I can thank Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo for sparking my interest in house and electronic music. If you don’t know these two names by heart, I can forgive you though. They are better known as the house music duo Daft Punk hailing from Paris, France. When I first heard their hit singles Da Funk and Around the World from their debut album Homework, I was mystified and intrigued by their unusual sound. I had been raised on classic rock from the 60s and 70s through my parents and 90s alternative rock, jam bands and hip-hop from my older brothers. At the time I had no idea what house music was or that they used drum machines and synthesizers to produce the great sounds I was hearing. But I knew I had discovered something unique and great.
As I look back now, I realize that Homework was a very basic album in that it stuck to traditional roots of the French House genre that incorporated acid and funk influences and in this sense the tracks were not as radical as later releases from the duo. But man do I love this album; on long car trips or chillin’ at home I would put this album on and listen through at least a few times. I loved putting my headphones in and jamming out to Daftendirekt, Revolution 909, Phoenix, Fresh, Rollin’ & Scratchin’, Teachers… Need I go on? Daft Punk put me in my own world and I loved every minute of it.
So when I first downloaded the Discovery album I was amazed at the change in direction of the duo and their diversity; with the style of the album shifting to disco and synthpop. This album contains a lot of the big singles that Daft Punk is known for, One More Time, Aerodynamic, Digital Love and Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. I can listen through Discovery straight through just like Homework. And I love High Life, Something About Us, Voyager, Veridis Quo and Face to Face; these songs are not always mentioned when talking about Daft Punk, but I think they probably should. When I first learned that every song from the Discovery album had an animated music video that fit together for a full length film I did not know what to expect. (Check all the videos links) I am not an anime guy, but I must say this merged creation of music and video is incredible.
In 2005, Daft Punk released their third and most recent studio album Human After All. For me the album is not as good as their first two productions. Probably because I despise Technologic and the unbelievable airplay it got and how it has been featured in so much television and film. But I really love Robot Rock, Steam Machine, The Brainwasher and Television Rules the Nation. And in their second live album, Alive 2007, a lot of these tracks are blended perfectly together to make some epic tunes.
Basically, I am gay for Daft Punk music, and I think that is okay because house music was originally intended for gays, among others, in the Chicago area. I probably should not mention how I love that they dress up in robot costumes and there exists few public pictures of their faces. So when I heard that the duo were awarded the rank of Knight and admitted into one of the Orders of France for contributions to culture, I was pleasantly surprised. I do not think any group or musician has had a greater impact on my concept of music or style then them. Cheers! And I look forward to seeing them live one day, or at least releasing a new studio album to make up for the Tron soundtrack..
-Dan T.
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