Reviews (page 5 of 9)
ass!
In which our anxious art nerd heroes accidentally give rise to large parts of hip-hop and techno culture. Hugely significant, if not necessarily massive fun to listen to in its isolated entirety.
It’s Kraftwerk. Reminds me of life in Germany.
Very close to getting a 1
1 stern
Ahead of it's time, good overall but a bit repetitive for my taste.
It wasnt awful
Not a big electronica fan but I really like Kraftwerk and they way they put together each song and build the soundstage. The music is in 3D.
Good
I like trains.
Strangely hypnotic
I do enjoy their sound but not something I would seek out often.
Great album.Look forward to hearing more
The electronics work is really incredible, honestly. Especially knowing that a lot of the electronic sounds of this era had to be handcrafted in homemade synthesizers. While the electronics continue to be impressive, after Europe Endless, I start getting left behind by the songs. This album is not impressing me as much as Autobahn did. AND THEN I'M REELED BACK IN AT THE ENDING. Franz Schubert into Endless Endless is chef's kiss perfect. If this album was a sandwich, the bread would be artisanal, and the rest of the sandwich would be whatever isn't moldy in the fridge. It's not bad, but it's not where near as good as the first and last (two) songs. Favorite Song(s): Europe Endless, Franz Schubert, Endless Endless
I'm sure they have inspired lots of stuff I love but I didn't love this
Beep beep boop
Listen I know that electronic music can have a soul. Jean-Michel Jarre’s Equinoxe album is a top 10 for me (you should check it out, so moving). But this? Sounds like tinny 1980s arcade game background music. Their Autobahn album is MUCH better.
Liked the first song, but then the constant repetition got boring.
Beep boop beep boop “trans-Europe express” this album sucks. It made me want to cut my ears off with the looking glass. 1001 album worthy: Ugh, naw bruh - 89/164
Solid 2.01
Absolute pioneers of a genre, Kraftwerk at their best, wonderful masterpiece :-)
TEE features some classic and groundbreaking moments, and it’s clear that Kraftwerk has been a major source of inspiration within electronic music. The album follows a consistent theme centered on Europe (progress, connection between countries) and serves as a kind of sonic landscape or soundtrack. At times, it can feel monotonous and dull, but the album also continues to surprise with elements that make you want to keep listening.
this is a solid 3.5 for me but I'll round up for nostalgia's sake
Still pretty rad for its era, though now it can come across as just being repetitive Comfortable
I might have preferred it as an instrumental maybe? I can see where a lot of artists have pulled from it though.
So classic and fun very mellow
“Ve beliefe in nosthing, Lewbowski.” 4/5 Highlights: Europe Endless Franz Schubert Endless Endless
Classic!
Look, I'm a bona fide, incorrigible music nerd. I'd gladly talk for hours about the lineage of the motorik beat to microhouse, I have strong feelings about Faust's best album and I might even get a little teary-eyed when someone recognises the name Klaus Schulze in conversation. Of course, then, do I love Kraftwerk. But after listening to this album and thinking "yeah yeah we get the point, let's get on with it shall we" at least once per track, I had to take a good long look at myself in the mirror. Did I really love the music of this album, or did I just love its historical significance? Was this anywhere near as exciting as the proto-synthpop of Die Mensch-Maschine or as adventurous as Autobahn? Is this album more than a bunch of 30-second loops that are initially intriguing but then go on to well outstay their welcome? I'm sorry, Kraftwerk, but I had to be honest with myself. You're still getting three stars out of sheer respect, but on worse days you might have come close to a mere two.
The Good: We are traveling express! The Bad: We don’t get to choose where we are heading… The Ugly: Work being misspelled… Second Kraftwerk album on this experience, and I believe that we’ve heard enough, no? It is electronic music, it is ahead of it's time, it is still not to my liking… Good thing is that this is from the period where an album lasted around 40 minutes max, so it is manageable… I gave their other album 4*, this one is being downgraded, though I have to admit that it isn’t something that made me want to punch a hole in a wall… 3*
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.
Again, just get why it's probably important. But it's not very good
why did the first song sound like stardew valley music
Interesting, listened to this a few times. Low 4.
5/10 - Kraftwerk is just alright. The songs are all kind of boring and the more I listen to their albums the more I see that its only ok
Listened on a train in Europe and it was still booty
Absolutely remarkable stuff. Gets you in a trance, no fancy drops, harmonies or rythmic structure. Pure electronic vibes
Sort of cool. I would never choose to listen to it casually. Interesting to read the history of the album and how influential it has been. If I want to sit completely still, unblinking and pondering the point of existence, I might throw this on.
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.
I'm a big Kraftwerk fan, but never really got into this album...until 1001 Albums prompted me to listen to it, and I became addicted. It is easily one of their best 3 albums (along with Man Machine and Computer World). Some might find it cheeky in the sense that it is only really 4 tracks, but it does a lot with them and one of them (TEE) invented a genre.
