Deadmau5, 'For Lack of a Better Name'

Release date: September 22, 2009
Record label: Ultra
Official Web site: http://www.deadmau5.com/

The buzz: After only a few years on the scene and just one studio album, Canadian producer Joel Zimmerman is already superstar in dance world, earning a Grammy nomination, a No. 1 dance single (“Move for Me”), several DJ awards and a massive following in the clubs (dancing to beats created by a guy tucked into a strobe-lit mousehead? Sold!). “Lack” is his second album for electronic label Ultra.
 
The verdict: Unlike a lot of A-level producers who make the big time and aim for singles, “Lack” possesses a real flow. “FML” starts the record off on a rampage, as a solid minute of percussive blasts leads into a big beat anthem straight outta 1996. The anthems come early, as the two-part “Moar Ghosts” and “Ghosts 'n' Stuff” nicely mix what sounds like a cheesy ‘50s horror movie soundtrack with Justice-y disco beats and a well-used vocal assist from Rob Swire of U.K. electro-rockers Pendulum. From there, the record ebbs and flows nicely—think of it as a near-perfect live DJ set you can play at home. (Note: take your bathroom break two-thirds in, during the appropriately titled “Soma.”)
 
Did you know? Zimmerman has a great explanation (well, really more of a mild rant) regarding the low-quality rips of his music on the Internet and how sound degradation adversely affects not just Deadmau5 tracks, but most stuff posted to YouTube and various file-sharing networks. If talk of bits and kHz and DAC/ADC conversion floats your boat, check out his thoughts here. You may never accept a 128 kbps stream again.