I was in my final year of boarding school in England, aged 18, when one of my friends mentioned to me that he had been reading about this new album called "Man Machine" in that week's New Musical Express, and he thought I might be interested. He handed me the article, a huge piece about Kraftwerk, and I devoured it. I was a serious classical musician at the time, though I also listened to a lot of jazz and some rock, but I was very into avant-garde stuff like Stockhausen (especially his electronic work, Kontakte, Gesang der Junglinge etc.), Penderecki, Henze, Varese. After reading the article I walked into town as soon as I could and bought the album. It was a revelation. And that original UK pressing still sounds incredible. Over the years I naturally bought all the others in various editions (my especial favorite is an original German pressing of Trans-Europe Express which is like sinking into a gorgeous soft bed of analogue goodness!!). I introduced my daughter at a ridiculously young age and she has loved them ever since. I will never forget at her 7th birthday she insisted on only playing Kraftwerk and all her friends were like: "What IS this stuff?" We finally got to see them live at Disney Concert Hall here in Los Angeles about 6 or 7 years ago which was incredible. The hall has one of the best acoustics in the world, and I have never heard live pop music sound so good. Have you seen them live? Michael, I discovered your channel about a month ago and I love it -- but naturally this video is something special to me. I am planning to investigate your earlier videos on electronic music. I have some of these Kraftwerk reissues and they are indeed gorgeous. Different from the originals, but just as valid. I have been collecting vinyl since I was 10, with a heavy emphasis on classical, and I still have all my records. Discovering the VC videos, especially those of you and your Four Corners colleagues has been a blast, and I am thinking of starting my own channel. We'll see...... Meantime, keep up the good work, Maybe one day I will visit Dusseldorf and get to hear Kraftwerk on your killer system. Vielen Dank für alles!
Hey 45 RPM audiophile, All of the objects that are on the shelves above your left shoulder. They look to be thin books. The thick black boxes look to be box sets of certain albums. What are those collections???
My list, note that I consider 1-7 to be timeless masterpieces that everyone should own. This band means a lot to me. 8: The Mix 7. Electric Cafe / Techno Pop 6. Tour De France 5. Radio-Activity 4. Autobahn 3. Trans-Europe Express 2. The Man Machine 1. Computer World
For me, I put TEE no.1, Computerwelt no.2, TMM no.3 and Autobahn and Radioactivity kinda go either way for me, but otherwise completely agree with your ranking.
Me the same!! Being the same age as you, it took me years to find out who it actually was thou! I think I first heard it at a birthday party or disco or possibly even a roller-disco. I then heard it blaring out of a car sitting at traffic lights in the late 80’s. I was so excited that I briskly walked up to the driver before the lights changed and asked him who it was - he was like “I dunno, it’s the radio” I was gutted!! Then just a few years later, a friend and I was walking past a pub where there was a stripper with her own little ghetto-blaster pumping out “The Model” I said to my mate I absolutely love this track and need to find out who it is” to my amazement he said “this is Kraftwerk!!” 😍🥰 Bought the album shortly after 👌🏼👍🏼
Radioactivity! I heard that album first back in the mid 70s! It is MY top Kraftwerk album as well. Nothing else like it by anyone else, nothing else like it by Kraftwerk either! Such a game changer in my opinion.
I recently found an original German pressing of Radio-Aktivitat at a local record store here in Australia. Was my first time listening to them and is an incredible album. You have now inspired me to seek out the rest of the catalogue, those represses look fantastic.
You are a bad bad man!!! :-) I kid. I had a greatest hits CD for many year but didn't have any of their works on vinyl. Until about 5 min ago. I just ordered all of them!!! Thank you! Merry Christmas!
@@Michael45RPM Much to my surprise most of the LPs arrived within 24hr. They sound great and many of the LPs have versions I've not heard before. Thx again for the little nudge.
The most prized possession in my vinyl collection - emotionally rather than financially - is the first pressing of Computerwelt which I bought still sealed (!) 4 months ago. And yes, Kraftwerk ought to be enjoyed in German! Now I'm working on getting the original pressing of Die Mensch-Maschine...
Very cool, RIP Florian... As a 15 year old kid in America ('74ish?) listening to FM radio hearing "Autobahn" blew my mind... I went out the next day and copped the disc... Fantastisch!
Love to see album rankings! I wasn't even familiar with Kraftwerk before this but still found it interesting. Definitely hope to see more lists and album rankings from you! Especially if you include your favorite pressing of each album you rank. Keep up the great videos!
Why isn't 1, 2 or Ralph und Florian mentioned? On Ralph und Florian, they're starting to sound what we know them to become. The track Kristallo is totally mindblowing, way ahead of it's time in rythm and composistion. Even Tanzmusik has it's synthetic and accoustic elements that has inspired lots of artists out there. I really think this album should have it's own review somewhere...
There’s also the two compilation albums, Exceller-8 and Elektro Kinetic, I think they’re both official releases. I did read somewhere that Kraftwerk have effectively disregarded Kraftwerk 1 & 2 and Ralph und Florian, so they were never rereleased like their other albums were. This is a quote from Wikipedia about Ralph und Florian: “No material from this album has been performed in the band's live set since 1976. Though the electronic sound of Ralf und Florian is more stylistically similar to Autobahn than it is to Kraftwerk's first two albums, the band is seemingly reluctant to consider the album a part of its canon - Schneider in later interviews referred to the first three Kraftwerk albums as "archaeology".” Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralf_und_Florian
They arent considered as official albums sadly. Even on the official website, the only albums listed are their 12345678 series, Kw1, RuF and Kw2 are not mentioned anywhere. I really wish they start printing them again, they deserve to be recognized...
