Back in 1997 the French dance-music scene was spotlighted by Daft Punk’s debut album "Homework," which quickly gave the group worldwide recognition. Even for me (the perhaps-too-conservative reviewer of dance music who still believes that music should consist predominately of instrumental arrangements and not just computer-generated repetitive beats and primitive melodies), that album had a definite charm and a feeling of originality.

But sadly enough, that seems to have been lost in the duo’s (Guy-Manuel de Homem Christo and Thomas Bangalter’s) second album, "Discovery." The old freshness of funky, peppy beats in scratchy songs is not as noticeable in this 2001 album.

For the most part the album is composed of what can be described as Euro dance hits at their apex of glamour and ignorance, like the first single from the album, "One More Time." This is combined with tracks straight out of a 70s or 80s disco tribute and house music, making parts of the album too boring to listen to. Some cuts remind you of the so-called "thoughtful techno" popular in the beginning of the 90s – classical melodies with a beat. (I could never understand that).

However, the first few tracks, such as "Aerodynamics," are original, fun and groovy – but they are eclipsed by the rest of the album. In general, it’s just the same old, same old: the same old robotised voices repeating "nothing" phrases with the same old house music.

One of the main reasons that a group playing in any style becomes popular is that the band acquires an authentic identity. This is certainly a hard task for house music, where repetitiveness is a major component. This time Daft Punk’s album will probably be forced out into that state of anonymity.

Probably the best you could say about this album in fact is that it’s "good house music," and you can be sure it will be popular in clubs. But that should be a disappointing diagnosis for this group.

Recommended for the chronic clubgoer or just the stressed-out looking for some comfort in repetitive robotic voices.