Some good beats
This was *absolutely* not for me. Boring, redundant, uninteresting.
This is early electronic so maybe I should be more forgiving, but it's so repetitive in a way that could put me to sleep. After a couple of tracks, I could get into the groove though, 4* TRANS -- EUROPE -- EXPRESS To me Jean-Michel Jarre is king in this era. Highlights: franz schubert
A classic in the Electronica genre. Favorite Track: "Europa Endlos".
have never listened to Kraftwerk this album was so good. This is how techno came techno, which is what we called techno before someone called it EDM. Would also be great music for class.
Didn’t listen through - didn’t line
The Goo Goo Dolls could regain a lot of their pre-Iris rock and roll credibility if they did a cover of Showroom Dummies. Or perhaps not but what have they got to lose, c'mon guys just do it.
I like trains, but not like this. Maybe if I listened to it again it would grow on me, but for the most part it was a big nothing burger.
Solid!
Really enjoyed this - recognised a sample from "Abzug" used in Joey Beltram's "Energy Flash"!
Austere, boring as shit, thin sounding German techno. Music for AIs to relax to after they’re done harvesting all the world’s data. From both musical and cultural perspective, I couldn’t hate it more than I do.
Very listenable.
A classic electronic album, but also not my cup of tea.
I have a German surname. I have a computer that can make beeps. I can chant stupid lyrics in a monotone voice. I have great idea! I’ll start making music! Some ideas are better off left alone. This is one of them. Maybe this was ahead of its time in 1977, but this was just plain dumb.
It's fine as background music, but I'm not going to go out of my way to listen to it again. I liked the Man Machine more.
no
Good
"Europe Endless" sure lives up to its name. Not a good start. Seems like it's important to have music history context to really appreciate this album. I imagine this sound was just not really existent prior to Kraftwerk but it is not my vibe. Showroom Dummies is a bop. Read more about the history here and didn't realize that electronic music basically didn't exist before them so makes sense why this is a must listen. Apparently synthesizers were quite different back in these days and way more difficult to use. Overall just not my cup of tea. I'm in the wrong but it is what it is. I only truly enjoyed one song on the track and the rest of it felt like a lot of repetitive filler.
I understand how this record inspired and enabled so many artists and genres but it is a very boring record to me. Bleep bloop repeat with repeated monotone vocals.
**an instrumental/noise/sound album, redundant to annoying.
Not my jam, but an extra star for innovation, historical relevance and for what they accomplished with primitive instruments.
Trance techno
Pre-techno, synthesizer feel
It’s like the most innovative novelty record .
Some of my favourite Kraftwerk tracks along some I wouldn't seek put, but the second half of the album reminds me of why I really like Kraftwerk - their ability to take you to a distance place while still being unmistakabley human.
This is really lovely.
3. fell into a long rabbit hole of having trans europe express repeated over and over.
Previously listened to: Autobahn (1/5) The Man Machine (2/5) ************************** I guess Kraftwerk is growing on me...a bit? Still, listening to this album once was enough.
Yeah, what's not to love about Kraftwerk? Unless, of course, it's not your thing. In which case you probably hated it. The earliest echoes of electronic music in this album. The inspiration for Planet Rock, which was very influential in the earliest years of Hip-Hop and Electro.
Not the first german electronic artist I've heard(Neu! debut a few years ago), it started strong, but as it went on I kept being relaxed and not engaged as much as I'd like The first track was the best one, feel like the album felt empty with so much repetition, but that's how the genere goes, so not a them problem but a me one. 5/10
6/10 I get it, it’s important, it’s significant, it’s a milestone, I just don’t find the record as an entire whole to be very engaging in terms of early Electronic music or Electronic music in general. I understand the cold sci-fi and inhuman aesthetic that’s supposed to be portrayed with these minimalist synthesizers but it ends up having no bite or excitement to the atmosphere, it just ends up flat. Sorry Germany, I guess you do owe us still but you tried anyways
I’m not a fan, it’s just weird, and boring. I don’t understand why a lot of people seem to have such an affinity for these guys. I know they were influential, but it’s still shit.
Turns out I like German Electro music and this might be the best example of it on this list
Rating: 7.5/10 So cutting-edge and ahead of its time it is almost unfathomable. A bit repetitive though and melodies are not as strong as The Man-Machine.
Not sure if the LA Times calling it "the most important pop album of the last 40 years" in 2014 was justified, but it is a good album. The two best tracks on the album are the title track (which is reminiscent of 1974's "Autobahn"), and "Showroom Dummies".
Wii music kinda?? But I see how it’s influential
We are the robots. Great synths and a look at earliest techno. Very basic sounds nowadays. The songs go on a bit too long for not introducing much more after the first minute. 6/10
Absolute banger
Kraftwerk has such a unique but immediately recognizable sound. This album is very much in line with that. This album uses rhythm synthesizers, which gives it a very different sound from other Kraftwerk material that I know. It makes for a pleasantly hypnotic sound. I would listen to this again.
Kreftwerk just doesn’t give a shit do they? Europe Endless is way too long of a song to start off with if you don’t know what you’re getting into by hitting play on this album. This is another decent album by them. I can’t really describe what I felt listening to it but I can tell you that I look forward to crossing paths with Kraftwerk soon Choice cut: Europe Endless
I do enjoy a bit of Kraftwerk every now and then but an entire album is just too much for me
Feels like I should’ve been in a different state of mind.
There are better albums of Kraftwerk.
Really cool early electronic music.
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.
It sounds ahead of the times, but it doesn't sound that good. I'm absolutely sure that for that era it was incredible though.
Could have used a bit more variation. There's only so many minutes I'm willing to listen to twinkly electronic sounds over and over again before they start to grate. That said, Kraftwerk are undeniably an important and influential band and well deserving of being on this list. 3.5/5
I dug this one more than The Man-Machine, despite possibly being a little less melodic. Nice mix of hypnotic beats, texture and timbre.
I was aware of Kraftwerk and how influential they were. I never listened to them before. This was a perfect album to listen to on headphones while cleaning and doing chores. I will be listening to it again.
Despite this being electronic music. I didn't hate listening to it.
Driving to dinner, car stereo starts playing "Trans-Europe Express": Partner: "Oooooh, is this 1001?" Me: "Yep." Partner: "So you're going to give it a 5, obviously." Me: "Well...." Partner: *laughs* "No that's fine, I get it." Me: "They just have to hold everything for 8 measures, you know? 8 measures for each new thing." 3.5
uhhh i am very grateful for all of the good music kraftwerk inspired? slog
you're telling me this whole Europe Express is Trans?!? anyway obviously i love this nonsense
Sorry Kraftwerk, I like some of your other werks but this one is so drawn out all the time
mmmm not what I was expecting. Sadly this will only get 2 stars.
Quite liked the first track. Rest of it was just a little samey
Was going to give it 3 because of who they are, but then I listened to Daft Punk and enjoy that more.
Cool but not for me
Not my thing.
Kaikkihan nämä Kraftwerkit ovat aika vahvoja. Myös tämä. 3/5
Mainio levy tämäkin, joskaan ei oma suosikki Kraftwerkin tuotannossa. Hieman liian minimalistinen. 4/5 silti
скучно и примитивно, на то время это и было прорывным, но мне не нравиться, 2/5
I'm not that familiar with electronic music, yes I like some very specific things of it I have heard in the past. But I didn't expect this album to be this amazing. About an 8-9/10.
3/5
trotos
Als deutsche Musik noch cool war
Love it. A key great-album-to-put-on-while-writing entrant to put back into the rotation.
Вайб и очень важно, но опять же суууупер устаревше. Уважаю безмерно. И скорее всего это очень важный альбом для Германии в целом. Но э. Лучшая песня -
I do enjoy at bit of Kraftwerk. Generally prefer the non vocal tracks as the vocals are a little tired and cliched now. Strong 4 but not a 5 as do not feel any of the tracks really connect with me.
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
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.
3/5. A bit dated now, but okay
4/55
How many times does Kraftwork need to feature in this list? Once is more than enough but this is the third. If I wanted more music like this I’d refurbish my Commodore 64 and give the old SID chip a spin.
would have been better if it was purely instrumental but definitely an enjoyable ride
i dunno but for me it holds up super well and is sick as hell. i share most of the enthusiasm about trains and i can see how and why it's as influential as it is (also who was doing this shit in 1977 lmfao)
Doctor Who gone wrong
Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🔳🚅🤍 Production (2009 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🔌💻🎶🔁🌍💥 Rating: 🚂🚃🚃🚃(🚃)/5
I dunno it’s clever and unique just doesn’t grab me
Rating: 4/5 Trans-Europe Express [5/5] The Hall of Mirrors [5/5] Showroom Dummies [4/5] Europe Endless [4/5] Abzug [4/5] Endless Endless [4/5] Metal on Metal [4/5] Franz Schubert [4/5]
70s synth-pop from the Germans
Boring aah electro
The album that launched a thousand techno careers… beautiful and fragile electronica. If pointilism had a musical form, this is it
Amazing and beautiful
40 דקות של רעשי מיקרוגול עם נגיעות של גרמני מעצבן ברקע
אוקיי ווטדפאק
נורא
Bleh. A few moments of interest but 90% annoying.
Nope. Not for me. I wish I could hear this music composition with different instruments to see if I'd enjoy it more, but then it wouldn't be Kraftwerk. Too much upper register tones for my ear.
