大象传媒

Released on 1 November 1974, Autobahn was the album that marked the moment when Kraftwerk fully embraced electronic pop music and honed the futuristic, mechanized aesthetic that would become famous. The record was an international success in spite of some decidedly mixed early reviews; and its influence has been felt across a wide variety of genres in the half century since.

Herself a visitor of the band鈥檚 iconic Kling Klang studios in D眉sseldorf, Elizabeth Alker considers Kraftwerk鈥檚 classical roots, placing the album in the context of Twentieth-Century German Classical Music (the musicians themselves have cited the expressionism of Sch枚nberg and Stockhausen鈥檚 experiments with sound as key influences.) And, as can be heard in the iconic title track, which unfolds over twenty minutes, the band were borrowing from traditions of structuring music that harken back to older, classical forms, too (in the bringing back and development of themes). Elizabeth also plays contemporary tracks that share a musical kinship with Autobahn, and owe it too, perhaps, a debt of gratitude.

Produced by Geoff Bird
A Reduced Listening production for 大象传媒 Radio 3