Trans Europe Express

Nopeity nope for me

Good music. Basically, just that. Good electronic music. In context, groundbreaking. Looking back, very good.

Stoked to listen to this. In the last 15+ years I have really gotten to love electronic music. Very german electronic. A little too somber, slow. BPM are a little slower than I thought. Good though

Astounding for the time euro electronica. Very slow. Very German.

Like its titular locomotive, Trans Europe Express is nothing short of transportive. Unreal.

Maybe the reason it was bearable was because I went out on an early-autumn mission to the market with this as my accompaniment. Not built for purely listening (imo). Some interesting sounds and loops which drew me in, but other times it felt lacking for its simplicity. I can see how influential they are, and I actually didn't dislike listening to it like I thought I might

It's good for what it is. Not really my cup of tea though.

Fuck yeah! Awesome album. Fav tracks: - Europe Endless - The Hall of Mirrors - Trans-Europe Express. The Beatles of Electronic music

Whats not to love about German men making music about how much they love trains!

Smooth like buttah.

Listened Before? N Meh. I had a lot of trouble caring about this album. It was slow and repetitive and the tracks were so very long. I don't think I'll ever revisit it. I've been told it's influential so I guess I'll take that and give it an extra star. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Hall of Mirrors

Kraftwork is a band I've been meaning to listen to forever, so I am glad I am finally doing it. I really like all of the sounds they are making, it is super impressive for 1977. I just wish each song was like 50% shorter. I like every song I just think they go on for far too long without introducing many new ideas. High 4.

Wow. This is exactly what I needed after Limp Bizkit. It's almost comforting in a way. I am familiar with Kraftwerk, with my most notable Kraftwerk experience being the time I listened to Autobahn for this very project back in April. I liked Autobahn, so I figured I would like Trans-Europe Express too, and something that I knew I would like all throughout was just what I wanted. And you know what? I got exactly what I wanted and then some. Some people might disagree with me on this, but Trans-Europe Express is a much stronger album than Autobahn. Well, I don't know if I can objectively say that. I'm sure there are people who prefer Autobahn's sound. I'm not one of them. I liked Autobahn, but I love Trans-Europe Express. The sound is just better in my opinion. It appeals more to me. This album feels a lot more cohesive in my opinion. The concept of this one, that being the titular Trans-Europe Express, is explored a bit more than the concept of the Autobahn was in Autobahn. It's not explored much, but it's something. The sound itself just feels more fun to me this time. I especially like the album's opener "Europe Endless." It's nice. This album is nice. It's just more interesting to me. Maybe I'm just not a fan of albums with 22-minute songs in them. I should stop comparing this to Autobahn. Trans-Europe Express stands out as a strong electronic album that makes me feel good. The sound is pleasant and also somewhat complex. It has a fun concept that's executed well. I love it. 4/5.

T.E.E

I think the opening track, Europe Endless, has a synth sound that reminds me of the opening synth riff to the Killers song Flesh and Bone. Others disagree but I am happy to have the burden of being correct in the fact of others who are so certain while being wrong. Much like the other two albums on this list (!), there are a lot of beeps and boops. The synthesizers sound great and I can hear the influence that other bands took from them. I fail to connect with this album and I usually require some sense of connection in order to really enjoy it. Kraftwerk feels a bit aloof to me.

Repetitive shit. There's nothing I like about the album

Not too bad

Another band my pretentious brother used to listen to. Ugh, he was an obnoxious twat! Kraftwerk. My first exposure to “German” music. “What weirdos!”, my prepubescent brain screamed. Europe must suck if this is the crap they’re grooving to. No thank you! I’m older now, only marginally wiser. These guys might be pioneers, but they’re still weird. But Europe kicks ass!

Perfect album. Kraftwerk had about 4 or them.

8.5/10

Mid

Way ahead of its time

Some interesting sounds, but way too repetitive. Albums like this make me wonder, who is this for? Who is putting this on in their car and jamming along?

Not bad, somewhat repetitive though. 3/5

Fun frenetic melodic danceable electronica.

2.5 - tämä olisi voinut nousta jopa neljään tähteen jos ei toistaisi niin pahasti itseään.

Obviously very good and impressive and influential for the time, but just a bit too sparse and repetitive to fully get into sometimes. Many great tracks tho

Ahead of its time, almost fits in today

Son unos adelantados al tecno que marcaria los años 80. Curiosos pero no geniales

Help! I'm trapped in an early 80's movie soundtrack! No, seriously -- this came out in 1977. At the time, I'm certain it sounded like the future with all those synths and sequences. But now it's got more of a "Now iz ze time on Sprockets ven ve dance!" vibe. Doesn't mean it's not good -- but it's hard to get the cliche out of my head.

More experimental electronica that I don’t want. Kraftwerk are revered for their musical brilliance or whatever, but I can’t hear it. Does not stir my soul. But respect for their place in the musical realm gets them 2 stars from me.

techno isn't for me.

One of the first true electronic bands. Too bad, way before their time. Enjoy their music. Set the path for all new age/electronic music to follow.

Kraftwerk - one of my favourites. Good album

great if you want to hear these sounds for long periods pf time…. could i write poetry to this? n

I know it probably took forever to program the patterns into the primitive synthesisers. I don't need to hear it for 6 minutes straight though.

p373. 1977. 3 stars. The source of every 80s synth/sequencer band that followed. Still sound fresh today, but it does outstay its welcome. Additional point deducted for excessive wankage - no-one needs multiple 6+ minute tracks.

4/5

Trans Europe Express is like riding a train that never quite leaves the station. Sure, it's innovative, but the endless repetition feels more like a broken record than a journey. The robotic beats and monotone melodies might have been cutting-edge in the '70s, but now they sound more like the soundtrack to a retro video game. If you're into mechanical music with the emotional range of a toaster, this might be your jam. For everyone else, it’s a slow trip to nowhere.

At least "Autobahn" was fun, this one was...significantly more dull. Things only started to get interesting at and after the title track, as the rest of the album ranged from monotonous to almost tedious. I'm already aware of Kraftwerk's impact on electronic music, I shared my thoughts on this when I drew "Autobahn" a few months ago. This one just felt more of the same and less exciting to me. At least "Trans-Europe Express" gave us "Planet Rock" a few years later.

