Autobahn (Album)
Autobahn is the fourth studio album by the band Kraftwerk from Dusseldorf. It was released in November of the year 1974.
Until today it is best known for the title song, the highly boarding as a highly abbreviated single- version in the American and British charts. The album was with international top - 10 finishes also very successful and is one of the most famous works of the band.
Formation
The album marked the band also the end of Krautrock -oriented start-up phase, already on the follow-up album Radio - activity were exclusively electronic instruments heard. Consequently, the album was its conventional instruments were also the last with guitarist Klaus Roeder, no more space in the sound of the band. Conversely found with Wolfgang Flür a new musician the way into the band, which operated an electronic drum. On the album a whole range of electronic instruments are available, making highway already strong affections for electro or electro shows were known for the power plant later.
The last album was recorded and mixed highway with Conny Plank at his studio in Cologne. All subsequent recordings took place in Dusseldorf in the band's Kling Klang studio.
The original record covers was designed and painted by Emil Schult. It shows the view of a situated in a hilly highway, on the drive a Mercedes sedan and a Volkswagen. In addition, a highway bridge and a sunset can be seen. The image is kept in sober - idealizing style of advertising drawings from the period of the economic miracle. The booklet front of the original music cassette highway shows the indicative of a highway traffic signs (catalog of traffic signs No. 330.1 ) with the words " Kraftwerk - Autobahn".
The back of the album cover shows the original band members on the back seat of a car during CD edition of this image but was replaced by a live photo from the early 80s. In gatefold LP editions on the inside cover and in the booklet of the CD - spending the indicative of a highway traffic sign is (catalog of traffic signs No. 330.1 ) with the words " Kraftwerk - Autobahn" to see.
In 2009 they had one with " Kling Klang Digital Master 2009 " designated remastered edition in slipcase, whose cover shows the highway traffic signs.
Style
Accordingly, also the sound of the band changed to highway easily. Characteristic remained the monotonous repetitive structure of the songs, but outstanding is the title song which took up the entire A- side of the LP. After multiple interpretations of text and music, the monotony is considered sound of the eponymous ride on the highway. Various used sound effects reinforce this impression: Among other things, can be heard in accordance with the Doppler effect rising and falling tones, which are similar to passing cars. Musically highway is quite varied and composed over the entire running time of 22 minutes. In addition, it also offers some variations of tempo and variously interspersed instrumental melodies.
Highway is also the first song by Kraftwerk, in which singing is employed. The lyrics, however, were written in collaboration with Emil Schult, who also painted the cover artwork. Is well recognized for its emerging again and again, chorus -like line " We are driving, fahr'n, fahr'n / on the highway ." More, but only individually inserted text lines describe additional impressions driving ( roadway markings, weather, radio transmission, landscape ) and take in interaction with the laconic and "cold" Chanting significantly to the monotonous impression of the song at.
Opposite the title song occur the other songs of the album clearly in the background. The two comets melodies were in 1973 as a single with the name Kohoutek - published Kometenmelodie. The original naming alludes to the Luboš Kohoutek comet named after C/1973 E1 Kohoutek, which was seen in 1973 and whose appearance brought against media ( " comet of the century " ) and science with great interest. Both pieces are in principle identical and differ only by the pace and various solo missions. Basis of the composition are in different positions put forward arpeggios on a C- major cadence. Midnight and morning walk are shorter and more minimalist sound collages that will capture the mood of each title-giving situations ( eerie darkness at midnight, optimism of the nature at morning walk ).
Title list
Original LP
Side A
Side B
CD Edition
Occupation
- Ralf Hütter - vocals, keyboards and synthesizers
- Florian Schneider- Esleben - vocals, keyboards and synthesizers
- Wolfgang Fluer - Electronic Drums
Instruments
- Minimoog
- Customized Farfisa Rhythm Unit 10
- Vox Percussion King
- Farfisa Professional Piano
- EMS Synthi -A
- Schulte Compact Phasing A
- Mutron Biphase