Tracks
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As a big Daft Punk fan, I've always considered Deadmau5 the one and only successor to their greatness. However, Deadmau5 is obviously of a newer era, and as such his sound is heavier, more industrial and less melodic.
4 X 4 = 12 can only be described as a mix between Daft Punk, Digitalism and the occasional electrostep (think Skrillex) influence in between. It is the the perfect fit for a rave: the album is extremely heavy on repetition, and it seems that Deadmau5 has done this on purpose in order to entrance his listeners. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't: 4 X 4 = 12 is no undivided success.
Those who are familiar with Deadmau5 will probably know that he views the usage of bass drops in his tracks differently than most producers. In fact, few of the tracks on this album have any big drops to speak of. Instead, the tracks just flow on and on, featuring very little variation in theme throughout. Considering many of the tracks are at least 5 minutes long, this can get tiring.
Some tracks feature melodies and rhythms that really clicked with me, others simply bored me. "One Trick Pony" is my favourite track, and probably the closest Deadmau5 ever gets to making a conventional electro track that drops and flows. "Animal Weapons" and "Raise Your Weapons" feature strong melodies as well, but the other tracks seem like they were made to inspire other DJs with their repetitive structures rather than be listened to on your iPod in this form.
The album needs more oomph, one might say. It feels like a concept album from which a producer might pull ideas to mix together, not like a finished and consumer-friendly package. If that's what you're looking for in Deadmau5, you would probably be better off going with "For Lack of a Better Name", his previous full album.
4 X 4 = 12 can only be described as a mix between Daft Punk, Digitalism and the occasional electrostep (think Skrillex) influence in between. It is the the perfect fit for a rave: the album is extremely heavy on repetition, and it seems that Deadmau5 has done this on purpose in order to entrance his listeners. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't: 4 X 4 = 12 is no undivided success.
Those who are familiar with Deadmau5 will probably know that he views the usage of bass drops in his tracks differently than most producers. In fact, few of the tracks on this album have any big drops to speak of. Instead, the tracks just flow on and on, featuring very little variation in theme throughout. Considering many of the tracks are at least 5 minutes long, this can get tiring.
Some tracks feature melodies and rhythms that really clicked with me, others simply bored me. "One Trick Pony" is my favourite track, and probably the closest Deadmau5 ever gets to making a conventional electro track that drops and flows. "Animal Weapons" and "Raise Your Weapons" feature strong melodies as well, but the other tracks seem like they were made to inspire other DJs with their repetitive structures rather than be listened to on your iPod in this form.
The album needs more oomph, one might say. It feels like a concept album from which a producer might pull ideas to mix together, not like a finished and consumer-friendly package. If that's what you're looking for in Deadmau5, you would probably be better off going with "For Lack of a Better Name", his previous full album.