Krautrock Classics: The 10 Most Important Albums on Vinyl (from Can to Kraftwerk)

The most important krautrock albums on vinyl, in our view, are: Can "Tago Mago" and "Ege Bamyasi", Kraftwerk "Autobahn", Amon Düül II "Phallus Dei", Neu! "Neu! '75", Ash Ra Tempel "Schwingungen", Popol Vuh "Affenstunde", Tangerine Dream "Atem", Klaus Schulze "Irrlicht" and La Düsseldorf "La Düsseldorf". Together these ten records cover the full range of the genre: from the driving motorik beat to psychedelic jams and the electronic sound of "kosmische Musik". Almost all of them were made between 1969 and 1976 in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Berlin and Munich. Start with these and you will quickly understand why krautrock still shapes bands from post-punk to techno today.

In this article

• What is krautrock, exactly?
• The 10 most important krautrock albums
• All 10 albums at a glance
• Original or reissue: which pressing is worth it?
• FAQ

What is krautrock, exactly?

Krautrock is an umbrella term for experimental rock music from Germany that emerged from the late 1960s onwards. The name was coined by the British music press, more mocking than affectionate. The bands themselves never used it, and many preferred to talk about "kosmische Musik" (cosmic music).

What connects these groups is less a sound than an attitude: moving away from blues rock in the British and American mould towards something of their own. That could be a hypnotic, straight drum groove, a 20-minute jam or a wash of organ and synthesizer. This variety is exactly what makes getting into krautrock so exciting, and sometimes a little confusing.

Which krautrock albums should you know? Our top 10

1. Can: Tago Mago (1971)

If you only want to know one krautrock album, make it this one. Can came from Cologne, and "Tago Mago" is their double album with singer Damo Suzuki, recorded at Schloss Nörvenich, less than an hour from us in Bonn. The centrepiece is "Halleluhwah": almost 19 minutes, carried by Jaki Liebezeit's incredibly precise drumming. Sides 3 and 4 then get truly wild and experimental.

For: anyone who wants groove and experiment on one record.

2. Can: Ege Bamyasi (1972)

The more accessible sibling of "Tago Mago" and our personal favourite. Recorded in a converted cinema in Weilerswist, "Ege Bamyasi" sounds dry, funky and surprisingly modern. "Spoon" became a hit as the theme tune of the German TV thriller "Das Messer", and "Vitamin C" is still a DJ favourite today. Just listen to the drums: Liebezeit plays like a machine, only with more feeling. By the way, the album title is Turkish for okra, hence the tin can on the cover.

For: newcomers arriving at krautrock via funk and hip-hop. Currently available from us as a French original pressing and as the 7" single "Vitamin C".

3. Kraftwerk: Autobahn (1974)

"Autobahn" made Kraftwerk from Düsseldorf famous internationally. The title track runs for around 22 minutes, filling the entire A-side, and sounds like a drive down an empty motorway: steady, hypnotic, with synthesizer instead of guitar. It is the album on which Kraftwerk move from krautrock to the electronic pop music that later made them world-famous.

For: anyone who likes electronic music and wants to know where it comes from.

4. Amon Düül II: Phallus Dei (1969)

The debut of this Munich band, which grew out of a commune, is one of the earliest krautrock albums of all. Psychedelia still dominates here: heavy guitars, violin, incantatory vocals and a title track of around 20 minutes on side B. Raw, wild and an important document of its time.

For: fans of psychedelic rock and long jams. Available from us as a German reissue from 1980.

5. Neu!: Neu! '75 (1975)

Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger, both briefly members of Kraftwerk, founded Neu! in Düsseldorf and more or less invented the motorik beat: a stoically straight rhythm that feels like it could run forever. On their third album, produced by Conny Plank, they split the record into two worlds. Side A is calm and floating ("Seeland", "Isi"), side B loud and almost punk ("Hero"). David Bowie was a declared fan, too.

For: anyone looking for the typical "krautrock beat".

6. Ash Ra Tempel: Schwingungen (1972)

This Berlin band around guitarist Manuel Göttsching represents the cosmic side of krautrock. On "Schwingungen", bluesy vocals meet sprawling, shimmering walls of guitar. It came out on the Berlin label Ohr, which many collectors today regard as one of the most exciting German labels of the 70s.

For: fans of space rock and early Pink Floyd. Available from us as a German original.

