flakey. There is a solid compound in it’s mix yet nowhere near interesting enough to want to reapply once let alone over and over again. 1 Star!

Beep boop we are german and we like trains beep boop

What an interesting album. I can see why it is one of the most influential albums in modern music history. Electronica vibes

The track listing is 8 tracks, but in reality it's only 5. That's how coherent it is. It's an album that gets better with each minute as the anticipation keeps building but modifying their formula. Kraftwerk is by far the leader of the electronic world, and this is them at their peak. This record comes right before The Man-Machine and you can hear it with the lush bright synths despite the monochromatic cover. "Europe Endless" is a fantastic opener, so happy and bright like it's opening for a movie. It goes on for 10 minutes, but with the variation and atmospheric sound, it works well. Kraftwerk was brave for following a 10 minute song with an 8 minute song. "The Hall of Mirrors" takes a mysterious, eery turn and shows another side of the group. The spoken word is mesmerizing, and the simple repeated chorus is catchy. "Showroom Dummies" is our most intense song. It's catchy, cool, accessible, and fun. I love how cold and mechanical it sounds, really matches their robotic vibe. My favorite after the titular track. Then we get to the entree, the titular track is divided as a medley of three. The iconic glissando motif leads a minimalist beat. "Metal on Metal" pauses the motif but varies the beat in the most krautrock way possible, adding creepy atmospheric synths and industrial effects on top. "Abzug" smoothly returns to form but plays with variations. This ends with the climatic closer. "Franz Schubert" and "Endless Endless" are combined as our bright peaceful instrumental coda. It's a soothing and satisfying finale. Only complaint is they could have done more with their variations to make the tracks more engaging and warrant their runtimes, which could get tiring after several listens. But I'm fairly satisfied with what we get.

I LOVE KRAFTWERK. So cool, different, electronic, but not overwhelming or too much. Genius. I discovered them playing in Vintage Vinyl one day and had to ask an employee who it was and bought the CD.

2 Kraftwek albums in a row.... Wtf are you doing to me. These sound exactly the same. Like crap.

Solidly boring. I see that it was made in 1977 so this may have been foundational to the music that I DO like but... I do not want to listen to this ever again haha.

As an insufferably pretentious nerd I obviously think this is great

Kraftwerk really placed themselves on the avant-garde of the music of the future back then. Still sounds like the future today.

What a treat. These guys are the best at what they do. Hugely influential. The sound just envelopes you. Hard to believe this is 46 years old.

Sounds like someone dicking around on a keyboard. Almost ten minutes of this shit on the first song. Guh. Like is the fact they say "Europe. Endless." Over and over and play the same shit over and over for 10 fucking minutes supposed to be ironic? Or is it supposed to be a stab at coloratura? Europe is endless and so is this fucking song. I don't find this groundbreaking in anyway. It's sophomoric if you we're to ask me. Pedantic even. I'm not taking the right drugs. I've just seen there's a song called endless. I can't wait...

Groundbreaking and classic. And still fun electronica! If you are a) reading this review, b) like electronic music and c) are not familiar with Kraftwerk, please look them up and research what they are about. It's understandable from today's position to think this sounds "simple", but it was not from 1977's technology. Many of these sounds you hear and know from keyboards today were created mechanically (analog wires and electricity) by these people. If you just don't like the music or this genre, be well and I hope you enjoy the rest of the 1001 list!

The 1st song had me smiling & I never looked back. All other electro-pop bands owe their existence to Kraftwerk This is a great lp to start the day No boring filler, every song stands on its own Now excuse me infeel the need to catch a train

This is the Kraftwerk I've been waiting for. Just the right amount of weird forward-thinking energy without getting too much. Great, catchy songs. A fantastic medley on the back half. This was just what the doctor ordered.

It is such a great album and love the early electronics and rhythms, along with the German flair in Kraftwerk's vocals. Listening to this made me want to catch a train in the middle of the night in the city. A very essential listen. Trans Europe Express to Abzug was perfection and its chant felt like a powerful mantra. Have to say though, the German version was better and in partitcular, so were the live versions of Hall of Mirrors and Showroom Dummies in 1981. Fun Fact: Dr Dre playing a live version of Metal on Metal at the beginning of Defiant Ones effectively prescribed me to Kraftwerk and this album.

