DJ Shadow

Toss out all your expectations of what a DJ Shadow album should sound like, as this latest effort is like nothing he has come through with before. With a mix of songs from all ends of the musical spectrum; including hardcore rap, blues guitar, psychedelic folk, Coldplay-tinged ballads, and experimental atmospheric soundscapes, this schizophrenic collage of an album is overwhelmingly eclectic to say the least.

The haunting medieval tale about “The Outsider,” rests against the upbeat, groovy throwback “This Time“ - a track fans of Shadow’s previous 70’s style funk releases (Product Placement and Brainfreeze) will definitely enjoy. An abrupt switch of gears charges into a four song barrage or hardcore rap tracks, the first three featuring fellow Bay Area underground all stars and “hyphy” hip-hop pioneers, Keak Da Sneak, Turf Talk, and Nump. “Seein’ Thangs” offers the gruff lyrical treatment of emcee David Banner, who delivers a passion-fueled declaration of the fucked-up state of the USA, backed by Shadow’s take on a crunk-style beat.

The punk-inspired instrumental “Artifact” holds it own, as distorted guitars ride along with a furious array of drum beats blasting away at breakneck speed. With its progressive and creatively layered samples, “Artifact” could be a sequel to “Stem,” (Endtroducing) or “High Noon,” (Preemptive Strike). But from here, the album takes a 180 degree shift into “Backstage Girl,” an amazing effort in a similar intelligent rap vein you'd find in the Roots or Common. Phonte Coleman, of acclaimed emcee collective Little Brother, fronts the funk/blues/soul infused track and blurts the quintessential line of 2006 relating to his apparent groupie tribulations midway through the song, “I gotta stop fuckin’ with these hoes off MySpace dog.”

Taking a step back to look at The Outsider as a whole it is easy to recognize that the dense offering features a wide variety of sounds and influences that will force fans to place their trust in the man and open their minds way up in order to appreciate the bold and risky effort. In the end, those willing to go along for the ride will not be disappointed in the exceptional, complex mix and progressed sound Shadow delivers.

For more info see: djshadow.com