Daft Punk's debut single "The New Wave" (Soma, 1993) was followed by their first commercially successful single "Da Funk" (1995). The album ''Homework'' (Virgin, 1997) was regarded as an innovative synthesis of techno, house, acid house and electro styles, and is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential dance music albums of the nineties. "Around The World" was the most successful single from ''Homework''. "Homework" may be a reference to the album's focus: house music, although it more likely refers to the fact that the album was recorded in the duo's home studio.2001's ''Discovery'', with its more commercial, synth-pop-oriented style, disappointed some fans of ''Homework''. Nevertheless, it sold very well, making second place on the UK charts, and its single "One More Time" was a major club hit, inciting a new generation of fans mainly familiar with the sophomore Daft Punk release. Some have interpreted the title of "Discovery" literally as "very disco", as much of the style of the album hearkens to the disco era. In an interview with Daft Punk in ''Remix Magazine Online'', the group said that the album was conceived as an attempt to re-connect with a playful, open minded attitude associated with the discovery phase of childhood. This helps explain as well the heavy use of themes and samples from the late '70s to early '80s era on the album.
Use of visual components
Daft Punk are noted for their use of visual components associated with their musical productions. The music videos for their singles from ''Homework'' featured memorable characters and were directed by cult video producers, including Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry. The album ''Discovery'' subsequently became the soundtrack to the anime film ''Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem'', which the group co-produced with Leiji Matsumoto. Many US fans were introduced to Daft Punk through a special presentation of their videos on Toonami which aired on Cartoon Network on August 31st, 2001. "One More Time" (2001)The duo is notorious for donning custom-made robot masks by legendary special effects supervisor Tony Gardner for all publicity shots and interviews, stating, "...we are Daft Punk and we don't need to show our faces to get on a magazine cover or sell shitloads of records!" Very few photos of the faces of the duo exist.
Trivia
- ''Homework'' (1996) #150 US, #8 UK
- ''Discovery'' (2001) #44 US, #2 UK
- ''Alive 1997'' (2001)
- ''Daft Club'' (Remix LP) (2003)
- ''D.A.F.T. - A Story About Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes'' (DVD/VHS, 1999)
- website
- website
- website
- website
- Discogs.com
- Stronger
- Punk - Biography of Daft Punk up to 2001, includes interview with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Cristo which the meaning of the Discovery album is mentioned
- Category:1990s music groups
Daft Punk
Daft Punk
ca:Daft Punk