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Genre: A 33⅓ Series #5
Krautrock
Krautrock is not a music genre. Krautrock is a way of life. Its sonic diversity and global reach belie the common culture from where it emerged. This is a band-by-band history.
In May 1945, the Allies defeated Nazi Germany, putting an end to the European front of World War II and the Third Reich. In the immediate aftermath, German youth were tasked to create their own culture. Krautrock is this unlikely success story, as hundreds of bands-including Kraftwerk and Can-seemed to sprout overnight in the early 1970s, forging a unique and experimental sound that was different than American or British rock. The major innovation of krautrock is not only its motorik beat, the steady click-click of Can's Jaki Liebezeit or monolithic stomp-stomp of Neu!'s Klaus Dinger, but also how the musicians relate to each other. In krautrock, no musician is given more focus than any other, and listening to these bands is to witness interplay common in jazz music. Thus, krautrock represents German politics reflected in a dictatorship replaced by democracy.
Krautrock explores the history and methodology of the genre, charting its influences and innovations, its more mainstream acts (like Faust, Kraftwerk, and Can) as well as the less universally known (including Harmonia, Popol Vuh, Embryo, and Ash Ra Tempel), and how the genre developed in post-war Germany and what it means to today's listeners.
In May 1945, the Allies defeated Nazi Germany, putting an end to the European front of World War II and the Third Reich. In the immediate aftermath, German youth were tasked to create their own culture. Krautrock is this unlikely success story, as hundreds of bands-including Kraftwerk and Can-seemed to sprout overnight in the early 1970s, forging a unique and experimental sound that was different than American or British rock. The major innovation of krautrock is not only its motorik beat, the steady click-click of Can's Jaki Liebezeit or monolithic stomp-stomp of Neu!'s Klaus Dinger, but also how the musicians relate to each other. In krautrock, no musician is given more focus than any other, and listening to these bands is to witness interplay common in jazz music. Thus, krautrock represents German politics reflected in a dictatorship replaced by democracy.
Krautrock explores the history and methodology of the genre, charting its influences and innovations, its more mainstream acts (like Faust, Kraftwerk, and Can) as well as the less universally known (including Harmonia, Popol Vuh, Embryo, and Ash Ra Tempel), and how the genre developed in post-war Germany and what it means to today's listeners.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
168 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2023
Another nice entry in this new genre series, even if it held less surprises for me than the death metal one did. Still, I liked the structure and focus of the bands chosen.
December 26, 2023
I've read nearly every book on Krautrock that's been published in English, and I must say that this is a most excellent and deftly written summary of the subject. A welcome addition to my bookshelf. I appreciated the author's no nonsense approach. This would definitely be the book I would hand to anyone who hadn't read any other books on the subject first. The author does a masterful job of condensing the key details, while still managing to add something new to the conversation, not least of which are chapters dedicated to Agitation Free, Guru Guru, and Embryo - all who are severely underated and absolutely deserving of their place among the most significant groups of the "genre." As the author says in the first header of their intro: Krautrock is not a music genre: Krautrock is a way of life. I couldn't agree more.
March 25, 2024
Really appreciate that particular tracks are called out on so many different albums from each artist. Made for some great playlists. Came away with additional love for the bands I already loved, and a new taste for those I was lukewarm on.
March 16, 2024
A lil book that filled me with pure, unadulterated nerd excitement. I also felt like I should have been taking notes, in a good way.
March 24, 2025
The best introduction to the genre for those that can’t find an affordable copy of Krautrocksampler.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews