Autobahn-Remastered

The 2009 remaster of this album went pretty well all told. Some fans thought the newly found bass was too much for Computer World, but this one certainly seems like it sounds the best it ever has. I wasn't too concerned about the bass issue above anyway, but no such differences here really. I don't hear too much noise reduction or anything, and the dynamics are great for a record like this. DR13. This is probably the best you will ever hear the record on a format outside of higher resolution. The album never really grates, and it's always experimental and pleasing. Kraftwerk's fourth album, yet major debut for most audiences, from 1974 solidified their synth ambience and funky beats with a chorus on the title track that won over quite a few pop charts at the time. It's a shorter album weighing in at around 40 minutes, but that is a good thing as it doesn't really outstay its welcome. It cohesively conjures up images of cruising on the highways during the day and night, and it's a legitimate must have for road trips. The Minimoog and ARP Odyssey are used along with their own electronic drums. There are occasional instruments on play as well. The four part side 2 is more of a shift toward twilight driving until the very end. All in all it's a must have in their catalogue. This is the sound that made the band and helped innovate so many new directions in music. You need to hear this one at least once.

Either you are into electronic music or not - this is a great album. I like different kinds of music but I have never listened to Kraftwerk, even though I have heard the name, so this is the fist album I bought and listened - amazing, simple and very musical, both relaxing and invigorating. I got the vinyl version - quiet, great dynamic range, no pops or clicks. Will now have to get through their catalog, at least the albums other reviewers referred...

German band -GREAT recording -I had the album in the 70's back in high school -Love the sound effects & stuff, kind of like the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon special effects, but MUCH longer...

One of the things that strikes me about this 1974 release is that at times, it sounds a little bit like early eighties music even though it was released in the mid-1970's. To my ears, this has a lot to do with the synthetic rhythmic element along with the (rarely occurring) mechanical and monochromatic vocal parts (in German). There is also the selection of tone colors too - Kraftwerk seems to favor the colder synth textures instead of the warmer tones of (for example) the mellotron as used by Berlin School electronic composers such as Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze. The compositions on this album include the massive 22'42" Autobahn, along with the 12+ minute Kometenmelodie, and two shorter pieces in the 3-4 minute range. The title track really is pretty good although there is very little of an "outer space" feel to the piece - a property that got me into electronic music in the first place. There are however a few moments on the album where the spaciness of Berlin School electronica turns up (as on Kometenmelodie 1). The effect of this moment is diminished pretty rapidly however, with the bouncy rhythms and bright, cheery melodies of Kometenmelodie 2. Hands down, my favorite track on the album is the short and gloomy Mitternacht. I especially appreciate the experimental approach of this track and it is certainly the most interesting too. Given my complaining about the mechanical textures, the album closes on a surprisingly pastoral note with the track Morgenspaziergang. This track does feature bubbling synth textures but disproportionately more in the way of acoustic textures including piano and woodwinds. All in all, this is a pretty good album of electronic music and is worth adding to the electronic collection.

I somehow missed Kraftwerk the first time around. Now I’m digging into their whole catalog on vinyl and it’s become essential to my listening life. There is something very special about this music. And the quality of the pressing is outstanding.

C

It's an amazing album. It's amazing to think how the did all these amazing effects with equipment at the time. I really love the son Autobahn, it great to drive to. Fun fact: the lyrics for the song actually mean drive on the autobahn not as some may think fun on the autobahn. But I love it either way

Very pleased with this transaction. Fast delivery! Thanks!