MUSIC REVIEW: DAFT PUNK - 'TRON: LEGACY' SOUNDTRACK

With the Full Album Finally Available, Desires Have Been Accommodated

By: Andrew Shaw

December 7, 2010

(Walt Disney Records) Daft Punk’s TRON: Legacy Soundtrack is a wonderful paradox in definition. ‘A Post-Modern-Retro-Futuristic-Reprise’ is about as strong a description of category as we can get at the moment.  However, smug wordplay may allow musical archivists to slap themselves on the back, but it does nothing to capture the essence of what’s been achieved.

Perhaps a smart move would be to review the context of the music as a soundtrack to Walt Disney Pictures' return to the 1982 movie TRON with TRON: Legacy, which reimagines the old story of Humanity, Artificial Intelligence, Machinery, and endurance of spirit. Back in 1982, the movie’s special effects pushed boundaries. Concepts of computers, networks, and interfacing directly with A.I. were all stuff of prediction and Science-Fiction.  Things have changed a little since then. This new movie, reportedly, has sweet effects, with new questions and new assertions served against a backdrop of timeless human issues.

Without measuring the music against the movie, the exercise of discussing a soundtrack may appear redundant.  However, what Daft Punk has produced is a piece of art that may be intrinsic to the film, but familiarity with the film is not intrinsic to enjoyment of the soundtrack.  

Fans of the French Eletronica-Dance duo have been salivating over the promised release of this album for some time. Delayed release and tantalizing online leaks--or sightings of the movie trailer itself, which appeared exciting but little more than a video to the "Derezzed" track--have only fueled the fanatical and eager-to-listen. With the full album finally available, desires have been accommodated.

From the outset, “Overture” introduces theme, depth of vision, and weight of what’s about to hit. Just as in classical composition or any credible soundtracking, this is a signal of intent. Imagine standing on a beach awaiting a tidal wave.  The waters are moving. It’s beautiful, but you know something big, something potentially deadly is destined to happen. Brass-section, strings, and timpani swoop, scale, and thunder in on a surf that’s about to carry us away. Lending gravitas to proceedings is a moment of spoken word from Jeff Bridges, star of original TRON and featuring in the remake.  Immediately following the overture, his musings of the kind of world we’re about to enter, “The Grid,” presents a Matrix-like definition of a confused yet certain, imagined but hyper-real universe.

“Derezzed,” a track that was previously available as accompaniment to an online trailer, is perhaps one of the most solidly electronic tracks within proceedings.  It’s an inflated, increased-tempo, dance-floor-filling gem that has all the flavor of Daft Punk of old but with a new substance smuggled in.  The rest of this album is a masterful blend of Electronic and Orchestral.  This is a ‘just’ Disney soundtrack, but it’s no leap to claim the artists are now genuine maestros in a new world.

The relationship between symphonic grandeur and delicate or not-so-delicate synths conjures something new in both soundtrack and dance cultures. Aside from clever imaginings with orchestral back-up, there are playful little effects that are lifted straight from the Tron video game circa 1982.  

Working within the constraints of a tradition where themes are established, explored, and reworked as a series of internal references seems to have lifted Daft Punk beyond their usual excellent measure. It’s another paradoxical situation that soundtracking a Disney film has produced music that’s the least ‘Pop-Culture‘ offering from the band.

Moods are varied and may well just betray the movie plot, if heard before a visit to the cinema, with track titles like “The Game Has Changed” and “Flynn Lives.” There are moments of dynamism, thunder, and war, but there are also moments of tenderness, heartfelt repose, and reflection. 

Though it has its toe-tapping moments, TRON: Legacy Soundtrack may be a good, surprising direction for the dancing fans of Daft Punk. However, for those listeners who have always wondered what they’d achieve when wearing different hats or traveling in other modes, this is an awesome statement of ability. For movie-goers, this is a soundtrack that will resonate long after the lights go back up.  For the Academy that bestows little gold men on creative types within their industry, this has to be considered.  

For Fans Of: Darude, The Biz, Justice

Standout Tracks: “End of Line,” “Derezzed,” “Flynn Lives”