Just so repetitive that it bores me

I actually really enjoyed this, which surprised me. I gave The Man Machine a very low score and found it a tough listen, so I was not expecting this to click. Trans-Europe Express feels more focused and melodic. The minimalist approach works better here and the repetition feels hypnotic rather than cold. It is electronic, precise and controlled, but still accessible. Showroom Dummies is a standout. Catchy, mechanical and strangely fun. The title track Trans-Europe Express is equally strong, building atmosphere in that unmistakable Kraftwerk way. The whole album feels like an easy listen, which is not something I expected to say. Favourite song: Showroom Dummies Least favourite: None. It is consistently strong throughout Album artwork: A great cover. Stylish, sleek and perfectly in keeping with their aesthetic

A electronic album that I actually liked

So oddly beautiful and optimistic.

Getting a little tired of Kraftwerk, but there’s a couple good tracks

amaze

This one is an automatic 5 stars from me. I love this album! Listening to this while riding the Deutsche Bahn last year from Berlin to Frankfurt was a fun experience. I know it's not the TEE but it's the closest I'm going to get.

Innovative and weird and interesting

Nonsensical, weird as fuck and proper German. Zer gut.

The first of Kraftwerk’s holy trinity of electronic albums (the other two being ‘Man-Machine’ and ‘Computer World’), ‘Trans-Europe Express’ is arguably their best, taking the musical themes they explored on ‘Autobahn’, and expanding on them in a more concise manner, and with consistently more memorable hooks. Opening track, ‘Europe Endless’ feels classical in composition, with a wistful, otherworldly quality, a beautiful elegance, the musical motifs of which are repeated at the back end of the record. Meanwhile the ‘Trans-Europe Express’ medley is muscular but refined, minimal, but tough and hard…Modern. It’s also funk and hip-hop. No wonder Afrika Bambaataa stole the riff for ‘Planet Rock’. In between we get some nice asides in ‘Hall Of Mirrors’ and ‘Showroom Dummies’, one a song about self-image, fame, narcissism and general self-loathing, the other a tale about shop window mannequins who come to life and go clubbing. A celebration then of Europe’s nostalgic, romantic past, and the promise of a glittering future. An album both anachronistic, but ahead of its time. Old, yet modern, but always stylish. Elegant and decadent. And that’s its genius.

Man, EDM started off so long ago, and it's gotten only more boring and flaccid coming up on *50 years* now.

Trans Europe express is a good song. None of the rest really hit me. Im not sure what i was expecting out of this one. Maybe more 80's synth pop. This was not that. I would have rated this album a 2 if im honest. But the song TEE brought it back up a notch.

Kraftwerk is the ultimate music nerd band, right? It's music torn down to the studs, the most absolutely efficient music you could possibly get. I've never been too sure how to take them, because the idea that one day I'll throw on a full record of theirs (outside the scope of this project) doesn't sound like something I'd do. I find Kraftwerk to be more background music. Well-crafted background music, though it feels like something that might go in the background of a promotional video for, say, the Trans-Europe Express. This record kind of drifts hard in the second half, with the division between tracks blurring heavily and feeling more like one long track than five separate. I continue to be confused with what I should do with them, to be completely honest. Favorite tracks: "Showroom Dummies", "Metal On Metal"

Drags on

Kraftwerk’s contribution to electronic music is unmistakable and this album is a fantastic reminder that many of the groups I love would not exist were it not for them!

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!

Ageless beautiful electonica.

The 95th time the German man said "Trans Europe Express" I felt like I was being activated as a sleeper agent. Do the Simpsons joke about Kraftwerk? Somebody does, and this album proves that every one of those jokes is accurate. Couldn't wait for it to be over.

STANDOUTS: n/a OVERALL: 2.5/5; It's tricky because I LOVE these synthy German robot sex noises, and it sounds like historically, the synthesizers used here CHANGED the game. HOWEVER, it's not an album I'd ever need to return to.

time is not real

Sounds like both video game music and the soundtrack to a spy film made today but set in the 80s. My first experience with both Kraftwerk and Electronica and it was not what I was expecting (positive).

I love the optimism on Trans Europe Express. There wasn't a lot to be optimistic about as a European in 77.

Marvelous

Kraftwerk's 'Trans Europa Express' is probably their finest in their stellar catalogue. They perfected the art of minimalism, hypnotic rhythms and catchy melodies with this album. It's nearly 50 years old but still sounds futuristic and stunning. The album centers around the Trans Europe Express, which was a railway service in Western and Central Europe from the mid 1950s to the 1990s. The monotonous, harrowing and alienated music is directly inspired by long train journeys, among others. When I visited Düsseldorf a couple of years ago, and saw the industrial heart of Europe with the huge, modern factories it all made sense to me why Kraftwerk - which was from Düsseldorf - made such futuristic music. They inspired countless artists and genres with this album, I can hear how they influenced post-punk, new wave and later 80s and 90s electronica. I listened to this album in German because the language fits much better to their music than English. In my opinion, this groundbreaking album deserves no less than 5 stars.

Impressive that it was released in 1977, but I won't go out of my way to listen to it again. Minimalist elctro-synth pop.

Dé muziek die je opzet bij een romantisch diner bij kaarslicht, of die je draait op een feestje om de stemming er even lekker in te brengen. Dé muziek die je in een melancholieke bui draait 's avonds laat, bij een glas mijmerend over het verleden en de toekomst, of die je in de auto lekker keihard meebrult met 140 over de autostrada. Dat is dit dus allemaal niet. Humorloze koude klanken met een Duits accent. Het heeft als enige kwaliteit dat je het rustig als achtergrondmuziek bij je (computer)werk aan kunt zetten. Also also, meine Dammen und Herren. Eine magere Drei.

Hoe vaak ik niet ben doodgegooid met Kraftwerk. Omdat ik van digitale muziek houd, wilden velen mij overtuigen van de basis. Je leuk, sluit maar achteraan in de rij. Je bent nummer 41 met die boodschap. (Een vriend van) een vriend van mij draaide het in elke set. Er bestaat geen goede set zonder Kraftwerk, aldus hem. Er ik moet hem nageven. Het werkte vaak bijzonder goed voor muziek van 30 jaar oud (toen). Maar goed; de aanhouder wint; en zeker als die aanhouder uit een grote groep mensen bestaat. Na vaak luisteren ben ik het toch wel gaan waarderen. Het is ook wel knap hoe ze het minimale groot maken.