One of the coolest albums ever. German version >> English version. Electronic ingenuity. 9-10/10 1. Trans Europa Express 2. Spiegelsaal 3. Schaufensterpuppen

The track Franz Schubert is what plays when you ascend to heaven

Dope. Never heard. Really enjoy

Trans Europe Express This was the first Kraftwerk album I bought on CD, I’m not sure why I chose this one over The Man Machine, maybe as I already liked the song Trans-Europe Express. Anyhow I love this album, it’s the perfect step from the coolly electronic and not quite fully formed Autobahn to the (slightly) more humanistic Man Machine. The opening track feels like an adapted for sunday train travel Autobahn, evoking similar feelings of movement and passing through but with a more soothing and meditative ambiance, especially when the choral vocals come in. Hall of Mirrors and Showroom Dummies I have always found really creepy, but in a good way, I love the concept of the showroom dummies breaking out of their windows and going to a nightclub. Trans-Europe Express (and Abzug) are a slightly punchier version of Europe Endless, the train rhythm and slightly sinister hook is great and I love the matter of fact, detached description of travelling from Paris to Dusseldorf and meeting David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Franz Schubert is a really lovely bubbling melody, crossing into the Endless Endless refrain, feeling like a nice satisfying sit down after a long train journey, before it all starts again. As always with Karftwerk, they are incredible at locating you in a mood and place based purely on repeating electronic rhythms and minimalist melodies. How they create such an immersive and mesmerising sound from seemingly so little is amazing really, and I love how on here many of the refrains and motifs repeat, adding to the slightly hypnotic feel of the whole thing. Fantastic album, an easy 5. 🚆🚆🚆🚆🚆 Playlist submission: Europe Endless

I've never listened to Kraftwerk before, and that's a shame, because they influenced so many bands that I love. I was really excited to see this come up today, and I expect that I'll really enjoy it. As I expected, I really enjoyed this album. The thing that surprised me the most is the range of emotions that Kraftwerk was able to evoke with a sound that's fairly minimalist. From the nostalgia of "Europe Endless", to the sarcasm of "Showroom Dummies," this album is broad in sound and mood. "Europe Endless" was easily my favorite track on the album. I loved its bright tones and the way that more layers were added to the sound as the song progressed. The first three tracks on side B of the album were great too, and I loved the way the rhythms sounded like a train chugging along. This album was really brilliant from start to finish, and I loved how unique it was. I'm really excited to review the other two Kraftwerk albums on this list.

Trans Europe Express doesn't feel quite as (German) goofy and upbeat to me as Autobahn, and is a little less out there, so I don't like it quite as much. But I would have rated Autobahn six stars if I could. I love these guys.

Masterpiece of synthpop/progressive electronic. It's almost unbelievable how Kraftwerk can create strong and powerful tracks while being so minimalists at the same time. The beats, the tones, the groove, the sounds... I'm all in for a 5 stars rating.

They are from my hometown, 7 stars

Highly influential and no wonder. A move away from the previous "Autobahn" incarnation of Kraftwerk - in fact, this was the third style the group created. Wonderful stuff.

This album is a minimalist masterpiece. Its use of sequencing was revolutionary for its time and it remains a listenable, hypnotic album and stands as one of Kraftwerk’s best. I love how the songs take their time and build slowly. Some reviews have had issues with the repetitive nature of the album, but I find that the repetition demands attention and falls into a satisfying and transfixing groove.

A favorite of mine. Just a great album to put on. Even in the background.

Think I’ve gotta go 5 here. It’s just so well executed and influential. Not something I’d reach for every day but I’ve heard this a couple times now and I think it keeps getting better. Europe Endless and the title track are bomb.

TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS

Not my favourite Kraftwerk album, but still pretty amazing for 1977. You can hear how this would be so influential on the artists following in the wake of Punk. And that's before we get to Planet Rock. I also think the humour of Kraftwerk tends to be overlooked,. I love that the title track has only seven lines of lyrics and the traditional and classical music references here do make me smile. Great tunes, great fun - inspirational.

These guys really just woke up and decided to blueprint the next 25 years of music. Amazing.

Sounds like video game music at the start of the first track. Album is very chill and I normally hate electronic. Love it.

