Elegance and Decadence
Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 04/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having already created the aural electronic equivalent of driving on one of Europe's most famous roadways, Kraftwerk set about making the soundtrack to riding Europe's best known railroad line. "Trans Europe Express" is the electronic album that launched thousands more; everyone from David Bowie to Afrika Bambaataa to Radiohead has cited this album as an influence. In its 2009 remastered incarnation, "Trans Europe Express" gains in clarity and depth, and reinforces the fact that this 1977 album was decades ahead of its time.
This was the album where Kraftwerk began to manipulate not only their sound, but their look. The non-synthesized instruments from "Autobahn" were removed entirely and the interlocking title track/"Metal On Metal"/"Abzug" playout as a trip along the tracks with the monotonous clickety clack of the drum machines simulating the rolling cars. The deadpan voices chant the title and name drop meeting Iggy and Bowie in Berlin (an episode that really happened). It was the sound of the future, and sounds incredible even now."
Groundbreaking Kraftwerk
Best Ears in Town | Midwest USA | 06/25/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A delight to hear this remastered re-issue of some great ipod music for late night rides with your Eurail Pass."