Following on April’s generally interesting LPVava Voom, Bassnectar’s scattershot EP of also-rans exemplifies unintelligent dance music. Whatever your disposition, the music known as dubstep is unique and here to stay, and Lorin Ashton — the DJ behind Bassnectar — has admirably collaborated with a wide range of musicians, from rappers to punk rockers, who add irony and emotion to an often mechanical-sounding sub-genre. Frustratingly, however, just when an homage to Skrillex sounds fruitful, a poor sample or misexecuted vocal or tired formula comes in to sour it. An exception proving this rule is "Hologram" — a smooth, rewarding cut among otherwise rough sailing. Label this one: only for the diehard. —Kevin Sánchez
This article appears in Nov 14-20, 2012.
