Endtroducing.....

Questions of ownership. Whose property is that drum beat, this organ, that voice? Of authorship. If I use your art for my art, do I become its creator? If not, does that tune belong to the guitar maker or the composer? Of permanence. If placing that snippet next to this one, or looping it, or giving it a beat, changes its original meaning, does art ever have a final form? A man in a room filled with vinyl, exploring every groove in minute detail, sinking deeper into his musical fever dream, the answers always a fingertip away, if he'd just.....

A load of samples expertly put together to bore you to death on a Wednesday morning. 2/5

It's sort of the epitome of what this list is all about. I would argue that it's absolutely one of the albums everyone should listen to at least once before shuffling off to the great beyond. That isn't to say you'll like it. I'm not even sure if I liked it or would bother listening again. I do know there's no album like this, and was happy to hear it. Something like a hip hop DJ trying to update jazz.

Elevator music + noise

This is a beautiful album it needs to be felt, and feel it I do.

Still do not see what people see in this album. I can appreciate the samples, but not the resulting sound, I guess.

No idea about anything about this. Let's dive in. Best Foot Forward - Classic 90s rap intro. Not really music. Building Steam with a Grain of Salt - Lovely little piano line leads into a great hook. Quotes from a guy who MIGHT be JK Simmons? This track evolves into something that sounds a lot like Blockhead The Number Song - This reminds me of a Guitar Hero spinoff game called DJ Hero. Shadow has a great knack for mixing other people's melodies, drum beats, and samples. You could draw a direct line from DJ Shadow in the mid-90s to Girl Talk in the mid-2000s. Peppy with a lot of hard kicking drums. Changeling - A rainy, dreary, ethereal piece. Eventually a melody comes in that can only be described as Cyperpunk Weather Channel. What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) - Jazzy AF with a nasty little bass riff. Untitled - I have to imagine that this is the stinger at the end of Side 1 on the LP (and the cassette). Just a goofy little 20 second thing. Stem/Long Stem - A long medley of melodies Mutual Slump - This one didn't make a huge impression on me Organ Donor - I think this hook was LITERALLY used by Blockhead! Why Hip Hop Sucks in '96 - Frankly, I don't think it does! Midnight in a Perfect World - This one also failed to make much of an impression on me. Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain - Chill vibes What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 – Blue Sky Revisit) - Maybe the best track on the album? Overall this is excellent. You can hear the artists that influenced Shadow, as well as the artists he influenced. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent!

Some of the tracks are nice and chill, others are annoying af. Not my cup of tea.

Painful.

No

What a waste of time! Not my music genre at all. Did not like a single track of that album

Absolute classic of hip-hop. I have so many nostalgic memories tied to this album. The sampling game here is just unparalleled.

Great! Chill, and good to work to

A classic. Great

Absolutely loved some of it. Some of it made me feel completely uneasy.

Background music. Not much else to say about this one, it faded into the background and I could not identify any individual songs. Wasn't bad music but definitely not something that stood out to me. I know DJ Shadow is one of the original producers who brought this music to the forefront but it will never be more than working background music for me.

I'll tell you want I did like...the use of an organ on a song titled "organ donor"

Not my cup of tea.

Couldn't listen to it all.

This album defined so much of my late teenage years, it was epic back then and it's still epic now. I give this 4 blazed years of PlayStation in your mates garage and a long walk home in the rain with your cans on.

Already knew it well. Classic. Bit depressing to be reminded it came out 25 years ago though!

Wow! Wasn't expecting to love this so much.

I know it is only samples and not songs, but it was amazing :D

Fantastic album, very awesome discovery

Conhecia já. Amo. Perfeito. Sampling at its best. Um dos meus álbuns preferidos, queria morar dentro dele. Músicas preferidas: Changeling, Stem/Long Stem, e principalmente Midnight in a Perfect World

hello

Godamn. This album is pretty damn immaculate. Nothing that really blew me out of the water per se, but the mixing is incredible. I feel like I'm saying this every review but instrumental hip-hop is new to me. The samples of interviews are also a nice touch. Just great.

Really enjoying this album. Definitely one to come back to while riding my bike, chilling in the tub, or to have echoing through the house. Cool find!

Didn't like the beginning but by the middle it was getting interesting

I love plunderphonics but its just drawn out too much

Boring. Sampling is just such an uninteresting act. I don’t care for it.

Definitely not for me.

Horrible

dont really like it

Shadows masterpiece. Still such an amazing soundscape of trip hop and down tempo hip hop. Too good.

Amazing album, absolute top of the feeling/atmospheric records of all time. For a long time I was only listening to Midnight In the Perfect World, and the song is great for sure, but in comparison to the rest of the album it doesn't really stand out. Every track is like a short, slightly melancholic story that creates an overarching theme, and MITPW is just one of those stories. Easily one of the top records on this list, in my opinion, and probably one of my favourite trip hop album, maybe even better than Massive Attack. Absolutely great stuff.

