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I have only given them a go after watching the excellent BBC4 documentary on Krautrock. I would really like to hear the very first material that they have done so much to distance themselves from.

http://duesseldorfhbf.blogspot.co.uk/2007/07/kraftwerk-1971-live-at-radio-bremen.html
or stream it here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWSw479WUiE

then Trans Europe Express
then Radioactivity
then Computer World
then Autobahn
then Tour De France
then Ralf and Florian
then 1 and 2 (the traffic cone albums)

establishes a singular mood then runs with it perfectly

Not generally liked but good place to start.
Obviously tee is best

and my dog agrees ... as you can see about 1'26" into this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MQmsHPwLvU

But from all their releases I like Minimum-Maximum the most. It's kind of live greatest hits on 2 CDs.

Didn't enjoy it at all. Sounds kinda dated. Kinda thin. And The Model is a fairly nice song but not a good Kraftwerk song.

Probably it will change your mind a bit.

with that hypnotic end that goes on and on, puts me into a lovely trance everytime

Just found it all a bit twinkly and glitzy and generic.
Their only album that never really grabbed me...

TEE
Autobahn

Trans-Europe Express
Computer World
The Mix ("I'd have to say, the best of Kraftwerk")
Radioactivity
The Man Machine
Electric Cafe

But usually when I want a KW fix, I just stick on the Minimum-Maximum live album.

Trans Europe Express close behind

The Man Machine > Computer World > Radioactivity > Trans Europe Express > Autobahn

TEE > Autobahn > Man Machine > Radioactivity > TDF > Computer World > Electric cafe