Kraftwerk heeft zoveel invloed gehad op de latere muziek, dat ze onmiskenbaar in deze lijst horen. Het is het eerste van 3 albums wat we van deze Duitsers te horen krijgen en ik ben niet bekend genoeg met de albums om ze onderling te kunnen vergelijken. Door de synthesizers doet het me heel erg denken aan de bekende synthesizerplaten uit de 70s en 80s. Ze lijken me continu op zoek naar interessante geluiden en ze doen dit op een fijne manier, door niet teveel gekkigheden door elkaar te mikken. Maar gewoon de muziek redelijk op te laten bouwen en vrij kaal te houden. De zang is wel een aardig minpuntje. Het is natuurlijk wel iets, zoals bij veel bands/muziek, dat er soms prima bij past, zonder dat het heel erg goed is. Deze gast kan ook maar beter de toetsen beroeren dan er door heen gaan zingen, want dat kan hij gewoon niet zo goed. Zeker niet met dat zware Duitse accent. Ik had de Engelse versie aanstaan, ik heb maar even gewisseld naar de Duitse versie. Dat lijkt me beter. Interessante muziek met hele toffe synths erin die op een boeiende manier zijn gebruikt. Het hoort absoluut in de 1001-lijst. Maar het is niet iets wat ik heel vaak op ga zetten. 3+

Listened to from Chris office . I don’t think I know what a trans Europe express is and I don’t want to find out

I dig it

Really loved this. Reminded me a lot of the soundtracks to my favourite video games of the 80s and 90s. I think I’m just genetically engineered to love this kind of stuff. 4.5/5

In ze 70s this would have been groundbreaking. In ze todays it is whelming

Notable track: Trans-Europe Express

I mean, if I wanted to listen to german influenced experimental music from the late 70s I'd put on Bowie's Berlin trilogy

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.

From radio play to German robotos!

I don't know what I'm listening to, I don't know how they made these sounds. All I know is I like it.

ok I guess

Godfathers of Electronic 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Meh, after listening to the first track I ran through the other reviews. One of my favorite albums in my youth is Yaz or Yazoo, Upstairs at Eric's. I fucking loved that album and still do. If this shit leads to one of my favorite albums then okay but it seems like an unironic indie's movie soundtrack...uuuuhhhh.

fun listen, albeit a bit redundant for much of the album. you can see their influence on electronic bands that would come later like depeche mode.

Had been meaning to check out Kraftwerk for awhile now. But man, this was boring and just not for me. Because I don’t like boring.

Very odd german songs

I had high hopes for this after Man Machine, and man do I love and support public transit, but this just didn’t hit me the same way.

Thought I might like it if I was high enough, but it harshed my buzz 😵

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

From the run of albums that spawned multiple music genres. Truly visionary.

Bueno

Old school German Electronic, I like the track Metal on Metal, but over all, this is before my time / generation. THis album over all sounds like Sprockets from SNL!

Eh.. not for me out of 10. Edgy yet uninteresting. Nothing I wanted to listen to really.

ok ich bin mega in märseille und ha ultra kei ziit zum lose aber bi etz mol am erst so g draa. finds seeehr geil. alles mega robotisch aber het trotzdem charme. lieb de vocoder und d akzent. hall of mirrors sehr funny. showroom dummies chli monoton title track meeeega zug pilled. quoted sie bowie oder er sie? niemer weiss. hahaha es isch etz afoch sitega öangem s glich lied eigentli? keeeeei ah ig was das mit schubert ztue het. het vlt demit ztue dasis s marseille am strand los aber finds gad recht geil alles endless isch huuere schön irgendwie?

extreeem langi lieder und nöd würkli irgendöppis zum mitsinge ABER öppe nach de hälfti mussi sege, dassi recht e gueti ziit han trans-europe express hani bis jz am luebste, es isch fast scho creepy wie hüfig s gliche wiederholt wird okok und bi abzug wirds wieder ufgno, geil joa franz schubert würdi nöd gad als banger bezeichne bin zwüscheme 3 und 4 gsi, will ichs sehr e spannendi atmosphäre ffunde han (v.a. au für 1977! aber schlussendlich wird ich wohl nöd gross zrugg cho

This is an interesting case where I don’t find this particular set of tracks super exciting (except for a couple genuinely great ones), but I have a huge appreciation for this album’s aesthetics, innovation, and place in music history. So in a vacuum it’s merely decent, particularly by today’s standards, but all the surrounding context is enough to elevate the score for me. Best song: Europe Endless

The one looking glass song. I generally like Kraftwerk

Like almost everything that Kraftwerk did in the 70s, this album is magnificient. As innovative as humorous, Kraftwerk paved the way for many electronic acts in the decades that would follow. This, however, is the original. There can be only one. 5/5

This is really good and I can’t believe it’s from 1977. It sounds current. This was a really good and rwally mellow album.

More squiggly arpeggio reliant than the man machine, which I liked better. Simultaneously pretentious and silly yet pretty fun lyrics, pseudophilosophical man in the mirror stuff. We are the showroom dummies! Never saw it that way, but now that you mention it, mein german friend...

Sounded like rejected video game background songs.

Så prøver vi igen - 3/5

Ehh, trains and noises. Its fine, kinda boring, some songs very similar. I swear ive heard the synths in trans-europe express sampled somewhere

Pop con sintetizadores muy machacón y tostón. Un 2.

Kuin euroopanhalki menis junalla.. Vaivatonta.. Heh.. raideleveysten vaihtoakaan meikäpoika huomannut.. Chilling and wibing sääntö pudottaa.. Se on helppoa chillaa.. hankala todella hankala ahertaa..

Very interesting early techno

A grandaddy of an album for sure.

Pretty cool album. I've never listened to Kraftwerk before but have heard of them. I immediately could tell they were a huge inspiration for Daft Punk's sound and it was cool to hear that throughout the album. At minimum 4 starts for me just because of the masterpiece that is Spiegelsaal.

really boring, kinda depressing to be honest

I started off not thrilled at the idea of listening to Kraftwerk because I don’t generally like electronica. I was pleasantly surprised by the first track, Europe Endless. It was highly listenable and really raised my hopes. Then the next two songs ripped that away with boring nonsense

I love repetition, so this went down extremely well with me. It's probably the closest you can come to being on a long train journey, without actually leaving your home. For an album that's approaching fifty years old, it sounds remarkably fresh. I struggled to decide between four and five stars, but a relisten convinced me that this was indeed a five star album.