Trans Europe Express is certainly a weird one but hey, that's Kraftwerk for you. It is pretty easy to tell that this is one of the earliest electronic albums ever made mainly due to it's sheer quirkiness and desire to basically try as much weird stuff as it possibly can. I felt as if i kinda did vibe with the quirkiness at points and i did enjoy some of the melodies here. The main issue i have with this album is just how repetitive it is even for electronic album standards. Quite a couple of the songs here carry over from the songs before it and with their lengths, can easily make them feel stale. I kinda did enjoy this album but i would still easily put The Man Machine above it. Best Song: Abzug Worst Song: Franz Schubert
A true masterpiece. With no Kraftwerk, there would be no Duran Duran, NIN, Gary Neuman and so many more...
An exceptional electronic record
I liked this album better than I'd anticipated. It was clearly ahead of its time, and has aged well. A couple of songs feel like they're repeating themselves for longer than seems necessary, but for the most part it keeps things moving nicely. "Showroom Dummies" is a highlight, easily my favorite of the bunch.
Groundbreaking and influential. One of the coolest things I love about this album is how it helped shaped early hip hop and rap. Kraftwerk helped pave the way for many artists and for that, I am grateful.
So many artists from so many musical styles have been influenced by Kraftwerk. Such a great listen.
acho que é o mais fraco da """trilogia""" (Radioaktivität - Trans-europa express - Die mensch-maschine), mas isso é longe de ser um demérito. Acho que a sonoridade clássica do Kraftwerk é expressa nesses três álbuns e é aqui que toma forma como algo coeso. Talvez não tenha tantos momentos memoráveis como os outros dois discos, mas ainda assim, um excelente disco.
não é meu cup of tea definitivamente
Less would have been more.
Repetitive, robotic, mind numbing. Quite the bore. This is a genre that never improves.
Nein, danke dir.
Hooray for trains
Fantastic album
Very influential but very boring 2.5
Stoked to have this one pop up today. Amazing classic that's worth coming back to again and again.
Mellow, fragile, and esoteric.
I tried to find something positive about this album. Honest I did. But the repetitive vocals drove me so insane I don’t remember anything else about this music except how much I now hate looking glasses.
Electronic euro music, not my taste but didn’t feel like a chore to get through
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.
This makes far more sense being played in a room with thousands of people in front of an giant multimedia presentation shrooms than it does on Spotify. Mushrooms, makes is superfantastik. ... well, I'm assuminng.
“Trans Europe Express” is notable because of that recurring motif from the title track, which pops back up on “Azbug” and has found its way into popular culture through its use by Afrika Bambaata and Paul Oakenfold. Beyond that, this Kraftwerk album is too simple and mechanical, with “Franz Shubert” being the one exception that feels like there is some emotion behind it. Maybe we are finally done with 70s proto-electronic synth-pop?
I appreciate the ground breaking nature of this album more than the music, but it was still fun to listen.
My previous Kraftwerk album, 'The Man Machine' is superior to this, I believe. So it was a shame it didn't live up to those levels, but still solid electronica.
Pretty good
I've always suspected I'd quite like Kraftwerk and getting Man-Machine here last year proved me correct. I think it may be a shame I had that album first though, as this feels like more of the same and just a bit repetitive in comparison. There's some cool ambience and I enjoy the flow of the tracks into each other, but I don't think I'll be coming back to this as often as its more iconic, distinctive successor.
Thoughts before listening: I don't really get the appeal of Kraftwerk. What I've heard is too robotic and inorganic for me. I'm sure this will be more of the same. Does this make 3 albums on this list? Review: So I get that people love these guys, and I know they have been a huge influence on the dance and electronic scenes....but its just not for me. To be fair, I don't really love the later musicians that were influenced by Kraftwerk either. Even when I do find something I can latch onto with this album, its usually just isolated parts of a much longer song that loses me at some point (i.e. "Endless Europe" and the title track). I have to give this 2-stars for me personally even though I know it probably deserves much more.
Love it
I had a really weird history teacher that liked kraftwerk, and he said there was a whole one about a train The hall of mirrors is amazing though that’s just a fact The song trans euroupe express is pretty cool too Honestly later on I find it drops a tad but I still like it a ton. Also the fact they translated the entire album to English! It makes me wish that English musicians translated their music to other languages, I know lyrics aren’t really Kraftwerk’s strong suit so it would be easier than for some others however the translation is still massively appreciated for me as an English speaker. 4/5
Yeah this goes… it goes choo freaking choo!!!! I mean seriously!
Love this freakin shit
straddles a hard line of being both the coolest and nerdiest shit of all time hahaha
I get this is probably the birth of techno that i know and love but it’s just not super fun to listen to.
Luisterbaar, experimenteel, en baanbrekend. Plus een paar echt lekkere nummers, en een goed geheel. Dit is top!
Minimalist music can be good but this is soulless and uninteresting
nice
Enjoyed this. Never really listened to Kraftwerk before, but after hearing this I went on a binge and listened to three other Kraftwerk albums in one day. It's neat to hear the early electronic sounds.
