Deadmau5: For Lack Of A Better Name

Joel Zimmerman, better known by his stage name Deadmau5, began his musical career in 2005 with the release of his debut album 'Get Scraped.' Since, he has released four further studio albums, with 'For Lack Of A Better Name' being the fourth studio Deadmau5 album, released in 2009.

Deadmau5: For Lack Of A Better Name

The album begins with 'FML,' which features possibly the most furious and incessant minute of snare drum playing ever to occur outside of rock music. This is soon relegated as house-style synths dominate, eventually subsiding to the famed funeral march at the beginning of 'Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff,' an instrumental version of 'Ghosts 'n' Stuff,' which follows as a separate track. Given that no large passages of vocal material enter until the third track, Deadmau5 shows great skill in creating such interesting house arrangements from largely synthesisers.

The fourth track, 'Hi Friend!,' which features MC Flipside, also released as the first single of the album, shows a greater influence from electro music. This electro style continues into 'Bot,' which combines lowfi drums and additional elements which make it reminiscent to Daft Punk's output, in particular their soundtrack to 'Tron: Legacy,' reviewed here.

Among the later tracks in the album are the title track 'Lack Of A Better Name,' as well as the audibly trance influenced '16th Hour' and 'Strobe,' both over ten minutes long. This album illustrates clearly Deadmau5's versatility as an artist and its critical acclaim is by no means surprising. 

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