Album Review: Discovery (Daft Punk, 2001)

I'd heard a few tracks years back ("One More Time", "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger") and they stuck with me, but I'd never gotten around to the whole album. I'd also seen a small portion of the film based on the album, Interstella 5555. I hadn't had very much experience in the house genre, so I wasn't entirely sure as to what to expect, but perhaps something along the line of a heavy beat with vocals and looped samples.

1. "One More Time" - Upbeat good-feeling dance anthem with looped instrumental samples. Highly enjoyable.


2. "Aerodynamic" - Synthesizer-driven with a heavy-funky bass line.


3. "Digital Love" - I found the pop lyrics and style a little annoying at first, but then I just went with it and enjoyed the warm-happy feeling.
   


4. "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" - Extremely catchy rhythm and flow.


5. "Crescendolls" - At first listen, cacophony, but the rhythm and loops clicked into placed on the second listen; a bit repetitive, but interesting.


6. "Nightvision"- At first listen, slow and boring, but in future listenings, its brevity served to clean the audio palette before the next track.


7. "Superheroes" - The initial drum roll was confusing, but it takes off with a pounding bass line and the drone of the vocal loops which give way to a rising and falling synth line (WITH A SPACEY FEEL *WOOSH*) and eventually fades in an abrupt manner.


8. "High Life" - Very much like track 5, but less confusing, more danceable.
   


9. "Something About Us" - A vocal track in the style of track 6, but smoother and funkier.
   


10. "Voyager" - Light synth loop over slower, driving bass and beat; serious in tone.
    


11. "Veridis Quo" - Similar to previous track with more intricate pipe-organ synth; moar srsly.


12. "Short Circuit" - A little irritating synth loop with drum machine; better on second listen.


13. "Face to Face" - I didn't really pay attention to this one at first, but on second listen, sounded better with cool loops, but indifferent about vocals. I actually really like this one.
    


14. "Too Long" - Wasn't impressed with track first time through, rather repetitive, so-so vocals; of course it grew on me second time through with its pulse.

On first listen, only the first four tracks stuck with me, but like most, it's gotten better over time. The dance feel pulls you through it time and time again. I really like this album and I'm looking forward to Interstella 5555.

I GIVE IT
4.4 / 5