I loved quite a lot about this listen. It brought forth the electronic sounds of the '80s while having been released in 1977. This is really one of those pioneering albums. It was perfect for working to, because the leitmotifs were just repetitive enough to settle me into a groove without growing boring. Catchy, well-crafted music that isn't just one of the best as what it does -- it wrote the book. This is a 4.5er to me, and it was hard to decide which way I'd swing it. I'm feeling generous today.

I’m a little concerned how I’ve gone my whole life and never heard of this album or band. The first few electronic beats and I was loving this album. Great concept with the concept of the Trans Europe Express and the chugging beats! Album seems timeless to me as I thought it was a recent album and was shocked to find out it came out almost 50 years ago! A quick google search and I really think they should use the original album cover…classic. Anyway was a joy to listen, something about the beats are almost zen like & trance inducing.

You'll think I'm weird for this, but I listen to Trans Europe Express a lot when I'm working. There's something about it that keeps me focused. My personal work habits aside, this is a perfect album in a lot of ways, and the influence and power of Kraftwerk can never be overstated. They never got enough credit for what they did, but Kraftwerk in general and this album in particular are directly responsible for so much of what we hear in all kinds of music going forward, even to this day. Not only that, but it's also such a beautifully made album. Gorgeous music that runs the gambit from elegant and ethereal to coldly authoritative and trancelike, even menacing at times. The songs are minimalist, but subtly layered in a way that allows you to really hear and appreciate every tone. It's stunning how an almost 50 year old album can still sound so innovative. All the stars for this one. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Impossible to rank. All these songs are perfect. Europe Endless, Franz Schubert, Showroom Dummies, Trans-Europe Express/Metal on Metal/Abzug, Endless Endless, The Hall of Mirrors

So simple and engaging. I'm sure it's a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Electronic music classic. Hall of Mirrors.

What more can be said about an album that like Sgt Pepper or Pet Sounds virtually nothing is left to say. Two notes from the relisten here: their melancholy beauty is even more pronounced in a Brexit Britain listening to this love song to Europe. And the transition from Trance Europe Express to Metal on Metal is an awesome drop.

I loved this album when I first heard it, back in 1979, because all of my favourite artists; OMD, Human League, Ultravox, Gary Numan, cited Kraftwerk as a major influence. I still love this album.

Diese verrückten Deutschen sind wieder dabei, ja. Sie lieben die Synthesizer-Musik und sie lieben das gesprochene Wort über Euro Rail und Mirrors so sehr. Bringt mich dazu, mit meinen Händen vor meinem Gesicht abstrakt zu tanzen.

"Trans-Europe Express" is the sixth studio album by German band Kraftwerk. This album was a move away from their Krautrock style of improvised instrumentals to more melodic electronic music. The melodies certainly carry the day in many of these songs. Sequenced rhythms, minimalism and manipulated vocals are also incorporated. Yep, we've covered most of it. The themes include the European rail service, glorification of Europe and disparities between reality and appearance. There was and is very high critical praise for this album: "Timeless, retro and contemporary" and "The modern electronic birth certificate." A high pitch sequencer/keyboard melody begins the album and song "Europe Endless." A happy song. A man's voice and a manipulated man's voice. An ode to Europe...parks, hotels and palaces. "The Hall of Mirrors" has an eerie echoing beat and melody. This song is frightening. Deadpan vocals with a heavy German accent. I hear many a video game soundtrack and noises. It's autobiographical with how stars look at themselves in the mirrors...loathing, self-obsessive. Eins, zwei, drei with a Ramones ode and were off with another creepy song in "Showroom Dummies." A little more dance with the beat. Paranoid lyrics as they compare themselves to mannequins from the point of view of a mannequin. The famous dramatic melody keys begin "Trans-Eurpe Express." The hypnotic repetitive snare-drum beat noise. The robotic repeating of the song title. Hey, a shout out to David Bowie and Iggy Pop at the end. Bowie was a fan. The song is about the modern European railway system. The next two songs, ""Metal on Metal" and ""Abzug" are basically extended codes for "Trans-Europe Express." Keep a good thing going. "Franz Schubert" is an instrumental with repetitive keys. More grandiose with an orchestral background. The album ends with "Endless, Endless" and a manipulated voice repeating endless. I guess you might fall into two categories with this album: either there is not a wasted moment or rather this entire album is a wasted moment. I'm a huge fan. That "Trans-Europe Express" melody will be in my head for the rest of the day. There is no doubt as to the influence of this album in electronic music, other musicians, video games and probably a lot more. This sounded as good today as when I first heard it years ago.

