Deadmau5 - While (1 Is Less Than 2) ALBUM REVIEW

Listen: • deadmau5 - Avaritia
Deadmau5' new, double album showcases much more finesse and maturity than his past releases. His usual house bangers are dark, textured. Meanwhile, much of the second disc feels like it was inspired by some in-depth listens to a film score or two.
More electronic reviews: bit.ly/1qyjP06
Subscribe: bit.ly/1pBqGCN
Official site: theneedledrop.com
TND Twitter: / theneedledrop
TND Facebook: / theneedledrop
Support TND: theneedledrop.c...
FAV TRACKS: AVARITIA, COELACANTH I, MY PET COELACANTH, INTRA TURBO PIGCART RACER, PHANTOMS CAN'T HANG, RLYEHS LAMENT, MERCEDES, MONDAY
LEAST FAV TRACK: ICE AGE (DEADMAU5 REMIX)
DEADMAU5 - WHILE (1 IS LESS THAN 2) / MAU5TRAP / 2014 / PROGRESSIVE HOUSE, FIDGET HOUSE, TECH HOUSE, ELECTRO HOUSE, HOUSE, EDM,
7/10 & 5/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right? What did you think of this album? Love it? Hate it? Why? What should I review next, eh?

[@MegaBojangles99]

i think that deadmau5 wants to be treated as an artist and not just a guy behind turntables making compilations, which he is an artist. his music invokes emotion and gives his music purpose instead of being the same electronic hook over and over again.

[@md6714]

exactly. I think Joel has the talent to tackle any theme or genre of music, he just needs to do it

[@MegaBojangles99]

Vipul Konnur tbh i made this a while ago but i think i meant that edm isnt (or wasnt) treated as seriously, especially the more satirical works of the time. My overall point was that deadmau5 deserves more respect as an artist though

[@aryanterrance6092]

Dunno if anyone gives a shit but if you guys are bored like me during the covid times then you can watch all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been watching with my girlfriend recently =)

[@josuedraven3070]

@Aryan Terrance Yup, been watching on instaflixxer for years myself :D

[@roninlennox2688]

@Aryan Terrance Yea, have been using instaflixxer for since december myself :)

[@ayeg-dp5to]

i wish we lived in an alternate universe where deadmau5 continued making albums like this...

[@What.iphhhh]

This is painful to read because I completely agree

[@brandon101996]

i wish there was more stuff from 2008-2012 he would make

[@2nMusic2n]

I guess you could say... 1 was greater than 2.

[@AdamHBr]

why you is lie?

[@zkykzmel9801]

Be dum tist

[@brokengirrafe]

yeah,the presence of Discovery in the background is fair.

[@theneedledrop]

yep yep yep

[@MarkTurnerChromium]

I loved that album!

[@korymetalhead8269]

Exactly

[@ColtonPoorman]

Cool to see that deadmau5 was the first and only artist to ever score a 12/10

[@SecondUniverse101]

deadmau5-while(1

[@robinenlennard]

hardly

[@durrantmiller8810]

+Lennard Lennard shut up

[@TravisNelsondjcrome]

+Lennard Lennard dumb nerd

[@robinenlennard]

Travis Nelson get mad tough guy

[@TravisNelsondjcrome]

+Lennard Lennard fat fuck

[@theneedledrop]

consider supporting tnd, and picking up one of these lovely shirts w/my face in the armpit: theneedledrop.com/support

[@HandsUp12100]

So a 7 on the first disk and a 5 on the second one? So if you average that together, let's see, 7 X 5 is 35, and divided by the number of scores, which is two, equals 17.5, meaning holy shit, you gave the whole album a decent 17/10! Glowing! #goodatmath

[@ofaelia]

Sean Byrne 7 + 5 = 12 divided by two =6 6/10

[@zaKkyBoY121]

Well done you know simple arithmetics, Do you want a fucking medal

[@Meadaa]

Review bleachers strange desire

[@yee2urhaw246]

I hope you review Watsky's All You Can Do when that drops in August!!!