I had a friend who was stationed in Germany in the 70's, he sent me Autobahn before it was released stateside. To say I was blown away is an understatement. At that point, the only place to go was the back catalog which was non-existent in the states. He also brought me back the first 2, which had been released as a double compilation album. I finally got the USA release of Ralph and Florian in 1975, which is still one of my absolute favorites of theirs. Yes, it's a transitional album, but I really like the mix of traditional with synths. I'm not sure if they just consider their custom-made all-synth albums to be the only canon or not. But a lot of us consider the first 3 to be very important, don't we?
Great summary of their discography. I've been revisiting Kraftwerk recently and I have to say Trans Europa Express stands out as my favourite although I also think Ralf & Florian is a very underrated record and I'd love to see it get a reissue.
Outstanding video, and really enjoyed listening to your thoughts, its great to hear you come from the original Stadt Dusseldorf. My Kraftwerk collection is not complete, but I do own the Der Catalogue boxset released in 2009, that seems to contain the same beautiful artwork booklets relased again with the Color vinyl re-issues? Then In 2017, I met Ralf Hutter and the current line up, Hennig Schmidt in Dublin before their 3D Tour show, during the sound technician check set it in the afternoon. Ralf Hutter looked like a very cool star, wearing all black and dark Ray Ban sun glasses. He was more than happy to give us 5 minutes of his time signing the inner booklets (from Der Catalogue) in black or gold pens. Ralf even knew and spotted I had one bootleg record, which he laughed friendly and said it is not possible to sign this one! "A young man stepped into the hall of mirrors Where he discovered a reflection of himself!" Even the Greatest Stars. Best Regards from Dublin
I purchased Autobahn a few years ago because it was on sale for only 22 dollars Canadian. I was not at all familiar with Kraftwerk's music. I defiantly heard the name but that's it. I played the album as soon as I got home and was blown away. Not knowing anything about them I was simply amazed at how simple yet complex their sound was. The album came with a picture book, I began to realize the pictures were directly connected to the music and it was a sonic journey down the highway. Such a great concept and a real audiophile gem. However my copy is black vinyl not blue.
My brother and I were aged 11 and 13 when we first heard Kraftwerk's Autobahn on our local radio station in New Zealand...the year was 1974. We became instant fans and of course are still to this day. I actually got to see them perform live for the first time last week in Brisbane and am still buzzing from the experience.
An incredible contribution to humanity. Their music is timeless and undoubtedly influenced all electronic music following them. Not to mention how prophetic is the computer world album?
I as a swede loved ABBA in the 70's, still do, but they were really not such a cultural revolution as Kraftwerk was. You can have your preferences with the albums but I think they should be seen in the context of the whole. German youth developing a new German culture, helping me to understand Germany and German mentality better, I believe. Their work was very much something in progress, much like the Berliner Tangerine Dream. Beginning with experimentation and then becoming increasingly more refined, a more well polished product of their hard work at the end, maybe at the end of the 80's? Kraftwerk will forever be in my heart. I appreciate enormously them opening my eyes to a world and reality so much larger than it was when I was young, a child. Music can be anything and even sound great!
Thanks for the video. Enjoying your channel. I first heard of Kraftwerk via a few early hip hop records (where they where heavily sampled.) Amazing "band".
Thanks for this. I agree with your number 1 and 2. I saw them in Waterloo Ontario Canada in 1974 at 20 years old, with a mind-blowing performance the likes I have not seen before or since. I knew then when I walked out of the building that it was a very ''important'' event and that Kraftwerk would have a big hand in influencing the way music went. I positively loved the 80's alternative new wave type music that followed, thanks again, Kraftwerk for that!
For electronic music, they are extremely musical sounding. Always thought they were great David Bowie recorded in Düsseldorf, simply for his love Kraftwerk When I began tuning into your channel, I mentioned you reminded me of a Kraftwerk member. I just got the vibe, but I realize it is your accent which obviously originates from the Düsseldorf region. Thanks for the great reviews Michael Keep them coming Florian Schneider has passed, not Ralf Radio Aktivitat is my favorite too
Well, as for reasons why David Bowie was in Germany at the time, you can read a lot about it in the Tangerine Dream biography "Force Majeure". Almost two chapters are devoted to the period when David Bowie was there and why, how they met and the nature of their association. One of the reasons is that he was at a musical dry-spell and needed som new input and influence , and that he was trying to avoid his wife he was separated from at the time, how he hid in the appartment of Edgar Froese and so forth. In David's entourage was of course Iggy Pop (almost stoned all of the time), and the history goes that Edgar Froese made their studio available for David Bowie, and even helped him with some musical bits for Heroes.
When I was 12 around the mid 90's HMV opened on the Isle of Wight, this coincided with the very first album I ever bought. This was Radio-Aktivitat, a C.D with the original cover. I grew up with my Dad playing his old disco tracks one of the was the 1982 12inch of The Model/Computer Love. Apart from that those to tracks I had no idea of any of their music and despite the cover I was immensely to Radio-Aktivitat. I was instantly blown, I decided that I wanted to be an electronic musician and held this album as a bench mark on how I wanted to sound. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere and the sounds of this work even the imperfections of the tape hiss and the crackles of Orchestron is why I hold this with such esteem in my collection. Really is in a special place for me.
When I was 12 in the midseventies I borrowed a cassette-copy of Radioaktivität in a public library, thinking it would be a lecture about atomic energy. That´s how I got to know Kraftwerk.
This episode was pure joy my Dusseldorf friend! I'm just beginning to read David Buckley's Kraftwerk: Publikation: A Biography AND simultaneously discovered Kraftwerk is touring the USA in June 2022. FYI: In the States Computer World was the monster hit album. Numbers and Pocket Calculator were played constantly in the early 80s new wave clubs. I was hoping Autobahn would be #1 but I'll take second place! Keep up the excellent reviews!
