TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS [AKA: TRANS-EUROPA EXPRESS]

After two visionary but hard to enjoy albums, Kraftwerk finally hit their stride with Trans-Europe Express. We can forgive them it took so long. After all, they are one of the very rare artists in rock history that have crafted something entirely new and truly original without next to nothing as example. TEE came after a two year break which they must have used to come to grips with equipment that was more suitable to execute their vision. Add 7 accomplished songs to that and magic happens.

Kraftwerk has a cold and distant sound, but if you claim there is no emotion in this music then you haven't heard The Hall Of Mirrors or Showroom Dummies. Even silly lyrics included those are bleak and gripping songs with an irresistible mix of subtle playfulness and understated melancholy.

Europe Endless and Trans-Europe Express are the more techno-oriented tracks. The beats are still rather tame but the blue-print for techno is there: sound effects and short catchy melodies on an entrancing beat. That's all it takes. And if the preceding music wasn't ground-breaking enough yet, with Metal on Metal they even dip their feet into a style that would lead to EBM and industrial music in the 80's and 90's.

With a little moog sequence and mellotron, Franz Schubert does a little nod to the kraut sound of previous albums. It's a nice way to end this astonishing album.

I intended to give only their Minimum Maximum 5 stars but while hearing this for the review I find it hard to resist. After all, it's their most revolutionary and accomplished album. By the way, I also like the original album art a lot. Those short and cute haircuts, the distant posture. Yes, the 80's were just around the corner!