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Product Description
Review
Parisians Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay - aka Justice - first came to attention half a dozen years ago with their mashed-up noisy remixes for the likes of Franz Ferdinand and their re-do of Simian's We Are Your Friends. Since then, the duo released 2007's seminal debut †, and toured the globe with a giant cross, laying waste to every dancefloor they came close to. Now, they're backBackBACK with the follow-up - and it seems they've been dosing up on the hard rock of yore.
While the duo did much with noise and distortion on their debut, Audio, Video, Disco leaps into a more hair-friendly area. Led Zeppelin are mentioned within the first sentence of the press release, and there's a general air of double-necked guitars, dwarves dancing around monuments and fast livin' with seafood excess - shenanigans inspired by the likes of the aforementioned Zep, as well as The Who and Blue Öyster Cult. Daft Punk touched upon this ground lightly with their Discovery set, which brought in various AOR types in from the cold. However, this is an all-balls-out affair, and a determined bid for stadium disco mental-ness.
Thrillingly, it works. Horsepower sounds like some beefed-up BBC science fiction theme of yore - possibly Hitchhiker's Guide or Blake's 7 - with proggy, real musician-y fills and dramatic power-chording setting out the stall for what follows. Civilisation stars Ali Love, delivering lyrics about war and devastation - it's fairly evident that this album has less to do with their fellow disco-countryman David Guetta, and more in common with Big Themes.
Canon, prefaced by the twiddly folky-prog noodle of Canon Interlude, strafes Daft Punk-y vocoderisms with spandex-friendly chords and thrusts. On'n'On demands a Robert Plant-style lyric about loose women, and there's even lyrics about grapes turning into wine and what sounds like a flute solo. Brianvision features some fine finger plucking - it's a bit like Iron Maiden minus the issues, and seemingly designed to be enjoyed on a road trip across the desert. Helix works similar magic, but tames some of the excessive rock leanings heard elsewhere. Some of the exuberant joy of their debut has been swept aside, yes, but this set is not going to alienate anyone who's onboard already.
It's certainly a step on from the Justice sound of before, and also very, very good. With Audio, Video, Disco, the duo has created their own realm and progressed into a formidable force. However, if the next album goes down the full hair-metal route, then we may need to stage an intervention.
--Ian Wade
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CD Description
Audio, Video, Disco is the second album from Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Augé; the influential Parisian duo known as Justice. It was created in the duo’s home studio, with all instrumentation performed by the group themselves. Seeking to create an album that would evoke the feel of progressive rock, the duo labored meticulously to learn instruments they had not previously conquered to craft an epic masterpiece that exchanges the “night in the city” setting of their debut with an “afternoon in the country” atmosphere. Another notable development is the occasional presence of guest vocalists, including a spot by Morgan Phalen of NY rockers Diamond Nights on “On’n’On” and “New Lands”, Vincenzi Vendetta of Australian band Midnight Juggernauts on "Ohio", and UK pop singer Ali Love on the album’s first single “Civilization”.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this after listening to it a couple of times on Spotify and thought it sounded quite good. Now I've bought it, it's on constant repeat. I enjoyed their first album "Cross" though it's sometimes hard to listen to all the way through as it's not what I'd call a 'constant' listen - some of the songs are heavy dance and some more chilled, whereas this is a 'complete' listen. The songs are exquitsitely crafted and flow effortelssly into each other and build up and up, to create an album of hypnotising beauty. Yes, it's much more chilled than "Cross" - there are no saw toothed dance anthems here - but the emotional impact of it is just as great, if not greater. When the melancholic synths finally cut in at the end of the "Audio, Video, Disco" it feels sad, like you've just been on some monumental journey and finally have to come back down to earth - genius!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Audio Video Disco is a brave departure from Cross for Justice. It's not as heavy and techno-driven as their debut was; it's considerably more low-key. It has a certain 70s funk in places, with the air of Daft Punk if they'd gone in a different direction. Comparison between the two albums is inevitable; there is nothing cheeky to rival "D.A.N.C.E." or scary to rival "Stress", but Audio Video Disco is a cracking listen on its own merits. It's more experimental and melody-driven, not as high-charged.