2.6 I really wanted to like this, given they kickstarted a genre I do enjoy. First tracks ok, and the last one actually quite good, but the middle is just so... dull? I feel a few more ideas and a few less minutes could have helped massively here. Not something I'd put on again.
okay electronic album, just not something that draws me in
Super boring album
I was recommended this before, its weird...
I generally don’t enjoy techno of this style because of its extremely repetitive nature. It might be good within its genre, but definitely not my cup of tea. By the time I reached the title track, the songs felt formulaic and predictable—usually just a few words repeated over and over (often the song’s title or something closely related). The first major surprise was on “Abzug.” Instead of having “Abzug, Abzug, Abzug” as the chorus, they brought back the chorus from the title track. It wasn't a particularly pleasant surprise, though; the first seven-minute song of repeating "Trans-Europe Express" was more than enough for me. 3/10
I definitely had a preconcieved notion of Kraftwerk as dark, confusing, artsy music that I would have to work to enjoy. Not so! Europe Endless was light and fun and catchy. I end up swaying along whenever I listen to it. The album definitely went in that darker, artsier direction a few times, but never to a place of being difficult. I really enjoyed this and am surprised to find that I quite like Kraftwerk. Album Cover: (A+) Good, clean design.
"Europe Endless" was an amazing song. It sounds like a lot of my favorite songs in Stardew Valley, which is an unexpected connection. "The Hall of Mirrors" is hypnotic. The synth part has strong "going through a damp cave in a videogame energy". It definitely got weirder and more experimental after that. I don't love the industrial sounds. "Franz Schubert" and "Endless Endless" were really nice. These guys came so far before Daft Punk and were clearly inspirations. I enjoyed a four of the songs a lot, and the rest were OK. Some were boring. 7/10
Might be important and influential but I find Kraftwerk so boring
Sehr gut
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".
Another classic
Cmon man … I was pumped for this
Yeah. Its not bad but def gets annoying after a while
I am so sick of consuming this band's entire discography. The music would be more tolerable without the "lyrics" here, but it's still some pointless as an entire album to me
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.
Too weird for me..
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!
I first encountered Kraftwerk when they were introduced to me by a friend in the early 80s. This is the second album by them on this list and I enjoyed both. I spent hours listening to Kraftwerk on my friend's reel-to-reel while reading comic books in his room.
Afrika Bambaataa heard this and a light bulb went off like in the cartoons! Slow start for me but once it got into the meat of the album everything started to sound amazing and I was rocking with them.
idk honestly...i dont usually listen to electronic, techno music, and this album didnt get me, but it has something i cant rate it low
Is it wrong that i kept thinking about Senor Coconut when Showroom Dummies came on?
Very nice album! I can hear that a lot of music was inspired by it. I do think it might be a bit samey, but I think that is also part of the charm.
Electronic music for robot people 🤖
Yeah great like Who am I question something as good as this Its a high 4.
Just an incredible record. The masters of synth and electronica.
Pretty good. Honestly, some of It sounds kind of dated now. Although it probably sounded revolutionary back then.
Love me some Kraftwerk! This is getting 4 stars, mainly because Hall of Mirrors and Show Room Dummies I think kind of drag on a bit too long and are just a tad repetitive. But overall, love it!
Pretty great. Is this our first Kraftwerk? I remember the first time I heard them. I was a pre-teen and in the backseat of the car. We were on a mountain road and could only get an AM station. Autobahn came on and I had never heard anything like it. It was so weird and exciting and I couldn’t believe I was the only one in the car paying attention. Then the DJ came on and declared: “That was Autobahn by Kraftwerk.” I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for them ever since. Of course, Autobahn isn’t on this (I bet we hear it later), but this is so good too.
Strange but good.
Love Kraftwerk. The music is totally hypnotic 4/5
I have tremendous respect for the historical significance of these particular bleeps and bloops but it really just doesn't fuck at all, does it?
I get that its an early album and kind of aimless in ways but I really, truly enjoyed it. Maybe I was just in the mood for weirdo German ambling this morning? The beeps and boops make for good company while choosing a suitable work outfit and slugging back coffee.
Me encanta que esto sea del 77, muy experimental y moderno. Tema favorito: The Hall of Mirrors. Nota: 3.9 (pero pongo 4)
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.
Interesting but not up my ally.
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
I respect all they've done for electronic music but I'm still generally not a fan of the genre. The stuff on this album is pretty weird and isn't always great but it's good enough for me to give it a 3.
Flitting between the brooding, foreboding depths of European industrial/electronic music in the opening minutes and the zip-zap highs of pioneering pop by the last ten, Trans Europa Express perhaps isn’t the most relistenable of albums, but it’s certainly one of the most defining. A lukewarm mix of being thrown into the near-ten minute deep end with Europa endlos, propelled into the repetitive yet effective Schaufensterpuppen and title track, before ending on a polarising optimistic tone via Franz Schubert - it’s varied yet surprisingly straightforward. Not unlike an express train.
