LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Gatefold sleeve!!

Kraftwerk 2 is the group’s second album, originally released in 1972, and it captures Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in one of their most experimental early phases. The familiar, precise electronic pop language of later Kraftwerk is not yet fully formed here; instead, the record moves through long instrumental structures, primitive rhythm-machine patterns, flute, guitar, organ, bass and treated sound.

The opening piece, Klingklang, is especially important, not only because of its length and hypnotic structure, but also because the name would later be used for Kraftwerk’s own studio. The second side is more fragmented and abstract, with Strom, Spule 4, Wellenlänge and Harmonika showing the duo still connected to Krautrock experimentation while already moving toward a more mechanical, electronic future.

1. Klingklang – 17:36
2. Atem – 2:57

1. Strom – 3:52
2. Spule 4 – 5:20
3. Wellenlänge – 9:40
4. Harmonika – 3:17