For Lack of a Better Name
For Lack of a Better Name is the fourth studio album by Canadian electronic music producer Deadmau5. It was released on September 22, 2009 in the United States and Canada by Ultra Records and Mau5trap and internationally on 5 October 2009 by Virgin Records. The album features collaborations with MC Flipside ("Hi Friend!") and Rob Swire of Pendulum ("Ghosts 'n' Stuff"). The album also contains the critically acclaimed song "Strobe". It was deadmau5's first album to be released internationally on the Virgin Records label.
For Lack of a Better Name | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 22, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2004–2009 | |||
Genre | Electro House, progressive House | |||
Length | 65:52 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Joel Zimmerman | |||
Deadmau5 chronology | ||||
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Deadmau5 studio album chronology | ||||
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Singles from For Lack of a Better Name | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
BBC | Favourable [2] |
CHARTattack | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Independent | Unfavourable [4] |
The Observer | Favourable [5] |
The Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Track listing
Continuous mix version
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "FML" | 6:35 |
2. | "Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff" | 4:30 |
3. | "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (featuring Rob Swire) | 3:15 |
4. | "Hi Friend!" (featuring MC Flipside) | 5:15 |
5. | "Bot" | 5:22 |
6. | "Word Problems" | 7:48 |
7. | "Soma" | 6:07 |
8. | "Lack of a Better Name" | 6:58 |
9. | "The 16th Hour" | 9:29 |
10. | "Strobe" | 10:37 |
Total length: | 65:52 |
No. | Title | Length |
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11. | "Ghosts 'n' Stuff (Sub Focus Remix)" (featuring Rob Swire) | 4:26 |
No. | Title | Length |
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11. | "Ghosts 'n' Stuff (Nero Remix)" (featuring Rob Swire) | 6:55 |
The Extended Mixes
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "FML" | 7:01 |
2. | "Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff" | 4:57 |
3. | "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (featuring Rob Swire) | 5:29 |
4. | "Hi Friend!" (featuring MC Flipside) | 6:32 |
5. | "Bot" | 6:34 |
6. | "Word Problems" | 8:30 |
7. | "Soma" | 7:53 |
8. | "Lack of a Better Name" | 8:15 |
9. | "The 16th Hour" | 9:53 |
10. | "Strobe" | 10:33 |
In popular culture
A music video for "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" was released in August 2009. "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" was also featured on a promo for the Canadian edition of So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. The beginning of the song is also featured in a Chinese opusculum by Song Xiaobao. The songs "FML" and "Hi Friend!" are featured on an episode of Gossip Girl where deadmau5 appeared as himself. "Strobe" as well as the track "Cthulhu Sleeps" from his next album 4×4=12 also went on to appear in an episode of Epic Meal Time, in which deadmau5 also starred.
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[19] | Silver | 60,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[20] | Gold | 40,000^ |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
References
- Carino, Paula. "For Lack of a Better Name – Deadmau5 > Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- Diver, Mike (October 9, 2009). "Review of deadmau5 – For Lack of a Better Name". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- Villeneuve, Phil (September 24, 2009). "Deadmau5 – For Lack Of A Better Name". Chart. Chart Communication. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- Price, Simon (October 4, 2009). "Album: Deadmau5, For Lack of a Better Name (Virgin)". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- Empire, Kitty (October 4, 2009). "Deadmau5: For Lack of a Better Name". The Observer. London, England: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- Potton, Ed (October 3, 2009). "Deadmau5: For Lack of a Better Name". The Times. Wapping, London. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "For Lack Of A Better Name (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version)". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "For Lack of a Better Name (Bonus Track Version)". iTunes. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "Australiancharts.com – deadmau5 – For Lack of a Better Name". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 41, 2009". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "deadmau5 Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "deadmau5 Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "deadmau5 Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
- "British album certifications – Deadmau5 – For Lack of a Better Name". British Phonographic Industry. July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type For Lack of a Better Name in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "Canadian album certifications – Deadmau5 – For Lack of a Better Name". Music Canada. July 15, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2018.