Very repetitive. Not music I care to listen to.
Beep boo beep beep…
Geht so.
Another experimental album. Was relatively enjoyable but sometimes felt like background noise cause I tuned it out a bit. Solid album though
La première est vraiment bof, sinon ça manque de complexité, c'est un 2+ parce que c'est pas horrible non plus et il y a peut être de la beauté a découvrir
Godfathers of Electronic. Gotta love it
Class
pretty fun album. some groundbreaking work
Very good early artsy electronic music. B
sembra la colonna sonora di un gioco da Mame32
Great video game soundtrack
Interesting, but I would never listen to this with any regularity.
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)
Kraftwerk lays down some hits for the 70's. They have an impressive techno sythn musical sound that is years ahead
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Sparse, melodic, great music.
Somehow I missed how the sideshow dummies learned how to walk and dance. Other than Franz Schubert, the rest of the album seemed one dimensional to me, with lots of train-like sounds.
I had no idea Kraftwerk were from the 70s! That means I shouldn't like them. But of course I do. Unlike that Haunted Dancehall business, these songs are your (to me, prototypical) electro. The weirdest noises here are just, like, oboey synths. It's giving "early 2000s Sega Dreamcast soundtrack" and I mean that positively. What I'm getting from this album, thematically, is that these guys are really into trains. I now have learned all about the Trans Europ(e) Express (cool train) and that it now longer exists (sad). Highlights: 'Europe Endless' (makes me feel like Girl Who is Going to Be Okay), 'Franz Schubert' Lowlights: 'Metal on Metal' (can't argue with the name, but I don't like the vibe)
Very, very repetitive and not that good. And Europe Endless Endless. Songs and album too long and repetitive. (1.7*s)
I can see how Kraftwerk influenced future electronic beats but this didn't hit for me. It sounded a little corny, the simplicity didn't age well, and the dark overtones are a strange choice for the genre and topic (beep boop trains Germans). It seemed a little slow but I give them credit for doing this in 1977. Too repetitive, 1.85.
Not surprised to see this Dusseldorf duo pop up on the list. Great electrobeat album for the time and they paved the way for future electronic music. Title track is actually one of the tops and maybe got more famous after the Planet Rock sample. While the songs may get a little repetitive, they are unique and make for a perfect work out soundtrack, reps for days and keeping the pace. Some Krafty Werk from the krauty krew...3.1.
I thought I would like this more than I did. I wanted this to have more of an upbeat and fun feel to it but it was mostly dark and minimalist. It's not bad, but I don't see anything special about it or why this is heralded as such an influential album. In my mind I have a fondness for Kraftwerk though I'm not sure why as I'm pretty sure I know a couple of songs. Maybe they have some other work that resonates a little more with me. 2.51 stars
Trans Europe Express is a totally acceptable album. In fact, I'm sure it was groundbreaking for 1977. Unfortunately, it didn't really hold my attention well and I didn't love it. The influence of Kraftwerk is amazing, but the actual albums are generally just decent. Best Songs: The Hall of Mirrors Worst Songs: Abzug
okay but not for me
Just the perfect synthesis of technology, creativity & sound.
Timeless classic.
Wow, second Kraftwerk album in a week. I wasn't really excited for this one after the first one a few days ago. But, I saw that this was a later record of theirs, and assumed that there would have been some evolution in sound. And...well there was. To an extent. I think the musical ideas shared here are more interesting, and their skill with electronic instruments has clearly grown album-to-album. I appreciated that there were more vocal parts, as well. Even if they were, at times, comically German-accented and sometimes overly simple in terms of lyrics. I dunno. I wanted to like this so much more, but it's dated, still somewhat experimental, and overall not really my vibe. I appreciate it for what it is, applaud those involved for making something so innovative for its time, and am happy to have been exposed. But if I never heard this or any other Kraftwerk music again, I'd be alright. Three stars. Standout Tracks: The Hall of Mirrors, Trans-Europe Express, Franz Schubert
Nah
I got a bit bored on this one. Probs the same as you would on a trans european train.
Kinda fun, interesting album. Will I listen to again: 10%
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 *****!
I respect the influence. Not something I'll listen to often.
- Da ich Fraktus kenne, kann ich Kraftwerk nicht mehr unironisch anhören. Die haben das einfach so genailt, dass Kraftwerk schon selbst wie eine Persiflage erscheint. Dabei war das damals durchaus ernst gemeint und von der Fachpresse auch so rezipiert. - Ich weiß, dass die mega die Pioniere waren und im Prinzip allein den Weg für die heute mit erfolgreichsten Musikgenres weltweit geebnet haben. Und dazu auch künstlerisch sehr hoch angesehen werden. Aber trotzdem kann ich insgesamt doch recht wenig damit anfangen. Es ist einfach das Ding bei mir mit dem meisten Techno und Elektronischer Musik - ich tue mich mit großer Repetetivität schwer. - Ich find das Album an sich irgendwie ganz witzig, und auch nicht total schlecht, weil ich manche Synthies und auch diesen düsteren weirden Vibe echt irgendwie cool fand, würde es mir aber privat nicht anhören. Und musste wie gesagt echt bisschen lachen zwischendurch. Rating: 2,25/5
- Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh, absolut gar nicht meins - zu repetitive - der Sound trifft einfach null meinen Geschmack - deswegen dann leider auch super anstrengend, habe ich durchgeskippt
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.
