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Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: Music

I didn't listen to Justice until it was too late. Justice came by Michigan in March, and I didn't go. I regret my decision after hearing the entirety of this excellent album. Cross is such a good album that it will go on my best of my child hood, side by side to Discovery, the second Daft Punk album.

First, I should introduce Justice. Justice is a House Techno band from France that formed in 2003. House Techno is the kind of smooth bass thumping music you would hear at a house party. Justice is Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay. They formed from a concept compilation album where Djs produced songs that sounded like they would be excellent fits for "Eurovision," which is kind of like an American Idol for songwriters. And in Europe. Justice, meet our readers. Our readers, meet Justice.

While not as well known as fellow French House artists Daft Punk, Cross is a kind of alternate path, what could have happened if Daft Punk had stuck to the straight and narrow and furthered the bouncy, funky sound on their second album instead of going back to their roots of straight house music. By the first three tracks, Justice not only steals gleefully from the seminal duo, but develops their own strongly unique style and presentation.

Justice is a band that is not to be ignored. They are already taking over the electronic music world by storm. They have a great stage presence, and can keep a party going. Cross has highs and lows in all the right places. The first single, D.A.N.C.E., is a tribute to Michael Jackson, who Justice proudly take inspiration from. The beat hits you like seeing MJ introduce the moonwalk, and doesn't stop even after the track has ended. DVNO, the next single, is a funky, catchy story about a clubber that is sure to stick in your head for days after you hear it. Stress is a tension filled 5 minute epic that fills you with an intense dread, unlike any other song you will hear this year.

Justice, while still inexperienced, knows how to keep an album fast paced and fun. It is rare for a CD to have more than a few excellent tracks nowadays, a fair amount have really good singles and the rest is filler. Cross has no filler, but there is an odd choice in the track listing. There are two songs called "Phantom", and one is labeled "Pt. II". This is an odd choice, since it is nothing like the preceding track.

There are a few other complaints, even though I have dropped tons of glowing praise on the album, it is not bulletproof. The track "Let There Be Light" comes at you rather strongly, and isn't something you'd listen to too often. The track "Waters Of Nazareth" has the same problem. "One Minute To Midnight", the last track on the album, is too slow of a track, and needs a certain something to make it anything more than a chill out track from the pace of the album.

Last paragraph aside, this is a great album that has only a few flaws that luckily, don't affect the whole of the album too much. It is a great album for fans of dance or electronic music. I would give this album a five out of five.

TL; DR (Too Long; Didn't Read) Version
Artist/Album: Justice - Cross.
Pros: Great for a debut album; very danceable.
Cons: Some of the songs come at you a little strong, or not strong enough.
Final score: 5 out of 5
Recommended for fans of: Daft Punk, M.I.A., Freezepop
Price: Between 10 and 20 dollars

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