Review Summary: You'll never find another album more synonymous with the umbrella term: "Techno".
It's funny how people can say a certain album set the mood or attitude for an era of time (example: Jazz in the '20s, or Dance-pop in the 2000's), but when will people realize that they are only referring to one scene or aspect of a constantly-revolving world that churns out masterpieces left and right each in their own respective musical genres. I don't give a *** if The Marshall Mather's LP is one of the best selling records of the 2000's, it certainly didn't change my life at all. And neither did this little slab of French electronica. It's just really ***ing awesome is all! Ladies and gentlemen: my review of DAFT PUNK's "Homework"!
Daft Punk are an interesting duo of musicians. I believe they started out making some uninspired alternative rock or post-punk kind of music (hence the rather dubious name), or at least they utilized some actual instruments. Clearly, all's changed now, as they are undoubtedly the most acclaimed electro artists in the business. In fact, if there's one artist/group that's most synonomys with "techno", it's Daft Punk, and by a LONG shot I must add. Sporting futuristic-styled helmets that must've cost a fortune, these two Frenchies have crafted several unique and inspired electronic albums over the years, and probably most admirable of all: each one sounds distinctively different, not just from each other, but from ANY electro out there. Obviously these gentleman have done their Homework (like dat pun?).
This particular album is the birthchild of Thomas and Guy-Manuel's early days in the DJ industry, composed of songs and mixes initially not intended for an album release. So I think it's really cool how this record turned out: all the songs flow well and seem to snuggle together nicely, and certainly provides one hell of a soundtrack to a "night at the club". It's just littered with sexy basslines, rhythmatic drum-beats, and irresistably repetitive vocals and samples. Also neat, is how Daft Punk seemed to have grabbed cues from every style of Dance music imaginable, and wrap it up in such simple song structures and yet it's so goddamn fun to listen to, whether it be the background to a party, or just blasting in your headphones as you walk down a rain-soaked street in a desolate night-time city.
I find that the best moments off the CD tend to be the ones that occur near the middle-end of some of the longer songs, as you realize how a song's maintained it's appeal for a good 5-8 minutes, and all it had to do was give the listener a simple beat and table-scratch. It's in this way that Daft Punk captivates and amazes, and it proves to mysteriously be so much more effective than any other House. Needless to say, the lasting appeal on this record is monumental... it's value has lasted damn near 14 years and it's still moderately prevelant in House-fan's ears.
Whether it's the rather generic, yet absolutely quinessential club-song "Revolution 909", or the intensely hardcore "Rock'n Roll", or perhaps the funktastic and even cutesy "Teachers", this is one album that never lets a dull moment pass. It succeeds on practically every level, by being critically praised and commercially accepted, both of which almost effortlessly thanks to Daft Punk's extreme skill and talent. And with that said, are there ANY negative points to be made about Homework?
Not from me there isn't. I'm sure tons of people who relenetlessly hate on any techno they hear will say this album is possibly the worst thing ever, but they'll never realize the mind-power and virtuousity it took to make this album.
So at the end of the day, it's one of the more essential albums in electronica, a genre not particularly built for the album-structure, but make no mistake this one works flawlessly.
Top 5 Tracks (In my opinion.. yes I like the singles >.<)
1. Around the World with it's sexy ass bassline
2. Da Funk and all it's acidic wonders
3. The 909th Revolution since it's nostalgic as hell
4. Rollin' & Scratchin' has one of the coolest scratching techniques I've ever heard
5. The industrial-fused Alive, because it truly makes me feel alive... yeah just ignore the cheese (daft punk's first song also)
Where the hell were you ***ers in 1997 ?
