Human After All
by Daft Punk
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Mar 15, 2005
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 255 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 180 out of 255
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 255
  3. Negative: 17 out of 255

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  1. user1231243
    Jan 6, 2023
    10
    Human after all shows that even with limited tools and only 6 weeks, they can still create an amazing album with songs that have become iconic like technologic and robot rock.
  2. balloonsnake
    Dec 12, 2022
    8
    I completely understand people not liking this album. Complaints of mechanical sounding repetition make sense considering songs like "Steam Machine" But this album does have it's upsides. First, even If you find it repetitive it doesn't really overstay it's welcome at only forty five minutes and ten tracks. Gone are the seven minute long (and arguably more repetitive) dance jams found onI completely understand people not liking this album. Complaints of mechanical sounding repetition make sense considering songs like "Steam Machine" But this album does have it's upsides. First, even If you find it repetitive it doesn't really overstay it's welcome at only forty five minutes and ten tracks. Gone are the seven minute long (and arguably more repetitive) dance jams found on Homework. Secondly, I love the album's themes and how well they are represented musically. This album deals with much, much darker subjects than any other album the robots have made, so the distorted, ominous sounds of the synths and guitars fit in nicely. What are these thematic elements? Technology, Paranoia, and even a wasted existence (Prime time of your life) as well as general critiques on the media and music industry with songs like "Television rules the nation." This album is not made for the dance floor. It's dark, mechanical, and honestly creepy sounding. (The music videos for "Technologic" and "Prime Time of Your Life" show these elements were obviously what Daft Punk was going for on this album.) I believe Daft achieved what they set out to do with this album, and I personally respect the hard turn away from the upbeat soundscapes of "Discovery" (Another great album.) In it's sound and simplicity. Overall this album is not easy to get into, and I'd definitely recommend a new listener start with "Discovery" if they want to get into Daft Punk, but if you do listen to this album be warned, it's not like anything else Daft Punk (Or many other artists) have ever made. TL/DR Album sound weird and dark. Me likey cuz not happy like Discovery was. Hard to get into but 8/10… Expand
  3. badmuchachob
    Aug 12, 2022
    8
    Out of all the studio Daft Punk records, this one is definitely the least accessible. Unfortunately, this album gets compared to its catchier and friendlier counterparts, even though this album should really be treated as its own entity. If you treat this album how it demands to be treated, though, it really grows on you. Every song is mechanically cold and dark. Repetitive but neverOut of all the studio Daft Punk records, this one is definitely the least accessible. Unfortunately, this album gets compared to its catchier and friendlier counterparts, even though this album should really be treated as its own entity. If you treat this album how it demands to be treated, though, it really grows on you. Every song is mechanically cold and dark. Repetitive but never stale. While it's far from Daft Punk's best, Human After All is their most interesting album conceptually and sonically.… Expand
  4. Diugo
    Jan 27, 2022
    8
    This album feels like a very well produced, catchy work of the finest satire.
  5. Fidelito
    Nov 21, 2021
    7
    Un gran retroceso musical comparado con Discovery, pero sigue siendo un buen disco

    A big musical downgrate compared to Discovery, good album tho
  6. Hendo250
    Apr 10, 2021
    7
    this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7
  7. upset-moth
    Mar 4, 2021
    10
    Critics are stupid, dont listen to them. Anyone whos complaints of the record revolve around “lack of detail” should be dismissed and ignored. Daft Punk may not be constantly flaunting their sampling and chopping abilities on this record, but all of that discovery energy is still here, it just shows up in more subtle (and sometimes more interesting) ways. The synth tones on this record areCritics are stupid, dont listen to them. Anyone whos complaints of the record revolve around “lack of detail” should be dismissed and ignored. Daft Punk may not be constantly flaunting their sampling and chopping abilities on this record, but all of that discovery energy is still here, it just shows up in more subtle (and sometimes more interesting) ways. The synth tones on this record are incredibly fun and exciting, there isn't a sound here that I don't love.

    discovery is the show and human after all is the after party, where the real fun is.

    The pacing is fantastic and i actually think the incredibly short period they made the record in adds to that aesthetic. Human after all has me feeling like im behind the curtain, whimsically being guided through the duos creative processes. Its a really fun experience and i really cant recommend it enough.

