Customer Reviews

Discovery [Vinyl]

5 star:		(224)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

Even if you bought this record just for it's liquefied metal cover, you would not be disappointed. This is truly a fantastic album in every sense of the word. And the techniques used in the creation were just fabulous. One of the things my friend said when he first heard me playing it was "the samples sound so CLEAN!" And they do. Every sample has been processed at incredibly high quality, there is no "Lo-Fi" on this record. The entire record is permeated with funky-style samples that you swear you know but just can't seem to place. Every song has some fantastic SOMETHING about it:

1.One More Time - the perfect party track! a thick thumping bassline and everybody-that's-not-a-raver's-view of the raver world lyrics -:)-, catches your attention immediately.

2.Aerodynamic - by far, the most significant bit on this track is the squealing pseudo-guitar solo. It may be simple, but it sounds REALLY COOL!

3.Digital Love - early 80's motivational tapes samples with cheesy vocoded lyrics = something still meaningful? To be honest, it's still fun to listen to, despite it's cheesiness.

4.Harder, Better Faster, Stronger - one of my favorite songs on the record. Easy to dance to, but it features one of the most incredible things I've ever heard. To understand you have to know what a vocoder is. A vocoder is a device that takes your voice, specifically the vibrations in your voice, and converts it to the tone of the instrument it is attached to, which is almost ALWAYS a keyboard for simplicity. What's really neat about Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, is that at 2:25, the vocoder is switched over to an odd device that triggers it by a guitar. It's especially obvious at certain points, where the player is playing a really neat solo. Truly interesting to hear.

5. Crescendolls - A little odd at first, but it's got the throw-your-arms-in-the-air "HEY!" sample going on. A lot of fun, eh?

6. Nightvision - a slow, short instrumental track, but still extremely well put together. I wish it were longer with some vocals.

7. Superheroes - When I looked at the sample list for the record, and saw "Barry Manilow - Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed?" I wondered "what the heck?!" But when you hear the track, and the thumping bassline and beat and "love is in the air" echoing over and over it really makes sense and the song is a lot of fun.

8. Night Life - Brings back memories of disco! And that's always a good thing, right?

9. Something About Us - Listening to the beginning of the track I was expecting Barry White to start singing. A nice slow mellow groove.

10. Voyager - A little distortion on the bassline kept it interesting.

11. Verdis Quo - After you get by the somewhat slow intro, it starts getting kind of neat, and you want to keep listening. The layers get thicker each minute, and by the end it's a real sonic jubilee.

12. Short Circuit - I can't really say anything in favour of this song, neither could amazon.

13. Face To Face - This will HAVE to be the next one on the radio! I've already remixed this into an extended version and played it at some parties where we play a lot more old-school funk and stuff. The version on the record is about 3 and a half minutes, my version was nearly 9 minutes, and still when it ended people acted dissapointed because they were getting so into the groove. I love this song!

14. Too Long - when I first saw the length of the song, I thought the title was a joke! Ten minutes? An epic pop-techno song? But yes, it's an incredibly well done track, and as Romanthony says in the lyrics, it's really been "too long" since we've heard from the Daft Punk.

In all, this is truly a fantastic record with a lot of vision. A combination of funk, pop, disco, and techno, this isn't techno up front, and it doesn't claim to be. In fact, it doesn't CLAIM to be anything. Whatever it is, it's REALLY good at being it.

Now this is interesting. Apparently these guys have been famous for quite a while, yet somehow I'd never heard of them. All that was remedied recently though. When I heard that Leiji Matsumoto had created a full-length animated feature with stunning animation based on an ablum by Daft Punk, I just had to check it out. While my opinion of that excellent piece of animation is mixed (I just didn't dig the story or think most of it matched the songs all that well), it did something to me. It made me buy the album it was based on "Discovery". Wow.

In this case, it seemed more like the music video was just a distraction than an extension of the music. When I first started listening to the album I thought it was okay, but as I progressed through it, listening to the songs in order, and then repeating some just to hear them one more time, I got HOOKED.

It's hard to describe. I love electronic music and techno and all that sort of thing, but this is different. The voices and music are all really just toyed with by the musical artists in these songs. Everything is just a way to get you into a feeling, of a rhythm, or a beat. The more you hear the songs, they more they grow on you, the more you get into them, the more you like them, the more you listen to them.

