Album Cover Analysis #2: Kraftwerk - Autobahn

ALBUM COVER ANALYSIS

#2

KRAFTWERK

Autobahn

Artist: Emil Schult

Album release date: 1974

Welcome to the second installment of Album Cover Analysis. Today's album cover to be highlighted is none other than Kraftwerk's breakthrough album Autobahn. Musically, Autobahn was among one of the first electronic albums, which further explored the electronic ideas featured on Kraftwerk's previous album Ralf & Florian. This was a far-cry from the noisy and drone-oriented Krautrock of their first two albums.

The incredible nearly 23-minute long title track is certainly the main event on the album, and despite the length does not overwhelm the listener. It's a pretty repetitive chill electronic track that really brings the mood of a casual drive down the road. The cover art really reflects the images imagined from listening to the title track. The song is just like a relaxing drive in the hills on a sunny day. Not only does the subject matter work here, but the style as well. The painting featured on the cover is reminiscent of scenic artwork that you'd see in an old magazine from the 1950's or an artist such as Norman Rockwell.

I'll talk more about the music once I get to reviewing the album, but this cover art works very well. While Iron Maiden's Powerslave album cover is epic and grandiose, by contrast Kraftwerk's Autobahn is much more humble. That's just how this album feels, humble. This album is just like a casual drive through the day and night, and I think that's what the band was going for.

Stay tuned for the next album art analysis!