Liked this one a lot more; slowly building songs, somewhat repetitive but intricately great

It’s like the most innovative novelty record .

Als deutsche Musik noch cool war

Great album about J K Rowling's least favourite train

Repetition, but make it beautiful and captivating. I really enjoyed this record.

Beep boo beep beep…

I respect the influence. Not something I'll listen to often.

Beep boop

Kraftwerk opens this album with sparkly electronic synths reminiscent of 8-bit games that would later be invented years after its release. A display of their visionary status in the 1970s music industry milieu, 'Trans-Europe Express' (album) implements simple beats and minimal production that is perhaps more contemporary and innovative at the time. Despite this, Kraftwerk fundamentally misses the target - static and uniform composition that manages to revel only in its past glory, of being first to experiment with the digital medium.

Beep boop, Europe express. Beep boop

Might have enjoyed that one more if I had been high on crack But I wasn't. So... 2 ⭐️

Beep boop beep boop

This has to be one of the most abysmally boring albums I've ever heard. The fact that it's early electronica does not excuse them creating a mildly intriguing sound and then proceeding to do absolutely nothing interesting with it for several minutes at a time.

Noooo! Synthpop... This was the most painful listen so far. Ja ja ja, mach schnell mit der art things, huh? I must get back to Dancecentrum in Struttgart in time to see Kraftwerk.

Tedious, sterile and joyless. I really don't understand the appeal of this music - except maybe as a background, ambient sound. Felt a lot longer than 43 minutes.

not good bad

I don’t care for electronic music.

This one was challenging to listen to the whole album. Grinds a bit on the outside of my brain.

I like synth. I even like some Kraftwerk. But this album is so repetitive and boring that it was pretty hard to get through. There's a set of 3 songs that are actually the same song. Rough.

Really could not get through it. Understand why it was foundational for its time but unsure if it translates to anything interesting today. Did find out the melody from the title track was used in a Bollywood movie which was funny.

A little more in the way of vocals than the previous Kraftwerks album, still DEFINITELY not my thing though.

1977 German techno sounds interesting just by the title, but honestly it's feckin boring. Couldn't finish

I fucking hate Kraftwerk!!! We’ve had 3 too many Kraftwerk albums

Weak sauce

Didn’t listen but I’m still going to rate it 1 just cuz

Masterclass in electronica

A marvellousm album. It's a measure of its excellence that it still sounds like the future, fifty years after its release. I understand the hate that some give it, it can seem mechanical and repetitive on first listen, but I hear the gentle melodies along with the insistent rhythm. The trach Trans Europe Express is clearly a stand-out, but Europe Endless is its equal, and shown Kraftwek in a slightly playful mood.

Absolutely remarkable stuff. Gets you in a trance, no fancy drops, harmonies or rythmic structure. Pure electronic vibes

An amazing marriage of (subdued) pop melodies and sequenced electronic sounds and rhythms, this groundbreaking record sounds as fresh as it did as it was originally released.

Good

Turns out I like German Electro music and this might be the best example of it on this list

1. German music. I love German music. 2. who cares about the English version of the album if there's the original German version always available for you? so a track-by-track breakdown. "Europa Endlos"("Europe Endless"): based on a four note motif, this is the ultimate "music to play while you are driving through the countryside". "Spiegalsaal"("Hall of Mirrors"): this song is again based on repeated motifs, but creates an errie atmosphere with the arrangements. "Schaufensterpuppen" ("Showroom Dummies"): The sound sounds as mechanical as ever, maybe its because erm... it's a criticize on commercialism. i like the deadpan delivery. "Trans-Europa Express" ("Trans-Eurpoe Express): It's not a "music to play when you are on a train" song, although the beat resembles the clanking of the train wheels on tracks and also a military march. the vocals are processed through a vocoder while chanting the title, and also used natrually during other parts of the song. it almost feel dangerous, not as calming and lighthearted like the group's earlier work "Autobahn". "Metall Auf Metall" (Metal on Metal) and "Abzug" continues as a refrain but adds more metallic clanking as mentioned in the title. Almost industrial-flavoured. Proto- Einstürzende Neubauten. Germans. As the sound of the train wheezes by, we enter the final two tracks. "Franz Schubert". a tribute to the late classical composer, and to a degree, it has that romantism tint to the music, but it's still nothing like the rest of the album. Then in a circle, there's "Endlos Endlos" (Endless Endless), a short reprise of "Europa Endlos", as the music fades away. So in two words: Truly Revolutionary. Even if there's pioneers in the genre like Wendy Carlos, these pioneers couldn't make this album. 5/5.