Granted, "Civilization" probably wasn't the best choice for a single, but it's a good lead-in to the album's attitude (its attitude, not content) - daring to dabble a bit more with other forms of instrumentation. There are some guitars, even, but the sound is definitely techno-centered. "Ohio" is a particularly good example of a gripping low-key track, as is the infectious "On'N'On", which glues itself to your mind. The final four songs are all particularly fantastic - "Parade", "New Lands", "Helix" and the title track. There is real emotion to be found in these tracks, and they pack a real punch. The other songs are very good too, but as a whole, maybe Audio Video Disco lacks Cross's instant "wow" factor. It would be unfair to slander it for that, though, when it's full of good electronica that extends beyond just being electronica.
Justice were right to try something different and not make a "Cross: Part 2". If you want that, you might be disappointed. Audio Video Disco is a different album that requires a different mindset, but none the lesser appreciation of music.
In summary: less punch, more melody.
Granted, "Civilization" probably wasn't the best choice for a single, but it's a good lead-in to the album's attitude (its attitude, not content) - daring to dabble a bit more with other forms of instrumentation. There are some guitars, even, but the sound is definitely techno-centered. "Ohio" is a particularly good example of a gripping low-key track, as is the infectious "On'N'On", which glues itself to your mind. The final four songs are all particularly fantastic - "Parade", "New Lands", "Helix" and the title track. There is real emotion to be found in these tracks, and they pack a real punch. The other songs are very good too, but as a whole, maybe Audio Video Disco lacks Cross's instant "wow" factor. It would be unfair to slander it for that, though, when it's full of good electronica that extends beyond just being electronica.
Justice were right to try something different and not make a "Cross: Part 2". If you want that, you might be disappointed. Audio Video Disco is a different album that requires a different mindset, but none the lesser appreciation of music.
In summary: less punch, more melody.
By trevord
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If your considering this because you liked Cross proceed with caution. I didn't so was initially disapointed as it doesnt have the heavy bass and typical french electo sound. I've heard it described as more of an electronic Prog rock which isn't far off. Second listen is better. I think this will be more of a grower, maybe trying a bit too hard to be obscure and arty, musical equivilent of remaking favorite childhood programmes without the cheese.
By Jimi jac
Format:Audio CD
Now sometimes, rock music can become a little stagnant & predicable, take Steve Harris's & The Darkness 2012 albums as a prime example
But with Justice you get a great Dance/Rock fusion, which defiantly brings a bit of freshness, to a sometimes jaded musical genre.
So what does sound like? To me (a rock music fan) I hear a bit of Air, circa their "10 000Hz Legend" album, 1980's sci-fi/action film soundtrack & a little bit of Brain May style guitar.
So if your bored with latest offering from Ozzy, but want something that's not too alien for your music tastes, you certainly could do a lot worse that Justice.
Oh, the Dance/Prog Rock analogy doesn't really work, I don't recognise any Camel or King Crimson stylings in there, maybe on their next record. \../
But with Justice you get a great Dance/Rock fusion, which defiantly brings a bit of freshness, to a sometimes jaded musical genre.
So what does sound like? To me (a rock music fan) I hear a bit of Air, circa their "10 000Hz Legend" album, 1980's sci-fi/action film soundtrack & a little bit of Brain May style guitar.
So if your bored with latest offering from Ozzy, but want something that's not too alien for your music tastes, you certainly could do a lot worse that Justice.