Thank you. I enjoyed this video. Congratulations on your excellent English. I’m not sure if it has been mentioned but there are other differences between the German and English versions other than the language. The mixes are also slightly different. Certainly, Computer World is. Cheers
I own the '75 pressing of Radio - Aktivitat (1C 062-82 087) and I love it. But I also absolutly love The Mix, I really do. Good job with your videos. Keep up the good work! 👍
These dudes are serious business,I grew up listening to their music and just like then its still amazing today. They have ah style all of their own,very unique, timeless, universal everyone could feel this music....It was my favorite music to breakdance to. Man, machine album #1 .love you kraftwerk,thank you sir for video..Merry Christmas. .
I had the original German version of Radio Activity and with the original cover. I loved it, but sadly I no longer have it. What a loss. I also had ‘The Mix’ on cassette which I bought in 1991 when The Robots was re-released. I’ve loved Kraftwerk and their music for over 40 years and remember first hearing ‘Autobahn’ in ‘75 and wondering what on Earth I was listening to. But I loved it. Sadly, I only just read about Florian dying. Such a shock and so sad. And I agree with your choice of #1 album followed by TEE.
Thanks for reminding us about the German lyrics! I had absolutely forgotten my "original" Man Machine from 1978, before I moved to the US, I listened to both the German and English version last night, now I'm looking for the German version of the Trans Europe!
I have been a Kraftwerk fan since the 1970s. I have started acquiring these, they are fantastic! Great sound quality and beautiful presentation. Love the booklets
I finally got to see Kraftwerk live in 2017. Although I loved the albums I did not really know what to expect in a live setting (apart from CZcams clips). As it turned out it was one of the best "concerts" I have ever been to.
Thank you for this video. You have a great collection of Kraftwerk albums. My personal rankings are different from yours, naturally. I agree with you that German versions have different atmosphere. They are "colder" (if a German piece of machinery could be any colder than Japanese or French piece of machinery :0) - funny). In this case it is a "plus" because we are talking about "robot music", music made by human machines. Kraftwerk are and will always remain amazing in every respect.
Danke , Radioaktivität und Autobahn sind meine Lieblingsscherben und ich werde sie sicher bestellen . Meine Nr. 3 wäre dann Tour de France .Devo ist der beste Beweis dafür , dass die Combo auch in den USA Spuren hinterlassen hat . Kanal abonniert - Gruss aus Bern
I discovered Kraftwerk the year that Autobahn originally came out, since then I listened and like all their albums, I would have a hard time making a list of the « best to perfect », though I would say that there is a tie between four of them as perfect; Autobahn, Radioactivity, TEE & The Man Machine.
Thanks for showing these versions and talking about this incredible, influential band. I was introduced to Kraftwerk through The Mix, so I have a special affection for that record. These days my favorite is Trans Europe Express. I realize I've never given a fair listen to Trans Europe Express because I was more into the musical descendants of Kraftwerk at the time it was released. I'm giving it a listen now and am very impressed!
Thank you very much for your videos. You do a fantastic job. Very informative. I love the jazz videos you have done, as that is my favorite right now. In the future, will you do a ranking of Eloy's catalog? Are you a fan of progressive rock?
Trans Europe Express is my favourite. It’s like a soundscape with wonderful melody and you really get the feel of travelling through the German countryside. I love them all but I go back to TEE the most.
I discovered Kraftwerk as an evident influence of Daft Punk. Since, I really like their music, and I am impressed how it seems to age as a good wine. I really like your channel, it is pleasant to hear about music in a very soft, relaxing and tasteful way.
I've always found german pressings of the Kraftwerk records in Sweden growing up. And since i studied german in school it was fun listening to the german versions.
OH WOW! This is the exact way, I would rank their albums. But i will put Ralf&Florian somewhere in the middle as well. A very underrated album. Still hoping that Ralf will remember about it. As for Kraftwerk 1 and Kraftwerk 2, they are somewhere at the bottom, so no problem there. But again i am impressed by Mr. Audiophile' ranking
I grew up inTexas and in 1976, there were two albums EVERYONE was talking about in my grade school; Night At The Opera and Autobahn. Those albums were very popular, in all places, tiny little Alvin, Texas outside of Houston.
Hi, I appreciate the fact that the german versions are the original and most authentic but i`m english so i prefer the english vocals. I collect all genres of music, everything from classical to techno to rock and in my opinion Kraftwerk are as important to the evolution of music as The Beatles. In a thousand years time someone somewhere will play a Kraftwerk record and think to themselves this music sounds like it`s from the future. Cheers from England.
Imagine when in 1988, I was 12, looking in my father's "old" vinyls, I found two gems: The Dark Side of the Moon, and Radioaktivitat... They both "changed my life", I listen to them (Pink Floyd and EARLY Kraftwerk) since them relentlessly without being tired, and often "crying" because of such "genius" art, the more I listen to them, the more I realize how their "craft" went far beyond even their own consciousness...
This is my favorite band so I have to make a comment. My favorite albums of originals: 1 - Trans Europe Express (Europe Endless is my favorite track from Kraftwerk) 2 - Autobahn 3 - Radio Activity 4 - Computer World 5 - The Man Machine 6 - Ralf & Florian 7 - Tour De France Soundtracks 8 - Electric Cafe 9 - Kraftwerk 1 10 - Kraftwerk 2
45rpm.audio, Thanx so much for ur ranking film. Great!! Is true the word kraftwerk is Deutche for powerplant? If so, the guyz picked best name! Been fan since mid 70's. Never got see them live; but do love the live audio/ video release, when was that,2014? Got the cd.collection big box in 09'believe- outstanding!! Now,can start collecting und enjoying the new lp.s,yeah. Did u say recommend the German version'Man Machine' ?? Think wud b best. Still have most original vynal records& got some unique cd.collections in 90's. Thanx again- proud my device scrolled up ur channel.Take care, M .
hi michael another cool video. thanks for putting this out. in 2:53 you mentioned that you compared your og of computer world to the reissue but you weren't definite in your response on which sounded better. could you kindly elaborate. i'm curious. more power to your channel!
These are really excellent reissues. I prefer german versions, ordered some and they are fantastic. It would be good if you can post similar list for currently available krautrock reissues.
