|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
The debut album from Cut Chemist, formerly of pioneering underground hip-hop group Jurassic 5, The Audience's Listening is evocative of an era when sound enthusiasts put out records for the adventure of it, not as a vehicle tied to hit singles and booty-shaking videos. Using a turntable, mixer and computer to create the songs, this gifted DJ has conjured an homage to what is possible. Varied, uplifting and unexpected, rooted in hip-hop but leaping into new sonic territory, The Audience's Listening offers musical magic created by the alchemist known as Cut Chemist.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sometimes albums are made with groundbreaking new twists and sounds. Sometimes they are made for financial gain, via radio hits and MTV coverage. And then there are some that are really just made for the love of it.
Cut Chemist's "The Audience's Listening" appears to be one of the third category, though the turntablist/DJ/Jurassic 5-er does give electronica and hip-hop some novel twists in his first fully original album. But at the heart of it, it sounds like Chemist is simply dabbling in whatever he enjoys most.
"Start remembering what you hear," says a cheerful interviewer, before a patchwork of samples inform us about the DJs of the future, about music, the first annual DJ convention, and a lot of dogs barking. By the time you're finished with the intro, your brain will be in the right state for what comes next. ("People get ready... the robots are coming!")
He retreads familiar ground in the energetic percussion-heavy "My 1st Big Break," before switching over to a new sound -- bossa nova. Gypsyish guitar playing an energetic live tune, with a sample of Astrud Gilberto playing softly halfway through. It's an exquisite, ethereal tune that shows that Cut Chemist can do all sorts of music.
Lest anyone think that Cut Chemist has lost his edge, he dabbles in some truly weird stuff (a phone conversation done entirely with samples and scratches), sharply surreal hip-hop, and shimmering electronic numbers that sound like an arty sci-fi film. Cut Chemist dips back into bossa nova once before, before finishing up with the dense, catchy hip-hop of "The Audience Is Listening Theme Song."
Cut Chemist has done some pretty brilliant work with remixes and the "Brainfreeze" collaboration with DJ Shadow, so expectations were high for "The Audience's Listening." But the best way to listen is without expectations -- while it's neither groundbreaking nor brilliant, it is a beautiful, funky little album.
One thing it has from the beginning is a relaxed, laid-back feeling feeling. Cut Chemist shows that he can do everything from spare acoustics to dense, intense melodies, dabbling in a little of everything at least twice, and trying new sounds without trying anything too new.
It's not groundbreaking, but from the sound of it, Cut Chemist was just trying out whatever existing sounds he liked rather than striving for something new. The basic melodies are loaded with extra sound: lots of vinyl scratches, odd samples (glass breaking? dogs?), razor-sharp hip-hop beats, and everything from a cowbell to gypsyish guitar to waves of smooth synth.
Hymnal and Thes One make rather surreal cameos on a pair of songs, while Edan and Mr. Lif appear on the frenetic hip-hop "Storm," blurting out a breathless rap that gets stranger with every word.
Cut Chemist may not have broken new ground with "The Audience's Listening," but the result is still a fun, weird, and thoroughly likable album. Definitely worth a listen.
Cut Chemist's "The Audience's Listening" appears to be one of the third category, though the turntablist/DJ/Jurassic 5-er does give electronica and hip-hop some novel twists in his first fully original album. But at the heart of it, it sounds like Chemist is simply dabbling in whatever he enjoys most.
"Start remembering what you hear," says a cheerful interviewer, before a patchwork of samples inform us about the DJs of the future, about music, the first annual DJ convention, and a lot of dogs barking. By the time you're finished with the intro, your brain will be in the right state for what comes next. ("People get ready... the robots are coming!")
He retreads familiar ground in the energetic percussion-heavy "My 1st Big Break," before switching over to a new sound -- bossa nova. Gypsyish guitar playing an energetic live tune, with a sample of Astrud Gilberto playing softly halfway through. It's an exquisite, ethereal tune that shows that Cut Chemist can do all sorts of music.
Lest anyone think that Cut Chemist has lost his edge, he dabbles in some truly weird stuff (a phone conversation done entirely with samples and scratches), sharply surreal hip-hop, and shimmering electronic numbers that sound like an arty sci-fi film. Cut Chemist dips back into bossa nova once before, before finishing up with the dense, catchy hip-hop of "The Audience Is Listening Theme Song."