    P.s. Anyone who compares “Technologic” and “Harder, Better, faster, Stronger ” has missed the charm and appeal of both songs.    … Expand
  8. clem666
    Dec 4, 2020
    7
    The 'Daft Punk' duo is the best for what concerns electro music. They manage to subtly alternate between repetitiveness and bright sparkles of musical ingenuity. It is hard to become used to their songs which can stay in your head for weeks like a dream impossible to forget. I however have to admit that they used a bit too much the keyboard: we can find similar songs in 'Emotion',The 'Daft Punk' duo is the best for what concerns electro music. They manage to subtly alternate between repetitiveness and bright sparkles of musical ingenuity. It is hard to become used to their songs which can stay in your head for weeks like a dream impossible to forget. I however have to admit that they used a bit too much the keyboard: we can find similar songs in 'Emotion', 'Technologic' and 'The Prime Time of Your Life' and that represents almost 1/3 of the album. In any case the tracks go on without a hitch and only 'The Brainwasher' and 'Steam Machine' were hard to listen to for me.
    Despite being a shorter album than usual, the message of 'Human After All' is neat and clear and the duo manages to play perfectly on it, especially in the 'Technologic' song which compilates the main commands you can do with a computer. I can understand how people appreciate less this album because it somehow has less lyrics and chanting parts. It is actually closer to electro-dance swinging from silences to harsh techno.    … Expand
  9. MyleeneFRW
    Dec 1, 2020
    3
    Make Love и Human After All единственные песни, которые можно слушать без головной боли.
  10. DanteSGames
    Oct 23, 2020
    9
    creo que la critica le ha jugado muy mal a este disco, lo bueno que ultimamente se esta viendo menos afectado, este que fue criticado en su tiempo por los mismos fans, se ha convertido en de los consentidos y los mas queridos, con el tiempo se ha podido mirar y escuchar la joya que es este album, tiene muchos pero muchos problemas, el mayor problema es el que sea muy repetitivo, daft punkcreo que la critica le ha jugado muy mal a este disco, lo bueno que ultimamente se esta viendo menos afectado, este que fue criticado en su tiempo por los mismos fans, se ha convertido en de los consentidos y los mas queridos, con el tiempo se ha podido mirar y escuchar la joya que es este album, tiene muchos pero muchos problemas, el mayor problema es el que sea muy repetitivo, daft punk es repetitivo, esa es la escencia, pero aqui si es mucho la repetitividad.

    lo mejor es que fue mejorado en un album posterior, Alive 2007 (Human After All Version Perfecta con mezcla de los demas albumes de Daft Punk)    … Expand
  11. 5380
    Dec 14, 2019
    10
    This is my favorite album of Daft Punk so far. Criminally underrated. I think it's their most ambitious album to date.
  12. aukalender
    Jul 11, 2019
    6
    Interesting at times, and surely fun in Robot Rock, TV Rules the Nation and Technologic. I just don't think this is the proper way to follow up an all-timer in Discovery and a low point for Daft Punk, even if a decent album overall.
  13. rovert37
    Dec 7, 2018
    10
    Daft Punk can say so much in so little. Minimal maximalists. Greatest narrative I have ever heard in any platform.
  14. MacsMusic
    Aug 6, 2018
    7
    Daft Punk's HAA is not the most organic, varied electronic album, but it's still plenty of good fun. The music and repetitive lyrics are catchy, cool, and fun. The music and lyrics are admitably repetitive, but I can't say say that they aren't fun. I can jam to any of the fast songs on this album, and the slower tracks - "Make Love" and "Emotion" - are satisfying slow songs that soundDaft Punk's HAA is not the most organic, varied electronic album, but it's still plenty of good fun. The music and repetitive lyrics are catchy, cool, and fun. The music and lyrics are admitably repetitive, but I can't say say that they aren't fun. I can jam to any of the fast songs on this album, and the slower tracks - "Make Love" and "Emotion" - are satisfying slow songs that sound pretty good. HAA isn't the classiest, most varied electronic album, but is still plenty of fun with some great electronic music.… Expand
  15. CL0V3R
    Dec 15, 2016
    7
    DP HAA is a good album **** da h8rsim fskifpiasmfoijuadshfnhggvhvhjdddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
  16. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    6
    6.0
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  17. LeoDiCaprioFan
    Jun 5, 2016
    5
    This album is kinda meh. Because the music is kinda a bit weird. But songs like "Human After All" and "Digital Love" are only the best ones in my opinion. That's all I really got to say about it.
