Endtroducing... - DJ Shadow

Advantages: Moody, Stylistically Varied And Rap Free!
Disadvantages: None

**First up, it's END-troducing, not Entroducing (those Chow clerical people!) ***This review contains the words "Country & Western" and "Black Metal." Readers with allergies to such styles of music may wish to avoid this review. However the manufacturers would like to point out that this review contains only minimal references to such genres and no cross-contamination was involved in the production of this review. Still with me? If so, read on... ...
...DJ SHADOW ALBUM: ENDTRODUCING (1996) LABEL: MO WAX I first heard DJ Shadow's stunning debut release late in 1996. I was aware of the plethora of red hot reviews that this album had generated during the summer but was reluctant to investigate. The reasons for my reluctance were twofold... Firstly I hate the concept of DJ's as recording artists. For my mind these sometimes skillful, sometimes shameful individuals should stick to earning their (normally ... Read review

Advantages: Original, Soundtrack-like in parts, Very enjoyable, even if you're not that keen on regular brands of hip-hop
Disadvantages: None

I am amazed that this album has escaped me until now. Usually when I hear of an album by “DJ something or other”, or anything with “DJ” in the title, I am pretty sceptical, as it usually indicates some dance compilation where all the songs have already been mixed by someone else, and there’s nothing really new. This album is nothing like that. First of all, it’s not a dance album, and second of all, it features ...
...heard. You can tell I like it! I first discovered music from this album whilst visiting a graphic design website – they had track 11 “Midnight in a Perfect World” playing alongside some animation, and I was immediately impressed. I had no idea what the music was, and emailed the webmaster to see if they’d tell me, they replied that it was off “some old DJ Shadow tape”, but that they couldn’t remember exactly ... Read review

Advantages: Seminal, stirring and seductive
Disadvantages: Has DJ Shadow set the bar too high too early?!

I have found that ususally to get anywhere in Ciao with music reviews you need to produce lengthy summaries of individual tracks. However, it is my intention right from that start to impress upon the readers of this 'piece' that to do so in this particular case would be an exercise in pointlessness! A lengthy preamble, perhaps, but I would say a crucial one. Integral to one's enjoyment of this masterpiece by DJ Shadow is the understanding the album's ...
...of the tracks in isolation. There are no stand out tracks: the whole album IS one stand out track! This seminal work is famously notable for its complete lack of originalioty! Paradoxical? Well, I am being slighty abstruse. For the whole album is a collection of samples cunningly weaved together. It operates like a modern day classical album with a vast array of sound sources producing a myriad of tones, textures and mood. Almost maddening beats ... Read review

Advantages: Really varied and addictive
Disadvantages:

This is the ultimate album of the last decade (in my humble opinion!) DJ Shadow's masterpiece is unlike most in that it is original, and stands up to repeated listenings. The ultimate chill out, "Endtroducing" is a right mixbag of samples, vocals and whatever else he has used, to give an album that is ace. Influential in the extreme, Shadow has popped up in numerous places since this hit the shelves, but he has some job to do if he wants to top this. ... Read review

Advantages: Relaxing, Thought-provoking
Disadvantages: Nothin

After hearing a DJ Shadow track on a bomb hip-hop cmpilation I hit Napster like a man on a misson! Entroducin is DJ Shadow's 1996 release. I will admit I am no expert on DJ Shadow but hs music is invigorating, original and whats more relaxing! This is a pure smokers album, if u like smokin dope and just kicking back then this is the album to do it too. Strangely reminisint of Dope On Plastic compilation, although D&B, this DJ Shadow stuff has the ...
...heard! Ste/Long Stem is the most amazin track I have heard ever. Its got a lovely synth pattern at the beginning, combined with a very hauntin guitar riff - then out of nowhere a hard rock beat comes in from nowhere, the kind of thing u would find on a Limp Bizkit album! Check it out man! Go out and get this album, its got to be the best album of 1996, pity I didnt hear it then! ... Read review

Advantages: Great sound
Disadvantages: None

...Hinterland, the follow up to the popular Cold water music by Aim - has exceeded my expectations, as Cold water music was a hard act to follow. The style is an underground hip hop style, but with experimental breaks and beats, together with scratch and melodic trance like rhythms. My favourite track is 'The girl who fell through the ice music' a distict cut above the rest, with Kate Rodgers smooth voice mixed in. Some tracks similar to David holmes, and even the popular Endtroducing by DJ Shadow. Has been compared to Rae & Christian, The Herbaliser as well as the band Bonobo. Track listings: 1. Intro (Forlorn)Music 2. The Girl Who Fell Through The IceMusic 3. What Do People Do All DayMusic 4. No RestrictionMusic 5. Fall BreakMusic 6. GuimarMusic 7. Good DiseaseMusic 8. The OmenMusic 9. LinctusMusic 10. VipcoMusic 11. A Twilight Zone... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Amazing beats and now featuring a dvd extra
Disadvantages: Old fans will already have this album

...The first time i listened to this album it sent shivers down my spine and now it comes with the additional extra cd. Dj Shadow is by far one of the biggest names in Hip Hop and Big Beat. This album is some of his finest work, including the tune 'Midnight in a perfect world'. However the downside of this album is the short interludes unless the buyer is a huge fan. If you want to get into DJ Shadow and haven't bought any of his stuff before this is definately the CD you should buy first as it details his path through music. Unlike some of his more recent work which features mainly cuts and mixes of 60's soul this is all his own work. A must have.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful