KRAFTWERK

Kraftwerk was one of the pioneering groups within the genre of electronic music. We can see area's of influence from them in modern day music. Their early sounds were mostly experimental. The sound of the song autobahn is bass heavy, with lots of modulation. The sounds are unrealistic sounds. Not expected from live instruments. It is apparent that they are electronically created. The use of sweeping pads and punchy melodies over the top are unique for their time. The drums are simple and punchy. More apparent is the simplicity of the lyrical content. It's very easy to see with the song Autobahn that Kraftwerk was inspired by The Beach Boys.
It's cool that the albums were concept albums all the way through the seventies. The first albums from Kraftwerk were more experimental rock albums. They were free-form and didn't have very rigid structures. I think it was during this time that the group was finding their own unique sound. Initially the band used regular instruments (guitar, flute, bass, etc..) and then would distort the sound post production. It was with the album Ralf and florian that the group started focusing more on synthesized sounds and drum machines. Computer world was a tour the group went on. They packed up the entire Kling Klang studios and took it on the road with them.
The album concepts were incredible. From the Fast car's and wild road travel of the Autobahn to the radio communications of Radio Activity. Their concepts were carried out flawlessly and with experimental sounds and catchy melodies. The innovation of instrumentation and effects has influenced such acts as David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Jay-z. Not to mention just about every single song on the radio today.
The albums from Kraftwerk are cool albums. In many instances they lack structure and therefor, although I feel a series of emotions, their to sprawling and unorganized. I have become quite accustomed to the roller coaster ride of emotions a standard song delivers. I am very appreciative of these guys for their contributions to modern music. I like the use of panning to create a sense of location and the effects they use on the sounds are so far from what is achievable with just an instrument that it makes it cool.