Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk

I guess, if I ever heard this album at the same time when devouring 'The Man-Machine', 'Computer-World' and 'Electric Cafe' (which remain the crucial introduction points to me), it would have been a disappointment just the same.

'Kraftwerk', despite the group exploring the technological side even then, is a rudimentary study - a bizarre prototype blending soothing ambient with abrasive sound.

The focal duo of Schneider and Hutter along with their first line-up of fellow musicians here, are just starting to make their 'all electronic' point, in both - sound and vision. The plastic cone is an interesting choice to make that point, but now as we know it - it took two more albums to define the research, before the world would recognise the group's unusual, disciplined concept.

Today, 'Kraftwerk' is still amazingly relevant (if not vague), bordering all that Industrial harshness ('Vom Himmel Hoch' and 'Megaherz' are masterpiece examples of this) and delivering emotional depth kickstarting Kraftwerk's obsession to reconcile man, nature and technology.

This firts Kraftwerk Album reflects the early roots of the later Electronic-Avantgarde Group, coming from the psycadelic-rock and Kraut Rock. "Ruckzuck" is not only for Kraftwerk Fans a special Track, but is also said to have been one of the favorite Songs of the Group themselves. It is dominated by a flute-riff played by Florian Schneider, and "Ruckzuck" remained for a long time the opener of the early Kraftwerk Konzerts.

If music is just organized sound this LP will never qualify as music, Ruckzuck is the only composition with any sort of structure I understand use to be an early concert favorite, if the photo used for the inner sleeve isn't enough proof of Kraftwerks fascination with technology then Vom Himmel Hoch should and will put an end to any remaining doubt. This is the first on record the group begins to experiment with artificiality recreating mechanical sounds this like Klingklang (from the second LP) which focuses and explores on the possibilities of program electric percussion, will eventually become Autobahn however the results here are nothing but primitive and crude examples of Kraftwerks early developmental period, it's a fascinating listening experience, however It should be noted Computerwelt fans should use extreme caution if you don't enjoy other German experimental prog_rock groups like Can or Nue! this won't be for you.

"Rukzuck" is my favourite track by Kraftwerk , a heavy rocking tune with excellent flute sounds , manipulated by moog-synthesizers - "Vom Himmel Hoch" sounds like a war night with heavy bomb attacks . very strange , people used to joke about this record . "no music on it only weird sounds".. . only 'Ruckzuck' is in any way a musical composition .