The music of Kraftwerk is simply
electronic. They are considered to be one of the first full-on electronic bands
and helped to shape a lot of other electronic artists with their pioneering
into musical technology. Their image is contradicting in that they dressed in
suits and had slicked hair. This was in a way, a comedic association with let’s
say The Beatles or other early pop groups that all dressed the same. However
when Kraftwerk did so, it almost made them seem as if they were a “seriously
fun” band. Their music was usually conceptual and focused on things in
Germany’s society.
They
released several albums between the years 1974 and 1981. Their first record Autobahn was their first album to not
just be experimental rock with classic instruments. As they had always been
trying to create or find new technology to make new types of sounds and
instruments, they implemented synthesizers, a vocoder, and their electronic
drums on this album. This was the beginning of their line of conceptual albums
as well. They did financially well from Autobahn
and from then on, did the writing, producing, and recording for their albums
(except for some help from others on later ones). The next album was Radio-Activity – another conceptual
album. It did not do as well as Autobahn
did in the UK and America, but it was successful in Europe. Their next album
was Trans-Europe Express, again being
a conceptual album that focused on the celebration of Europe and how reality
and image differ greatly from one another. This album did much better than
their previous one. Their next album, The
Man-Machine, did well in Europe. In 1981, Computer World was released 3 years after The Man-Machine. The song “Computer Love” was released as a single,
but came with “The Model” from The
Man-Machine as the A-side. This song ended up being the band’s best selling
record in the UK.
Kraftwerk’s
music certainly gives the honor of them being the biggest influence on
electronic music. There really wasn’t much of that around until they started
doing it. David Bowie wanted to incorporate electronic music into his own after
hearing them. I also believe “I Feel Love” by Diana Summer wouldn’t have been
created if it hadn’t been for Kraftwerk. They were the guys that first started
building their own electronic instruments before others did. They were
considered to be way ahead of their time, and that’s why I believe they are the
ultimate influence on electronic music. Another great example of Kraftwerk
still being around, you can find in Coldplay’s song “Talk.” The entire
“Computer Love” riff was “stolen/borrowed/whatever” for “Talk” and I guarantee
not many people know that.
I
believe Kraftwerk is incredible for the time period that they were in. It’s a
shame that most kids who are into the growing popularity of electronic and
dance music, don’t even know who they are. As both a listener and amateur
producer, this band is crucial to listen to and understand where the roots of
dance came from.
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI love your post of Kraftwerk and their innovative contribution to electronic music. The band from Germany were most certainly pioneers of a new style of music that influenced many artist and producers of past and present. Some of the artist that were influenced by the band include Run DMC, Giorgio Moroder and as you mentioned, David Bowie. Kraftwerk's signature sound was what captivated artist and producers who had never heard such a combination of new musical sounds and effects to that matter. You made a statement that acknowledged the band as being before their time which I think is pure genius as it hits that nail right on the head. Outstanding post Katherine.
It's powerful to think about the "trickle-down effect" that artist have on other artists. I think about the influence Kraftwerk has had on major artists, as you have stated, and wonder if some of the work we have done would have taken place without the influence our ancestor musicians have had on us as producers. Great thoughts and thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteLance Chabot