Kraftwerk: Radioactivity

My first personal experience with Kraftwerk was the 1973 purchase of their third LP “Ralf and Florian.” I bought the album solely on the fact that the back cover had an array of instruments that included numerous electronic devices, alto and bass flutes, and an eight string lap steel guitar. Any band with their members’ names in neon couldn’t be bad either. This was the last Kraftwerk LP with only two members.

While this album is a bit esoteric for this blog and for most ears, I decided to go with something a bit more familiar. While Kraftwerk’s most popular recording was their 1974 release of “Autobahn,” a single edit was not available on YouTube, so I opted to go with their second most recognizable tune – “Radioactivity” from 1975.

While it was only a hit in France, I’m sure that it will be familiar nonetheless. Both “Autobahn” and “Radioactivity” feature the expanded lineup of four members. Karl Bartos and Wolfgang Flür joined founding members Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider-Esleben.