[@carlproductions5464]

This is my favorite Album by Deadmau5. So much beautiful piano, having super chill tracks, and also tracks that are hype. I like that I can just turn this album on while I'm doing anything and not have to change the song.

[@carlproductions5464]

CARL Productions I don't care for the first 3 tracks though, and the 9 inch nails remix is crap.

[@DOT_Z]

@@carlproductions5464 yeah i was so disappointed, so much potential

[@caseyrastegar6180]

Remember when albums were just "released". Now they are either "dropped" or "leaked"... like... why so scatological?

[@theneedledrop]

why do those words remind you of poop? whose poop "leaks"?

[@Lomaxxx53]

I ate some bad stuff and now my poop "leaks"

[@caseyrastegar6180]

Well... piss leaks.

[@TheThirdChild]

Casey Jacobs Piss streams

[@caseyrastegar6180]

Music streams, too.

[@orangeflip]

Anthony, while (1 < 2) is an infinite loop in computer programing. you could say his album name is really "Forever"

[@mike_dunno]

I agree, "rlyehs lament" is amazing. The melody in it is from the song "cthulhu dreams".

[@TheNFSJacob]

"R'lyeh" - R'lyeh is a fictional lost city that first appeared in the H. P. Lovecraft short story "The Call of Cthulhu", first published in Weird Tales in June 1928. In the story, R'lyeh is a sunken city in the South Pacific and the prison of the entity called Cthulhu. "Lament" - to feel or express sorrow or regret for Some pretty thoughtful naming there for deadmau5, someone who has a hit named 'ghost n' stuff'.

[@apartida123]

speaking of that "The Call of Cthulhu" is the original name of "The Call of Ktulu" by metallica

[@matiasguitar3676]

@@apartida123 yep, it was also based off of the story

[@jonas-j3h]

This is one of the most underrated albums I know. It is strange but fascinating. The capital vices of Christianity (aka the seven deadly sins) is the predominant theme throughout the album. Each of the sins is given its respective song, interspersed throughout the album. These songs (Avaritia, Gula, Acedia, Invidia, Superbia, and Ira), are all beautifully composed piano pieces with a melancholic character, suggesting a connection to their respective sin. These songs do indeed invoke feelings of guilt, jadedness, and just plain sadness, but does this in a contemplative and self-aware way. This ties into the Janus-faced nature of the album as a whole. The quiet piano is juxtaposed with a distorted electric sound. The sound is violent, impatient, and fast-paced. The song "survivalism," a remix of the nine-inch nails song by the same name, is an excellent example of the main theme and is chosen by Joel for this exact reason. The song, I believe, describes an intrinsic drive to consume. The lyrics "Mother nature is a whore," exemplify this, and I think this is what the central theme of the album is concerning: Consumerism and the feelings of fun/thrill/guilt/loneliness/sadness that comes with it.

[@NOVAsteamed]

Well said, but I think melon completely missed that

[@italiansurprise]

After all these years, I never picked up on much of this. I just figured it was a melancholic album heavily inspired by NIN and whatever emotional turmoil was happening at the time. He still speaks disdainfully about consumerism and the “dumbification” of electronic music production. Seems fitting that this was around the time that he started using a lot of analog gear and seemed to become super cynical. This has become one of my favorite throw back albums to listen to recently. Good take.

[@jonas-j3h]

@@italiansurprise Yes! He is also quite the consumer himself, with his castle, gadgets, cars, computers, synths and whatnot... In that respect, I think this album is quite self-reflective. Not only in a negative sense though.

[@bennyjames7806]

You only named 6 of 7

[@jonas-j3h]

@@bennyjames7806 You're right. I forgot Luxuria, which is in 'coelacanth II'

[@flinchey6962]

Review his new album W:/2016ALBUM/

[@Crabbi5]

This

[@diegomartinez5461]

it would be dissapointing, i'm not a fan of the album, but it isn't the woooorst

[@flinchey6962]

diego Martinez I can agree with you on the not being his best but there are some really good tracks on it for say Snowcone

[@Trifton]

Three pound chicken wing is my favorite. Makes me remind of his older stuff, but with a darker touch.

