Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk is a very unique group. This is not only for the music that they have done, but the kind of image they portrayed. There was a minimalist concept always being put forth from the group. Their music used a lot of loops and layering of sounds, gradually, to build the song. Kraftwerk often used very simple lyrics as well, this can be for many reasons, but less means that it’s easier to remember making it easier to sing. The group always seems to be dressed up and looking quite sharp. Their hair never seems to be out of place and when they perform they literally just stand in one place and play. Some could argue that this makes for a very boring show, regardless of what else they could have going on, on stage. However, the group then depends on their music to put on a good show, and is that not how music got started? If it wasn’t for the actually music, why would a person go to a show in the first place? One of the most recognizable albums from Kraftwerk would have to be Autobahn. This was the group’s first concept album. The album featured one song with vocals and the rest of them were purely instrumental.  Also, this album was not entirely electronic. The use of real flutes, guitar, and even violins were also used during the recording. Another of the albums, Computer World, is known as a classic for the group. This was a very unique album, not only for Kraftwerk, but also as an album itself. It was released in multiple languages, as well as having multiple songs in multiple languages. It was also a very political and powerful album for the band. Kraftwerk, as a listener, leaves me wanting more out of them, not as a good thing. I feel that they are too minimalistic. There is too little going on to make it sound like there is truly a lot of musicianship going on. However, as a professional, I find the group to have pioneered and used some crazy types of equipment and MIDI gadgets and have really made some phenomenal songs with them.