AUTOBAHN

3.5 stars. KRAFTWERK began life as the duo of Hutter and Schneider, they had met in Art school and both had a fondness for improvised avant music. But they started out by calling themselves ORGANISATION and releasing one album before changing their name to KRAFTWERK, but continuing in that experimental Krautrock style of ORGANISATION. In fact the first three KRAFTWERK albums along with that ORGANISATION record are my favourites from them by far. "Autobahn" is where I got off the KRAFTWERK bus.

But for many including the band, this is where they are just getting started. Soon electronics and drum machines will rule their world. Not mine. And that swing in opinions is on full display with the reviews and rating here on this site. That electronic/pop sound that would make them some cash is front and centre on that 22 1/2 minute self-titled opener. Follow the money boys. And they did. Sadly.

"Autobahn" was released late in 1974 and is very much a transitional album as those Krautrock sounds have all but vanished. We still get some organic sounds here which would be completely gone by their next record. And they have expanded to a four piece for the first time here from a duo. My first taste of this album came when my Krautrock loving brother-in-law lent me this cd. My first impressions weren't good, but I only played it a couple of times. My favourite listen of that long title track was my first listen. A novelty I suppose that first time, but then it just sounded lame after that.

I feel pretty much the same about "Kometenmelodie 2" just not my thing by a long shot. My favourite track is easily "Mitternacht" for some actual depth to the sound contrasted with spacey ones. And check out the disturbing violin. Love it! I do like that cover art but I'm just such a big krautrock fan, while Electronic music is much more hit and miss. This one I can take it or leave it so I can't go 4 stars, it doesn't have that value to me. I'll stick with their earlier music.