Take that song "One more time". That song is downright addictive! The beat is so infectious that I found I absolutely had to move to the song while I was listening to it. Ditto for the next three tracks. "Aerodynamic" is amazing because it uses electric guitar like a piano player uses his keyboard, not just for show, but to extend and play with a melody, finally turning it into a music-box version of itself before transforming into my favorite song on the album "Digital Love". I love that song. It's just so incredibly upbeat, happy, and beautiful. I love that song. A lot of people really love the next one, "Harder, better, faster, stronger". I didn't care for it at first, but it grows on you, to the point where I love it too now. My other favorite tracks include "Nightvision", "Superheroes" (why do I actually think of comic book superheroes when I hear that song?), and "Voyager".

This may be an acquired taste, but it's definitely a taste I'm glad I acquired. If you dig electronic music in general you should check it out. Just keep an open mind. This more than just more of the same repetitive techno/electronica you've heard. This is beautiful, original, and unique music. Great stuff. Give it a try.

Since the release of the excellent single "One More Time",I've been anticipating the release of this c.d. eagerly.If I was to sum this c.d. up very briefly for Daft Punk fans-it's a lot more One More Time,then the previous c.d. Homework.In fact there is very,very little of the sound of Homework on this c.d.

Okay 14 tracks running close to one hour;8 of these are instrumental.The tracks with vocals are pretty much all done with vocoder and this is shared by Daft Punk themselves and two guest vocalists-who actually all sound pretty similar.The tracks are all way shorter then those on their last c.d. except for the closing track "Too Long".I'd heard all sorts of sneak previews that Daft Punk were going way different on this c.d.Some said pure 70's disco,others Euro-Disco and still others said it would be quite like their Gallic compatriots Air.I have to say that none of these predictions were wrong,yet none of them were accurate either.It's a mixture of those 3 influences that I mentioned above and throw in the odd trance track and a bit of Jean-Michel Jarre.I know it must be annoying to be comparing them to other French artists,but most people would have to admit they have a very distinctive sound.One thing this c.d. certainly is not,is hardcore Techno-it's a million miles from that in my opinion.In fact one could describe this c.d. as almost having a real lightweight sound.I've been listening to this for 2 weeks now and I can't make up my mind as to whether this c.d. is too 'cheesey' in an Eiffel 65,Euro-Disco style or if it's magnificent.I seem to be coming to the opinion that it's a really,really excellent c.d.I feel there is something here for every fan of dance music-except maybe hardcore industrial fans-to enjoy.This duo seem so accomplished at many styles of Dance/Disco and Instrumental music.

The music seems to have been influenced more by the music of the 70's and early 80's rather then the 90's.Apart from the obvious Chic influence there are influences from artist's like 10CC,Supertramp and there is even a sample from Barry Manilow.Many of the instrumental tracks sound very like Air-especially their Moon Safari c.d.All of the songs have immediate accessibility;like this is pretty commercial dance music and it doesn't take long to get into all the tracks.The production quality is just amazing-probably the best I've heard in a long time.So for those who like their music hit very crisp and clear and with no distortion at all then you'll like it.When they do add lyrics to the songs,they are extremely syrupy in the romance stakes,but then I don't think people were ever go to like or dislike this c.d. on the basis of lyrical content. So all in all I'm going to give this c.d. a 4/5/ rating.Yet I'm still not sure that I may look back in a years time and say this is too smooth and M.O.R.My one recommendation for people thinking of buying this c.d. would be to listen to as many tracks as possible to get a feel for the overall sound.I think you'll either love this or hate it-I just can't see a middle ground.Right now I love it!

P.S.-I love the "Daft Card"(like a credit card) given with the c.d.-a very nice touch!

Let me start by saying this CD is really great!

Its definitely Daft Punk's most 80's sounding release, but has a lot more to it than something like "Darkdancer" by Les Rhythm Digitales. Where that CD was very one sided, "Discovery" is a kaleidoscope of sound, with so much to hear on so many levels.

The beats are still there - it's like nothing has changed since '97 - but what Daft Punk seem to have done on "Discovery" for the most part is incorporate all the sounds from their childhoods (the 80's) into these tracks. That means vocoders, heavy metal guitar soloing, FM Rock keyboard sounds, computer game sounds, all stuck together with huge disco beats.

Starting with the single and opening track "One More Time", you get 14 pieces of funk without the slightly annoying interludes featured on "Homework". In fact, the only slightly interlude-ish song here is "Nightvision", and even that sounds like an 10cc / Chicago / Supertramp crossover.

Best songs here are "Digital Love" (which sounds a bit like Buggles(!)), "Harder Better Faster Stronger" (the best use of vocoder I've ever heard) and probably "Something About Us", only because it's so different from anything they've done before: It sounds like an 80's funk ballad! Hello, Level 42?!

You may have noticed that I've used the phrase "80's" a lot here. But don't be put off - this is still a very modern sounding album. In fact, it sounds amazing; the production level is very high here.