I kinda found this to be boring? Seems like something that was technically impressive for its time and influential, but not that great to listen to now.

Boring af. The same phrases repeated over and over for 5-7 minutes. No thanks

The first song really had me grooving along with the beat. I was pretty surprised as most electronic music is very similar to me. This was a good start but then the German weirdness came out and I lost a bit of interest. Not terrible but at least a little fun. 4.1/10

Every time I listen to Kraftwerk I get the audio equivalent to reading 1950s sci-fi. I know this was made earnestly, but I get the impression of parody. It constantly brings to mind visions of Knight Rider and Hasselhoff. The instrumentals are actually really dope at points (particularly the main melody underpinning Trans-Europe Express -> Abzug), but the chanted repeating vocals do something to undermine the whole experience with their uncanniness. In all honesty, if they were to cut the vocals I think this would edge towards a 4 for me. With their presence, I am a soft 3.

Another weird trippy album. reminds me of the penguin cafe. 2.5 stars

I think this is my least favorite of the 3 Kraftwerk albums so far although I still enjoyed it. Definitely like their cut of the jib though. Recommended to listen with good headphones, since my running earbuds weren't really cutting it for the first couple songs. This is maybe a 3.5, but it is notably worse than the other two albums, so I am rounding down.

Like all other Kraftwerk albums so far, this one sent me straight to lunch. This one was the least favorite of the 3 albums that has come up though. The first half was very strong with the crazy synth action. The second half was a little bit too much Trans-Europe Express for my liking, I didn't realize that spanned 3 songs. This gets a high 3 because I can't possibly give it a 4 based on the comparisons to the other Kraftwerk albums and knowing what they are possible of.

Ah another Kraftwerk album. I gave the others both 4's so I'm excited for this. I've heard the title track already and love it. Great background music while working - gets a bit repetitive but it's fun.

Really cool early electronic album

didn't leave much of an impression. 2/5

4.1/5. listened 2x. catchup on 6/3/24.

i honestly couldn’t finish this. so boring and repetitive. each song is long too

Was excited because I thought "Autobahn" was an immersive masterpiece and I definitely love trains more than highways. Quite a disappointment for it's mostly repetitive electronic fiddlings. Instead of an immersive train ride, it turned out to be a nerdy stare at a train machinery. Nice wires and beep boops I guess?

Some interesting stuff but a little too minimalist/repetitive for me to get into. I like some of Kraftwerks later stuff and I know they’re super influential but I didn’t get much out of this one.

Might need to chop this one up. Very European.

This made a lot more sense once I realized they're German. Some parts of this were EXTREMELY repetitive and drawn out, but in a way it sort of forced me to question my own sanity while walking through the grocery store. Scratched some itch in my brain I guess.

The title song could be the anthem of the EU, though the European Parliament probably wouldn't go for that. But what better example is there of the celebration of post-war Europe? When people abandoned nationalism and embraced a European identity. High speed train travel helped further unite previously warring countries. The past was full of mistakes but the future looks bright here. Kraftwerk took krautrock further by turning to minimalism and adapting the sound of trains into something danceable. Influenced by the recent work of Bowie and Iggy Pop, 'Trans Europe Express' went on to become a seminal work in the history of both post-punk and electronic music, even influencing pop and hip hop along the way.

Not my thing

This is the album equivalent of DNF on my Goodreads book list. I got through the first two tracks and then skimmed the rest trying to find something interesting. Its OK... just so repetitive and dull. I don't understand how this is different than AI generated electronic audio, except that it is actually far worse. It is fair to say I just don't \"get\" Kraftwerk and maybe that's on me. So be it.

It was alright, nothing that I enjoyed that much but nothing that I really disliked either

Äntligen något bra. Inte hört första låten och de 2 sista förut men övriga låtar har jag lyssnat mycket på. Det är ett bra album, riktigt bra. Kanske inte i klass med Man Machine men inte långt ifrån.

Very beep boopy. I like all the synths n stuff here, very danceable: The Man Machine had competition with this one, honestly. Pretty good album!

Respect to it for its time but it nearly made me fall asleep

That was interesting. Not normally something I would listen to, but something I could listen to again if the mood for German electronic music suddenly strikes me.

ok

it sounds like it was super revolutionary in 1972 but it’s kind of a slog to listen to today

Not my cup of tea. Repetitive and boring.

Kraftwerk changed the course of music for the rest of eternity. I just wish they could've done it with a bit more pizazz.

Didn't impress me much

This review is basically the same as my previous review for the Kraftwerk album The Man Machine. It is important historically and had a huge impact on future music. I'm glad I listened to it for those reasons, but I wouldn't listen again. I find it too repetitive.

This may be a case where the influencees outdo the influencers, where one's glad they opened up space for Bowie, New Order, LCD Soundsystem, etc. "Abzug" and "Franz Schubert" are by far best works. A lot of the other cuts are too mechanistic to offer much pleasure or interest.

Surprisingly enjoyable Standout songs: Europe Endless Trans-Europe Express

Associated with European music, there is an aesthetic that evokes pastoral scenes or mediaeval towns and an ancient kind of urban village life. But Kraftwerk came along with this album, Europe was still recovering from the second world war and the scale of development was beyond human. I was surprised listening to the tracks on this album just how bleak they actually are. How they capture a rainy November day on a train travelling through the industrial outskirts of Paris or Düsseldorf or Vienna. Not the romantic or poetic Streets of European urbanity, nor the past gentleness of mountains and forests. Just the simple functionality of an industrial estate and train the flies across the countryside desperate to arrive rather than to journey. This album represents a sort of dystopian interregnum between the hell scape of the second world war and the rapid development that was started in the 1980s. That was the Time in Europe, that felt most bleak, most angular and most cold. This album captures those moments and that epoch. I find it completely devoid of optimism and history. It looks forward to nothing but a few fragmented ideas of vision. It seems to have emerged from a place that has buried the violence and the passion of the previous decades. If ever there was a moment when Europe was waiting, it was 1977 and it felt endless.

