Justice

Because plenty of French artists wear their reputation for pretentiousness like a particularly tony beret, the decision by Justice's Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay to name their latest disc after a cross-like symbol doesn't bode well. Fortunately, the duo's electro-fiddling on † tends toward the egalitarian, not the exclusionary,...

By Michael Roberts

August 2, 2007

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Because plenty of French artists wear their reputation for pretentiousness like a particularly tony beret, the decision by Justice's Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay to name their latest disc after a cross-like symbol doesn't bode well. Fortunately, the duo's electro-fiddling on † tends toward the egalitarian, not the exclusionary, with amped-up beats and floor-filling giddiness balancing out the occasional nod to pomposity.

There are a few missteps here — most notably "TTHHEE PPAARRTTYY," in which an uninspired backing track is paired with rapper Uffie's entry in the World's Lamest MC contest. Yet the majority of the disc keeps the energy pumping via synthesized rhythms and cheeky production. "Genesis" kicks off with a mock-bombastic intro that gives way to basso profundo riffs, gothic moans and funky guitar, and "Waters of Nazareth" never lets its haunted-house grandeur get in the way of some major ass-shaking. As for the infectious, sing-songy "D.A.N.C.E.," it's like a children's story set to a beat.

And the little piggies cried "Oui! Oui! Oui!" all the way home.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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