  18. Heavixd
    May 26, 2016
    6
    Most of the songs are repetitive as hell.That doesn't mean that they are bad, but you get bored of them pretty fast, and I think this could have been so much better if Thomas and Guy-Manuel didn't put only 6 weeks of their time in this. Yet they saved this album because of the Alive 2007 tour.
  19. RBRock
    Jan 9, 2015
    10
    I have to say, being a new Daft Punk fan I went into this album after Random Access Memories, in other words high expectations. In all truth...I actually liked this more then any music I have previously heard from them, Robot Rock has this simple yet elegant beat that just makes you want to move and makes you really feel like at the time it was the future of music. When I look at theI have to say, being a new Daft Punk fan I went into this album after Random Access Memories, in other words high expectations. In all truth...I actually liked this more then any music I have previously heard from them, Robot Rock has this simple yet elegant beat that just makes you want to move and makes you really feel like at the time it was the future of music. When I look at the critic section my heart drops to a new low, I sincerely love this album and can't stop listening to it. This album is one that a car stereo does not do justice and headphones are the best thing to be used for listening to the album. In my opinion this is the peak they have reached and sadly I think that RAM is actually not as good. Great album, incredible thought process, and the beats are lean and mean.… Expand
  20. j000000000000
    Nov 19, 2014
    5
    Eh.... Probably the weakest album. It's not bad but most of it is really weak. It has it's own nice sound (Techno/Rock) that moves away from former dancey Daft Punk. Most of the album is pretty hit or miss though.
  21. Aijixe
    Feb 16, 2014
    10
    Seeing the yellow tinge of average surrounding the mediocre score of this album surprises me, and frankly, most of the reviewers and critics who delivered a poor score on this album probably listened to it once and disregarded it automatically. One who sees a mere 57 out of 100 rating on an album would surely give it a miss - a mistake that many have made. Simply put, this album, whileSeeing the yellow tinge of average surrounding the mediocre score of this album surprises me, and frankly, most of the reviewers and critics who delivered a poor score on this album probably listened to it once and disregarded it automatically. One who sees a mere 57 out of 100 rating on an album would surely give it a miss - a mistake that many have made. Simply put, this album, while almost half the length of their first album and considerably shorter than their second, is a gem that deserves much warmer recognition it has now gained. A track like "Robot Rock" may be tiresome to sit through for some, but that song is an anthem. It is a rewarding listen. "Steam Machine" tinges with the whisper of the eponymous track title, darkening the album's tone further; and lighter tracks "Make Love" and "Emotion" show that Daft Punk can create a song in any positive or negative tone, and any genre they see fit.
