August tenth of last year, I was offered a chance to see Daft Punk live on Coney Island in Brooklyn.  I declined the offer, as school was about to start and I was in no way prepared.  I view this declination as the single biggest mistake I’ve ever made.  It may even be the biggest mistake that was ever made.  Every day since the thought has passed through me that my catalogue of history would be massively improved if I could turn to that 222nd day of 2007 and see an earmark telling me how great a day it was.  But, alas, it’s not to be.  A small consolation is in existence, though. 

Daft Punk has long been a favorite of mine.  The French electronic duo comprised of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo has been moving my feet and the feet of many others for well over a decade.  Their last recorded effort, a live performance called Alive 2007, was one of special interest to me for the reason stated above.  It was released in the US in November of 2007, and was recorded live in Paris.

It starts with a heavy, awe inspiring rendition of Robot Rock and doesn’t let up.  Every beat, every moment of the disc is dance inspiring.  As the tracks travel past, you pick up elements from various hits and some of the lesser known songs from their past sprinkled across vast areas, mixed in fluently with whatever the feature beat of the moment may be.  Their hit Around The World spans three tracks on the album, and is interspersed within five other songs.  Absolutely brilliant in it’s execution.  Armed with robot suits, enough lights to illuminate Paris, and four supercomputers running beats just to keep up with them, Daft Punk truly turns out some beautiful noise on this album.

As the disc runs itself out, I picture myself in the audience.  Sweat soaked from dancing, hoarse from yelling along with all of the lyrics, sore from all the movement, and euphoric above all.  I picture departing all of my new (if temporary) friends, and I picture the knowledge that I shared with them an experience that will forever be one of my fondest memories.

August tenth has been an important date in history.  In 1977 Son of Sam was arrested on August tenth.  In 2000, that was the date that records indicated world population breaking six billion.  In 2003, Yuri Ivanovich Malenchenko got married…from space.  In 2007, Daft Punk rocked Coney Island.  Does this album make up for missing them live, knowing that they may not return to this country, ever?  Obviously not. It is, however, a wonderful consolation to have, and I don’t believe I’ve ever loved an album more, and for more reason.