Got another review for you guys, still quite old, but as I've been blogging for under 48 hours, give me chance! But I do have my eye on the new Chase & Status album 'No More Idols'. So anyway, back to this album.
I'm not going to bother going into detail as I'm guessing most of you know who this guy is! Deadmau5's latest venture is his new album, 4x4=12. This I was really looking forward to. His last proper album was 'For Lack Of A Better Name', which brought the sound of the classic, Ghosts N' Stuff. Anyhow, straight into this new album.
The title of the album confused me if I'm honest. But then I check Wikipedia and they told me what he said on a Ustream broadcast: "4 drums there, 4 more over there. 4x4=12". And I still don't get it!
In my opinion, the first track on this album ('Some Chords') really sums Deadmau5 up for me! Rinsed out basslines, solid beats and progressive chords! The start of the track really is epic. Quiet, filtered, basslines roll through the prolonged intro, up until the long awaited drop. This is where the high pitched-low pitched bass melodies come into play. Right through to the ending basslines, I love it! All in the all, the track is epic. And if I had to pick one track out of the album, it would be this, simply because of the colossal basslines and beats. End of.
But now, onto the tracks that follow. Bit of a rollercoaster if you ask me, but still, he wants to explore different genres! 'Sofi Needs A Ladder' has that something about it. It's not epic/amazing/a bomb. When I first listened to it, I got this echoed out synth, then some drums. Then a simple drop at about 1:07! Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but for a 6 minute and 47 second song, that is EXTREMELY EARLY for a drop! But anyhow, the drop is short and sweet. Basslines and congos fade in, and it's all good! Until. This unknown woman just starts shouting! So after I look, I find out she goes by the name Sofia Toufa. Maybe it's just me? But I think she ruins the track. I mean, with a drop coming in that early, you need the vocal to carry the song along, but I don't think she helps to be fair. BUT FORTUNATELY! There is an instrumental/original version called 'You Need A Ladder'. So check it out!
Throughout the album Deadmau5's album, there is abit of Dubstep. I believe the Mau5 enjoys this genre of music, so fairplay to him for trying it out. So his attempts at Dubstep include 'One Trick Pony' with the infamous Sofia Toufa blaring her tones and 'spitting a bar' over the track, which makes it hard to distinguish. Also a good, dubstep-infused, notable track is 'Raise Your Weapon' featuring the contrasting tones of Greta Svabo Bech. I don't blame you if you've never heard of her in your life with a name like that, but anyhow. Her voice simply flows over this track beautifully. And that's a word I don't use often. With this being an 8 minute track, I thought I would get bored, but obviously not! The track starts with an amazing piano softly, then Greta simply lets her voice find it's way through the piano. Further on in the track, a beat comes in, not TOO heavy, but just right. And then there's a Dubstep breakdown about 3 quarters of the way through. Really interesting, as it seems to go just right!
Some other tracks on the album are 'Right This Second' which I feel is rather like 'FML' from Deadmau5's 'For Lack Of A Better Name'. It has a harsh, non-dance beat, and is very quirky and fidgety. But very much a let-down at the same time! It just doesn't have that Deadmau5 'thing' about it. It may just be me, liking only his upbeat, uplifting stuff. But I think this could be improved.
Another notable track on the album is Animal Rights. Probably the most mainstream track to come out of the album! Although I can't blame them! It's pure electro. Jumpy, agitated basslines over a beastly beat. Just pure epic! Wolfgang Gartner features on this one, which probably explains why I like it so much! I think they both had equal input into this because I can hear the Deadmau5 beat, but the Wolfgang messed up synths make it awesome!
Good Tracks: Animal Rights
Some Chords
Raise Your Weapon (Feat. Greta Svabo Bech)
Mediocre (because none are bad!) Tracks: Cthulhu Sleeps
Everything Before
Overall, I give this album: 7/10
This is simply because of the signature Deadmau5 synths and beats. Could be an 8! But I feel the attempt at Dubstep and the 'slow' tracks, make it a 7. But I hope to hear Deadmau5's new album coming this year! He has also stated that he will not be releasing any singles, which means, HOLD ON TO YOUR HEADPHONES, PREPARE TO HEAR TRACKS ON REPEAT!
Everything of Deadmau5's, you can find on Ultra Records on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/UltraRecords
And any requests for reviews... COMMENT!
Thanks for reading!
d|-.-|b
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