Kraftwerk somehow manage to feel simultaneously of the past and of the future. Or to put it another way they evoke an enthralling past vision of the future. Alternatively, they have a futuristic (and Futuristic!) view of the future in what is now the past. With that context, a few albino-looking mutter-fuckers tapping some buttons on a synth, takes on a world of significance. This is a refinement of their sound to be as efficient as possible, true to Germanic form. And it's been instrumental in kick-starting hip-hop to boot. I can understand why the Kraftwerk purist may see Man Machine as a backwards step, but that remains the perfect marriage of industrial synth and melody for me. Nevertheless, this has got to be a funf.

Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🔳🚅🤍 Production (2009 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🔌💻🎶🔁🌍💥 Rating: 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃/5

70s synth-pop from the Germans

The album that launched a thousand techno careers… beautiful and fragile electronica. If pointilism had a musical form, this is it

Amazing and beautiful

A true masterpiece. With no Kraftwerk, there would be no Duran Duran, NIN, Gary Neuman and so many more...

Fantastic album

Stoked to have this one pop up today. Amazing classic that's worth coming back to again and again.

On this journey, I already enjoyed The Man Machine from Kraftwerk, and it is no surprise that I adored the preceding record. Trans Europe Express is an album that saw the group further depart from their krautrock beginnings and dive into melodic electronic compositions while taking inspiration from the Weimar era folk music they grew up with. From the get-go on "Europe Endless", we are treated with glistening synthesizer lines from Ralf Hütter, mixed-in vocoder echoes from Florian Schneider, and the accented electronic percussion from Karl Bantos and Wolfgang Flür that balance each other out into a well-oiled machine. The meaningful repetition paves the way for the synths to oscillate and find new playful motifs. It doesn't take long for this album to get dark, as "The Hall of Mirrors" begins with a rather haunting synth line leading to the spare beat and piano, as Ralf gives a chilling deadpan delivery about one's hollow reflections. It serves as a nice thematical transition into "Showroom Dummies", where the hollowness illicit this feeling as if the people were store mannequins wanting to break out of their department store window to go out, dance, and live. That sentiment is captured excellently with the bouncy yet haunting melody as the vocoder echoes in the background. Then we get to the title track, as the beat bounces along with a melodic chugging that does feel like going on a futuristic train. Considering this song has gotten sampled a lot in hip-hop over the years, it's no wonder this is one of Kraftwerk's biggest hits. But we're not even done yet, as the beat continues in the transition to "Metal on Metal" with the clanging of metal pans, to the tinny keyboard line of "Abzug" as the tension of the train ride builds, before the train stops. At this point, the destination has been reached, with the welcome of a beautifully complex melody played on an analog sequencer on "Franz Schubert" with the vocoder modulating in the background. The album closes with a reprise of "Europe Endless" called "Endless Endless", bringing the experience full circle. Trans Europe Express was an excellent journey all the way through, striking a balance of catchiness and quirkiness that Kraftwerk mastered at this point in their career. I can see how this would be a very influential record across multiple genres.

Love it

straddles a hard line of being both the coolest and nerdiest shit of all time hahaha

Luisterbaar, experimenteel, en baanbrekend. Plus een paar echt lekkere nummers, en een goed geheel. Dit is top!

Steve Huey of AllMusic wrote that the album "is often cited as perhaps the archetypal (and most accessible) Kraftwerk album ... Overall, Trans-Europe Express offers the best blend of minimalism, mechanized rhythms, and crafted, catchy melodies in the group's catalog".

Love this one! My favourite Kraftwerk album, and the first one I heard from them. Not only a groundbreaking electronic album, but a nice love letter to Europe as well. Reminds me of some great times I had interrailing in my youth - Europe really did feel endless.