Fully agree, about the German versions. The most "German" band ever, should be listened to in German. Perfection. Thank you for your thoughts. The love you have for Kraftwerk, shows ...and is shared;)
Should be? Well, it"s up to everyone's personal preferences. I've been listening to them in ENG cause I'm used to it since "The Mix" came out and that's how I like it.
@jeshkam Well, I'm very sorry if my careless omisson of the precursor, "in my opinion," led you to believe I was declaring an empirical truth. I might add that a notable exception (in my view) is Europe Endless, where the English rhyme just "sits" better. This is in no way scientifically proven. It's just my personal preference... 🤦🏼♂️
Vor nur wenigen Tagen habe ich Ihren Kanal hier auf CZcams entdeckt. Ihre Empfehlungen sind durchweg ausgesprochen interessant und mitunter auch sehr informativ. Danke dafür! Das ganze hat nur einen Nachteil: ...dat wird dür! Wie mir scheint liegt Ihr Hauptaugenmerk auf Jazz und elektronischer Musik. Was den zeitgenössischen modernen Jazz angeht, sagt Ihnen da der Name 'Robert Glasper' etwas? Glasper' versteht es meiner Meinung nach ganz vortrefflich Grenzen des Jazz auszuloten und, meist in Richtung Hip/Trip Hop zu überschreiten. Klingt cool, macht Spaß. Viele musikalische Grüße auf die andere Seite des Rheins aus Neuss. 👋🙂🎶
Great list. I too would have 'Radioactivity' at number 1. It has a special place for me because as a young teenager I discovered it for myself. 'Autobahn' was my introduction to Kraftwerk but that album was recommended to me by older lads. But 'Radioactivity' felt like my own personal discovery.
First time I tested my phono preamp, I brought it to a friend along with an Autobahn digital remaster. He had an Fontana 1980 "reissue", so we compared. The difference was big, the analogue one smoked the digital remaster. Much much smoother and more clarity.
Radio Aktivitat is a giant of an album -- Kraftwerk manage to translate their version of electronic music into a wonderful emotionally album -- I have the original cover version -- it s perfect album IMHO
I found the original cover album in the second hand department of my local record store. Worn sleeve, label on de vinyl album discolored. It love second hand that has been used and looks the part.
@@ErwinBlonk i am with you - we’d all prefer NM first pressings but I have plenty of records that have been well lived in and still play and sound good
A great review and interesting to hear your personal Kraftwerk top albums .Such a difficult choice but I agree with you that 'The Mix' and 'Techno Pop' are their worst , but they still have a lot to offer in many different ways.I actually prefer German bands eg Kraftwerk and Die Krupps etc to sing in their native language .The English language especially in Electronic and Industrial doesn't quite have that ' precision,menace and certainty ' to it in comparison.Reg Plasma.
Hello from Australia! What a great video, Kraftwerk no doubt are one of the best. In fact, you cannot beat German electronic music. I’m wondering, would you prefer original pressings of Kraftwerk to the modern pressings? Your videos are fantastic, brilliant tone and explanations!
Kraftwerk is one of best bands ever
I was in my final year of boarding school in England, aged 18, when one of my friends mentioned to me that he had been reading about this new album called "Man Machine" in that week's New Musical Express, and he thought I might be interested. He handed me the article, a huge piece about Kraftwerk, and I devoured it. I was a serious classical musician at the time, though I also listened to a lot of jazz and some rock, but I was very into avant-garde stuff like Stockhausen (especially his electronic work, Kontakte, Gesang der Junglinge etc.), Penderecki, Henze, Varese. After reading the article I walked into town as soon as I could and bought the album. It was a revelation. And that original UK pressing still sounds incredible. Over the years I naturally bought all the others in various editions (my especial favorite is an original German pressing of Trans-Europe Express which is like sinking into a gorgeous soft bed of analogue goodness!!). I introduced my daughter at a ridiculously young age and she has loved them ever since. I will never forget at her 7th birthday she insisted on only playing Kraftwerk and all her friends were like: "What IS this stuff?" We finally got to see them live at Disney Concert Hall here in Los Angeles about 6 or 7 years ago which was incredible. The hall has one of the best acoustics in the world, and I have never heard live pop music sound so good. Have you seen them live? Michael, I discovered your channel about a month ago and I love it -- but naturally this video is something special to me. I am planning to investigate your earlier videos on electronic music. I have some of these Kraftwerk reissues and they are indeed gorgeous. Different from the originals, but just as valid. I have been collecting vinyl since I was 10, with a heavy emphasis on classical, and I still have all my records. Discovering the VC videos, especially those of you and your Four Corners colleagues has been a blast, and I am thinking of starting my own channel. We'll see...... Meantime, keep up the good work, Maybe one day I will visit Dusseldorf and get to hear Kraftwerk on your killer system. Vielen Dank für alles!
Hello Mark thank you for this Comment highly apriciated!! It think it would be great if you start also a Channel keep me/us updated
Hey 45 RPM audiophile,
All of the objects that are on the shelves above your left shoulder. They look to be thin books. The thick black boxes look to be box sets of certain albums.
What are those collections???
I got ribbed rotten for liking Kraftwerk at boarding school. Nobody else got Radioactivity!
My list, note that I consider 1-7 to be timeless masterpieces that everyone should own. This band means a lot to me.
8: The Mix
7. Electric Cafe / Techno Pop
6. Tour De France
5. Radio-Activity
4. Autobahn
3. Trans-Europe Express
2. The Man Machine
1. Computer World
For me, I put TEE no.1, Computerwelt no.2, TMM no.3 and Autobahn and Radioactivity kinda go either way for me, but otherwise completely agree with your ranking.
When I first heard "the model" in the late 1970's as a 7 or 8 year old kid. For me the sounds of that song blew me away.
