Justice's A Cross The Universe is sheer madness

Justice released their remixed, chaotic live album and documentary.

By Erin Kaplan

Published Dec. 11, 2008

From the moment Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Auge's lips press up against the giant gold cross worn around Auge's neck backstage at Madison Square Garden as part of their pre-show ritual to the moment they walk away from their tour, bloody and stumbling, Justice's A Cross The Universe live album and documentary package delivers a wacky look into the world of the French electronica duo's new fame, old beats and insane antics.

If you're looking for a clean, crisp recording of a live Justice set, then Cross will undoubtedly disappoint. The album captures not only the music but also the sounds and energy of the crowd, which at times leads to an inevitable battle between the music and the crowd's roar. The music is scratchier and the levels uneven — audiophiles cringe repeatedly during a number of songs.

But for those looking to get as close as they can to actually being there, the trade-off is worth it. During "D.A.N.C.E.," the band lets the track roll for nearly two minutes with nothing but the simple piano alongside it. Listening to the crowd sing every word together is something that seems strange for an electronic album, yet signature for Justice's brand. Again, this forms an unfortunate tradeoff. As the encore begins, a piano-driven take on a classic Justice track starts in and the crowd's excitement all but drowns out the track itself.

The live album brings back nearly every track from 2007's Cross (the lackluster "Newjack" is the only song absent, and it's not missed). If this worries any listeners, it shouldn't. Each track has been remixed to feel new while still familiar.

The accompanying 64-minute documentary takes fans along for the ride on Justice's North American tour. And it forgoes any formal, traditional documentary outline: as the tour unfolds, it becomes painstakingly clear that there is absolutely no clear plot, just 20 consecutive days of sheer madness.

The tour begins with Auge and de Rosnay excited about what's coming, and what's coming is crazy — notably Auge's spontaneous marriage in a Las Vegas chapel. As a whole, though, the documentary seems to show a vacancy in Justice's world: everyone seems bored, and if not bored, then holding a gun and if not that, screwing on the tour bus.

Even in the absurd world of Justice, some of the most entertaining parts come from the strange shots of the crowd. In the weirdest, the camera films two teenage boys singing along to "We Are Your Friends" in the dark, their faces are illuminated by an eerie green glow. One mouths the words softly with a look of sheer terror on his face, his glazed eyes staring off into the dark. The other sobs as he screams every word, seemingly in fear.

The range of emotions the fans express during the documentary capture everything you would feel while playing their live album and more, leaving you feeling excited yet a bit disappointed. A Cross The Universe is a strange invitation for everyone to come experience the range of madness themselves.