Now Random Access Memories is a perfect set out of the 80's music, the electronic music, the guitar, synths, the drum beats were the precised arrangements of their earlier days. Now what I really like about this album is that they completely worked on practical and live music, the electro beats were not overall used but the live arrangements around made the album sound real and pure without any extra groovy kinda music we usually listen.
The album starts out with 'Give Life Back to Music' with Nile Rogers contributing few guitar strokes which were slightly similar to that with 'Get Lucky'. An occasional festive 70's vibe is been carried out with those electro autotuned robotic vocals around. 'The Game of Love' slightly touches the country air with its arrangements and lyrics. The tuneful piano drops were quite easy on the ear. 'Giorgio by Moroder' is a storyteller of the Italian artist Giorgio Moroder who chatters about all his musical experiences accompanied with few disco sonic arrangements which takes time to really set up the pace of the track as its 9 minute long.
They are few things which are left experimented quite a bit in the album like the next song 'Within' which is again a lament from the robotic vocals which turns into a soft agreeable ballad which is slightly tedious and dreary to listen. 'Instant crush' featuring Julian Casablancas depicts a promising rock number, the bass strokes and the outmoded electronic tunes makes this human vocalised track more majestic in its output. 'Lose Yourself To Dance' partly touches the vibe of Get Lucky where Pharrell Williams the vocalists had nothing to rattle out other than repeating one liners which are quite flat and disinteresting. The mix-up of the track is radiant with all those robotic vocals producing a likeable atmosphere around.
Then comes 'Get Lucky'the lead single of the album and also an massive hit around, popping up the charts, widely successive. The guitar from Rogers and vocals Pharrel were like a soul to the track. The hook was extremely catchy and vivid. The robotic features and the beguiling vibe of the track solidifies a hit number on the album. 'Beyond' starts with a grand orchestra arrangements rolled up with few light strokes of guitar which is quite pleasant to get into. 'Fragments of Time feat. Todd Edwards' takes you back to 80's theme song vibe where the analog synthesizing arrangements and the vocals from Edwards makes the track a retro trouper. 'Contact' is also an typical story starter where an astronaut details about his aeroscopic views which infers a grand finale to the album. The high tensed electronic beats certainly smacks you with a perfect end.
Finally RAM implies you with everything from the old school, the musical arrangements, the production and the vibe brings you back the retro environment. Hits hard for a certain amount of people, undoubtedly the best I've listened so far in this year.
My Rating - 4/5
Grade - A (Excellent)
-By Surya Komal aka KM