Kraftwerk
Computer World
Kraftwerk were an early electronic band. They practically created synthpop in the 1970s. Their lyrics and artificial sounds explored the themes of science and technology, usually with an optimistic view.
For most people, lyrics make music much more accessible, so Kraftwerk's songs introduced a lot more people to electronic music than the largely instrumental works of artists like Wendy Carlos, Tangerine Dream, and Jean-Michel Jarre.
Back then, Kraftwerk sounded futuristic. They influenced many other musicians, who in turn further evolved the state of the art. In retrospect, their earlier work now sounds comparatively primitive and naïve. Predating digital sequencers, they often played their instruments by hand, and recorded onto tapes that have since lost some of their fidelity in places. This arguably adds to their texture and charm, giving their music a sense of retro-futuristic nostalgia.
Equipment list
Circa Autobahn
- ARP Odyssey[1][2]
- Moog Minimoog[1][2]
Additions circa Radio-Activity
Additions circa Computer World
- Korg PS-3100[2]
- Moog Polymoog[6]
- Sequential Circuits Prophet-5[6][2]
- TI Language Translator[7][8][9][10][2]
- TI Speak & Spell[11]
Additions circa Electric Café
- E-mu Emulator[6]
- NED Synclavier[12][6] ("I told him not to buy it!")
- Sony PCM-F1[2]
Selected discography
- Autobahn, 1974
- Radio-Activity, 1975
- Trans-Europe Express, 1977
- The Man-Machine, 1978
- Computer World, 1981
- Electric Café, 1986
References
- "[Unknown]" 1975
- The Sound of the Machine: My Life in Kraftwerk and Beyond Karl Bartos, 2023, ISBN 978-1-915841-19-3, pp. 114, 126, 137, 148—150, 164, 166—170, 309, 337, 434
- "Radioactivity" Kraftwerk, Radio‐Activity, 1975
- "Uranium" Kraftwerk, Radio‐Activity, 1975
- "Trans-Europe Express" Kraftwerk, Trans-Europe Express, 1977
- "Karl Bartos: Elektric Music & Kraftwerk" Jonathan Miller, Sound On Sound, Mar 1998
- "Business. Numbers. Money. People. Time. Travel. Communication. Entertainment." "Computer World" Kraftwerk, Computer World, 1981
- "Pocket Calculator" Kraftwerk, Computer World, 1981
Note: Pocket Calculator uses the Language Translator's beeps and its distinctive boing. - "One, two. Un, deux, trois. Uno, dos, cuatro." "Numbers" Kraftwerk, Computer World, 1981
- "One, two." "Computer World 2" Kraftwerk, Computer World, 1981
- "Home Computer" Kraftwerk, Computer World, 1981
Note: Home Computer's intro uses the Speak & Spell's bootup sound. - "Electricity" Phil Ward, Music Technology, Nov 1993, pp. 18—19
External links
Interviews
- "Kraftwerk Revealed" Mike Beecher, Electronics & Music Maker, Sep 1981, pp. 62—67
- "Arts & Krafts" Phil Ward, Music Technology, Dec 1992, pp. 40—44
Artists: Aphex Twin | Autechre | Derrick May | Fatboy Slim | Juan Atkins | Kevin Saunderson | Kraftwerk | LFO (artist) | Man Machine | Moby | Nine Inch Nails | Orbital | Richie Hawtin | The Future Sound of London | The Prodigy | Underworld | Vladimir Ussachevsky | Wendy Carlos | William Orbit | Zoë Blade