These germans could really pack an atmosphere. Some songs feel like they expand and move in waves, others are tight and oppressive. They embrace the qualities and constraints of electronic instruments to create something dramatic and that actually does not feel repetitive. The songs bring in different themes and textures, and tell different stories than what the world of pop / rock music was interested in. It is all robotic and industrial, obviously. But also surprisingly soulful and poetic. And definitely unsettling. Not quite my cup of tea, I'll admit. But I can recognize and appreciate its merits as an artistic achievement.

Legendary.

1 europe - 1 2. mirrorz - 1 3. dummiez -1 4. ezprezz - 1.5 5. metal - 1 6. abzug - 1.5 7. franz - 1 8. endlezz - 1

Pretty amazing stuff, really

Super sparse early electronic music. I love it.

Why, innovative but sooo much more out there.

Thank you for existing, you influenced so many other musicians, and I'm glad I listened to this album, although once was enough. Simplistic and sterile like a cold steel butcher’s table. What music would be if nobody had a soul. Or perhaps I just don't get it…

i was surprised at how melodic this was. I was also very surprised to find out how old this was. i thought kraftwerk was more in the 80s.

Musik to create a human centipede to.

Crazy German robots - but this time with a hint of humanism, perhaps inspired by fellow contemporary trans-European Jean Michel-Jarre.

It might be the English and not the German version included in the book - but when it comes to Kraftwerk, I don’t care. If it’s available in German, you damn well listen in German.

Couldn't be more monotone and lifeless. Not the best work of Kraftwerk

I didn't dislike it, but boy was it repetitive.

Very interesting music

Side 1 was repetitive and boring. Side 2 was pretty good.

Perfect album! On of the best pop electronic.

A little dated but still a good time. The influence this album has had on the likes of Gary Numan, New Order, and others is clear and so just for that it's getting a decent score. Someone called it the Sgt Pepper's of electronic music, which could be a reach, but still somewhat accurate. It's somehow monotonous but motivational and entertaining, like a long train ride at night through Europe appropriately. 19/04/24

2.5

Pioneers in the use of electronic keyboards. a lot of it sounded the same

Blind album, know the artist... I know they made huge strides for electronic music for their time, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t enjoyable.

I mean - this is Kraftwerk! It's ahead of its time. Yes, a couple of the tracks become repetitive eventually, and yes, a lot of it is a little bit simplistic, but it's listenable 45 years later. I can't even imagine what they would have come up with if given access to today's musical tech - but the funny thing about that is that without Kraftwerk, today's musical tech wouldn't be where it is.

If you are into robotic electronica dirged out repetitively in German, then this is the album for you!

They've tackled the automobile and the effects of radioactivity. Now they've tackled the transit system. With Trans Europe Express, Kraftwerk set upon a perfect trifecta of electronic albums that not only have stood the test of time but would inform some of the most important genres and musicians that came from it over the next coming decades. From the bookending shimmer that starts Europe Endless and ends Endless Endless, one feels as though they're partaking in their very own train journey; one marked by marvel, wonder, history and possibilities. Whether in the neon-lit revelry of West Germany or in the blighted neglect of the projects of New York, Kraftwerk would find their way in and suit things as they saw fit. Abzug!

4.5. Very enjoyable, very fun!

Great album!

I really don't know why but I just did not like this one; most of it was a dull drone.

4.5/5

Great

Very repetitive and empty, kind of felt like a video game soundtrack

meh, pretty boring

Incredibly repetitive. Not the worst, but not something I care to hear again. I was able to listen to the whole thing without being terribly annoyed though.

Influential doesn’t always mean great, but still fun to listen to sometimes

I dig Kraftwerk's stuff. It's really chill. Definately influenced electronica and industrial bands that came later. Also of note: I reviewed an album by Afrika Bambaataa a while back that had a song on it called Planet Rock. That song features samples of Kraftwerk's song Trans-Europe Express. These aren't traditional samples, however, as DJ and producer Arthur Baker met with Afrika Bambaataa and decided that instead of just playing a recording of the Kraftwerk tune, they would recreate it. This was done without Kraftwerk's permission, so the band approached the record label, and got royalties awarded to them for sales of the single. Favourite songs: Showroom Dummies, Trans-Europe Express, Metal on Metal, Abzug, Europe Endless Least favourite songs: Endless Endless 4/5

Super repetitive. Not really annoying so it’s okay. Could have been like 6 minutes long instead of 42. I’d never listen to this again though.

There's not enough going on.

Idc

she trans on my europe till i express

started off strong, but got boring and repetitive by the middlepoint. i really like electronic music, but in the 70s it was roughhh YNN

Best geinig

This just isn't for me. It might be the foundation of the music I listen to today, but we have done so many more interesting things to build the house since then it's challenging to appreciate.

beep beep boop bop

Very NICE!!!

Synth heavy German new wave ish electronics. Pretty artsy. Really cool sound. A bit slow, but I look forward to checking out the rest of the catalog.

The amount of disrespect this album is getting is astounding.

not sure how that could be considered one of the top 1000 albums

Melodic electronic music that sounds like a train. I like the idea, and I kinda got it at the end of the album after I looked up some of the history for it, but I didn’t quite understand what the album was supposed to be based on on its own. There’s not a lot of substance to it, and the repetitious lyrics are grating. My favorite song was the one without lyrics that had a beautiful melody, Franz Schubert. Endless, Endless is a nice end to the album though. I will say, I would like to return to this album to get a better picture of it— it’s intriguing— but not a great first impression. Standouts: The Hall of Mirrors, Abzug, Franz Schubert.

"Trans Europe" eh? So it all started with Kraftwerk...

No melodies, the most robotic and repetitive rhythms with no feel or emotion whatsoever. Seems like something a robot civilisation would play as they invade Earth.

All I knew going into this was that Kraftwerk was German and Electronic music. It very much sounds like both of those things even though the lyrics are English. I applaud their use of the electronic instruments given the time period, but the songs are a bit flat and repetitive to where I feel that is intentional or the style they were looking for. So on one hand I feel they executed their vision very well, I just keep finding excuses to not like it for some reason. "Hall of Mirrors" for example has some clever lyrics and commentary, but it goes on for about 2-3 times longer than I would prefer to the point I end up getting annoyed a bit, same for most of the vocal tracks. The instrumental tracks are a bit better IMO. Favorite track "Franz Schubert" 2/5

Can't say I hated this. I should have hated it given my reaction to almost all the "electronica" that's come my way on this list .. but no. I dig this album. There was something both relaxing and enjoyably disturbing about it at the same time. I think it was the way Kraftwerk really took the monotone inhuman automaton vibe as far as the current technology would allow. Good job, Kraftwerk. And thanks for influencing the old Mike Myers "Sprockets" sketch. I see you, Kraftwerk. I see you. Lastly, silently pronouncing the german version of the W in KraftVerk in my head is amusing me more than it should. That gets this an extra star.

