Krautrock

Krautrock began in West Germany in the early 1970s, combining the passion of rock, the freedom of jazz and the intellectualism of twentieth century classical music. Inspired largely by the Beatles' experimental moments, German bands formed to create "Kosmische" music. These bands were not unified by a distinctive sound: their output ranged from the synthesized drones of Tangerine Dream, to the hippie collective free-form jams of Amon Duul, to the hypnotic refrains of Can and Faust, and to the angular compositions of Kraftwerk. These diverse approaches came together in the name of rigorous experimentation and a desire to create a new form of pop music.
Most Krautrock bands disappeared after a fleeting but intensely fertile time. Notable exceptions were Kraftwerk, who evolved into one of the most influential dance bands ever, and Tangerine Dream, who drifted towards New Age. Recently, bands like Faust and Can have reformed amidst a resurgence of interest in Krautrock, while many experimental bands -- such as Sonic Youth and Stereolab -- claim direct influence.