Great Recordings: Daft Punk, Random Access Memories

Could Daft Punk's Random Access Memories be considered as one of the all time great recordings? Maybe as much as any Beatles album or other? In this video, Harley Lovegrove continues his exploration into 'What makes a great recording', focusing on this album from 2013.

[DavidFromOuterSpace]

the level of obsession with sound design and recording techniques of daft punk are super inspiring. reading about the production of "Giorgio by Moroder" completely blew me away: "When Moroder arrived in the studio to record his monologue, he was initially perplexed that the booth contained multiple microphones; he wondered if the extra equipment was a precaution in case one of the microphones broke. The recording engineer explained that the microphones varied with origin dates that ranged from the 1960s to the 21st century, and that each microphone would be used to represent the different decades in Moroder's life"

[brectangle]

You may not realize it, but your knowledge of the musicians' catalogs and some of the instruments has uncovered some "easter eggs" about the album's composition and production that most die-hard Daft Punk fans like myself had not yet realized. We knew about the different mics in Giorgio by Moroder, the refusal to use any computers on the album (except for when editing "Touch"), and the intention behind having Nile Rodgers on rhythm. However, I think you stumbled across a new discovery in your point about Get Lucky where one drummer transitions to the next, from JR who was prominent in the mid-70s to early 80s, to Omar Hakim, whose highlight era was the mid- to late-80s.

It's a pivotal moment in the album where the main transition from the "natural" 70s style to the more "mechanical" and technology-infused style of the 80s occurs, and is executed in Get Lucky when both the vocals and drum rhythm changes from human to robotic. I had not realized that it was not only a change in the drumming pattern, but a change in drummer completely, and the drummers correspond to their respective "eras" within the song/album!

Also, your observation about 2-level keyboard, Bach, and the similarity in album intros was a new discovery as well! Thanks so much for making this video!

[oriwithagun]

I remember putting on this album on a car ride, thinking it’ll just be a fun electronic Daft Punk project. Was immediately blown away with how good it sounded, the middle of the album gets incredibly good, all the live instrumentation, the production. It’s quickly grown to one of my favorite albums of all time, possibly #1. I would have killed to hear another Daft Punk album in this style, but I’m glad they ended on this perfect note. Incredible album, it’ll be one of the first albums I listen to once I get a Hi-Fi setup and I’ll definitely buy the FLACs

[psyclobe]

I listened to Random Access Memories after seeing this video; this album made me feel like I was being injected with life and emotion, I felt like a dead leaf compared to the rich vibes of joy and life that this band was emitting. Thanks for the suggestion to check them out!

[trasky]

This is the first album I ever bought at the age of 14, and at the age of 22 I still regard it as my favourite of all time. Thank you for this video.

[Roshan_Amal]

What have I stumbled upon! Listening to you talk about it, the way you do, makes me fall in love with the album all over again. And it's Interesting to see So many people listening to Daft Punk for the first time.
Looks like a great channel and good community.

[JordnBeats]

I've never really listened to much Daft Punk, but you've completely sold me this album. I've heard a few songs from it, but never experienced it properly all the way through. I'm glad this came up in my recommended :)

[Ennay_Essaytch]

The very common “you’ll hear things you’ve never heard before” adage when people discuss hi-fi gear has its merits, but I’ve had more fun seeking out new things to listen to that are outside of my normal listening habits. It’s made my hi-fi journey one that is just as much focused on discovery as examining what I already know, and I’m better for it.

[josephvanalstyne]

great video. you really read my mind when it comes to music and sound. this is the greatest album recorded in the 21st. century. when i first heard of this album i was watching the grammys and saw these two guys with weird helmets accepting the award for i think the best album of the year. i thought what a joke never hearing the album. years passed and this album was on a lot of audiophile lists. i finally bought it and heard it and was stunned and shocked how good it was. the sound and music are incredible. i do not judge what i have never heard anymore. i will take the time and listen for myself. great video as always harley. keep your great work going!

[nedrider]

Thomas i know you are watching that. We appreciate you and what you have done together. Thank you for the gift.

[EduardoRohdeEras]

This is my favorite album in all times, and I have listened to lot of music in my life. This unified mood along the entirely album and the spacecraft quality of the record make it the milestone it is. Thank you for the review!

[turnipfries]

i love every review of this album, there's so many different vibes, there's a classy old guy, funky electronic nerds, everything

[deparoo]

Been listening to this album for years, this video just made me appreciate the album even more.

[frankiegreaser]

I listen to Metal and Rock since my early teens. Now I am 35 and started with Vinyl and this Daft Punk Album was one of my first purchases. I never really heard their music, just new them from Radio. I listened the first time to this album and knew right away that this is special. This album is pure fun and always makes me smile. Love it!
Great video about this musical experience. Thanks for your passion and joy.

[dereknelson]

really glad this popped up for me. This absolutely is one of my all time favorite albums, so to hear analysis on the recording side of things was extremely interesting! Guess it's time to re-listen!

[danielmetzger]

My recommendation is Violator by Depeche Mode. A masterpiece of electronic music, perfectly produced and elaborated by Flood (who also did Joshua Tree by U2 f.e.)

[amaraliem]

Thank you so much for this. I've grown up with Daft Punk and hearing you talk about it was magical, as a person with very little musical knowledge. It's like you're putting into words all the things I love about the album ♥️

[gustavorochavillela]

This might actually be my favorite video on youtube. I love the album, and seeing someone that can perfectly explain everything I love about it so well is just great.

[maxwaver]

One of the best songs of this Album is without contest "Touch" and i advise anyone to relisten to it several time, despite the great space opera feel to it, the theme of this song is very deep and philosophical. Been listening to this Album since its release through the years, and this song grew on me throught the years, and will surely continue to do so, amazing !

[velchuck]

Thank you for introducing me to this album. It blew me away! This is a masterpiece. The quality is astonishing! I must buy the vinyl.