This album opens and closes SO STRONG. I love Europe Endless. But damn, this album really suffers from how long and repetitive the songs are. Especially the 3 that follow Europe Endless. And since I’m rating the album as whole, it’s unfortunately, a 2 from me.

The original. The pioneers. The beginning of the electronic craze and of course it comes from Düsseldorf. Buckle up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our Trans Europe Express. Our train will stop at the following stations: *Electro-Kosmische Stadte*, *Weimar Nostalgia Park*, *Schubert Pastische Burg*, *David and Iggy-Straße*, *Proto-Techno-Hub*, *Hip Hop Sample-landër and *Planet Rock Allee*. Our inspectors will check your music history tickets in few minutes. In the meantime, feel the rhythm of our pistons and let yourself go. We hope you'll have a pleasant journey. Mind the automatic doors, and bon voyage..." Not as "driven", mesmerizing and wide-eyed as *Autobähn*, not as catchy, cinematic and melodic as the Metropolis-inspired " bauhaus" extravaganza *The Man Machine*, and not as delightfully ominous as the post-apocalyptic, geiger-counters-infested *Radioactivity* (a record that has always been criminally underrated by the "critics"), *Trans Europe Express* is nonetheless a masterpiece. Truly one of the four Kraftwerk records everyone interested in the origin of the "electronic" umbrella genre should own. Its poetry and its harmonic lines--clear and simple, and yet so "rich" at the same time--are what makes this album sound so fresh, even today. Not many techno and electronica records, even those released decades later, can boast about such assets... 5 stars, what else? Number of albums left to review: 260 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 324 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 184 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 238

An interesting album, I liked Showroom Dummies the most from the album.

Might have been groundbreaking but is a bit boring.

Not too shabby

So close to being a perfect album. In my opinion, Hall of Mirrors and Showroom Dummies throw off the flow of this album. Also I just think they’re stinkers, just not good songs, especially Hall of Mirrors. Otherwise this album is amazing. I love the opener, skip the next two, and then it’s basically one long suite of songs that all flow together.

7 / 10 Pioneros de la música electrònica en los años 70. Hay que conocerlos. Sorprendentemente bien para lo que podían hacer.

This is GOOD. Not great, not \perfect, just good. Kraftwerk has better albums and better songs but this is still undeniably GOOD

Im just night high enough for this to be good.

I do like kraftwerk, but i don't think this their best work. This album was very repetitive and boring.

Favorite Tracks: Trans-Europe Express Europe Endless The Hall of Mirrors

Strong 4

Успокаивает

I guess there is some talent here but I think it sounds like a pinball machine.

Definitely techno. Interesting but became a bit much...over and over.

Like if Daft Punk was artsy and pretentious. "Europe Endless" was moody and cool. "Showroom Dummies" is haunting and kind of funny? The songs are long and get really repetitive. However, I admire the soundscapes and looping musicality of the album. I read that many musicians have samples this album and it's clear that's why it's on this list.

Na muziek voor op de snelweg kwam Kraftwerk met muziek voor in de trein. Hall of mirrors is ook onwijs goed. Vroege elektronica die vandaag de dag nog steeds z’n stempel drukt. Ik hou wel van het repetitieve, duidelijk uit dezelfde scene als Can etc, maar dan elektronisch. Must listen voor iedere elektronicaliefhebber, easy 5!

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.

The Kraftwerk sound associated with Africa Bambaata’s “Planet Rock”. Some German sing/talking early on then several tracks forming the Trans Europe Express title track. It’s ok.

If Minecraft beats were laid in the 70's, minus the German voiceovers. Not my favorite album, but I truly appreciate this band's influence on the ones I do love, and on one of my favorite SNL sketches (Sprockets!). Glad to give this a listen. 3/5

Kraftwerk are pioneers of electronic music who created minimalist, melodic music with early synthesizers. Trans Europe Express may be their best album, filled with catchy, melodic, danceable songs. In a decade dominated by classic rock and Motown, Kraftwerk made music with drum machines, and characterized their music as "robot pop" - the work of automatons. Kraftwerk was incredibly influential - much of modern electronic music is inspired by their work. This album is arguably where modern electronic music began.

🙅‍♂️

3/5 sounds like a minecraft disc. Really distopyan (i defenitly spelt that wrong)

3/5

Refreshingly German, but also boringly repetitive. While I'm glad this exists, I will also try to avoid repeating this experience. Thank you for travelling with Deutsche Bahn.

Good, not in love with every song, but I liked it overall.

German electronic music from the 70's. Lots of influence on today's electronic.

Plodding electronic. Not very interesting

nah

As an insufferably pretentious nerd I obviously think this is great

Knowing about their historical importance I am very much underwhelmed and bored by its redundant focus.

To me, the suite on the side B is the greatest thing Kraftwerk has achieved. I love this album so much.

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

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.

2.4 - I’ve seen them live and my opinion hasn’t really changed. They are important, but I don’t think it’s aged well. When the album started I was ready to enjoy it, but it just got a bit torturous.

Poor man’s CHVRCHES. I love this album, this is maybe the most essential to the list so far for me, this is what it’s all about. The value here is in more than the music. The concept is executed like a classical music suite, it’s so unique and unlike other electronic music despite being a massive influence on basically all electronic music that followed. Would there be LCD Soundsystem or Daft Punk without Kraftwerk? It’s so disciplined and German, it’s about a train and it sounds exactly like a train. I don’t much like the second and third tracks. If this went straight from Europe Endless to the TEE suite then this would be a near perfect album for me. 4.4/5 Fave Tracks: Europe Endless, Trans-Europe Express, Franz Schubert, Endless Endless

Interesting and fun but only for half an hour

I have known of kraftwerk. I have never listened all the way thru an album. I thought it may become repetitive but they always changed it up just before it reached that point. I enjoyed it. interesting.