[@prod-NC-17]

like fml

[@JohnSmith-gl3cq]

It's a good album for coding Java. In fact, I believe it was made exactly for that. Some how Mr. Zimmerman has found a way to transcend music into the idea of living in a computer.

[@stapia505]

i code to deadmau5 all the time 😂

[@RubberBand223]

Yo review that new Pink Floyd mixtape that just came out, Dark Side of the Moon.

[@nuggeteater69]

Love that one, definantily an underrated gem

[@diss5429]

@@nuggeteater69 i hope they go big

[@nateh4590]

This kinda pisses you off when it's about your all time favorite artist.

[@StudioScarecrow]

eh, fantano's always been open about the fact that it's just his opinion and he doesn't begrudge anybody who disagrees with him. i feel you, though- i was kinda irritated by his review of Childish Gambino's Because the Internet

[@robinenlennard]

It's not a negative review, though.

[@btoum__roumada]

I agree. :c

[@maxamills1929]

Three words: 70's Modular Synths

[@Twat2024]

1 word Serum

[@djkamzpr0]

I know I'm a little late to this but My Pet Coelacanth is one of his best songs for sure (it was the second deadmau5 song I've ever heard actually)

[@illusionistphantom]

Please listen to more, my favorite electronic artist at least.

[@Yoishify]

Hey everyone, Albatross Fellatio here; The internet's baldest music nerd.

[@laker24c]

"Albatross Fellatio"... Fuck yea

[@ebernerd]

Since I love deadmau5 and his older work, I found this to be a nice change. I loved all of the songs, except Gula, and the Nine Inch Nails remix. They just didnt do it for me. It might be biased, but I'd give the album as a whole an 7.5 to an 8

[@ebernerd]

And, I know it's an opinion, but I found the Ice Age remix to be one of my favorites. :D

[@SkyFoxTale]

Eric Aw, Gula was one of my favorites.

[@shanedempsey8726]

+Eric I'd give it an 8 to 8.5. It's quite a stunning achievement and without Aphex Twin's comeback album it would have won a Grammy for sure. . I can't think of a single deadmau5 album that deserves a 5 and I don't know what the reviewer is thinking giving a 5 to the second disc. Sure, it's personal taste but that's saying the second disc is only so-so and I don't believe most fans of electronic music would think that.

[@triple_x_r_tard]

that's a shame because i am listening to Gula 7 years later, and it is a banger

[@hhhllll5656]

I like how Anthony says modern EDM albums are shit while having discovery in the background to show what a good dance album looks like.

[@aceblizzard3725]

Shocked You Actually Reviewed This

[@theneedledrop]

are you?

[@nuggeteater69]

He was

[@KingleIsle]

Hey Anthony its been awhile since I gave this album a listen but I was kinda sad you didn't talk about Bleed which is probably my favorite of the album.

[@benallan2328]

Luke Rue Bleed is so damn good. Also, Monday, Infra Turbo Pigcart Racer, Seeya, Rlyehs Lament and Ice Age are some of my favourites.

[@goodsoupltd9053]

Have you heard his first album Get Scraped? its very unlike what he is known for you should give it a listen

[@emiel255]

Or ‘Project 56’

[@Dylan-Frost]

Why is it unavailable on Spotify

[@aadliafiq]

@@Dylan-Frost ' cuz it's shit ' when i ask him why he removed Get Scraped on twitch

[@mattuiop]

I think its nice that he's getting some of his best un-officially release tracks into this double disc album. He has the right idea on how to approach music this time and I would say it's looking better than .

[@Rareenergy]

The how to destroy Angel's remix changed my life in a time when music was dead to me. All of the different living creatures sounds, he put a ton of work into it

[@SirArthurTheGreat]

I felt more of a good 8 on disc 1, and a light 7 on disc 2, but maybe because I've gotten addicted to the sound of Creep on a fall bike-ride.

