Kraftwerk should make more albums. Ralf isn't very nice and has no friends. Really, who cares? Along with Music Non-Stop ending their shows and Ohm Sweet Ohm among other examples of the group's famously humourless humour, maybe you're missing the joke: Kraftwerk long described themselves as 'musik arbeiter', but their output is miniscule? Makes me smile anyway.
There are of course many ways to enjoy the incredible diversity and range of musical creativity we're so privileged to be able to enjoy, however problematic it's also become via streaming's impoverishment of artists. My own experience is exemplified by the two artists I've listened longest to over my life: Miles Davis and Kraftwerk. For the former, it looks like I've over eight days worth of music digitally and I've long lost count of the box sets, CDs, records and bootlegs I own and love. For the latter there are just those eight albums and I listen to them (and the live versions) over and over and never tire of them. Miles? Maximum. Kraftwerk? Minimum. I honestly am happy that there is no more new music from Kraftwerk. I love the delightful closure of the final album, Tour de France, in its exploration and expression of man and machine. Isn't it part of the practise of great art, knowing when to stop?
Yes, of course it's easy to view it as failure, a loss of inspiration, a legacy activity. Or, how about that it's radical, that less really is more? Maybe, just maybe, it functions as critique. Of course, such a suggestion emphasises how partisan I am, but given the pleasure and, yes, joy they've given me, my partners and children since my dad brought home Autobahn in 1974, I'm happy to be :-)
"Imagine if Kraftwerk decided to lay off the endless audio upgrades and knocked out an album in a month for a laugh". Again, who cares? This just sounds like more and remarkably unrealistic carping. I'm sure Wolfgang is a lovely man, but surely it's better to talk about your own work than continue to complain about former colleagues, especially after so many years and already with an autobiography making the same points.
Anyway, apart from the above, I've just heard listened to your interview with Shabaka which was really interesting and informative. Thank you. I'm looking forward to hearing more episodes.
Kraftwerk should make more albums. Ralf isn't very nice and has no friends. Really, who cares? Along with Music Non-Stop ending their shows and Ohm Sweet Ohm among other examples of the group's famously humourless humour, maybe you're missing the joke: Kraftwerk long described themselves as 'musik arbeiter', but their output is miniscule? Makes me smile anyway.
There are of course many ways to enjoy the incredible diversity and range of musical creativity we're so privileged to be able to enjoy, however problematic it's also become via streaming's impoverishment of artists. My own experience is exemplified by the two artists I've listened longest to over my life: Miles Davis and Kraftwerk. For the former, it looks like I've over eight days worth of music digitally and I've long lost count of the box sets, CDs, records and bootlegs I own and love. For the latter there are just those eight albums and I listen to them (and the live versions) over and over and never tire of them. Miles? Maximum. Kraftwerk? Minimum. I honestly am happy that there is no more new music from Kraftwerk. I love the delightful closure of the final album, Tour de France, in its exploration and expression of man and machine. Isn't it part of the practise of great art, knowing when to stop?
Yes, of course it's easy to view it as failure, a loss of inspiration, a legacy activity. Or, how about that it's radical, that less really is more? Maybe, just maybe, it functions as critique. Of course, such a suggestion emphasises how partisan I am, but given the pleasure and, yes, joy they've given me, my partners and children since my dad brought home Autobahn in 1974, I'm happy to be :-)
"Imagine if Kraftwerk decided to lay off the endless audio upgrades and knocked out an album in a month for a laugh". Again, who cares? This just sounds like more and remarkably unrealistic carping. I'm sure Wolfgang is a lovely man, but surely it's better to talk about your own work than continue to complain about former colleagues, especially after so many years and already with an autobiography making the same points.
Anyway, apart from the above, I've just heard listened to your interview with Shabaka which was really interesting and informative. Thank you. I'm looking forward to hearing more episodes.
Awesome edition, thanks Ben