Kraftwerk's *Trans-Europe Express*, released in 1977, is a landmark album in electronic music, known for its innovative sound, conceptual themes, and lasting influence. The album marked a shift for the band from the more improvisational style of their earlier work to a more structured and sequenced sound [2, 3]. **Themes** The central theme of *Trans-Europe Express* is European unity and technological advancement, particularly focusing on the Trans-Europe Express railway system as a symbol of a connected and modern Europe [1, 4]. The album presents a utopian vision of a borderless Europe, celebrating the clean lines and functional design of the Bauhaus school of modernism [1]. The album explores themes of travel, communication, and the increasing integration of technology into everyday life. The music evokes the sensation of being on a train, with the rhythmic sounds of the tracks and the feeling of motion [3]. **Music** The music on *Trans-Europe Express* is characterized by its repetitive, minimalist structures and use of synthesizers and sequencers [2]. The album employs a precise and mechanized sound, achieved through the use of early sequencers, which allowed for greater control over tempos and notes [2]. This approach created a hypnotic, almost trance-like listening experience [1, 2]. The tracks often feature arpeggiated synth patterns and a distinct "pumping rail beat" [2]. * **"Europe Endless"** The album opens with a euphoric sequence of arpeggiated chords, creating a bright and optimistic tone. The song builds gradually, layering synths and a driving drum beat [1, 3]. It serves as a utopian hymn to a borderless Europe, setting the thematic stage for the album [1]. * **"The Hall of Mirrors"** In stark contrast to the opener, this track is darker and more sinister, with a creeping, paranoid mood [3]. It features a bubbling synth line that creates a sense of unease and distortion [3]. * **"Showroom Dummies"** This track explores the theme of artificiality and the increasing presence of technology in human life [3]. It has a more upbeat feel, but still carries a robotic and detached quality. * **"Trans-Europe Express"** The title track begins with the sound of a train building up steam before launching into a repetitive, rhythmic beat that simulates the movement of a train [2]. The track is known for its austere and grandiose feel, with panning effects that enhance the sense of motion and space [2]. * **"Metal on Metal"** This track acts as a continuation of the title track, characterized by its percussive elements and avant-garde funk sound [3]. The rhythmic elements create a sense of industrial and mechanical power. * **"Abzug"** Often considered part of the "Trans-Europe Express" medley, this track maintains the rhythmic and repetitive structures, contributing to the overall sense of travel and motion. * **"Franz Schubert" / "Endless Endless"** The album concludes with this track, which has a calm and uplifting tone, providing a sense of closure to the journey [3]. It creates a peaceful and optimistic feel, leaving the listener with a sense of hope. **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Trans-Europe Express* are sparse and often delivered in a robotic, detached style, which complements the mechanized sound of the music [1, 2, 3]. The lyrics are not complex, and are often more conceptual than narrative. The lyrics sometimes feature name-checks of other musicians and locations, enhancing the sense of cultural exchange and connection [1]. For example, in the title track, the line "From station to station/back to Dusseldorf City/Meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie" acknowledges the band's contemporaries and their connection to the wider artistic landscape [1]. The use of simple, repetitive phrases contributes to the hypnotic and trance-like nature of the music [2]. **Production** *Trans-Europe Express* is notable for its innovative production techniques [2]. The album was recorded at Kraftwerk's own Kling Klang Studio in Düsseldorf, allowing the band complete control over the recording process [4]. The use of early sequencers was crucial in creating the album's precise and mechanized sound [2]. The album also employs panning effects, which enhance the sense of space and motion [2]. The minimalist approach to production allows the repetitive structures and synth textures to take center stage. The album's production is often described as clean and clinical, which contributes to its futuristic and detached aesthetic. The album's sound, though groundbreaking at the time, can sound dated to some listeners, highlighting the rapid evolution of electronic music technology [3]. **Influence** *Trans-Europe Express* had a profound impact on the development of electronic music, as well as on other genres like hip-hop, synth-pop, techno and new wave [1, 2]. The album's use of sequencers and repetitive structures became standard practice in much of electronic music [2]. The influence of the album can be heard in the work of many artists, including David Bowie, who was inspired by Kraftwerk's sound and even visited the band during the recording of *Trans-Europe Express* [1, 4]. The album's influence extends beyond music, also impacting the visual arts and fashion, particularly with its retro-futuristic aesthetic [5]. The album's innovative use of technology and its conceptual approach to music paved the way for future generations of electronic artists. The album also demonstrates how technology can be used to create emotive and evocative music. **Pros** * **Innovation:** The album was groundbreaking for its innovative use of technology and its exploration of new sonic territories [2, 4]. * **Conceptual Depth:** The album's themes of European unity and technological progress give it a conceptual depth that goes beyond typical pop music [1, 4]. * **Hypnotic Quality:** The album's repetitive structures and mechanized sound create a hypnotic and immersive listening experience [2]. * **Influence:** *Trans-Europe Express* has had a lasting and profound influence on the development of electronic music [1, 2, 4]. * **Atmosphere:** The album's atmosphere is evocative and transportive, creating a strong sense of place and motion [1, 2]. * **Cohesive Sound:** The album has a cohesive and homogeneous feel, creating a dreamlike listening experience [3]. **Cons** * **Repetitive:** The album's repetitive structures can become monotonous for some listeners, particularly after repeated listens [3]. * **Sterile:** Some critics find the album's sound to be sterile and lacking in emotional depth [5]. * **Dated Sound:** Due to the rapid evolution of electronic music technology, the album's sound can feel dated to some modern listeners [3]. * **Lack of Variation:** The album's tracks sometimes plateau and lack variation, which can detract from the listening experience [3]. * **Lengthy Tracks:** The long runtimes of some tracks, particularly the "Trans-Europe Express" medley, can feel overextended [3]. In summary, *Trans-Europe Express* is a highly influential and innovative album that remains a significant work in the history of electronic music [1, 2, 4]. While its repetitive structures and detached sound might not appeal to all listeners, its conceptual depth, groundbreaking production, and lasting impact make it an essential listen for anyone interested in the evolution of popular music.

Perfect. I’ve been excited to get them for a while. Feel like there’s nothing new to say here. You can hear the influence on so much that comes after it, and I genuinely think it still sounds great and coherent Rating: 4.9

Wunderbar!

Day 8: Trans Europe Express - Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk pioneered electronic music, and the scene of such music wouldn't be the same without them. A large portion of modern-day music is produced electronically, and Kraftwerk were one of the first bands to ever do that. Musically, Kraftwerk's music is very simplistic. It's not everybody's cup of tea. Personally, I didn't particularly enjoy Kraftwerk's two other entries in "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" (The Man Machine, and Autobahn, respectively). I had a peer who was obsessed with Kraftwerk, so I had some strange expectations for their music. Despite the minimalism, this album was a blast to listen to. Something about it is quite simply, very fun. Its title track is notably catchy. I enjoyed its production. It feels like a precursor to new wave music. It's a gas. Personal Enjoyment: 5/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 5/5.

Kraftwerk ist immer ein Hörerlebnis besonderer Art. Ich entdecke immer wieder was Neues oder erschließe die Werke neu. Kraftwerk kennt man nicht auswendig. Kraftwerk erfindet sich neu ohne das Prädikat Kraftwerk zu verlieren. Der Kraftwerk Express fährt kontinuierlich weiter und lässt die Herzen aus Elektronik höher voltieren

Class

I liked this albulm a lot more than the man machine. Some parts reminded of the Ape of Naples for some reason. As for as 70s electronic music goes it’s hard to imagine there’s anything better than this. Favorite Song: The Hall of Mirrors Least Favorite Song: Trans-Europe Express (But it’s still very good)

Just the perfect synthesis of technology, creativity & sound.

I’ve listened to this one before and I really enjoy every song on this album. Hard to not give it five stars.

Is there anything else to say about this album? "Krautrock" whatever that is. As a German who grew up with it in the 60s and 70s, I initially found it a bit disrespectful, but now I see it as an award, even though it says nothing at all about the music Großartiges Album *****!

For me, it is the second Kraftwerk album here after Autobahn. TEE is obviously the successor of Autobahn (even though Radio-Activity was released in between), much more refined, partly because of the sequencing equipment specially developed for Kraftwerk. Ralf's flat singing style and vocoders are key elements of Kraftwerk's music, as are their often minimalistic and repetitive soundscapes. You can imagine sitting in the TEE, watching the landscape flying by, and always hearing the monotonous rhythm of the cart's wheels on the rail tracks. This album was very influential for many musicians, but I still vote for Computerwelt as the most important one.