Me the same!! Being the same age as you, it took me years to find out who it actually was thou! I think I first heard it at a birthday party or disco or possibly even a roller-disco. I then heard it blaring out of a car sitting at traffic lights in the late 80’s. I was so excited that I briskly walked up to the driver before the lights changed and asked him who it was - he was like “I dunno, it’s the radio” I was gutted!! Then just a few years later, a friend and I was walking past a pub where there was a stripper with her own little ghetto-blaster pumping out “The Model” I said to my mate I absolutely love this track and need to find out who it is” to my amazement he said “this is Kraftwerk!!” 😍🥰 Bought the album shortly after 👌🏼👍🏼
Radioactivity! I heard that album first back in the mid 70s! It is MY top Kraftwerk album as well. Nothing else like it by anyone else, nothing else like it by Kraftwerk either! Such a game changer in my opinion.
I prefer the English versions. For me the strong German accent is part of the magic.
I recently found an original German pressing of Radio-Aktivitat at a local record store here in Australia. Was my first time listening to them and is an incredible album. You have now inspired me to seek out the rest of the catalogue, those represses look fantastic.
Have now listened to the entire discography about 3 times since I saw your video, it's a revelation - just ordered the complete German set
Kraftwerk were a massive band in the U.K. in the early 80’s. It was the age of synthesisers and this group were the soundtrack of my youth.
I´m 21 years old but I love Kraftwerk, they are splendid in all their musical works. Great review! Greetings from Argentina
You are a bad bad man!!! :-) I kid. I had a greatest hits CD for many year but didn't have any of their works on vinyl. Until about 5 min ago. I just ordered all of them!!! Thank you! Merry Christmas!
You did it right :-) Great decision :-)
@@Michael45RPM Much to my surprise most of the LPs arrived within 24hr. They sound great and many of the LPs have versions I've not heard before. Thx again for the little nudge.
Thanks for the great video. On the back of this I have ordered six Kraftwerk albums (all German versions) as recommended.
Many thanks.
The most prized possession in my vinyl collection - emotionally rather than financially - is the first pressing of Computerwelt which I bought still sealed (!) 4 months ago. And yes, Kraftwerk ought to be enjoyed in German! Now I'm working on getting the original pressing of Die Mensch-Maschine...
Very cool,
RIP Florian...
As a 15 year old kid in America ('74ish?)
listening to FM radio
hearing "Autobahn"
blew my mind...
I went out the next day
and copped the disc...
Fantastisch!
One of my favorite band , the first and second album, Ralf and Florian, Autobahn and the Organisation "tone float" album.
Love to see album rankings! I wasn't even familiar with Kraftwerk before this but still found it interesting. Definitely hope to see more lists and album rankings from you! Especially if you include your favorite pressing of each album you rank. Keep up the great videos!
Glad to see the singer of metallica is into kraftwerk
Bowie too ! Iggy Popp went shopping for asparagus with Florian Schneider. Google it , pretty cool.
Just wanted to point out that Ralph is still alive in december 2020 but Florian Schneider passed away in April this year.
Why isn't 1, 2 or Ralph und Florian mentioned? On Ralph und Florian, they're starting to sound what we know them to become. The track Kristallo is totally mindblowing, way ahead of it's time in rythm and composistion. Even Tanzmusik has it's synthetic and accoustic elements that has inspired lots of artists out there. I really think this album should have it's own review somewhere...
There’s also the two compilation albums, Exceller-8 and Elektro Kinetic, I think they’re both official releases.
I did read somewhere that Kraftwerk have effectively disregarded Kraftwerk 1 & 2 and Ralph und Florian, so they were never rereleased like their other albums were. This is a quote from Wikipedia about Ralph und Florian:
“No material from this album has been performed in the band's live set since 1976. Though the electronic sound of Ralf und Florian is more stylistically similar to Autobahn than it is to Kraftwerk's first two albums, the band is seemingly reluctant to consider the album a part of its canon - Schneider in later interviews referred to the first three Kraftwerk albums as "archaeology".”
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralf_und_Florian
Kraftwerk 1 & 2 and Ralph und Florian .... my favourite albums. Like Kraftwerk until the 1981 release Computerwelt. Have only the grman versions ....
They arent considered as official albums sadly. Even on the official website, the only albums listed are their 12345678 series, Kw1, RuF and Kw2 are not mentioned anywhere.
I really wish they start printing them again, they deserve to be recognized...
Strange, he didn't explained it the video, didn't give a reason of why he didn't mentioned those first 3 albums.
I had a friend who was stationed in Germany in the 70's, he sent me Autobahn before it was released stateside. To say I was blown away is an understatement. At that point, the only place to go was the back catalog which was non-existent in the states. He also brought me back the first 2, which had been released as a double compilation album. I finally got the USA release of Ralph and Florian in 1975, which is still one of my absolute favorites of theirs. Yes, it's a transitional album, but I really like the mix of traditional with synths. I'm not sure if they just consider their custom-made all-synth albums to be the only canon or not. But a lot of us consider the first 3 to be very important, don't we?
My Top 5:
1. Trans-Europe Express
2. Computer World
3. Radio-Activity
4. Autobahn
5. Man Machine
Great summary of their discography. I've been revisiting Kraftwerk recently and I have to say Trans Europa Express stands out as my favourite although I also think Ralf & Florian is a very underrated record and I'd love to see it get a reissue.
Outstanding video, and really enjoyed listening to your thoughts, its great to hear you come from the original Stadt Dusseldorf. My Kraftwerk collection is not complete, but I do own the Der Catalogue boxset released in 2009, that seems to contain the same beautiful artwork booklets relased again with the Color vinyl re-issues? Then In 2017, I met Ralf Hutter and the current line up, Hennig Schmidt in Dublin before their 3D Tour show, during the sound technician check set it in the afternoon. Ralf Hutter looked like a very cool star, wearing all black and dark Ray Ban sun glasses. He was more than happy to give us 5 minutes of his time signing the inner booklets (from Der Catalogue) in black or gold pens. Ralf even knew and spotted I had one bootleg record, which he laughed friendly and said it is not possible to sign this one! "A young man stepped into the hall of mirrors
Where he discovered a reflection of himself!" Even the Greatest Stars. Best Regards from Dublin
Great video! Love Kraftwerk and was in some Düsseldorf record shops a few months ago
Keep up the great work!