    In my opinion, then, "Human After All" is yet another flying-colours pass by the French duo.    … Expand
  22. asjklasjklas
    Feb 7, 2014
    6
    In all its metallic, cold, crunchiness, Human After All, which was considered to be one of the most anticipated, yet disappointing albums of 2005 and in the EDM community overall, there's meaning -- or should I say purpose -- to be found here. Now it's almost been a decade since its release, and Daft Punk have since produced for the 2010 Walt Disney film Tron: Legacy and made one of theIn all its metallic, cold, crunchiness, Human After All, which was considered to be one of the most anticipated, yet disappointing albums of 2005 and in the EDM community overall, there's meaning -- or should I say purpose -- to be found here. Now it's almost been a decade since its release, and Daft Punk have since produced for the 2010 Walt Disney film Tron: Legacy and made one of the most memorable, critically acclaimed of 2010s thus far, Random Access Memories. And maybe because of that, time has been moderately kinder to this electronic "dud". After all, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homen-Christo -- calling them by name since I'm an adoring fan myself -- intended for the album to have a robotic perception of what "being human" means. It's virtually devoid of any lyrics (aside from the often grating repetition of the song's names, respectively), so we're left with the music. And the results are hit-or-miss. "The Brainwasher" and "Technologic" are probably the somewhat most enjoyable of the bunch, matching its repetitive vodocers with some catchy techno that can easily be described in one word: "earworm". And the worst being "Robot Rock", one of Daft Punk's laziest use of sampling to date and a poor sequel to "Aerodynamic". However, one treasure (or at least by this album's standards) exists: "Make Love", an appealing, soothing throwback to their Discovery days; it's the album's "breather". So all-in-all, it's not by any means a very good album and it's justifiable for whomever finds it quite the opposite. For any Daft Punk fan, they've learned to at least commend its existence. Daft Punk are "Human After All" -- totally called for -- they're inclined to make flaws. Even robots do that every now and then.… Expand
  23. XavierBlaq
    Jan 12, 2014
    4
    Human After All contain a few decent tracks (specifically, the title track, Robot Rock, and Technologic), but overall is a shockingly bad release from Daft Punk. Though Daft Punk, and House music in general, has been known for it repetitive nature, this album goes way over the top. The result is a sub-par album with little to commend, and a great deal to complain about. Though some mayHuman After All contain a few decent tracks (specifically, the title track, Robot Rock, and Technologic), but overall is a shockingly bad release from Daft Punk. Though Daft Punk, and House music in general, has been known for it repetitive nature, this album goes way over the top. The result is a sub-par album with little to commend, and a great deal to complain about. Though some may still enjoy this release, you must be willing to deal with incessantly repeating melodies that can easily grain on even the most patient of listeners, and be willing to accept that this album is leagues away from the style they established with Discovery and Homework.… Expand
  24. Stonerface
    Oct 3, 2013
    5
    Despite the clear goal of the album, it fails to hit the same chord Homework and Discovery were able to do. Overly repetitive, overly-sampling on Robot Rock (Breakwater-Release The Beast), and a rather boring album. The album may be a hit at dance clubs, but listening to this by yourself will bore you.
  25. axelkoch
    Aug 7, 2013
    5
    You don’t have to agree on this, but to me, Daft Punk’s Discovery is the best album that has ever been made in the genre of electronic music. I didn’t expect the album’s follow-up to be just as good as the aforementioned 2001 masterpiece, however, Human After All was really a huge disappointment. The French duo Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel De Homem-Christo are definitely two of the mostYou don’t have to agree on this, but to me, Daft Punk’s Discovery is the best album that has ever been made in the genre of electronic music. I didn’t expect the album’s follow-up to be just as good as the aforementioned 2001 masterpiece, however, Human After All was really a huge disappointment. The French duo Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel De Homem-Christo are definitely two of the most gifted men in electronic music and proved it with practically every one of the 14 songs on Discovery which made all reasonable listeners want to hear more. But with this release, every reasonable listener that isn’t the absolute Daft Punk fan boy, should have enough after the dreary ten songs. Why is that? Shouldn’t a period of four years between those two albums have given them even more time to compose intelligent and dulcet house music? No, because the 4-year interval wasn’t spend with making music Daft Punk was inert most of it. Not more than 2 freaking weeks were dispensed on the production of Human After All and as with most albums that are made in such a short spell, the audience can notice that very clearly. Almost all of the album’s songs are a short concept repeated with minor variations over the course of at least four minutes. Lyrics are sparse and intelligent lyrics even sparser, but they probably thought that Technologic, one of the four songs released as a single, would compensate that with what are likely more words than all other Daft Punk songs combined. A robot voice (not the only song to use that) repeats short phrases associated with working/production of something so often that you could incur the tonal version of an epileptic seizure. The album’s general idea that technology is something that humans should be way more skeptical about sounds interesting and indeed is in some of the songs, yet the composers don’t seem that interested in this thematic which leads us, the listeners, to the same feeling. The best parts about all of the songs are the beats, a subject in which Daft Punk has always been elusively good, and they admittedly impressed me the first time I head them. Songs like Robot Rock, The Brainwasher, or the album’s best, Make Love, are prone to multiple listens only because of the beats of course, since those songs are more or less instrumental. If this album were the debut of the duo, I wouldn’t be as critical about it, but if you take a look at all of Daft Punk’s previous work, it’s just an unfulfilling record: Too long, too simple, too meaningless.… Expand
  26. MusiqueReview
    Jul 23, 2013
    9
    When i heard this album for the first time i couldn't believe how bad it was. I felt like daft punk became lazy. Now, after listening to this for a few more times, my opinion radically changed and i actually see this as one of the best albums i've ever heard. It's not all good though; take "steam machine" for example. You've heard enough already before the beat kicks in. It's the same withWhen i heard this album for the first time i couldn't believe how bad it was. I felt like daft punk became lazy. Now, after listening to this for a few more times, my opinion radically changed and i actually see this as one of the best albums i've ever heard. It's not all good though; take "steam machine" for example. You've heard enough already before the beat kicks in. It's the same with "the brainwasher". But it's the masterpieces that make this album so great. And with masterpieces, i'm talking about song like the title track, "technologic" and "prime time of your life". They've really grown to me now. What i like as well, is that everything sounds so spontaneous. Behind all the robotic effects, it sounds more human than anything i hear on the radio right now.