Good record. Electronic pioneer and godfathers.
Kraftwerk is obviously a pioneer in electronica and a big influence on many bands in the post-punk and synth-pop eras that were to follow, but I didn’t particularly enjoy listening to this album and wouldn’t seek it out in the future.
Beep boop
Well done production but boring and repetitive.
Love the electronic, different sound of this
Kraftwork were of course groundbreaking and incredibly influential. Making the most of a nascent technology and providing art in the widest sense. They were also, because of those constraints, pretty boring. I can admire the art and the influence and still think this is pretty boring.
Trans Europe Express is a wonderful song the album is the best Kraftwerk one so far but I still would not listen to it much beyond this time… maybe Trans Europe express again.
It’s cold, precise, and stark. Has the same repetitive allure you’d find in early Tangerine Dream. The melodies are simple and robotic, but there’s an elegance in the sparseness. For all its cleverness, it feels more like a concept than an experience.
Isn’t it funny how some albums grow on you just on a second listen? This one did. I can see how influential this was. Also like the sense of humour
This isn't nearly as sophisticated as electronic music is today, but as an early, and therefore relatively simple, electronic work, it's quite nice! At first I was going to call it ambient, but there's more engaging me here. Der Konzept carries through, the album flows nicely, and each song has something to offer. Great stuff.
Nice long drawn out electronic grooves.
Beep boop beep boop
Too good for a 3, but it's one of the lower 4s. Still, another classic. Can't argue.
Hey that's where that sample came from. First track nice to listen to. The rest feels like fodder for better songs. What do you do with tech based things that are "important" but the tech still develops?
I do hear a lot of things here that show up in later artists’ work in genres like new wave, hip hop, industrial and even alternative rock. Afrika Bambaata sampled some of the beats here on “Planet Rock” in 1982. It’s good stuff, just not something I’d personally reach for in most cases. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-trans-europe-express?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Not sure of this one tbh. Doesn't do anything for me.
Definitely influential. Without this, the Berlin trilogy from Bowie doesn't exist nor does Iggy Pop's late 70s output and any other electronica album that has come out since. For influence alone and yes, influence is important, this gets a solid thumbs up from me.
Okay, sure
Very german
It's a weird one for sure, because it kind of loses the Trans Europa Express theme about halfway sure, so I feel it's an album that cheats me a bit. And while I've got Schaufensteruppen as an earworm a day later, I'm not that fond of that song. So all in all, from their classic period, it's not my favourite album, but still a very good one.
Not a bad album, very Kraftwerk. Couldn't listen to it much out loud for obvi reasons. Probs about a trillion times better on a pair of good headphones.
A great synth and proto-electronic album by a band who shaped the future of a lot of electronic and experimental music. Standouts: Europe Endless, Hall Of Mirrors and Trans-Europe Express.
Iconic and groundbreaking but not my cup of tea. As usual for Kraftwerk the cover artwork is great!
Synths and trains. On repeat. Very cool.
A little too monotone.
Always makes me think of trailer park boys
It will forever amaze me that people can listen to entire albums of this for enjoyment purposes. There's no variability anywhere, not even in the lyrics. What is holding all of your collective interest?!
Beep boop, Europe express. Beep boop
Just didn't capture me at all.
Great album listen to it many times
bad no like
This was comically enjoyable. German electronica for the win.
Decent early electronic music though extremely repetitive
Honestly, not a very good album. The repetition was a bit more refined and less jarring on The Man Machine. On TEE the electronics are more muted and less vibrant, and the repetition is maxed out. 2/5
This album is perfect in everyway. It's everything a modern electronic record should be. Masterful work by a masterful group.
God, it's been a minute since I properly listened to this, what an album. Like, not perfect and a little unfocused sometimes, but still.
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT. For me the archetypal Kraftwerk album is Autobahn, but this is a very close second. Your can’t beat zoning out to this.
I will always have a soft, warm spot in my cold, robotic heart for Kraftwerk - I know they're not for everyone and that's okay, I will always take their angular minimalist techno and embrace it :) Faves: the set of TEE/Metal on Metal/Abzug blend so well and give a great chugging momentum through the second half of the album
Još jedan klasik! 🙂 Ima dosta dobrih stvari na ovom albumu i uvijek me fascinira koliko su bili ispred svog vremena, ali ima i nekih dijelova koji su mi malo manje napeti i pomalo dosadni/repetativni. Za veličinu albuma i benda bih dala 10/10, ali ovako će biti 5/5 ili 9/10.
