Wednesday, October 19th 2011
Reviews: Justice
Justice Brings Rock To The Dancefloor on ‘Audio, Video, Disco’
When Justice released Cross back in 2007, they emerged as the frontrunners in the race to fill the spot left by the absence of Daft Punk, who had left the studio to tour around the world in a giant pyramid. Justice succeeded by combining disco, pop and house music, managing to win over droves of fans in the process.
Audio, Video, Disco, the duo’s second LP, is not exactly a return to form for the band. Ditching a significant portion of the dancefloor filling grooves found on the first record, AVD finds the band experimenting with guitars, guest vocalists and a much different vibe than before.
Horsepower is a hell of an opening track, leading with synth power chords and a 70s drum beat. The chords eventually give out at the minute mark, where things immediately take a turn for the sinister. As an ominous synth string arrangement comes barreling down, the song shifts into what can only be described as the devil taking over the Inspector Gadget theme song.
After about a minute of the “scary” portion, Horsepower is taken over by some very triumphant sounding synth work, painting the picture of two different beings (one good, one evil) fighting for power.
Civilzation is up next, bringing back a little of the dancey dance groove from Justice’s first record. Featuring vocalist Ali Love, Civilization is a decent track built around an incredibly simple beat and heavily processed guitar and piano work. At times a Baba O’Riley-esque synth line perks its head from the background noise, adding a little bit of extra texture to the track.
Ohio starts with multitracked vocals singing various state names. It goes on a bit too long, leaving one anxiously awaiting the arrival of a background track. As things begin to fall into place, the song doesn’t really take off until a breakdown in the last third of the track. Things instantly become danceable as the vocals take a backseat to a beat that would make an 80s rapper lose his shit.
After a short segue, Canon starts. The song sounds like a mixture of Daft Punk’s Aerodynamic and Robot Rock, but isn’t near as enjoyable as either of those. It’s got a decent thumping bass line but stumbles trying to sound more like Justice and less like our favorite robot synth gods.
On’n’On, Brainvision and Parade are all pretty bad missteps. A ridiculous synth flute solo plagues On’n’On while Brainvision and Parade are both filled with guitar riffs that sound like a 13 year old that just got his first Squier.
New Lands kicks off with some arena rock guitar chords doused with a flanger pedal. Things continue the stadium rock vibe when the drums and vocals come in, and Justice actually manages to pull of a fairly decent tribute to the rock of yesteryear. An incredibly catchy hook doesn’t do anything to hurt the track, and a brief You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’-styled instrumental section really cements this as an ode to the 70s.
Helix falls into the trap of trying to sound like Daft Punk, but it’s still a decent song. A chopped vocal sample and a chugging looped guitar riff help flesh out the track while a pounding drum beat keeps things moving along. Towards the end of the song some very twinkly, sparkly synth lines come out to play, helping to keep things from getting to repetitious.
The title track closes the record, starting with some very classicalish synth harpsichord runs leading into a pulsating bass and drum onslaught. A heavily modulated voice starts chanting Audio, Video, Disco over the track, and continues to do so throughout its entire length. The track never really goes anywhere, instead becoming a pretty weak way to end the record.
Overall, Audio, Video, Disco has enough decent tracks to warrant a purchase from Justice fans as long as they aren’t looking for another D.A.N.C.E. For those looking for something truly unique or new, you won’t find it here. A trio of unremarkable songs weighs down the back end of the record, and even during the good tracks one can’t help but feel like they are listening to Daft Punk tracks that didn’t make the cut for Discovery. Nice try Justice, but not quite good enough.
And please, Daft Punk, come back already.
Great luck with your blogs, and i loved reading that one.