I purchased Autobahn a few years ago because it was on sale for only 22 dollars Canadian. I was not at all familiar with Kraftwerk's music. I defiantly heard the name but that's it. I played the album as soon as I got home and was blown away. Not knowing anything about them I was simply amazed at how simple yet complex their sound was. The album came with a picture book, I began to realize the pictures were directly connected to the music and it was a sonic journey down the highway. Such a great concept and a real audiophile gem. However my copy is black vinyl not blue.
Absolutley Brilliant Ranking, Thx Mate ;-)
My brother and I were aged 11 and 13 when we first heard Kraftwerk's Autobahn on our local radio station in New Zealand...the year was 1974. We became instant fans and of course are still to this day. I actually got to see them perform live for the first time last week in Brisbane and am still buzzing from the experience.
Perfect ranking. Thanks for the great videos.
An incredible contribution to humanity. Their music is timeless and undoubtedly influenced all electronic music following them. Not to mention how prophetic is the computer world album?
I as a swede loved ABBA in the 70's, still do, but they were really not such a cultural revolution as Kraftwerk was. You can have your preferences with the albums but I think they should be seen in the context of the whole. German youth developing a new German culture, helping me to understand Germany and German mentality better, I believe.
Their work was very much something in progress, much like the Berliner Tangerine Dream. Beginning with experimentation and then becoming increasingly more refined, a more well polished product of their hard work at the end, maybe at the end of the 80's?
Kraftwerk will forever be in my heart. I appreciate enormously them opening my eyes to a world and reality so much larger than it was when I was young, a child. Music can be anything and even sound great!
Driving on the autobahn without 'tempo' limits. I love it! 'Autobahn' is one of the best road songs ever. Thanks for this review.
Thanks for the video. Enjoying your channel.
I first heard of Kraftwerk via a few early hip hop records (where they where heavily sampled.)
Amazing "band".
I just ordered the German Versions of the records , keep coming back to this video , please do individual reviews of this collection Michael 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks for this. I agree with your number 1 and 2. I saw them in Waterloo Ontario Canada in 1974 at 20 years old, with a mind-blowing performance the likes I have not seen before or since. I knew then when I walked out of the building that it was a very ''important'' event and that Kraftwerk would have a big hand in influencing the way music went. I positively loved the 80's alternative new wave type music that followed, thanks again, Kraftwerk for that!
Great video....loved it....you have a new follower! Joyeux Noël from France!
Thx and welcome to the Channel Frederic
For electronic music, they are extremely musical sounding.
Always thought they were great
David Bowie recorded in Düsseldorf, simply for his love Kraftwerk
When I began tuning into your channel, I mentioned you reminded me of a Kraftwerk member.
I just got the vibe, but I realize it is your accent which obviously originates from the Düsseldorf region.
Thanks for the great reviews Michael
Keep them coming
Florian Schneider has passed, not Ralf
Radio Aktivitat is my favorite too
V2Schneider was Bowie's tribute track to Kraftwerk and Florian. Great track too.
Well, as for reasons why David Bowie was in Germany at the time, you can read a lot about it in the Tangerine Dream biography "Force Majeure". Almost two chapters are devoted to the period when David Bowie was there and why, how they met and the nature of their association. One of the reasons is that he was at a musical dry-spell and needed som new input and influence , and that he was trying to avoid his wife he was separated from at the time, how he hid in the appartment of Edgar Froese and so forth. In David's entourage was of course Iggy Pop (almost stoned all of the time), and the history goes that Edgar Froese made their studio available for David Bowie, and even helped him with some musical bits for Heroes.
When I was 12 around the mid 90's HMV opened on the Isle of Wight, this coincided with the very first album I ever bought. This was Radio-Aktivitat, a C.D with the original cover. I grew up with my Dad playing his old disco tracks one of the was the 1982 12inch of The Model/Computer Love. Apart from that those to tracks I had no idea of any of their music and despite the cover I was immensely to Radio-Aktivitat. I was instantly blown, I decided that I wanted to be an electronic musician and held this album as a bench mark on how I wanted to sound. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere and the sounds of this work even the imperfections of the tape hiss and the crackles of Orchestron is why I hold this with such esteem in my collection. Really is in a special place for me.
When I was 12 in the midseventies I borrowed a cassette-copy of Radioaktivität in a public library, thinking it would be a lecture about atomic energy. That´s how I got to know Kraftwerk.
This episode was pure joy my Dusseldorf friend! I'm just beginning to read David Buckley's Kraftwerk: Publikation: A Biography AND simultaneously discovered Kraftwerk is touring the USA in June 2022. FYI: In the States Computer World was the monster hit album. Numbers and Pocket Calculator were played constantly in the early 80s new wave clubs. I was hoping Autobahn would be #1 but I'll take second place! Keep up the excellent reviews!
As always, really enjoyed ur video, Danke, my good friend
Thank you. I enjoyed this video.
Congratulations on your excellent English.
I’m not sure if it has been mentioned but there are other differences between the German and English versions other than the language. The mixes are also slightly different. Certainly, Computer World is.
Cheers
I own the '75 pressing of Radio - Aktivitat (1C 062-82 087) and I love it. But I also absolutly love The Mix, I really do. Good job with your videos. Keep up the good work! 👍
Always great to see a true fan talking about stuff he loves. Great vid.
Thank you Michael for this recommendation. A truly fantastic group!!! New to me.. Your the best!!
These dudes are serious business,I grew up listening to their music and just like then its still amazing today. They have ah style all of their own,very unique, timeless, universal everyone could feel this music....It was my favorite music to breakdance to. Man, machine album #1 .love you kraftwerk,thank you sir for video..Merry Christmas. .