So buy it basically. If you liked "Homework", "Music Sounds Better With You", and the whole Cassius / Air / French genre, you will love this.

Every song on Daft Punk's 'Discovery' is unique - no two songs sound alike. Daft Punk (in my opinion) really knew what they were doing when they put this album together; it's a wonderful expression of their love for dance music. My two favorite songs on here are "Digital Love" (#3) and "Face To Face" (#13).

"Digital Love" combines disco themes with classic rock a la Manfred Mann's 70's hit, "Blinded By The Light" - there's even a virtuoso guitar solo in the middle of the song. I hope "Digital Love" ends up being a single; I really, really like this one.

"Face To Face" is pure 80s, with a millenial feel to it. It combines elements of early Prince with a touch of New Order. This is my favorite song on the album...I wish it was longer.

Other tracks I must mention are "Aerodynamic" (#2), "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" (#4), and "Crescendolls" (#5) [this song is zany, but I like it anyway]

If you enjoy songs like "Lady" by Modjo (sounds like George Michael to me), "I'll Fly With You" (Gigi D'Agostino) or ATC's "Around The World (La, La, La, La, La) - you'll appreciate this. Most (if not all) dance music fans are already familiar with track #1, "One More Time" by now; when you listen to it, it does feel like a celebration, doesn't it?

Just close your eyes and let this album take you away...

C.H.R.

This is a classic example of an album which is more than the sum of it's parts (read: tracks). Listening to Discovery is a journey, an atmospheric one. A little cheesy maybe, but it doesn't spoil the fun with this one. From the opening "One More Time" to the 10 minute during "Too Long", I can't stop myself to run to the stereo again and pressing play once more to take it all in. Ok, honestly, I'm not that into "Veridis Quo", yet it's of enough quality to not have me skip it. That said, any other track is outstanding, unique, and is filled with moments where you can tell Daft Punk have had a blast creating it. You can feel the joy and energy, and that is what seperates good albums from bad ones.

As I said, I pretty much adore every single track, but the highlight of the album must be whenever Discovery reaches track number 10 "Voyager". It sums an immense intensity of emotion, capturing the entire journey of the album in an 3,47 minute during fantasy. This song does something to me, something no other song has ever done.

Another thing I like my albums, is diversity of tracks. And Discovery got that with loads. Although some tracks tend to look a like, the complete package is best summed up as a joyfull rollercoaster, reaching highpoints of happyness and dancing joy, followed by moments of slower, yet highly melodical points of sadness.

Sure, if you're a high demanding listener who can criticize every single drum when listening with full attention, you may find the cheesy-ness disturbing. Yet, it doesn't deserve the low ratings I've seen flying around everywhere (not just here). It must not be compared with their debut Homework, which was packed with one after another moments of pumping beats. Discovery is here to please us in a completely different aspect. Lay down, close your eyes, and experience the journey which is called (clearly for a reason) Discovery. You'll memorize it as one of the best journey's till date.

Why do I find myself year after year listening to Discovery? Because it is one of the best albums out there I have ever heard. Even if you don't listen to techno or tronica there is something about this album that sets it apart from the rest of the albums in this genre. It's breathtaking, and rapidly changing, you never know whats coming next. Each song is well-crafted and packed with as many hooks as some bands used on an entire album.

From the dance tracks like "One More Time" and "Harder,Better Faster Stronger", to the variety of songs including "Face to Face", a nice vocal set, every song is a new experience. The album flows well and what the last song lacked the next makes up, its constant and hypnotic. I don't usually enjoy albums like this, but Discovery is an album that can suck the non-believer into this electronic world. It's addictive and so good that if you call yourself a music lover and you don't have Discovery, your lying.

Daft Punk's "Discovery" gets
A Bliss of 9

I've had the songs from the internet for several weeks now but I thought it wouldn't be fair to write a review 'till I bought my own copy (the album's just been released worldwide this very morning).

I'm not a Daft Punk fan, let's get that straight. I'm not that much into techno-music, certainly not into disco-funk. And I'm NOT giving this album 5 stars because continental (and more specifically French) music became HOT all of a sudden. Don't worry, Madonna knows what she's doing... Vive L'Europe ET les Etats Unis, prenons le meilleur des deux mondes!

