Give Life Back To Music
Such a grand opening to this album. Daft Punk takes us on a futuristic glimpse with the influence of the past. Just imagine yourself in the 21st century walking into a 1970's discotheque, yeah it can be done ! That's exactly what Give Life Back To Music does ! Leave all your troubles, worries aside and just groove to this electronic, funk track with the simple, yet deep lyrics that instruct us to,
"Let the music in tonight
Just turn on the music
Let the music of your life
Give life back to music."
My favorite track of the entire album.
The Game Of Love
One of the slower tracks of the album. Carrying a staccato drum sequence with soft lyrics that provide an unfortunate turn that relationships often take expressed in the lyrics, The Game of Love sings of the one who walks away. A combination of electronics and robotic vocals enhance the melody to another level. A great song to dance with that special someone, so long as you don't share the meaning of The Game of Love.
Giorgio by Moroder
Call it a lesson on how to succeed in the music business. Giorgio speaks of his influence growing up in the 70's absorbing all the musical influence around him and adding his futuristic element to what became a style unheard of, yet so familiar. He explains of eliminating the preconceived notions of what music writing should entail, this track proved that the boundaries of music are meant to be challenged ! Incredible music on this track, and such a great view on the mind of Giorgio. Partnering with Daft Punk was a perfect combination. I cannot help but think of the relationship between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. Truly a dance club track !
Within
A slow classical piano introduction, Within quickly changes into a tone of sadness. The message is simple, sometimes we spend so much time looking for that perfect someone when we must first search within ourselves. Powerful lyrics, to a soft track.
Instant Crush
A steady driving beat, Instant Crush has an old pop/electronic feel with a futuristic element added to the melody. Great song with a catchy chorus.
Lose Yourself To Dance
One of the best tracks of 2013. Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams give a fresh take on funk. With a heavy down beat and a high vocal ranged Williams, the instructions on the dance floor are simple; LOSE YOURSELF TO DANCE. Don't worry if you sweat while dancing, you can borrow Pharrell's shirt. The simple addition of the robotic "Come on" take this track on a whole different level of funk and electronic music ! Truly one of the best tracks of the album and of the year !
Touch
This track gives us an out of this world introduction that shows the experimentation of instruments Daft Punk embrace. At over 8 minutes long, this track takes on different elements. At about 3 minutes the music introduces the funk guitar and takes on a dance groove with the keyboards and horns really adding to the dance aspect. It then changes time signatures and tempos that make this a must listen to ! Incredible changes throughout the entire track !
Get Lucky
Yet another successful release, Williams is once again at the microphone and delivers once more. What makes the album version so much better than the radio version isn't that more of a difference. BUT IT IS !!! The album version gives us an additional 8 measures of 4/4 (count to 4, 8 times) that in my opinion are simply mind blowing. As mentioned, not too different but it sets up the funk guitar for the down beat we all recognize ! Just lingering in the up beats for those counts just add so much more than the radio version. Such a great delivery by Williams that resurrect funk music, if it was ever gone ! My favorite line, "She's up all night till the sun, I'm up all night to get some". Another best track of the year !
Beyond
A grand orchestral of an opening, Beyond takes on a slower feel. Robotic vocals and the ever popular funk guitar are present in this smooth track.
Motherboard
An instrumental that demonstrates an outer space element. Heavy on the electronics, with a watery, earthly feel to it. Makes sense ? No ? LISTEN FOR YOURSELF !
Fragments Of Time
This track reminds me of what Giorgio mentions regarding the influence of the 70's on a more stronger take. Very tight notes on the keyboard with a smooth steady vocal sequence remind you of a 70's discotheque once more.
Doin It Right
They don't call the album Random Access Memories for nothing. This track has a different feel than the rest of the album. With a heavy bass to a repetitive vocal with a melodic vocal above that proves that Daft Punk can expand their horizons by not going too far.
Contact
What sounds like a pilot describing something in the distance the music takes on a heavier approach that resembles yet once again, an outer space feel. You get a sense of farewell to this whirlwind of an album. It encompasses so many elements that push the very foundations of music writing.
Listening to Random Access Memories has been beyond an experience. It is rarely said nowadays that an album is worth buying in its entirety. Daft Punk truly hit a home run with this album and it deserves to sit entirely in your music library ! A well crafted album from start to finish prove that purchasing full albums is still worth it.
One (if not THE best) of 2013. Truly a pleasure reviewing this. Check out the YouTube full album right here and support music by purchasing your very own copy.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YTwGSgJoR6A
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