The Veldt

Ray Bradbury has been heralded by the New York Times as "the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream". He wrote his short story called "The Veldt" in September of 1950, though most know him for his novel "Fahrenheit 451". The short story tells of 2 parents who struggle to discipline and raise their 2 children in their technologically advanced home, warning of the problems from increasing dependence on technology.

Deadmau5 wrote the song as an homage to Bradbury after his death in 2012 while live-streaming online. Chris James recorded his own vocals to the song, inspired by Bradbury's story and sent them to deadmau5 on Twitter. Deadmau5 was so impressed by the vocals, they were included in the final song.

The 11 minutes version of the song begins with a safari like drum beat and continues marching for almost 2 minutes until the soft plucks of deadmau5's famous synth work come in for the rest of the track. The chords are so evocative, layering on new sounds so seamlessly it's hard to stop listening. The 8 minute instead begins with the synth layers that carry the whole track. The chords and arpeggios remain simple, almost as if deadmau5 is showing off his control of the technology that the family from the short story wasn't careful enough to manage. Tools like emerging technologies are just tools, and an exactness for their intended use reflects the careful, calculated nature of The Veldt.