Okay, here's your single of the year, right here: "Daft Punk is Playing at My House," by LCD Soundsystem. Forget about mega-hit blockbusters like "Hey Ya," "Toxic" and "Milkshake." They've got nothing on James Murphy's smirking, hedonistic New Order-meets-T. Rex synth-banger. This song is so ridiculously infectious, it has the CDC a little worried. And unlike Murphy's previous singles, "Losing My Edge" and "Yeah," this one has the major label backing (a la Capitol Records) to give it the proper nudge toward mainstream success. Does that mean it will actually make it to TRL? Probably not. I'd even be surprised to hear the `system on alt-rock radio. But even if the song only makes it as far as your home stereo, you'll be humming it for days and nodding your head to its electro-tastic beats.

As instantly gratifying as "Daft Punk" is, there are eight more such tracks queued up behind it, just as catchy, just as dancey and just as clever. Some might call James Murphy a visionary. Some might say genius. Maybe that's true, maybe it isn't. But he can put together a hell of a single. And with the release of LCD Soundsystem's self-titled long-awaited debut on Capitol, it's become apparent that he can also put together a hell of a long-player. Genius, visionary or just plain talented, the dude's got something special.

Those who have heard LCD's first two singles know that Murphy has a knack for jocular anthems, equally hip and anti-hip. "Losing My Edge" had a little fun at the expense of those most likely to own the record, creating a surreal bit of irony, but an amusing one nonetheless. Like "Edge," "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" is similarly witty and, for lack of a better term, totally awesome. But the New York producer behind the quips and everything DFA proves himself multifaceted on this collection, wherein he makes dance music that has equal appeal to the clubbers and the punk rockers. Part of this can be attributed to the heavy late-'70s post-punk influence on the record. The woozy "Too Much Love" owes a lot to Speaking in Tongues-era Talking Heads, while "Movement" is essentially The Fall with a high-speed house intro. Take into account the Beatlesque "Never As Tired as When I'm Waking Up," a dreamy "Dear Prudence"-like ballad, and you've got enough fodder to appease those with an aversion to anything labeled with BPMs.

The grooves alone, however, are enough to keep anyone intrigued, entertained and moving. Murphy's specialty is getting the party people on the floor (most likely their own) and the most beat-heavy selections here do a pretty good job of living up to LCD Soundsystem's now widespread reputation. "Thrills" is short but densely percussive and fun. "Disco Infiltrator" lives up to its name, all minimalist disco grooves and falsetto vocals. And "Tribulations," with its super-catchy New Order-esque melody, is quite possibly the best thing on here. Should it ever actually be released as a single, it could even surpass "Daft Punk."

But when all of the post-punk anthems and beat exercises seem a bit overwhelming, the closing track, "Great Release," offers some respite in the way of a Brian Eno influenced electro-ballad. Murphy has studied his Another Green World as much as he has Second Edition or Power, Corruption and Lies, or so it seems. And after all that, there's still a second disc of LCD Soundsystem's collected 12-inch singles on DFA, including his two most highly touted tunes, "Losing My Edge" and the outstanding epic "Yeah." It's not a bad idea on the part of Capitol for including these, as it seems almost mandatory to own these in addition to the proper album.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks highly of Murphy's production. One Britney Spears supposedly attempted a collaboration with the New Yorker, but the attempt failed, unsurprisingly. The money probably would have been great and Spears would have actually sounded decent for once. But I'm much happier having "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" instead. Time will tell if it ends up staying single of the year in my book for long, but the album is certainly top 10 material, no matter what.

Similar albums:
!!! - Louden Up Now
The Rapture - Echoes
New Order - Power, Corruption and Lies


Jeff Terich
03.08.2005