what does LCD stand for anyway?

I was flipping through the channels last night and managed to catch Kanye West and Daft Punk performing Kanye's "Stronger". ( you can see Daft Punk at the 3 min mark) Now, the grammy's are probably the least reflective of all the awards shows as an indicator of award winners = talent. But.......the live performances are usually quite good, so I watch strictly for that.
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I never had a problem with the fact that Kanye West used Daft Punk's "Harder Better Faster Stronger" as the back beat for his song. I was slightly miffed that he didn't credit somewhere in the main title as being responsible for 50% of the song, but I thought if Daft Punk was miffed they would do something about it. Last night, when Kanye brought out the electronically lit up costume and sunglasses, Daft Punk Signatures, I thought this was the time he was going to give some "big ups!" to the French boys who more or less are the signature sound on this song. But no....he didn't. I know Daft Punk loves the mysterious almost annonymity. But how about a simple "Yo, give it up for Daft Punk" at the end of the song? I don't get it, but its not my song Kanye is taking all the credit for.....so whatever.
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Speaking of Daft Punk. I had a heavy consideration for putting them on the album list for their "Alive 2007" album. However, I felt that a compilation of them remixing their own older songs live was not quite "new material" and therefore had to be disqualified. This is not a statement of the fact that it is not a great album, just that this list was for new material only. Then again, the album of the year was given to Herbie Hancock who re-sang all of Joni Mitchell's songs......So that shows you how much the Grammy's knows about music.

NUMBER 8: LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver"- Speaking of Daft Punk again, coming in at number 8 is an artist that you can tell was heavily influenced by the french duo. The first song on his first self titled album was "Daft Punk is playing at My House", which probably came as no surprise to the listener given producer James Murphy's dance punk sound. The first album was a hit in small circles with its fresh smooth electronic hooks without throwing the electric sound out the door. His voice was unmodified and what I call "punch fun". Sometimes he snaps out his lyrics and sometimes he drags it out. It's his voice jumping in and out and up and down that gives his albums such a fresh feel from normal dance electronic. You can take LCD Soundsystem out of the club.
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Especially true with LCD's 2007 release "Sound of Silver". It's an album immediately reflective of someone moving their sound along to a different level and shows real talent. While still "danceable", the lyrics and less complex tunes. It takes a little more of a concerted effort as the beats come togethor over more time, which is why a majority of the songs are over 6:30 mins. They all build and build, adding more and more layers, then switching places. To really get the feel you almost have to close your eyes and bounce along with chugging train type beats. There are not outward highs to these songs, but they all feel really fun, and not quite so disco dance. Walking down the street music, not dancing music. You can almost feel like you are in a music video, because his lyrics almost feel like your own crazy thoughts. I can imagine almost anything being set to these tunes. I would be very surprised if James Murphy didn't field a ton of calls from advertisers begging to use his stuff.
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The lyrics are the most noticeable shift from the first album to this one. The first was about partying, having fun, doing it again, being tired and doing it again. This album covers more mature topics, while still having some fun. "North American Scum" is an anthem in defense of being from this area of the world. "All My Friends" The albums signature track, and on many critics top 5 songs of the year is a song about partying and what happens to all those friends once the party is over and life moves on. There are songs about lost loves, hints of drug addiction, and meeting corporate standards all with a blast of fun.
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This album definitly grows on you and may not be your cup of tea at first if you don't like Daft Punk, hip music, electronic, or if you have never heard LCD's first album. But give it the standard music rule of 5 listiens before you walk away from LCD, James is sure to grow on you.
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And no, I don't know what it stands for, but if you do, feel free to drop the comment.
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Song Samples: All My Friends, North American Scum, Get Innocous
Amazon Link
LCD Soundsystem Webpage