Keep up the great work with these videos.
Michael you and your channel are my powerhouse/Kraftwerk.
A treat for the senses.
From which I draw my strength.
❤️Heike
I had the original German version of Radio Activity and with the original cover. I loved it, but sadly I no longer have it. What a loss. I also had ‘The Mix’ on cassette which I bought in 1991 when The Robots was re-released.
I’ve loved Kraftwerk and their music for over 40 years and remember first hearing ‘Autobahn’ in ‘75 and wondering what on Earth I was listening to. But I loved it. Sadly, I only just read about Florian dying. Such a shock and so sad.
And I agree with your choice of #1 album followed by TEE.
I know nothing of Kraftwerk. Thank you for the great introduction to them. I really enjoy your channel. Thank you.
Thanks for reminding us about the German lyrics! I had absolutely forgotten my "original" Man Machine from 1978, before I moved to the US, I listened to both the German and English version last night, now I'm looking for the German version of the Trans Europe!
Glad to see your #1 is the same as mine. Some of the others might be changed in position if I made such a list, but RADIOACTIVITY is the best.
I have been a Kraftwerk fan since the 1970s. I have started acquiring these, they are fantastic! Great sound quality and beautiful presentation. Love the booklets
Fairly new subscriber; really enjoying your videos. Excellent stuff.
Great video!! Computer World one of the GREATEST & influential albums of all time!! I also like the Electric Cafe/Techno Pop album!!
Great review! Thanks a lot!👍🏻
I finally got to see Kraftwerk live in 2017. Although I loved the albums I did not really know what to expect in a live setting (apart from CZcams clips). As it turned out it was one of the best "concerts" I have ever been to.
Thank you for this video. You have a great collection of Kraftwerk albums. My personal rankings are different from yours, naturally. I agree with you that German versions have different atmosphere. They are "colder" (if a German piece of machinery could be any colder than Japanese or French piece of machinery :0) - funny). In this case it is a "plus" because we are talking about "robot music", music made by human machines. Kraftwerk are and will always remain amazing in every respect.
Danke , Radioaktivität und Autobahn sind meine Lieblingsscherben und ich werde sie sicher bestellen . Meine Nr. 3 wäre dann Tour de France .Devo ist der beste Beweis dafür , dass die Combo auch in den USA Spuren hinterlassen hat . Kanal abonniert - Gruss aus Bern
hallo Stefan herzlich willkommen
I discovered Kraftwerk the year that Autobahn originally came out, since then I listened and like all their albums, I would have a hard time making a list of the « best to perfect », though I would say that there is a tie between four of them as perfect; Autobahn, Radioactivity, TEE & The Man Machine.
Trans-Europe Express is such a great and influential album.
Thanks for showing these versions and talking about this incredible, influential band. I was introduced to Kraftwerk through The Mix, so I have a special affection for that record. These days my favorite is Trans Europe Express. I realize I've never given a fair listen to Trans Europe Express because I was more into the musical descendants of Kraftwerk at the time it was released. I'm giving it a listen now and am very impressed!
Aa
I know what you mean but I wouldn't use the term worst when referring to Kraftwerk !
I agree with that.
It made you click....
Amazing video and incredible band !! Agree with your top 3
Hello great video.. and great channel
Thanks for info Labour audiophile press
Thank you very much for your videos. You do a fantastic job. Very informative.
I love the jazz videos you have done, as that is my favorite right now.
In the future, will you do a ranking of Eloy's catalog? Are you a fan of progressive rock?
I know Eloy, but i would not be able to do a ranking or something in that direction.
Thank u...wonderful breakdown
I could only get hold of one of there LP's in the uk & it is called 12345678 3-D, its a best of, another great video👍
Trans Europe Express is my favourite. It’s like a soundscape with wonderful melody and you really get the feel of travelling through the German countryside. I love them all but I go back to TEE the most.
I discovered Kraftwerk as an evident influence of Daft Punk. Since, I really like their music, and I am impressed how it seems to age as a good wine. I really like your channel, it is pleasant to hear about music in a very soft, relaxing and tasteful way.
My favorite album of Kraftwerk is Kraftwerk 2 (with the green pilon). :)
I've always found german pressings of the Kraftwerk records in Sweden growing up. And since i studied german in school it was fun listening to the german versions.
OH WOW! This is the exact way, I would rank their albums. But i will put Ralf&Florian somewhere in the middle as well. A very underrated album. Still hoping that Ralf will remember about it. As for Kraftwerk 1 and Kraftwerk 2, they are somewhere at the bottom, so no problem there. But again i am impressed by Mr. Audiophile' ranking
Very nice!!! You should make a video about “NEU!” too, great stuff from dusseldorf!
NEU is another Gem out of Düsseldorf you are right
I found the Electric Café on a street shop in Berlin
totally agree - the german versions are SO much better!
I will stream the albums tomorrow. Always had a liking for the more popular material. Time now for a deep dive.
These are the same booklets that came with the 'The Catalogue' CD box set of a few years ago.
Our concert in Nimes was cancelled due to Covid. 2021 will be a special year.
I grew up inTexas and in 1976, there were two albums EVERYONE was talking about in my grade school; Night At The Opera and Autobahn. Those albums were very popular, in all places, tiny little Alvin, Texas outside of Houston.
THX for sharing this Drimble
Hi, I appreciate the fact that the german versions are the original and most authentic but i`m english so i prefer the english vocals.
I collect all genres of music, everything from classical to techno to rock and in my opinion Kraftwerk are as important to the evolution of music as The Beatles.
In a thousand years time someone somewhere will play a Kraftwerk record and think to themselves this music sounds like it`s from the future.
Cheers from England.
Great video as always, I only have Autoban. I think its a fantastic lp.