Oh, the Dance/Prog Rock analogy doesn't really work, I don't recognise any Camel or King Crimson stylings in there, maybe on their next record. \../
Format:Audio CD
Well....that's something a bit different! Much has been made of the Parisian duo's switch to more rock inspired songs - you can almost picture them sat in their bedroom growing their hair longer, thrashing and headbanging to Led Zeppelin - but I don't think they deserve the negative reviews that some people have written. No it is not like Cross. No it does not have bass heavy, manic electronica music. Yes it is more radio friendly.......but it's not an entirely unexpected change styles nor a bad one. If you listen to the previous offering before AVD...the amazing Planisphere EP (done for a Dior Homme advert - 17 minutes of crazy beats and a 5 minute solo at the end) then all the signs are pointing toward a more rocky style.
I for one applaud them for it. This is a brave, bold step and I think their efforts on this album of creating a dance/rock prog fusion are stellar. I am very excited for the future of this band!
They were never going to make another Cross, and I think anyone who was expecting that is sorely naive! How can you recreate the manic, vibrant energy of the debut? :) If you look at their peers, notably daft punk, they have also experimented with more rocky affairs (Human after all) and did not create anywhere near as an accomplished album as this one.
The songs - While their are one or two songs that are not as memorable there are definitely no tracks I would skip. This album is a varied mix of electronic and rock so if you like your dance with a bit more edge to it or your rock with bit more beats then this is definitely for you.
Overall opinion - Cross is a superior album depending on your tastes. Most people who buy this album will do so because of Cross and I imagine there will be a lot of people disappointed in the new direction.... Read more ›
I for one applaud them for it. This is a brave, bold step and I think their efforts on this album of creating a dance/rock prog fusion are stellar. I am very excited for the future of this band!
They were never going to make another Cross, and I think anyone who was expecting that is sorely naive! How can you recreate the manic, vibrant energy of the debut? :) If you look at their peers, notably daft punk, they have also experimented with more rocky affairs (Human after all) and did not create anywhere near as an accomplished album as this one.
The songs - While their are one or two songs that are not as memorable there are definitely no tracks I would skip. This album is a varied mix of electronic and rock so if you like your dance with a bit more edge to it or your rock with bit more beats then this is definitely for you.
Overall opinion - Cross is a superior album depending on your tastes. Most people who buy this album will do so because of Cross and I imagine there will be a lot of people disappointed in the new direction.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Justice
Cd plays fine, case was Cracked when it arrived due to it not being packed the best it could, other than that problem this is a great order
Published 6 months ago by RedMoe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
Well, not one for long reviews at all so will keep it short.
Got this album today and have listened to it about 6 times already! Gets so much better with each listen! Read more
Got this album today and have listened to it about 6 times already! Gets so much better with each listen! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Readyletsgo
1.0 out of 5 stars
Sophomore Slump
Wow, these guys really fell off hard. 4 years between albums and this is all they could come up with? So mediocre it's almost pathetic. Read more
Published 17 months ago by FrenchMachine
5.0 out of 5 stars
A grower
I have anticipated this follow up album for a few years and feel very pleased with the acoustic experience it offers. Read more
Published 18 months ago by amexico
3.0 out of 5 stars
Biggest let down
Oh my goodness, I were so excited about this...........
The singles "Civilization" and "Audio video disco" are the highlights and they're not much cop like. Read more
The singles "Civilization" and "Audio video disco" are the highlights and they're not much cop like. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Dj Ballinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
great great great
the first album is my favourite dance album ever
initially a bit of a shock - the prog rock/ heavy metal direction
but after several listens its still qwalitee! Read more
initially a bit of a shock - the prog rock/ heavy metal direction
but after several listens its still qwalitee! Read more
Published 19 months ago by kj coleman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Try all of this..
The negative reviews dragging this album down are silly. You can not compare Justice to anyone. No longer do they present as the angry high pitched mates of Daft Punk. Read more
Published 19 months ago by A. Livingstone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Briliantly Innovative, but in the same streek
From the very moment i heard "Civilisation" in the Adidas advert, I got excited about this album. Listening to it did not leave me disappointed at all! Read more
Published 20 months ago by Bakor Tayar
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