Customer Reviews

Funky Skunk

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

 

 

Okay, I have to retract my earlier comment (see below). After dropping this into the music library, I've just listened to it a few times more ... and each time, I'm surprised by new songs that I had missed, or new sly mixes that Shadow's thrown in there.

Really, it's a great mix that's not totally obvious at first listen. For the hardcore Shadow fan, I say this is worth getting. Shadow's moving in a new direction, it seems, with The Outsider, and this provides an interesting bridge between his well-known love for funk, and 21st Century hip-hop.

Oh yeah, and when I was referring to "Crump" in my earlier post, I think I really meant "hyphy" although that's splitting hairs.

-- earlier post --

I'm a *huge* fan of DJ Shadow, and have a *lot* of his work. This, unfortunately, is one of his albums that will get the least play. It's a fine mix of old-school soul and new-school "Crunk" or "Crump", which I - personally - can't stand.

If you're a collector, go ahead and get it, but if you're into any of Shadow's previous releases, be wary, as this isn't his usual stuff, IMHO. Really, get any of the rest of his albums and be totally satisfied. Save this one for last.

This is an amazing record, especially the first third. Shadow mixes urban pop and heavy rap, then veers into 70s funk in the blink of an eye. He hides millions of little sounds under the music and creates a mix that bristles with incredible dynamics and intensity. Anything can happen and does-an urban pop groove, a crushing ska rap, and a Door's like melody-and all before you can snap your fingers.

In the middle , the CD does get into repetative hip hop and the inital intensity of the mix does become difuse, but picks up in the end with some fuzz rock and disco.

Overall, the impact is amazing and well worth your money.

I only wish Shadow were more candid about the records he used here. It is like reading an encylopeida without headings.

Oh well. GET IT NOW.

Bill

This CD is a 1 track, 67 minute, testimate to the superhuman mixing abilities of DJ Shadow (Mr. Davis). Whoda thunk it?

I'm a huge shadow fan and I was hugely disappointed to find that this album is basically one long mixtape of obscure and, in my opinion, terrible west coast hip hop. I didn't think it was the real DJ Shadow until I heard an ad for The Privat Press at the very end of the CD. It could be that I'm an old school NY hip hop head and this just wasn't my style. It could be that the music on this CD is simply weak hip hop. All I know is I wish I could return it. Contact me if you want to buy it cheap.

i was skeptical from the start, it says something about reinventing hip hop on the front; but I bought it neways thinking that ne thing shadow makes is good. well i was in for a rude awakening. its all a bunch of odd ball rap songs weaved together, some new sounding/some older. i used to like rap, now i hate it. its too commercialized, there arent any "actual" rappers ne more, and its all about sex, every single song has something to do with gettin it on; its really quite sickening. whatever happened to nwa, pe, bdp, rundmc etc.
enuf about that, this album has some newer rap songs that i have no idea what they are but they definitely suck, after that there is some old school. shadow doesnt do much scratching or nething really. the one bright spot is an old too short song.
i would advise against buying this album, save your money for some "fitty cent" or "whatchu know about that?" "ringtones"