KRAFTWERK

I must begin by saying that the music here is very experimental and the genre has never been a personal favourite of mine. Fans of early Tangerine Dream or Can should like this first Kraftwerk release. The most listenable track for me is the opener "Ruckzuck" which is driven by a powerful flute riff, along with electric violin, guitar and organ. The instruments were also manipulated through a converter to add some different effects. There is a dramatic change of tempo and a psychedelic middle section, with an even faster reprise of the opening theme to end the piece.

"Stratovarius" has a scary organ intro. I find the heavy drone sound a litte painful and not at all pleasing to the ear. After around five minutes of screeching, there's a looser succession of mainly guitar and drum based jams. The drumming on the album provides the work with a krautrock edge. (One of the drummers on this record was Klaus Dinger who would soon form Neu!). The third track "Megaherz", has a meditative middle section with a duet between Schneider's flute and H�¼tter's keyboards. This is the softest part of the album and the most beautiful. The piece closes with some wave-like crescendos, ending the tranquility.

The final track "Vom Himmel Hoch" has more disturbing drones and sonic interruptions before a very coarse rock groove emerges that quickens in tempo for an explosive finale. The sounds here are mostly an aquired taste. I much prefer the later Kraftwerk's more minimalistic approach. I do admire the group's technical abilities and the work here is also expressive in many ways, but I'd describe it as uneasy listening. To be honest, I find it too unmelodic and repetitive. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad. There are many listeners that appreciate this stuff more. The album cover was an influence of Andy Warhol and the then contemporary Pop Art movement. In all, there are some interesting moments on this record but it's more for fans of very experimental electronic and early krautrock music. 2 stars.