"Fun Fun Fun..." The fourth studio album from Kraftwerk, and the first one to grant them any sort of commercial success. Released in 1974, Autobahn followed the band's first three instrumental and considerably more experimental pieces, and was the first to feature a single to chart in the US. At this point, Ralf, Florian, Klaus, and Wolfgang hadn't gone full-on robot steez just yet. Instead, they were still rooted in traditional krautrock, as evident on the 22-minute "Autobahn" that captures the feeling of driving in the fastline with motorik rhythms and that catchy vocoded hook (often thought to be sung in a Beach Boys style "Fun, Fun, Fun on the Autobahn," though never intended). The rest of the album delves into ambient and soundscape modes (utilizing non-electronic instruments including violins, flute, piano, and more) that work as great support to the main title track. Deluxe 180 gram import pressing with printed inner sleeve featuring the original cover art, plus full color booklet.

• 180 gram import reissue
• printed inner sleeve features original album art
• full color photo booklet
• part of the 2009 Kraftwerk Digital Master reissue series 
• music label: Philips 1974 / Kling Klang 2009

reviewed by Milk Man 01/2015