Album Reviews
Daft
Punk
Human After All
Virgin Records, 2005
6 Anuses out of 10
Review by: Eliminator
I'm a sucker for the robot voice effect. Aside from your typical 'talk box' voice effect the robot voice has to be my favorite in music. It all dates back to Whodini's "Freaks Come Out At Night." Ever since I heard that song and the robot voiced lyrics of "Dance freak/Get out your seat/show me that you deserve to be a freak" I was enthralled with the robot voice. It's been used in plenty of songs over the years, especially in the early 80s. Daft Punk look to revive the Robot voice with their new album, Human After All.
On this album Daft Punk are looking to take you back, back to the 80s. Continuing to evolve their sound from their last release Daft Punk has decided a look back to the past would be their success in the future. The result: A decent effort, flawed mostly by the excessive repetition featured in all the tracks.
Now of course Daft Punk are known for the repetition in all their tracks, so why would it all of the sudden become annoying on this release? I wasn't sure on that one, but upon giving it the car ride test, a couple of passengers complained at the excessive repetition in the tracks. Considering "Around The World" was one of their most popular songs, and possibly one of the most repetitious (therefore annoying in the eyes of some), I didn't see the charge of "excessive repetition" coming.
I listened to the album with open ears to see if I indeed liked the album or, like my passengers, thought it was too repetitive. It is true, the album is very repetitive. I did like the album, but did agree the repetition was not a selling point. There aren't a lot of bridges or crescendos in these songs. It is your most basic electronic/dance music with a robot voice thrown in.
I think I figured out why the repetition has been looked down upon on the latest Daft Punk release. It is a little more harsh-sounding. To most people, the soft-serene sounds of Homework or Discovery are lost here. The sounds are a little "louder" or "edgier" as the kids say. Most people look to Daft Punk for soothing dance beats, not in-your-face "get crunk" dance rhythms on constant repeat.
Plus, on other Daft Punk releases, the songs build up to a repetitive state, meaning you have time to warm up your glow-stick wavin' dance routine. In here there's no time for warm-up, just straight workout. And we all know it is bad not to stretch before a workout.
All in all I say the album still has its funky moments and is worth a few repeat listens. The title track and "Robot Rock" are my standout cuts. Basically, if you listen to these two songs you've heard the sound of the whole album, which is most of the problem. Although a few cuts, including "Television Rules The Nation," slow down the tempo a little, there is very little variation from song to song on the album. Some bands can pull off having an album of similiar-sounding cuts. Bands like Motorhead and AC/DC have made long-lasting careers out of it. Daft Punk just isn't one of those bands that can pull it off.
If you are looking for an even finer, more cohesive piece of processed
vocal, electronic fun, I'd say look to She's
In Control by newcomers Chromeo for a more well-rounded effort.
But don't rule out Human After All altogether. There is still
enough funk here to make you want to move, but after a few listens you
may get bored with it and end up hocking it on eBay.
Track Listing:
1. Human After All
2. The Prime Time Of Your Life
3. Robot Rock
4. Steam Machine
5. Make Love
6. The Brainwasher
7. On/Off
8. Television Rules The Nation
9. Technologic
10. Emotion
©2010 The Elimination Dept.