Cut Chemist has done some pretty brilliant work with remixes and the "Brainfreeze" collaboration with DJ Shadow, so expectations were high for "The Audience's Listening." But the best way to listen is without expectations -- while it's neither groundbreaking nor brilliant, it is a beautiful, funky little album.
One thing it has from the beginning is a relaxed, laid-back feeling feeling. Cut Chemist shows that he can do everything from spare acoustics to dense, intense melodies, dabbling in a little of everything at least twice, and trying new sounds without trying anything too new.
It's not groundbreaking, but from the sound of it, Cut Chemist was just trying out whatever existing sounds he liked rather than striving for something new. The basic melodies are loaded with extra sound: lots of vinyl scratches, odd samples (glass breaking? dogs?), razor-sharp hip-hop beats, and everything from a cowbell to gypsyish guitar to waves of smooth synth.
Hymnal and Thes One make rather surreal cameos on a pair of songs, while Edan and Mr. Lif appear on the frenetic hip-hop "Storm," blurting out a breathless rap that gets stranger with every word.
Cut Chemist may not have broken new ground with "The Audience's Listening," but the result is still a fun, weird, and thoroughly likable album. Definitely worth a listen.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Hip-Rock
Format:Audio CD
Cut Chemist's 'Motivational Speaker' wants to know who the audience is and what it wants. The second track begins with 'If I get killed '****' it! It's at this point that he proceeds to show the listener that he is not going to play by the rules of the standard DJ record. This is an experiment that analyzes the role of the audience and the DJ. Chemist's answer is to have fun without sacrificing integrity and invite the Audience in as close as possible. The backbone of this LP is most undeniably Hip-Hop. The results show a mature ease with incorporating elements of rock '(My 1st) Big Break', garage/surf 'What's the Altitude', electro 'Metrorail (thru space)' & 'Storm', world 'The Garden', and progressive funk 'Spoon', 'Peak in Time'. This record is not a loner DJ record or filled with guest MC's yet is fun and gives an experience that begs repeat listens.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a turntable enthusiast, I can really respect what Cut Chemist does on this album. He really is just having fun with things, with a variety of beats and great samples. One track in particular he simulates a phone conversation with scratching, which blows my mind. Great album.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
cut chemist
If you like old school bobbity boopity music this is the album for you. No this is not dub step you fake hipster.
Published 4 months ago by BigBowman
3.0 out of 5 stars
hit or miss
there are some songs on here that i really REALLY like. and then there are songs that i can't even listen to.
Published 5 months ago by mason
4.0 out of 5 stars
We Need More
Cut Chemist needs to release much more music than he does. Such a great producer! He made Jurassic 5 good, left them, then they released a joke of an album without him, Feedback. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Midway's Finest
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
I picked this up after getting heavily into DJ Shadow--not a big leap. The two San Fransisco turntableists are freinds and consistent collaboraters. Read more
Published on February 25, 2010 by Bill Your 'Free Form FM Print DJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spooooon!
I just know one song: Spoon. It's a quirky little song - the lyrics just one word :Spoon. I can't get it out of my head - so simple, so stupid, so brilliant. Read more
Published on August 12, 2009 by Dr. Morton
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Savior
After seeing the golden age of hip hop deteriorate and then the dissapointing sell out of DJ Shadow I had begun to lose all hope for artists who had a passion for the art of... Read more
Published on January 30, 2008 by TrEE
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love it.
I'm amazed nobody have written a review for this album yet! It's a shame because I'm not really good at this, I'm no music expert, but I know what I like and I know what I hate,... Read more
Published on January 13, 2008 by Vicoxx
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intelligent album!
I only heard one cut (The Garden) from this album, and only heard it 3 times over the course of about 2 months. Outstanding tune, but I wanted to hear more. Read more
Published on July 2, 2007 by Ol' Ricky Bob
4.0 out of 5 stars
four songs you'll love...
and the others are good, too. I'm particularly fond of "Spat", which rolls nicely into "What's the altitude". Spoon has a great groove, too. Read more
Published on August 25, 2006 by R. Escamilla
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cut Chemist
I anxiously listened to "The Audiences' Listening" this morning on the headphones - hoping to devote myself to the full experience. Read more
Published on July 17, 2006 by T. Snyder
Listmania!
|
|