    They only thing i don't like, is that it's so short. 9 tracks? Come on, i wanted more of this awesomeness!    … Expand
  27. hahc21
    May 26, 2013
    9
    Human After All is a piece of incomprehensible art made music; it's a classic of experimental electronic music that after being rejected at first, became one of those rare gems that people still jam, no mater how old they are. Human After All may be very far from the definition of human, but that just enlightens its dark nature, and its vast potential.
  28. benrankel
    Mar 13, 2013
    9
    Humongously underrated album. I'd take this album over Homework any day. Beat and builds that rival anything the duo had put together previously and a melodic melancholy I love getting lost in.
  29. Bryan5555
    Apr 9, 2012
    6
    I love Daft Punk and I consider Discovery and Alive 2007 to be among my favorite musical works. However, it is painfully obvious that they didn't care about how this album turned out. Dull, repetitive, and boring would be the best words to describe this 'album.'

    I only give a 6/10 because DP redeemed themselves and this album by remixing it with Alive 2007.
  30. ArturB20
    Jan 16, 2012
    10
    Human After All is an excellent album by one of the best artists that have ever existed. Maybe is not as good as its predecessor, but in my opinion at the same place as Homework, this record shows to the world what is real electronic music. Because a lot of people thinks that this dance-pop parasites and the awful remixes of their songs are electro. Nothing as far as reality. Human AfterHuman After All is an excellent album by one of the best artists that have ever existed. Maybe is not as good as its predecessor, but in my opinion at the same place as Homework, this record shows to the world what is real electronic music. Because a lot of people thinks that this dance-pop parasites and the awful remixes of their songs are electro. Nothing as far as reality. Human After All is the perfect example of this. Beginning with a masterpiece, the title track is simply awesome, one of the best Daft Punk songs. Prime Time Of Your Life is a strange song, with a lot of industrial music, but still cool. And then, Robot Rock. Epic. How, with a single riff, create something as brilliant. The best song of the CD. Steam Machine is the same story of the second track, but this kind of songs rules and make us see that DP is a very original band. Make Love is the opposite. A calmed song, with a single riff, but that really fits with the concept of art. Absolutely great. The Brainwasher is a great song to, direct to the spirit, effective. On/Off is only an introduction for what comes next, the best song with Robot Rock, Television Rules The Nation. Describe how amazing it is is impossible. Technologic is a fun song, that improves as it progresses. And the last song, Emotion, is a calmed song with a lot of feeling. In conclusion, a great album. Maybe some parts are repetitive, but who cares. It's Daft Punk, and Human After All is one of the tops of music in the 21st century.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2005
74
#74 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Dominated by overly repetitive, lumbering throwaways. [18 Mar 2005, p.68]
  2. The Guardian
    30
    Apparently knocked off in just six weeks, Daft Punk's third album sounds like it took six days. Six short days. With long lunches.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    50
    Feels desultory and numb, verging on autistic. [Apr 2005, p.116]
See all critic reviews »