When does Kraftwerk become its own coverband entirely?

With Florian Schneider gone and Ralf Hütter left alongside with those other 2 guys whose names i can’t remember i wonder (and yes, it’s harsh): but how much lower can you actually go as a band?

Looking back, i think that the day when Karl Bartos left Kraftwerk, was the day they literary died. Why? Well, i actually perceive Bartos’ album “Communication” as the one i expected to be released by Kraftwerk. Instead they came up with “Tour de France Soundtracks” (which i still like a lot) but it actually lacked much of the musicality and sillyness from their earlier works.

Let’s face it, Karl left in 1991 – 18 years in which the band as such made a glance by covering themselves. Besides gathering shitloads of money with the “Expo 2000″ release, the album and probably being the most expensive electronic music act ever. Okay, why not? I mean, everybody has to make a living from something. Then again, how little self-respect towards the image you created as band over decades do you have to have to come along this far?

Where to go from here? At which actual point does a band become its own caricature? I can’t say – but the point at which it becomes absolutely ridiculous is quite near. Imho. What about pulling the plug and let it rest in peace already?

Or do i miss something important?