Daft Punk vs. Bruce Springsteen
The music industry has radically changed from what it once was during the MTV era of the 1980s. Without the progress of the alternative rock era, a EuroPop house explosion of boy bands and teen pop idols and the succession of dance music that swelled during the aftermath of the Hip-Hop and Rap phase, we would be far from our current standpoint of mainstream radio tunes and international hit singles. Among the improvements in technology and studio equipment, music has shown itself in new forms, along with the reprise and resurrection of older styles that have become increasing popular over the past few years.
Although these two artists couldn't seem farther apart, Daft Punk and Bruce Springsteen have much in common and alot that has yet to be uncovered. For instance, the French duo started originally in a band featuring guitars and a drum kit, much like the setup for Bruce Springsteen and his ensemble. Additionally, it was because of this band's terrible review that the name "Daft Punk" was formed out of the commentary. This was in 1992, around the same time that MTV had featured artists for their series of Unplugged sessions, in which Springsteen had appeared on the album with his single, "Thunder Road".
In viewing their imagery, Daft Punk seem to be the visual representation of everything one would expect from Kraftwerk. In taking from their electronic predecessors, Daft Punk created an interestingly similar sound with their hits "Alive," and "Da Funk" which were originally recorded in 1994 and 1995. The tracks featured no words, but still took the listeners on a journey, similar to what "Trans Europe Express" did for Kraftwerk.
During their debut album release in 1997, Daft Punk gave the world its first glimpse of what modern electronic music would soon become. The hit "Around The World" featured a synthesized, robotic voice in addition to mechanical drums and synthetic, atmospheric pads. A bass line was created to give the track some groove, with a funk-style movement as the bass went hopping up and down the scale. I still remember listening to this track, and heard it several times during the radio airplay.
In the following years, Daft Punk would further revolutionize the mainstream electronic music scene with their release of "One More Time" and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" which became instant pop sensations during their release. The duo saw instant success with both singles, as "One More Time" charted to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" received the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2009.
The band has a constant knack for creating catchy tunes while also incorporating the best elements of electronic music into their albums. The hit "Derezzed" from their TRON: Legacy studio album was released in 2011 and charted to number 1 on the Billboard US Dance Club Songs chart. The track also reached number 3 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, number 27 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, and charted within the Top 100 charts in Belgium, France, and Australia.
Of their most notable works, "One More Time" and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" are the most influential tracks that I've found from this pair. Their style and creativity shine alongside their unique character and dual imagery. I've found their music to be entertaining, enjoyable to listen to, and having an interesting amount of electronic elements with a swell of mainstream pop influences. Although they create music with the use over sequencers and augmented instruments, their music still tells a story and serves to hold artistic purpose and value.
So, how does this involve Bruce Springsteen? I'm glad that you asked, because it doesn't. At least, not in the way in which you would think.
Although these artists are from two different genres, their craftsmanship and expertise in their element is nearly identical. (We're going to forget that "Random Access Memories" ever happened, for a moment.) From then to now...
In the early 1990s, acoustic "unplugged" content was becoming increasingly popular. This is when an artist would perform a version of their song that was stripped of all backing instrumentals, such as drums, keyboards, guitars, and bass. Artists would then deliver a "raw" version of their song, giving the audience an increased sense of intimacy and overall emotional value. During this time, Bruce Springsteen found another way to further this level of intimacy, as his songs were comprised of well-developed lyrics and stories that allowed the listener to get lost in the music.
A sense of transition would take place, and the listener would be carried away into their deepest states of mind, in which they would carry out the story and watch it unfold as the tune was being played softly in the background. Springsteen was able to captivate his audience with an innovative technique, just as Daft Punk had, and was able to ensure that his listeners were capable of enjoying the music without a full band.
The music industry had now come full circle, from wanting to create an environment that surrounded the listener through the record to now stripping away the essentials to the very core of the sound itself. In the early 1940s, singers would have a full band behind them to accompany their vocals, with lush strings and often an upright bass or backup singers. As we transitioned into the 1950s, rock music incorporated elements with rhythm and an energetic feeling. Then as we move forward through the sound wheel of time, we arrive back up to the early 1990s, in completing the cycle, in which the time before studios was preferred.
Bruce Springsteen posing for album cover.
The version of raw, "unplugged" material that everyone was interested in was now being emulated by almost every well-known band of the early '90s, including Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and even Mariah Carey. As we have found, this is still a very popular form of performance to this day, as many singer-songwriters and acoustic-based artists prefer this method of performance, either while playing live or on a recording.
In the beginning of the new era during the mid-1990s, music changed radically as boy bands and teen idols began consuming the airwaves. Artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers saw success with singles such as "Under The Bridge" which featured stripped back verses with a melodic tune and a guitar to support the vocal. Nirvana stepped in with their track, "All Apologies" which featured a drum kit and a simple guitar under the vocals.
This process of recording and performing acoustic versions of tracks grew rapidly, and it began to overtake the music video scene as well. Artists such as Britney Spears would go on to create content with a smaller instrumental base, such as "Lucky" and pop tunes would be allowed to either bask in a wave of sound or be quietly supported by a simple guitar during an intimate performance.
The effects of the "unplugged" series has lasted throughout the decades since its creation, and still holds a valid purpose to this day. In the wake of the digital era, a simpler form of songwriting came into fruition, and it was then later carried on by singer-songwriters and acoustic artist, such as Nora Jones and Amy Winehouse.
Although these artists affected the industry in different ways, their contributions have been monumental in the ways that we listen to modern music. Elements of both styles can be found within a mainstream hit pop song, having both an intimate verse and then an exciting chorus, with a build-up and a drop of intense electronic music during the vocal break.
Without these artists to pioneer the way for us, we would most likely be listening to current music in a very different format.But I have to wonder, what would it be like if we were to had changed the course along the way?
Until next time.
References:
Rolling Stone. (n.d.) Daft Punk - Biography. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on August 27, 2016 from: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/daft-punk/biography
AllMusic.com. (n.d.) Daft Punk | Biography. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on August 28, 2016 from: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/daft-punk-mn0000667669/biography
Rolling Stone. (n.d.) Bruce Springsteen - Biography. Rolling Stone. Retrieve on August 28, 2016 from: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bruce-springsteen/biography
MTV. (n.d.) Bruce Springsteen Bio. MTV.com. Retrieve on August 28, 2016 from: http://www.mtv.com/artists/bruce-springsteen/biography/
