Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk

Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Experimental
Year:
1973

Tracklist

Ruckzuck 7:47
Stratovarius 12:10
Megaherz 9:30
Vom Himmel Hoch 10:12
Klingklang 17:36
Atem 2:57
Strom 3:52
Spule 4 5:20
Wellenlänge 9:40
Harmonika 3:17

Versions

Title, FormatLabelCat#CountryYear
Kraftwerk (2xLP, Album, Spi) Vertigo, Vertigo, Vertigo 6641 077, 6499 268, 6499 269 UK 1973
Kraftwerk 1 / Kraftwerk 2 (CD, Comp) Dog Entertainment dog 10014 Portugal 1996
Kraftwerk 1 / Kraftwerk 2 (CD) Andromeda (2) CD - 064 Poland 1999
Kraftwerk (LP, Album, Red + LP, Album, Gre + , Unofficial) Not On Label (Kraftwerk) 6641 077 UK 2005
Kraftwerk (2xLP, Album, RP, Spa) Vertigo, Vertigo, Vertigo 6641 077, 6499 268, 6499 269 UK  
▸ show all 2 reviews

Reviews & Discussion

Rated 4/5
Review by marcelrecords Sep 07, 2007

referencing Kraftwerk, 2xLP, Album, Spi, 6641 077, 6499 268, 6499 269

Strange case of an original reissue, as this is a package of the two first Kraftwerk albums, already released in Germany before as Kraftwerk 1 and Kraftwerk 2. Although Kraftwerk is most remembered for its synthesizer spaghetti, these albums prove that there is more to them than you may have realized. The first album indeed incorporates avalanches of electronics, but hardly any synths. Flute and organ rule. Embryonic forms of later developments are found, like short-ridden rhythms, a narrow harmonic horizon and mechanically affected repetitions. But at times the music veers towards sonic landscapes, industrial sounds inclusive. Where a drummer is heard, both Can and Faust come to mind., but mostly there are alternatively serene and unsettling carpets of sound. This must have sounded completely non-commercial in 1972. By ditching the drums, the second album is only rock by far-fetched association and there is in fact nothing left to connect this music to any anglo-american styling. Some Asian influences can be determined on ''Klingklang''. Much more extreme is ''Atem'', that consists of almost three minutes worth of a breathing human being, slightly electronically altered. A far cry from anything that ressembles the blues! ''Strom'' is a lesson in complete immobility. These courageous attempts make Kraftwerk worth remembering, much more so than their robotics of later date.
Review by DJWerkz Jan 18, 2005 (edited over 4 years ago)

referencing Kraftwerk, 2xLP, Album, Spi, 6641 077, 6499 268, 6499 269

Following on from DJ343's comment, the release 'Doppelalbum' is an entirely different Vertigo compilation of Kraftwerk's earlier material. It should not be confused with this release which was basically Kraftwerk's first two German albums (Kraftwerk 1 and 2), released for the UK market in a gatefold sleeve.
Two different labels are in circulation for this release, one is the standard Vertigo symbol as used on all their 70's releases, the other is the rarer white label with black spirals which become very hypnotic if watched while record is spinning on turntable!
history / edit

Master Release

Shortcut Code: [m30240]
Data Quality Rating: Correct

Ratings

4.2 / 5 (30 votes)

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