A nostalgic modernity characterized 1977's Trans-Europe Express, the sixth album by the Düsseldorf band Kraftwerk. For the first time, concept and production were solely in the hands of Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Following the retrospective album Radio-Activity, the band now presented themselves in a decidedly European light, in keeping with the theme. The monotony and evocative beauty of a long train journey served as a musical continuation of Autobahn on the European rail network. With this symphonic poem, the band achieved a groundbreaking synthesis of rock and avant-garde by transforming everyday industrial sounds and traffic noises into repetitive percussive patterns. Metallic, danceable drum rhythms created a European funk sound, while the vocals paid homage to their biggest fan, David Bowie, and their idol, Iggy Pop. With "Schaufensterpuppen" (Mannequins) and "Spiegelsaal" (Hall of Mirrors), they parodied their own image as lifeless, robotic stage performers. These romantic impressions stood in stark contrast to the emerging punk movement. No harm done, as it would soon turn out. Just a year later, bands like Throbbing Grisle and Cabaret Voltaire referenced the TEE sounds in their industrial music. And in 1982, a sample from the Trans-Europe Express theme helped Africa Bambaataa achieve his hit "Planet Rock" and Kraftwerk finally achieve chart success.
