“Autobahn” was released to an unsuspecting public in November 1974, it is day zero of electro, minimalist, ambient and synth-pop, the very moment which inspired the synthesizer-experimentations of the late-1970s and the new-wave sound which dominated the 1980s.
Not the first ambient-electronic style release, not even by Kraftwerk but it was the first successful one. The album even contained a surprise hit, an edited down version of the title track broke the top-twenty in the U.S and U.K in May 1975, this release marked the arrival of the most influential musical-force since The Beatles.
An album based on the concrete infrastructure of Germany, the Autobahn, Kraftwerk take us on a journey, from entering the automobile to speeding through the landscape to tuning the radio and all the time the monotonous electronic-beats mirror the repetition of the journey.
With treatments of vocoder-sounds and organic voices the only natural comparison to vocals appears here as the remainder of tracks are entirely instrumental, however, do not be mistaken for thinking this is a completely electronic affair as instruments such as flutes, violins and guitar appear throughout mainly contributed by Klaus Röder, where as Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider structured the electronic development of the album.
This album is anything but aged, there is no deterioration in quality or style unlike some of the bands which gained inspiration from “Autobahn” and Kraftwerk as a unit.
From Bowie to Blondie, through to New Order and Siouxsie And The Banshees they all took direction from this point and into the future released by Kraftwerk.
Ralf Hütter – vocals, electronics
Florian Schneider – vocals, electronics
Klaus Röder – violin, guitar
Wolfgang Flür – percussion
Original 1974 Track Listing;
1.Autobahn
2.Kometenmelodie 1 ('Comet Melody 1')
3.Kometenmelodie 2('Comet Melody 2') 4.Mitternacht ('Midnight')
5.Morgenspaziergang ('Morning Walk')
Today it’s Halloween so it’s the perfect day to remind you of Ministry’s release of the single '(Every Day Is) Halloween'. Originally released by Wax Trax! Records as an non-album b-side for the Ministry “comeback” single 'All Day' after they left Arista Records. The remixed version of 'All Day', titled 'All Day Remix', was featured on Ministry's 1986 album Twitch. '(Every Day is) Halloween' did not make it on this album but was included one year later (1987) on Ministry's compilation album Twelve Inch Singles (1981-1984).
In 2010 '(Every Day Is) Halloween' was re-released as an 6-track digital EP by Cleopatra Records. Besides the original version this EP features also four remixes and one cover version.
Ever since it’s first release (Every Day Is) Halloween has been adopted as one of the anthems of the (American) Industrial and Gothic community.
(Every Day Is) Halloween (Lyrics)
Well I live with snakes and lizards
And other things that go bump in the night
'Cause to me everyday is Halloween
I have given up hiding and started to fight
I have started to fight
Well any time, any place, anywhere that I go
All the people seem to stop and stare
They say "why are you dressed like it's Halloween?
You look so absurd, you look so obscene"
Oh, why can't I live a life for me?
Why should I take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
Well I let their teeny minds think
That they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
And I dress this way just to keep them at bay
'Cause Halloween is everyday
It's everyday
Oh, why can't I live a life for me?
Why should I take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
Oh, why can't I live a life for me?
Why should I take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
I'm not the one that's so absurd
Why hide it why fight it?
Hurt feelings best to stop feeling hurt
Denials, reprisals
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
On this day, 48 ago, the Sex Pistols released their one and only official studio album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols’. It was released by Virgin Records on 28 October 1977. The album has influenced many bands and musicians, and the industry in general. In particular, the album's raw energy, and Johnny Rotten's sneering delivery and "half-singing", are often considered as game-changing. It is frequently listed as the most influential punk album, and one of the most important albums of all time.
By the time of its release, the Sex Pistols were controversial, having sworn on live TV, been fired from two record labels, and been banned from playing live in some parts of Britain. The album title added to that controversy, with some people finding the word "bollocks" offensive. Many record stores refused to carry it and some record charts refused to list its title, showing just a blank space instead.
Due in part to its notoriety, and in spite of many sales bans at major retailers, the album debuted at number one on the UK Album Charts. It achieved advance orders of 125,000 copies after a week of its release and went gold only a few weeks later, on 17 November. It remained a best-seller for over a year, spending 60 weeks in the top 25. The album has also been certified platinum by the RIAA. It has seen several reissues, the latest in 2017.
In 2006, it was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest albums ever.
Never Mind The Bollocks - Here Are The Sex Pistols (UK edition 12 track LP)
A1. Holidays in the Sun 3:22
A2. Bodies 3:03
A3. No Feelings 2:53
A4. Liar 2:41
A5. God Save the Queen 3:20
A6. Problems 4:11
B1. Seventeen 2:02
B2. Anarchy in the U.K. 3:32
B3. Submission 4:12
B4. Pretty Vacant 3:18
B5. New York 3:07
B6. E.M.I.
Note: "Submission" was included with most, but not all, copies of the 11-track as a one-sided seven-inch single.
Today it is exactly 37 years since the Belgian Goth-fathers of the EBM (Electronic Body Music) released their fourth studio album Front By Front (PIAS / 28.10.1988). An album that came only one year after Official Version (1987) and with which these gentlemen managed to refine the EBM recipe almost to perfection. Front 242 was clearly on the roll and Front By Front contained, just as its predecessor, a lot of dance floor fillers and also classic tracks, like Until Death (Us Do Part), Circling Overland, Im Rhythmus Bleiben, Welcome to Paradise. And of course maybe one of their most famous and successful singles / songs until this day, Headhunter. Front By Front is therefore considered one of the best Electro / Industrial albums ever made, not only by fans but also by critics around the world. Headhunter's remarkable video, filmed and directed by the well-known Dutch director / home photographer of Depeche Mode, U2 and Joy Division, Anton Corbijn, received heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels of that time. Due to the remarkable presence of eggs in this video clip, the song soon acquired the nickname 'Egg Hunter'. Despite these seemingly successful releases, Front 242’s home label and distribution partner Red Rhino Europe went bankrupt the same year and was taken over by PIAS (Play It again Sam). After the release of Front By Front, it would be a 3 year long wait for the fans until the follow-up album Tyranny> For was released. In 1992, the Front By Front album was remastered and was put in a new jacket for the re-release on the American major label Sony / Epic.
On this day, exactly 36 years ago, Nitzer Ebb released ‘Control I’m Here’ (MUTE71). It was the first single taken from their second and upcoming studio album ‘Belief’ (STUMM 61- release date: 09.01.1989).
It reached position 100 in the UK Single Chart and position 14 the US Dance chart.
Control I’m Here (CD) - Tracklist
Control Im Here (Zero Option Mix)
Control Im Here (Instrumental Club Mix)
K.I.A.
Control Im Here (Hardcore Mix)
Control i'm Here - Lyrics
we close our eyes
close them in your dreams
close them in your home
i'm here to stay
i won't go away
you don't need me i'll slip away
you can there me i'm not to say
you'll hopin that i'll buy you
i'll slip into your open mouth
shut the door
control i'm here
Songwriters: McCarthy / Halford