[@BrandonBowditch]

Weird Al Yankovic - Mandatory Fun

[@theneedledrop]

will do.

[@BrandonBowditch]

It's fucking hilarious. There are only a few tracks that were duds for me. Real shit, I haven't heard this great of an album from Weird Al since Poodle Hat.

[@father042]

YES

[@Zsmart]

theneedledrop YAY

[@TheOmniReview]

Government plates

[@Overcrox]

I must say, although I'm a big Deadmau5 fan and I love this album, I wasn't expecting Fantano to ever do a review on it. *nervously peeks at score* *sighs and shrugs* Could be worse. Thanks for being fair. (Why hating on Ice Age though?? It's lovely. :( )

[@FilipTheMVC]

No "Seeya"? Best track on the album for sure!

[@ggthewhale]

PVLXCE nah bleed

[@uggkitsune5442]

^^ the first version though

[@imicca]

i think so too. great groove

[@liamcarmody4217]

Tremor1219 Seeya Next Tuesday?

[@gearoidwalsh8606]

Deadmau5 doesn't deserve the shit he gets... He's EDM but his taste is not as vapid as most of it.

[@MBooley]

The bit about being 'mainstream' is out of the equation. That is exactly opposite to his intentions which you can clearly hear/understand. Being mainstream means being a sell-out.

[@PCNERD19]

This was the first album I ever listened to in full, and it's still one of my all time favorites today.

[@larslovelot1784]

I love your reviews. Please keep on keeping on! I've discovered many good artists thanks to you, so my appreciation goes out to you. Thanks again man.

[@JoeC26]

When he said that it sounded almost like a film score I giggled, because he actually made it to a film score in Polar by now

[@MakeAcid]

seeing everyone destroying this album i love how you actually reviewed it fairly as always

[@TheResonating]

I'll admit deadmau5 should have done more ambient songs that didnt just have piano, like bleed! One of his best songs of all time! But to people who say this album is crap, you need to learn that there's more to music than just a kick/clap and drop....ect. Music is suppose to be emotional and joel did a good job expressing that in this album.

[@MakeAcid]

I love how often discovery appears on your channel lately

[@zombipl0x]

we've went all the way from 4x4=12 to 1

[@nontrivialdog]

lol did not expect this

[@nontrivialdog]

Nice hair by the way. Or should I say, the lack of hair.

[@theneedledrop]

T of the Park thanks, bb.

[@SleevesOfWizard]

theneedledrop y'oure hair fuckig suck

[@yeahhhboiii16]

SleevesOfWizard y'oure grammar fuckig suck

[@man4437]

'y'o'u'r'e ragnarock sexual intercourse vacuum

[@FluffSweden]

'Pets' is a really nice piece of music.

[@miracledisaster8539]

You should listen to BT's records for an example of great EDM records. He's a true maestro. One of the best musicians alive imo. (Noteworthy EDM-style records: Movement in Still Life, These Hopeful Machines, A Song Across Wires; other ambient/experimental releases: This Binary Universe, If the Stars Are Eternal So Are You and I)

[@DOT_Z]

Deadmau5 is THE best album artist in EDM

[@guzxam]

4:10 he predicted it

[@zingwasntavailable]

twenty one pilots- Vessel

[@zingwasntavailable]

Jacob De Paz Would you shoot a guy with glasses?

[@ottoharcrow9327]

4:05 Anthony Fantano predicts orchestral influences!

[@miked6967]

Dundas Square/“Bleed” is absolutely BRILLIANT…surprised you didn’t mention it. 😢 ❤

[@drifter402]

deadmau5 can barely be called "EDM"

[@benallan2328]

Geeeee8 Have you listened to any of his albums before this? They are as electronic as you can get.

[@drifter402]

Ben Allan It's electronic. It's mostly dance music, but it's not EDM.

