Music Review: Daft Punk, “Alive 2007″ (Virgin) * * * 1/2

Posted by staticblog

on December 5, 2007M at 1:04 pm

The joke about Daft Punk live shows is the same one told about Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode: “Fifty buck to watch someone push a button? Count me in!” But like recent live collections by both of those synth-rock pioneers, Daft Punk’s “Alive 2007” proves that it takes more than alternating current and a disc drive to make this band’s electronic throb catch fire. This tour quickly became legendary for its pure spectacle and ecstatic dance eruptions, but even when the visuals are stripped out, “Alive 2007” is one of the best hour-long mega-mixes on the market.

“Alive 2007” begins with “Robot Rock” from 2005’s disappointing “Human After All,” but Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo take even this material and transform it into a rock ‘em, sock ‘em rave-up. The beat barely stops and the two robo-mixers prove genius at maintaining mood, throwing in favorites such as “Around the World,” “Harder Better Faster Stronger,” “Da Funk” and “One More Time” just when the crowd needs a charge.

A decade ago, Daft Punk released “Alive 1997,” a landmark, one-track disc that included a 16-minute version of “Da Funk.” These days, armed with more material and greater opportunity for energy jolts, the duo is even better at starting the party, and with “Alive 2007,” Daft Punk is playing at your house.

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