Boringgg

Remember the Magic Kingdom Electrical Parade? No? Play this album and you will

In 2014, the Los Angeles Times called it "the most important pop album of the last 40 years".[2] Yeah, I don't think so. It's good butthe most important?

I'm sure their mother likes it.

listened to again love the sounds explored but not enough cohesiveness to the overall sound to make it interesting

It's creative and unique but it's repetitive and not enjoyable. At one point three songs had gone by and I thought I had been on the same song the whole time because he was still just chanting "Trans-Europe Express". The title of the final track is apt because that's what this album felt like. I understand this was influential on stuff like Depeche Mode and Daft Punk, but those bands are actually fun to listen to.

The vocals don’t much work (especially on “Hall of Mirrors” even if one knows to listen ironically). And the overall effect is one of tedium. One recognizes they are trying to demonstrate the mechanistic nature of modern life – so point made, but doesn’t make for a killer listening experience. "Abzug" and "Franz Schubert" are best cuts.

A cold and clinical but simultaneously bright and hopeful early synthpop record. Always smooth to listen to with not a harsh note for the ears, almost to a fault. Attentive listening is advised, but may prove difficult to those with short attention spans. Famously one of Ian Curtis's favorite records - sets an excellent mood. Its primary flaw is that it may not be a mood one is actively seeking out.

Kraftwerk - what else!

Very cool sound.

Not my bag at all.

Normally I like Kraftwerk, but that repeated "Europe Express" line was just too much.

Gefällt mir nicht

Wow, apparently electronica can be boring *and* terrible

Best album I've listened so far, really amusing

I think i'm starting to hate electronica soo much. I mean, this album is supposed to be iconic because is maybe one of the first albums that was release of the genre but this honestly sounds like an arcade game music, every single song is needlessly long, cause is the same thing over and over for 6 to 9 minutes each song, like GOD PLEASE STOP, i understood the idea the first 3 minutes of your song.

I really didn’t get this at all. Close to giving it 1 star.

Goes of the tracks now and again, but a decent journey overall 🚂

Etwas speziell, aber hörbar

Minimalistic and very European!

Tää oli solid vakaa hyvä - ei nii kova ku the man machine

Bring on the beeps and boops! I’m all in for 70s Kraftwerk! Sprecken zie Sprockets! Europe Endless - huh not as primitive as I thought it was going to sound. The sound that launched 10000 New Wave bands. Song goes on forever. 3/5 The Hall of Mirrors - ooh trippy pac-man sounds! This was before pac-man! What am I talking about. What’s so great about this guy’s voice is that he’s so serious that he’s gone through the mirror and is now completely ridiculous. See what I did there. I believe this song deserves a comedy routine. Or maybe a runway fashion show. Bizarro. Should be a 1/5, but it’s so terrible it’s very entertaining. 2/5 Showroom Dummies - I wonder how much computer power this required back then. What’s crazy is I hear like a dozen different bands being influenced by this song. I can see the start of their sound here. But this is song is also very terrible. Can you imagine hearing this in 1977 and saying, “That’s nice, but I can do this better, Kraftwerk” ? And yet again, terribly entertaining. 2/5 Trans-Europe Express - I’ve heard like six famous samples in the first two minutes. That kinda cements its importance. This song has a nice rhythm and beat. I love how they try to mimic the sounds of a train whooshing past. Once again, one of the better songs that goes on too long, although I think that might be the point. 3/5 Metal on Metal - oh this is just a continuation of the previous song. Is the train stopping? 2/5 Abzug - and continues. I wonder if I would have liked this better as a 10 minute song? These kind of things cause real havoc in a playlist or shuffle. 2/5 Franz Schubert - I wonder who Franz Schubert is? I know, I should just Google, but I’m trying to listen to these albums uninterrupted. This one is very relaxing. And not in a yoga ethereal massage spa sounds sort of way. I actually enjoy this one. 3/5 Endless Endless - not what I was expecting. That title made me think this would go on forever. I mean everything else does. Not a song, but that was quite the twist there, Kraftwerk. 2/5 So, there’s no doubt this is a hugely influential record. These sounds are all over pop music for the last 40ish years. There’s a lot to unpack in this crazy record. What amazed me is what a fun record it is. And let’s be honest, it’s fun because it’s almost immediately a parody of itself. But you get this sense that Kraftwerk is a bit in on the joke themselves. I bet their interviews were a gas. I also am always amazed when an artist celebrates modern life and tech, instead of despairing about it. It definitely gives it a human touch to the inhuman. Still, what is it like listening to 1977 electronica in 2023? Some things still work, especially since it’s forced retro-minimalism, especially in songs like “Franz Schubert,” could effortless glide into a modern playlist. But there’s a lot here that’s of its time, deep repetition, corny vocals, and of course the mid to late 20th century industrial vibe, and in general, the Schprockets black leotard Euro-weirdness. I mean I did the Robot at least five times listening to the record. Honestly should be a 2/5, but really its influence and in generally corny fun-ness bump it to a 3/5.

Not my favourite this

I know how important people think this album is and at time I can get lost in the sound. Its a little slow and repetitive and some of the songs could be shorter or would benefit from changes in tempo.

If you like slow electronic music with one repeated line of spoken work, this is the album for you!

as with many other albums, this was likely revolutionary back then but nowadays it's quite boring. maybe the list should be called "most important albums"

Kraftwerk - einzigartig! Zu lange Einzeltitel - aber egal!

9 minute songs have their time and place, and that's on shrooms. This is probably 5/5 on shrooms.

Interesting album. Not my taste in terms of style but not the worst.

Very unique and cool sound

Not sure if they were trying to invent EDM, or create a new soundtrack for Centipede, but Daft Punk probably loved these guys. Me however, not my kind of electronic sound.

WHAT A BORING ALBUM

"It’s just coming up to 5:35am. Kommen Sie bitte, und listen to Kraftwerk." Super cool electronic futurescapes of the past. Evocative of a clean, cold, calculated, industrial dystopia dressed up as a utopia. Innovative, atmospheric and excellent. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Trans Europe Express Date listened: 14/01/24

Another mostly instrumental electronic album. I enjoyed this one slightly more than Moon SafRi but i still probably would never listen to this album again on my own

"Europe Endless" more like "Hurry Up! End This!" These songs are so LONG. I get it, that this was really influential, and ahead of it's time for 1977, but OH MY GOSH these songs just drone on. "Trams Europe Express" is kinda cool, because you can hear how it's been sampled over the years. But then "Abzug"?? HOW is that a different song. Cool to be aware of, but I don't know when I would want to listen to this again

Would make an excellent retro video game soundtrack

I kind of consider this a "chill n' vibe to" album in my head, and under that light... I mean, I have other albums I'd go to before this, but, y'know, still. Ich denke, dieses Album ist gut. Ich nehme an.