[@fuura6014]

Geeeee8 Dafuk is EDM even?id

[@scruffyTJ1234]

if its electronic, and it's dance music, and edm stands for electronic dance music then what the hell do you think it is?

[@drifter402]

Commercialised Americrap

[@kittykat575]

"Bleed" is my favorite song ever it has been for a few years.

[@PerunaCommando]

0:15 don't call him a DJ

[@TheGreenStripedTie]

are you going to do the new Joyce manor album?

[@novemberAB]

Why is the album cover stretched like that lmao

[@WithASideOfFries]

Huh. I didn't think you'd review this.

[@ZachDrums8]

I really thought this record was probably some of his best stuff yet! He's definitely becoming a little bit more diverse writing shorter tracks and nice and often beautiful interludes. I do think there is definitely a Trent Reznor influence however I wouldn't compare it to anything from the downward spiral. It's not even close to being that harsh and challenging unless you want to compare some of it to the songs "A Warm Place" or "The Downward Spiral". I think there's more of an influence probably coming from Ghosts I-IV. I also sense a bit of an influence from possibly Brian Eno when I listen to the interludes (but Eno also influenced Reznor so that would explain that). Keep the vids up ma. I love hearing what you have to say!

[@sebastianmather3536]

Along with his pop hits, Deadmau5 has always released atmospheric, darker and glitchier songs too. Always been experimental as far as I can tell.

[@chrisoliver123]

Circulatory System-Mosaics Within Mosaics

[@johnsinger1242]

At one point in phantoms can't hang, there is so much going on that you can't exactly count how many tracks are in that area of the song. It's so wicked

[@cjjb]

Well I guess 1 was not less than 2 after all

[@ArcaneStrain]

Personally love this album, understand and agree with the occasional lack of progression in tracks. Fave tracks are the darker ones like Avaritia, Terrors and my absolute favorite Acedia.

[@IHATEPOLOTIX]

Correction: MellowHype's new mixtape is INSA (I Need Some Answers)

[@Bryce0089]

Review The Black market

[@theneedledrop]

the whole black market?

[@clee3352]

theneedledrop yes

[@TheQuentinSK8]

theneedledrop He means Rise Against's new album.

[@clee3352]

TheQuentinSK8 Im aware of that

[@sjholmes101]

Chan Lee I mean, it's sort of just one song that repeat over and over.

[@heri_prieto]

I have a huge feeling Deadmau5 made this album for computer programmers. Firstly, the name "While(1 < 2)" is a computer programming condition loop, an infinite one at that. I listen to this album while programming and the two go together BEAUTIFULLY.

[@naranjamindlessvision]

The HTDA remix was supposed to be a Christmas song, he released it on his soundcloud back in December.

[@matthewsalinsky5989]

I watched the canadian music week interview he did and he says in that that he made each song in consequential order that appears in the track list

[@IHATEPOLOTIX]

I would like to hear your thoughts on the following. Body Count-Manslaughter Pennywise- Yestardays MellowHype- In Search of Answers

[@joru100]

Why no 5 Seconds Of Summer review?

[@RealFakeLabel]

Nice to see someone finally actually listening to the album and not being an ignorant douche about things. Good job. I basically have almost the exact same opinion as you on this record, with the exception of Coelecanth I and II which I didn't like. The remixes were the worst part. That thing about the cheesy singers though? Pretty sure there's one of those on "Seeya".

[@rohkalluri]

Funny that you said deadmau5 has his ear to some orchestral music....

[@spongeaang98]

Wish Anthony would have reviewed "Amygdala" by DJ Koze. One of the best albums of 2013 and electronic/house/trip hop albums in the past few years.

[@6lu5ky86]

A Moment to Myself (which is my favorite track by him) was written in like 2009. I don't see how this doesn't break his chain.

[@crim-jim6814]

Best album of all time period.

[@jpatterson27]

Discovery in the background YES PLEASE!

... best bicycle riding music in to the sunset for 3 years...

