Daft Punk's New Album, Random Access Memories is...Uh...Hmm...

(Image taken from: pitchfork.com)

Okay, now there are few electronic artists that I really listen to for anything other than their singles, but Daft Punk is the exception. Having listened to everything from their debut album, Homework, to their latest effort, Random Access Memories, I have to say that Daft Punk has always been unique, and their latest album has got to be the farthest the artists have traveled sonically. But does that make it any good?

Well, um...I'll have to get back to you on that one. Having just listened to the whole album for the first time on iTunes, I can definitely say that this is one of those albums that DEMANDS multiple listens. But upon my first play through, I'm going to have to say that I'm not too fond of it. It's not because it doesn't retain Daft Punk's signature sound, because it does. Well, kind of. But more so because in trying to expand their sound, they didn't expand it far enough.

You can hear that this is Daft Punk's Pet Sounds, their Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band. But where those albums took their respective bands to a whole new level, Random Access Memories kind of stalls because it's still trying to be a dance record in a lot of ways. Now, that may sound silly, because this is Daft Punk, after all--dance music is what they do. But you can tell with tracks like "Touch", which is my favorite (And the most eccentric song on the album), "Motherboard" and "Beyond", which kind of sounds like a funky version of a Rocky song, that they were really trying to stretch their legs creatively here. But they kind of miss the mark. I'm actually really interested in hearing what other people have to say about it. It's nothing like their previous work and it's meant more for the headphones than the dance floor. Sure, the robot voices are still there, but the music is decidedly more chill, and also more expansive. There's a lot of depth to this strange dance. I just wish there was more of it.

Now, I might change my words on repeated listens like I have with other albums, but as of right now, Random Access Memories is just not doing it for me. Still, it's a lot better than their last album, Human After All, which did nothing to advance their sound. At least they took a chance with this one. Give it a listen for free while you still can. I'd like to hear your thoughts.