7. Popol Vuh: Affenstunde (1970)

Florian Fricke from Munich was one of the first people in Germany to own a Moog synthesizer, and "Affenstunde" is the result: dark, meditative soundscapes with percussion, far removed from any rock music. Popol Vuh later wrote the soundtracks for Werner Herzog's films. An affordable way into that phase: "Herz aus Glas".

For: ambient listeners and anyone looking for music to get lost in. We have the original as a German original from 1970.

8. Tangerine Dream: Atem (1973)

Before Tangerine Dream became famous for sequencer electronics, they sounded like this: dark and floating, with organ, Mellotron and early synthesizers. "Atem" was the Berlin band's last album on the Ohr label. British radio DJ John Peel named it one of his favourite albums of 1973, which made the band known in England.

For: anyone who wants to discover the electronic, "cosmic" side of krautrock.

9. Klaus Schulze: Irrlicht (1972)

Klaus Schulze had previously played drums for Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel. For his solo debut he turned to the organ and manipulated recordings of an orchestra, without any synthesizer at all. The result is a slowly pulsing sonic universe that feels like a forerunner of ambient and drone.

For: patient listeners who like to lose themselves in a record. Available from us as a German original.

10. La Düsseldorf: La Düsseldorf (1976)

After Neu! split, Klaus Dinger founded La Düsseldorf with his brother Thomas and Hans Lampe. The debut pushes the motorik beat further towards pop: euphoric and anthemic, with stadium chants and synthesizers. A perfect end to the list, and as a reissue a real bargain for newcomers.

For: anyone who likes Neu! and wants something a little more melodic. Available from us as a German reissue.

Also great, just not in the top 10: Faust, Cluster, Harmonia, Guru Guru (currently in stock, e.g. "Mani und seine Freunde"), Embryo with "Steig' Aus" and, our insider tip for drum fans, the album "Niagara" by the percussion band of the same name from 1971.

All 10 krautrock albums at a glance

Album	Year	City	Sound
Can: Tago Mago	1971	Cologne	Groove, jam, experiment
Can: Ege Bamyasi	1972	Cologne	Funky, dry, accessible
Kraftwerk: Autobahn	1974	Düsseldorf	Electronic, hypnotic
Amon Düül II: Phallus Dei	1969	Munich	Psychedelic, raw
Neu!: Neu! '75	1975	Düsseldorf	Motorik, floating to loud
Ash Ra Tempel: Schwingungen	1972	Berlin	Space rock, guitar textures
Popol Vuh: Affenstunde	1970	Munich	Moog, meditative
Tangerine Dream: Atem	1973	Berlin	Cosmic, dark
Klaus Schulze: Irrlicht	1972	Berlin	Organ, drone
La Düsseldorf: La Düsseldorf	1976	Düsseldorf	Motorik pop, anthemic

Original or reissue: which krautrock pressing is worth it?

With krautrock, the price gap between an original and a later pressing is often huge. You can still get an early German pressing of Kraftwerk "Autobahn" for under 50 euros, while originals by Can, Popol Vuh or Ash Ra Tempel quickly reach three figures. Our rule of thumb:

• For listening: a reissue from the 70s or 80s usually sounds very good and costs a fraction of the price.
• For collecting: check the label, matrix number and sleeve details. In our listings, "DE Original" means the German pressing from the time of the first release, and "DE Reissue" a later German reissue.
• Condition over rarity: a reissue in top condition is often more enjoyable than a worn-out original.

We explain how to spot sought-after pressings in detail in Krautrock Rarities: How to Spot Sought-After Original Pressings, and more generally in First Pressing or Reissue? How to Tell the Difference.

Frequently asked questions about krautrock on vinyl

What is the best krautrock album to start with?

For most people, Can "Ege Bamyasi" is the easiest way in, because it is funky and relatively compact. If you listen to more electronic music, start with Kraftwerk "Autobahn".

Why is it called krautrock?

The term came from the British music press in the early 70s and was originally meant mockingly. The German bands mostly rejected it, but today it is the common name for the genre.

What is the motorik beat?

A straight, steadily running drum rhythm that feels like an engine. It is best known from Neu! and La Düsseldorf, while Can and Kraftwerk use similar grooves.

How much do krautrock original pressings cost?

Prices range from under 20 euros for well-known titles from the late 70s to several hundred euros for early originals by Can, Popol Vuh or small bands with limited runs. What matters is the pressing, the label and the condition.

Is Kraftwerk krautrock?

The early albums up to and including "Autobahn" are usually counted as krautrock. After that, Kraftwerk developed their own electronic pop, which is often considered separately.