Imagine when in 1988, I was 12, looking in my father's "old" vinyls, I found two gems: The Dark Side of the Moon, and Radioaktivitat... They both "changed my life", I listen to them (Pink Floyd and EARLY Kraftwerk) since them relentlessly without being tired, and often "crying" because of such "genius" art, the more I listen to them, the more I realize how their "craft" went far beyond even their own consciousness...
Lucky you :-)
This is my favorite band so I have to make a comment.
My favorite albums of originals:
1 - Trans Europe Express (Europe Endless is my favorite track from Kraftwerk)
2 - Autobahn
3 - Radio Activity
4 - Computer World
5 - The Man Machine
6 - Ralf & Florian
7 - Tour De France Soundtracks
8 - Electric Cafe
9 - Kraftwerk 1
10 - Kraftwerk 2
45rpm.audio,
Thanx so much for ur ranking film. Great!! Is true the word kraftwerk is Deutche for powerplant? If so, the guyz picked best name!
Been fan since mid 70's. Never got see them live; but do love the live audio/ video release, when was that,2014? Got the cd.collection big box in 09'believe- outstanding!! Now,can start collecting und enjoying the new lp.s,yeah. Did u say recommend the German version'Man Machine' ?? Think wud b best. Still have most original vynal records& got some unique cd.collections in 90's. Thanx again- proud my device scrolled up ur channel.Take care, M .
Kraftwerk albums are very good quality you are good man I will continue watching your videos they are very good
Hard to argue with your assessment. Really like all of Radio Aktivitat, but my favourite is Ohm Sweet Ohm
Mine too. To me that song turns from melancoly to joy and happiness.
Well Ralf was intent on that whole ‘musikarbeiter’, the others hated it. And it was Florian who recently died, not Ralf.
damn it i mixed it up thanks for the correction
I was scared when he said ralf hütter died
The first Kraftwerk song I heard was Antenna, in 82 I think. Blew my my mind.
“Electric Cafe” is my 2nd favorite.
hi michael another cool video. thanks for putting this out. in 2:53 you mentioned that you compared your og of computer world to the reissue but you weren't definite in your response on which sounded better. could you kindly elaborate. i'm curious. more power to your channel!
These are really excellent reissues. I prefer german versions, ordered some and they are fantastic. It would be good if you can post similar list for currently available krautrock reissues.
Fully agree, about the German versions. The most "German" band ever, should be listened to in German. Perfection. Thank you for your thoughts. The love you have for Kraftwerk, shows ...and is shared;)
Should be? Well, it"s up to everyone's personal preferences. I've been listening to them in ENG cause I'm used to it since "The Mix" came out and that's how I like it.
@jeshkam Well, I'm very sorry if my careless omisson of the precursor, "in my opinion," led you to believe I was declaring an empirical truth. I might add that a notable exception (in my view) is Europe Endless, where the English rhyme just "sits" better. This is in no way scientifically proven. It's just my personal preference... 🤦🏼♂️
@@jatsajatsa What made you elaborate on this tiny little innocent remark? Why do people get so easily triggered these days?
@@jeshkam No more "triggered", than you were in the first place...and no less innocent.
I bought my first Moog in the 70’s because of Kraftwerk and Tomita.
Vor nur wenigen Tagen habe ich Ihren Kanal hier auf CZcams entdeckt. Ihre Empfehlungen sind durchweg ausgesprochen interessant und mitunter auch sehr informativ. Danke dafür! Das ganze hat nur einen Nachteil: ...dat wird dür! Wie mir scheint liegt Ihr Hauptaugenmerk auf Jazz und elektronischer Musik. Was den zeitgenössischen modernen Jazz angeht, sagt Ihnen da der Name 'Robert Glasper' etwas? Glasper' versteht es meiner Meinung nach ganz vortrefflich Grenzen des Jazz auszuloten und, meist in Richtung Hip/Trip Hop zu überschreiten. Klingt cool, macht Spaß. Viele musikalische Grüße auf die andere Seite des Rheins aus Neuss. 👋🙂🎶
Great list. I too would have 'Radioactivity' at number 1. It has a special place for me because as a young teenager I discovered it for myself. 'Autobahn' was my introduction to Kraftwerk but that album was recommended to me by older lads. But 'Radioactivity' felt like my own personal discovery.
First time I tested my phono preamp, I brought it to a friend along with an Autobahn digital remaster. He had an Fontana 1980 "reissue", so we compared. The difference was big, the analogue one smoked the digital remaster. Much much smoother and more clarity.
My favorite is TEE But kraftwerk is all about mood for which album to play.
Love every KRAFTWERK record. My favorite is probably Autobahn or Man Machine. Seen them many times and I’ll watch this with my KRAFTWERK 3D glasses.
Radio Aktivitat is a giant of an album -- Kraftwerk manage to translate their version of electronic music into a wonderful emotionally album -- I have the original cover version -- it s perfect album IMHO
I found the original cover album in the second hand department of my local record store. Worn sleeve, label on de vinyl album discolored. It love second hand that has been used and looks the part.
@@ErwinBlonk i am with you - we’d all prefer NM first pressings but I have plenty of records that have been well lived in and still play and sound good
1. Computer World
2. Man Machine
3. Trans Europe Express
4. Autobhan
5. Radioactivity
6. Tour De France
7. Electric Cafe
A great review and interesting to hear your personal Kraftwerk top albums .Such a difficult choice but I agree with you that 'The Mix' and 'Techno Pop' are their worst , but they still have a lot to offer in many different ways.I actually prefer German bands eg Kraftwerk and Die Krupps etc to sing in their native language .The English language especially in Electronic and Industrial doesn't quite have that ' precision,menace and certainty ' to it in comparison.Reg Plasma.
Hello from Australia! What a great video, Kraftwerk no doubt are one of the best. In fact, you cannot beat German electronic music. I’m wondering, would you prefer original pressings of Kraftwerk to the modern pressings? Your videos are fantastic, brilliant tone and explanations!