Customer Reviews

Downtown Science (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is definitely not mind-blowing. But, there are no throw-away tracks on this CD, and it puts up a strong performance. I bought this CD on a whim, at my record store, and I was not dissapointed. I disagree with you all who says he tromps new ground and is the new generation. He isn't. But he makes bomb tracks, and I respect that. Buy this CD.

Downtown Science is Blockhead's second album, and if you loved the first one as much as I did, you will not be dissapointed.The beats are as dusty as ever, and the attention to detail is impeccable.Evry track is a stormer.Plus it comes with the dvd which I haven't finished watching yet, but adds a whole new dimension to his previous album.One of the best Ninja Tune releases ever in my opinion.Flawless.

A friend of mine gave me Blockhead's first album and I loved it. Then I heard it through the grapevine that there was a new disc coming out, so I pre-ordered it. I don't think I've ever been so pleased with a decision of mine in my entire life.

This may be the most creatie, one-of-a-kind album I've ever heard. It touches on just about every style of music there is, but it flows together much better than a lot of other artists who try to experiment with a wide range of music genres, to only show just how hard they're trying.

It's along the same lines as the first album, but just years and years and years ahead of it.

If you like Nightmares on Wax, Bonobo, Four Tet, St. Germain, etc, etc, then this CD will literally define your collection.

Normally, it's a pretty arduous task for an artist to follow up a brilliant debut album with, at the very least, equally potent material. That doesn't seem to be the case for Blockhead. While Downtown Science is on par with Music By Cavelight, the sound is distinctly laid back. Blockhead crafts smoky, mellow themes that were inspired by his native town, Manhattan, New York. While there isn't as much joie de vivre this time around, there is plenty of originality oozing from this set. It just comes from a different angle this time around. Think of this Blockhead release as more of a side step than a step backward.

small whimpy speakers won't allow the listener to fully experience blockhead's delicious robust beats presented as the main course for this album. excellent samples and song construction highlight the beats perfectly. i would say that he sounds more like rjd2 than shadow, but definitely in a class of his own.

Blockhead rolls out his second album of instrumental hip-hop, this time, a moody ode to New York City. "Expiration Date" sets the tone with a languid trumpet piping over a speed-up voice and a delicate guitar line, while both "Roll Out the Red Carpet" and "Serenade" starts off with a snippet from a distant musical before the former introduces a slightly atonal overture and the latter brings in a dreamy harp and flute combo. Indeed, many of the samples seem to come from Broadway movie musicals, such as the outro on the otherwise thrumming "Stop Motion Traffic" (although "The Art of Walking" is based around an a cappella riff). "Good Block Bad Block" gets a little thrashy, while "Quiet Storm" has a church-like organ and a horn fanfare inviting a funky prayer. A fitting tribute.

This is an altogether groovy cd, and a nice mix of smokey down-tempo funky cityscape rhythms and - humour! Which is one reason I don't find it Shadow-esque. Blockhead must've been hanging out with the munchkins when he recorded this, and God bless him for it! Some DJs just take themselves too seriously - not that this album isn't some serious shi*t - it is. And the music speaks for itself. It's a nice mix, and has got it's roots in deeper places - sometimes eerie and mysterious - always soulful. He weaves a tapestry of cool sounds ranging from orchestra to heavy metal and jazz fusion over the FUNKY beats - and yet there's a subtle sense of humor that pervades. And that's the frosting on this cake.

Here's to the Land of Oz!

While the mainstream keep hiring "paper champion" producers like Scott Storch and Timbaaland, as usual the real genius producers lie within the underground. Blockhead is amazing!!! These are completely dope beats that involve groove, soul, great engineering and mixing, and most importantly it's MUSICAL!! All 3 of Blockhead's CD releases are some of the best most consistent things I have ever heard. Unless you are conditioned to only like the crap that you hear on the radio and/or MTV, Blockhead will not disappoint.

I loved music by cavelight. But this is superior in style and the beats sound less computer generated then cavelight was ***************************************thats how many stars i give this lp

3 1/2

More appealing and less bland than prior outings but still not sampled exquisitely enough to shake off its motions-going objective of instrumental hip-hop, DS is only offset with a few duds in an otherwise intelligently fun engagement.