Day 0396 - The Man-Machine

Kraftwerk "The Man-Machine" (1978)

The Kraftwerk men-bots take their idea of music made by machines a step further, occasionally having robot copies of the band standing in for a song or two during their shows.

This album seems like a continuation and development of the sound of 'Trans-Europe Express' with repetitive minimalist percussion and synth loops with the variety and flavour added by spare lead synth parts and vocals.

Nothing much to say about this that I didn't already say with "Trans-Europe Express" but it was enjoyable.

Day 0370 - Trans-Europe Express

Kraftwerk "Trans-Europe Express" (1977) got it

 
I'm actually reading about Kraftwerk and their ideas (among other things) at the moment in a brilliant book called 'Culture club'.  A few critics initially found it hard to accept their 'robot music' and the move of purposely removing the emotional/human component of their music... an anathema for a lot of pop and rock artists and musicians in general.

They fold in elements of musical loops, musique concrete, and signpost the rise of the role of machines in music (electronica etc).  This vibe was picked up by DJs who sampled the group's robotic sounds.

Great album that manages to its machine-like frame in a modicum of mood and melody.