Trans Europa Express
by Kraftwerk
- Type: Album
- Released: March聽1977
- Label: Kling Klang, EMI Electrola
- Country: Germany
- Length: 42:17
- Community rating: 4.41/5 from 12 ratings
Artists on this release: Ralf H眉tter, Florian Schneider, Wolfgang Fl眉r, Karl Bartos
Album Notes & Community Reviews
On 'Trans Europa Express', Kraftwerk refines its melodic electronic style through minimalist compositions built on sequenced rhythms and manipulated vocals, exploring themes of European identity and the disparity between reality and image. Utilizing custom sequencers to construct intricate, chugging synthesizer lines over mechanical beats, the production is defined by its clean, layered textures and deadpan vocal delivery, most notably on the multi-part title suite. The album's synthesis of crafted pop sensibility and avant-garde electronic techniques cemented its status as a landmark recording that would profoundly influence the development of synth-pop and dance music.
Genres
Descriptors: synthesizers, repetitive, minimal, German language, long-form
Tracklist
- Europa Endlos (9:35)
- Spiegelsaal (7:50)
- Schaufensterpuppen (6:10)
- Trans Europa Express (6:40)
- Metall Auf Metall (2:10)
- Abzug (4:42)
- Franz Schubert (4:25)
- Endlos Endlos (0:45)
Credits
- Ralf H眉tter - voice, synthesizers, vako orchestron, synthanorma-sequenzer, electronics, producer, artistic control, mixing, concept, music, lyrics, Producer, Electronic S Instrument, Synthesizer
- Florian Schneider - voice, vocoder, votrax, synthesizer, electronics, producer, artistic control, mixing, concept, music, Producer, Electronic S Instrument, Synthesizer, Vocoder
- Karl Bartos - electronic percussion, electronic drums, Electronic Drum Set
- Wolfgang Fl眉r - electronic percussion, electronic drums, Electronic Drum Set
- Paul Alessandrini - concept contribution
- Maxime Schmitt - recommendation for french version
- Matten & Wiechers - custom sequencer creation, synthanorma sequencer building
- Maurice Seymour - photography, Photography
- J. Stara - photography, photo-montage, Photography
- Emil Schult - design, collage, photography, artwork, painting, lyrics co-writer
- G眉nther Fr枚hling - music video
- Peter Bollig - engineer (klingklang studio), Engineer, Recording
- Thomas Kuckuck - engineer (r眉ssl studio)
- Bill Halverson - engineer (the record plant), Engineer, Mix
- Ink Studios D眉sseldorf - typography
- Ken Perry - lacquer cut, mastered by
- Gene Thompson - mastered by
- Thomas Kukuck - Engineer, Mix
- Kraftwerk - Performer