'One More Time' In Europe we all know this track by heart, young and old: Eurodance with transformed vocals by Romanthony. It's really great but the rest of the album's better. Let's move on, now shall we... 'Aerodynamic' A song that consists of two parts: aggresive breakbeats and a really fast guitar solo with some synths. This track is MASSIVE! 'Digital Love' Pure guitar pop with filtered Daft Punk-vocals, folllowed by devastating breaks. Phoenix meets Supertramp. A 100% FM-summer hit! 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger' Filtered (again) disco-funk, but not to worry, their sound is ENORMOUS once again (nice 'contre-temps'). This is a clear stand-out track. Love it! 'Crescendolls' Extremely festive electro-house, a real party-track: a recurring gimmick, background voices with special effects and some filters. A Daft Punk-track like only Daft Punk can make 'em. 'Nightvision' Slow with mid-tempo rythms. It's a nice interlude. 'Superheroes' Pure Muscle Music. A mix of a hard house beat and a californian FM chorus, this is 'Star Wars' goes Disco. Easy but good. 'High Life' Real Daft Punk-voices brought up in crescendo. Simple plan but... MY GOD IT WORKS!!!!! 'Something About Us' Downtempo funk with some more delicious vocals by Thomas Bangalter. It's got a real laid back fancy edge to it. 'Voyager' Tender but firm. A very nice bassline with the usual guitar riffs and an 'ambiance mélancolique'. The Dafts show us their music can be subtle as well. It works for me! 'Veridis Quo' This is deep-electro with a sad vibe to it. This is not for the clubs but shows us Daft Punk have a lot up their sleeves... 'Short Circuit' Vintage Electro-funk meets modern electronics. Reminds me of Grand Master Flash (in part one) and the Aphex Twins' 'Windowlicker' (part two). First it SURPRISES, then it SEDUCES. 'Face To Face' The Perfect Daft Pop Song (with vocals by Todd Edwards). Brilliant, one of the best tracks on 'Discovery'! 'Too Long' This is a potential hit single with Romanthony on the vocals, like 'One More Time'. This track is no genious but it really works and delivers... The album ends like it begins: with a sure commercial hit.

All in all? PURE GENIOUS, BRILLIANT MUSIC but most of all A TON OF FUN and GROOVY DANCEFLOOR THEMES. Own this album and you (and everyone around you, for that matter) won't regret it. Discovery comes with an exclusive Daft Club membership card, where you get acces to every single new track or remix Thomas and Guy-Man want you to hear. And if that doesn't convince you I don't know what will...

Over the past twenty years I've watched as dance music slowly
attained perfection.From funk,disco,fusion,electronica,techno,house to modern
DJ samples;none of it has truely clicked until Daft Punk,two young French sampler wizards,mixed everyone of those styles together to create a delightful hybrid of old and new.And they're not afraid to make 80's style ("Short Circuit") or 70's
style ("Voyager") dance music that fits into their hard core DJ
style!Yet it is on songs like the brilliant "One More Time",
"Aerodynamic" and "Harder,Better,Faster,Stronger" that they
succeed in synthesizing their many influences into a cohesive
whole.Sadly because they rely on samplers to create their music
Daft Punk are often denied the recognition they deserve.
Also even a couple of the techno-ish cuts here fall a little flat-like a rave-style mix that is dated as soon as it's
recorded but the best material here will have to one day take it's place with what the Grandmaster Flash's,the Arther Baker's
and the Yesterday's New Quintet's of the world have already
accomplished.So Daft Punk:DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR FUNK!

I hate the stuff. "Boogie Nights" was good as a movie, but, yet, I would not go out and buy the soundtrack. Yet Daft Punk's "Discovery" is different -- you can definetly tell that some of it is inspired by horrible... er.. retched disco, but they create the music coming out of your headphones in such a lovely matter. And some of the sounds on this album are nice, plain and simple. I personally hate the first song, the much liked and also booed "One More Time." Ech. I can't stand the vocals, and if you notice, the singer lets out an unneeded burst of air through his voice after each line("Music and dancing so free - ahh."). But, hey, there's this awesome happy and cool growing background music. If they left it alone, it wouldn't suck as much as it does.

But then you get to "Aerodynamic," and all your hopes are resurrected. It is the reason I bought this album (watched the video on MTV2). It's simply incredible. It grows with this, amazing, completely catchy melody, and the beats always get harder. Then, this cool space-like guitar comes in. It's great, not as bad as it might sound.

"Digital Love" is great -- it's a pretty nice song, catchy, and always makes me smile. "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" is a nice track too. It gets going soon enough, and the computer-made lyrics completely add much needed thought into the song.

"Crescendolls" is, personally, the best song on the whole entire album. It is so amazing. Listen to the sample -- it's so odd, it sounds like something from an infomercial. It's great stuff. And, nicely, everything is actually good on this album except for a few tracks. "High Life" is a bit too much disco for me. "Too Long" is exactly that. ...For some reason, I can't stand the vocals (sadly). Still, this album is definetly worth a buy. It's one of the most happy albums that has come out in awhile. Nothing negative comes out of the music.