A pioneering classic in the burgeoning electronic genre

This album could’ve been cut in half, or even into a third, and I would’ve given it a lot of credit for being an early proponent of the style that would come to define a lot of video game music & the synthesizer use that was soon to come in the ‘80s – short little electronica pieces with fun melodies that work as a great background noise, and certainly ahead of its time. While all of that is still true to me, the issue is that each track is just feels so long to me that they all overstay their welcome. Don’t get me wrong; I understand that this is sort of what it’s like to ride on that titular express, as made obvious by the sound design. The problem is, if you're riding on an express and look outside, a landscape has scenery changes. Even if you’re just stuck looking at trees, each tree has their own thing, and they go by in a blur. These tracks don’t go by in a blur, and they didn't captivate me in like seeing a big mountain in the distance. In 1977, I'm sure this was great, but in 2024, it feels less like I’m riding a high speed train, and more like I’m stuck on a tourist bus in LA traffic. I'm disappointed to give this a 2 -- not because it's that bad, but because it just doesn't fit my sensibilities for an album experience, and I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the other albums we've done so far. It was better than Apocalypse Dudes, though.

They are from my hometown, 7 stars

Not their best

This album makes me feel like I've moved to ROBOLANDIA.

Usually a Kraftwerk fan but this was way too repetitive and draggy for me. A slight increase in tempo or some more varied melodies outside the central theme could've made this work, but as it is there's just not enough exciting electronic action here.

Really enjoyed this one, especially the last half The building up on the first tracks leading to the crescendo at the end of metal on metal is where I think the album really clicked for me Strikes many nostalgia cords for me, which is why I like it so much. Some tracks sound like they are coming straight out my game boy or the Minecraft jukebox funnily enough.

A lot of albums on this list manage to be this weird. I wish more managed to be this good.

I had hopes with the first track, as it had this good blend of interesting vocals and a cool synthy beat to keep me interested for most of the durrstion, but it just kept getting more and more dull past that, to the point where I was starting to actually get droopy eyes. I understand it is important as an album to the world of electronic music, but I can respect history and still dislike it, and that stands to be the case here.

Big fan, felt a little samey at points but I think that's the intention

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.

Couldn’t do it. Much more Euro 80s dance pop than the earlier album I was given by this list. Pretty cheesy

Pretty funky in places, but slightly wearing over the course of a full album. Good musical arrangement and a test for the speakers in places! Feel a bit bad about 2* but that's where I'm stuck with a 5* based rating system ;-)

It's a 4.5, but I'm rounding down instead of rounding up because it's an album I used to put on in college to write papers to. Half a point seems fair for evoking that particular sense memory.

if there's one thing Kraftwerk fucking loves it's a leitmotif

Europe endless is long but interesting. Hall of Mirrors is long and boring. Showroom Dummies would be better without lyrics. Reminded me of Bowie a bit, but I just found it annoying eventually. That's how I found most of the songs on this album - I get that at the time this was pretty groundbreaking electronic music, but overall the simple syths didn't really build much and I felt like unless you are really into repetitive minimalism, it gets boring. And i like ambient minimalism. so maybe it was just the lyrics that jogged me out of a nice space-out mindset. Last half of the album is much better, especially Franz Schubert. No coincidence those songs are shorter and have less vocals.

Ťŕäŋṣ. Ėŭřøpə. Ëxpŕéşš.

album cover is so sick

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.

EUROPE ENDLESS

This sounds like video game music, and not even good video game music. There are vocals this time, which is a nice touch, but it’s so boring and every song overstays its welcome. I understand that it’s pretty experimental and original for its time. By no means is it not unique, but I can’t stomach this scheisse. Production is phenomenal though. 2/5

Simpsons reference: Yes (episode name references them! Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk)

Marginally preferred the German album to the English one, bit more expressive. Either way, it's a mid table album for me.

Kraftwerk have made some tracks that are very good and holds up well today, but between those tracks (that aren't found on this album even) it can get quite boring. I appreciate the album as a concept thing, and I think if you'd listen to this in the correct setting or context it would shine brighter. I am normally listening to quite a lot of modern electronic music, and this just pales a bit in comparison to in all areas ranging from production to music writing. In my opinion, you have to work deliberately to get movement into your track to make it interesting since you don't get that for free like you do with "organic" instruments like guitars, drum kits etc. This lacks all of that, it gets very monotone. I should probably be a bit nicer since this was at the inception of synthetic music when it was much harder to do just that, but I can't get away from the fact that it just hasn't aged very well.

I think both hating and loving this album are perfectly valid opinions. It's monotone and kind of simple with a basic loops running throughout each track. I however really enjoyed it. The Hall of Mirrors was the only track i disliked due to it's weird lyrics and annoying loop. "Abzug" was my clear favourite, it's such a menacing loop running throughout the song. While it might not go down as my favourite album it is experimental, weird, groundbreaking and surprisingly good. A 4 star from me.

TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS. Always nice to hear the humble beginnings of electronic music. Yeah, it is a little samey, but who care? What's there is solid.

Whatever

- i am not vibing with this one

Peaceful at times. Too much in large doses for me.

Not conjecture, this might be the most boring album I've ever sat through. So repetitive and unexciting it gave me anxiety sitting here and hearing the same beep boop Trans Europe Express robot dick slaps over and over for 8 minutes at a time. I kno this album is considered one of the top influential albums of all time and yada yada, but this was miserable

Kraftwerk inventing hip hop. - Running joke with friends. But this is great. And the end is gorgeous. That whole side of the record starting with the title track just flows so seamlessly I drift into a trance. Franz Schubert just giving you a big cuddle to send you off.

The first songs instrumentals at one point reminded me of pokemon on the game boy, however it did go on for too long The album is really slow tempo which I couldn't get behind. Also lyricly it's poor.