Nisu mi najdraži švabe iz toga vremena, ali su ostavili jako veliki utisak na mene. Tipa, oni su mi otvorili oči i uši prema elektronskoj muzici kad sam bio u dvadesetima Nisu možda najinteresantniji danas, ali bez beda poslušam cijeli album Devetka
7.5/10 Kraftwerk dosta volim i uvijek ih mogu cuti, a nedavno me bas uhvatila faza da ih cesce pustim doma. Da uopce ne ulazim koliko su pridonijeli elektronskoj glazbi opcenito, ovdje mi se svidja njihov minimalni, ali melodicni pristup kojeg su valjda jedini oni imali tih godina. Ovaj album se maknuo od krautrock utjecaja sa pocetka karijere i malo im jasnije definirao zvuk koji ce ih kasnije pratiti. Repetativan u svakom slucaju, ali meni osobno nimalo naporan. Nakon vise od 10 slusanja mogu zamisliti da mi cak malo i dosadi ali srecom imaju jos albuma, koji su mi cak i bolji. Tocnije Autobahn i Compuer World mi prvi padaju na pamet, valjda jer sam ih najvise slusao. Najdraza stvar - Franz Schubert+ Endless Endless, odlican zavrsetak. Ocekujem jos Kraftwerka ovdje!
Find yourself someone who loves you as much as Kraftwerk loves the Trans-Europe Express
annyi bajom van csak, hogy nem berlinbe megy a vonat, amin ülök hallgatás közben 😁❤️
I wanted to like this but as it turns out, 60% of the songs could be produced by a gameboy colour. Obviously in its time it was a bit more cutting edge but times change. 2.5
Tough to make an album this short drag but here we are
Wasn't familiar with this particular Kraftwerk album, but as someone who discovered German industrial and techno music in the late 80's, I love hearing some of the origin story. While not on this album, one of the highlights of my life was listening to "Autobahn" while driving 200 kph on the Autobahn, driving from Berlin to Munich.
This is an excellent and highly influential album. Kraftwerk were an important band in moving from synthesisers as a means of emulating conventional musical instruments to using them as instruments in their own right. They influenced many post-punk bands, and even house music bands.
TRANS. EUROPE. EXPRESS. TRANS. EUROPE. EXPRESS. 3/5
It has its moments of being enjoyable but it got really tedious at points too. I'd give it a 3 for it's positive qualities but I was pretty over it toward the end of its run.
Not my cup of tea
The first time I listened to Kraftwerk, I was dismissive and apathetic, the way a lot of people are when they hear early electronica. That opinion was very, very wrong. Trans Europe Express is both a triumphant Suite and celebration of the endless abilities of electronic music the same way a trip through the gorgeous European countryside into the magnificent city can fill you with inspiration, and a foundational building block album that establishes a lot of the genre’s themes, tropes, and fascinations in a way that makes it inextricably linked to the history of the genre, whether you actually enjoy listening to the album on face value or not. Now that I’m past the “yeah, yeah, it’s important, who cares,” stage of my Kraftwerk exposure, I can appreciate Trans Europe Express as music. And as music, it’s perfection. Side A in particular works for me: the chugging serenity of “Europe Endless,” the Dorian Grey haunt of “The Hall of Mirrors” as it builds up to a full narrative, and finally, in stark comparison, the porcelain stillness and minimal build of “Showroom Dummies.” Again, I think the latter two songs in particular are pretty essential to electronica tropes – about the line of reality and the line of human existence – but the opener’s sprawl is just as important to the vibe of the genre. Side B contrasts this with a tight operetta of sorts, revisiting elements of the opener on “Trans Europa Express” and extending those elements to more nuanced avenues that still keep the sonic motif alive to the very end. Trans Europe Express is magic, and it shows the magic of electronic sounds to create something akin to classical composition, debatably for the first time. It’s also one of those albums that gives you more the more you sit with it, as I’m learning. If it doesn’t click at first, I really encourage sitting with it more. Because once this clicked, it really clicked.
Ahead of its time for sure!
5/5
Wow! I didn't expect to me so mesmerized by this but something about it just really hit the mark for me.
Albumi #71, 07.10.2024 Kraftwerkin ehkä legendaarisin albumi vuodelta 1977 on ylistys ja kunnianosoitus Euroopan rautatieverkostolle.
I can't say that I enjoyed this album exactly, but it was an experience that I'm glad I have had. 3/5
I enjoyed this ok on the first listen, and kinda just found it a bit boring on the second listen. As we talked about in my listening group it's pretty 'simplistic' compared to the electronic music that came after it. Undeniably this band and this record were monuments achievements in electronic music.
Interesting for sure. Considering these guys were at the forefront of EDM. I felt the rpms were a little too slow
It was ok I guess