Daft Punk
Discovery
(Virgin Records)

In 1992, an English journalist dubbed the duo of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem Christo “daft punks,” meaning it as an insult.

But ever since, things have been going quite well for the young Parisian boys.

The sounds and samples used on their latest record, “Discovery,” vary from Daft Punk’s “Homework” in that they’ve moved out of the strict club route and turned down an avenue in outer space - even their voices are distinctly robotic.

Their music sounds like what a dance club on Neptune might sound like - a bit distorted with plenty of samples all held down by a solid dance beat.

Daft Punk has broadened the horizons of many music enthusiasts and expanded techno to the mainstream proving it’s not just for the clubs anymore.

“Aerodynamic” is a classic retro-style dance groove straight from the disco era, with a sly Eddie Van Halen lick weaving its way through the song.

“Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is their classic sound, pounding a steady beat and using the bell of a ride cymbal to give the song an almost modern feel.

The only problem is the electronic voices - they are irritating and ruin the enjoyment of the song.

The album is good, but quite different than the band’s monumental album “Homework.”

“Crescendolls” is laid down with a sample similar to an early 1980s television show with some interesting interludes peeking through the madness every so often, while “Superheroes” is a club favorite waiting to be discovered.

From the funky uptown Shaft feeling of “Something About Us” to the pure disco inferno of “Voyager,” this album is another indication that Daft Punk has the ability to constantly push the boundaries of house, disco and funk, all while refusing to follow one basic pattern.