[@rjl9967]

completely agree with you on the 'bringing awful guest singers on'... I feel The Veldt could have been a lot better without Chris James

[@romanshulik3134]

Mr. Puddle watch the video where Deadmau5 discovers the singer "Chris James" for The Veldt. Then you'll see why he used him.

[@dustinhoornaert2033]

Soooo, you said that his old albums feel like compilations, but when artists put together compilations they are usually of their best songs, so your basically saying that all of his older albums have really really good songs on them...hmmmm (which is 100% true in my opinion, deadmau5 for life!!!)

[@robinenlennard]

He means that with his older albums, it just feels like he mashed together a load of singles, without cohesion.

[@Meowblivion]

04:16 THAT PICTURE WILL HAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

[@robinenlennard]

Are you really this much of a wuss or do you just want likes

[@BiggaMyMan]

+Lennard Lennard All of the above for that dork.

[@OfficialSyronix]

Have a like on my behalf you carrot

[@qoseb]

Uncultured swine, listen to some Aphex Twin.

[@IanStrika]

Are you talking about the mixed image?

[@Bismvth]

Totally heard NIN Ghosts the first time I listened, glad I'm not the only one to make the connection

[@giulianogisotti4107]

He should check out where's the drop

[@stealthmermaid40]

ANTHONY PLZ ALL I NEED TO SEE IS +stealthmermaid40 "thanks bb" THATS ALL I WANT. OKAY.

[@samcorken]

I said love it right before you said love it. WE ARE IN SYNC ANTHONY

[@yuggoof]

I'm just waiting patiently for James Lavelle to bring out a new Unkle album.

[@RaulForPresident]

Bought my ticket for your Melbourne show, Happy you reviewed this album. Any chance of taking a look at the new Rise Against album?

[@southfremantle588]

Are you going to review The Hunting Party -Linkin Park?

[@Thome90]

what t-shirt is anthony wearing in this video?

[@nontrivialdog]

Anthony can you one day upload an hour long video of you just listening and dancing to any one of your favorite albums? I know it'll be difficult because of copyright issues, but I know you'll figure something out! ;)

[@Methoverbitches]

Not enough gula talk here. Top 3 d5 tracks ever

[@sen-te8oq]

listen bro, phantoms cant hang, alright?

[@mikmagic1]

I personally loved this record. The thing about deadmau5 for me is that his music sound so otherworldly. Even compared to artists like Iglooghost, some of his tracks still hits a spacey alien wonderland that no other artist can provide.

[@GeoAl09]

I think he should've kept it to a single LP, rather than a double LP. It's like 80% ambient and 20% dance stuff. If anything he could've released a double LP. First LP dance stuff and 2nd being the ambient stuff. I hate that it's all weirdly organized together.

[@SenatorSP]

My Pet Coelacanth is the GOAT need to see that in concert

[@pipthegooner]

Seeya is one of the best songs I've ever heard, not exaggerating.

[@ThePandaonslaught]

I wasn't too into this deadmau5 record either. I'd say review Fallujah- The Flesh prevails when it releases on the 22nd.

[@Thatswhatshesaid3100]

Rise Against - The Black Market

[@imicca]

I am big deadmau5 fan

[@despacitonice5996]

Deamau5 said himself that this was a compilation album.

[@greatheightsu]

I wasn't really high on this record and it didn't stand out to much to me initially. But I just saw his show last weekend. There is a whole visual and deeper audio production to this live. It is awesome. If you have the chance to see a deadmau5 show do so. A deadmau5 concert is all deadmau5, and this is not your standard electronic unce-unce show.

[@storkweezard6338]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Venetian Snares newest album.

[@str8todamoney]

Haven't heard the album yet but don't you think imagination is enough for those soundtracky type songs and visuals aren't really needed?

[@Drumm3r125]

So to summarize, the first disc is better than the second disc? Shouldn't the name then be "While(2

[@twentyninetoes]

Anthony, it might be worth noting for you that Coelacanth is pronounced "seel-uh-kanth".