Piękny eksperyment, piękny chaos. Z jednej strony słyszę, jak prostymi środkami ten album został stworzony, z drugiej strony to wciąż jest kawał świetnej muzyki stworzonej przez jednego człowieka gdzieś w garażu. Współczesna oda do muzyki, bez rozróżniania na gatunki. Mam wrażenie, że na tej płycie wykorzystał wszystko - klasykę, jazz, synthy, funk, drum machine, hip-hop, wywiady, wycinki z filmów, co tylko chcecie. I gość sprawia, że to się łączy w jedną, spójną całość. "Stem" to absolutna perełka dla mnie. Słuchając tego mam wrażenie, jakbym dosłownie słuchał esencji wczesnych lat 90-tych. Ta płyta jest przede wszystkim intrygująca, zachęca do odkrywania i poszukiwań, a jednocześnie pozwala się w niej totalnie pogubić i po prostu porwać zmiennemu nurtowi. Jakbym miał czas na kolejne hobby, to po przesłuchaniu tego albumu kupiłbym sampler. Wahałem się długo między 4 a 5, ale chyba w ramach uznania za samo to, ile pracy i pasji musiało zająć samo zbieranie tych dźwięków pójdę w pięć.

surprisingly great all the way through

I got this album when I was 15 or so. I've loved it ever since. Moody, atmospheric, with beats that sounded like nothing else ever at the time. It introduced me to the concept of crate digging for which I am so grateful. Dig out the extended mix of Organ Donor if you can. The 90 seconds you get on here almost feels cruel - like here is the best song ever but you can only play for a moment. I forgive it, because Building Steam, The Number Song, Midnight and What Does Your Soul Look Like also deliver at that level, and I suppose he had to make it all fit on wax somehow (hint, drop Why Hip Hop Sucks in 96 - while it remains true in any year, the joke wastes 40 seconds!) Before Timbaland and Dilla, there was this, and damn it was good - a real shame his tracks are almost too distinct to be rhymed over (though RTJ do a great job).

Still love this album. The beats, the bass, the samples, the soul. Especially noticed the sample from Bjork's Possibly Maybe on Mutual Slump, which made me very happy.

A hypnotizing cinematic sound and a masterpiece of reinvention by way of ingenious layering. Amazing dynamics along the way on this head-bobbing ride. I could stay inside this postmodern collage all night.

I'm very happy this album popped up, as it is already one of my favorite albums of all-time. It may be popular/over-rated in music circles on the internet, but I don't care about that. It's such an interesting, beautiful album with immense atmosphere. It captivates me like no other record has before, and that's just with samples and drums. Definitely has high replay value and is very memorable.

One of my favorite albums ever. For me, this is where electronic music began.

Elemental

I should like Endtroducing more than I do. It ticks pretty much every single box that I look for in music. But there has always been something about it that I find a bit … cold. It’s good, but it has never engendered any affection in me. But everyone else seems to think it’s amazing. I can appreciate the dusty crate driven craftsmanship.

2/1001. Beautiful record, had already listened to it a few times before. Took a while to click (listens with proper headphones, for starters). Its highs are sensational (Steam, Stem, Midnight). Only knocks I can see is that otherwise its repetition can get a bit stale, and I value lyricism a lot so its absence limits the upside of becoming a phenomenal album to me. Either way this album sits firmly in 8/10 territory and I could see it ascending just by virtue of more exposure to its deeper cuts and associating it with other life events.

Definitely not beating the lo-fi chill weed vibe allegations here. This whole album just feels easy to unwind to or have on in the back during a quiet/lazy day of work. I can see where someone could find this monotonous but this whole thing just flows together so easily. if I had to pick a specific part that stood out to me as a favourite it would be Midnight in a Perfect World

When this came out I avoided it for lost ideological reasons that would’ve been fed by the era’s wash of tepid trip-hop. Big beats, soft beats, dead beats, sugar beats, ubiquitous in every other stoner’s college latte lounge, utterly vile. A couple of years on, Simon and I attended an UNKLE set for free, and had a lovely conversation, only mentioning the music when I asked if the gig had started and was told Lavelle sans Shadow had been playing for half an hour. Thank goodness we had seats and each other’s sparkling company, otherwise blood would’ve been glugged by the goblet. 26 years later, I like this! Thoughtful splashes of big drums Pollock’d with drama and intent, the best tracks reminiscent of Morricone and Carpenter soundtracks. I also belong to the same vintage cycle club as the The Herbaliser. What was the prime of your youth like?

I am a fan of hip-hop and respect the context of this record and DJ Shadow's meticulous sampling. Many of the songs just aren't clicking for me, especially Organ Donor. Overall, I'd give this a 3.5, just barely rounded down to a 3 on this scale.

I initially came across DJ Shadow on various compilations, especially cover CDs from British music monthlies like Mojo, and some remixes. And I read about this album long before I ever heard it. This is the ur-text for instrumental hip hop, re-inventing the album patchworked out of samples. Less frenetic than its forebears (Three Ft High and Rising, Paul's Boutique, Nation of Millions, etc), it showed that trawling through the crates could yield atmospheric and open soundtracks. It established the blueprint for Dilla and the Avalanches. Moody, cinematic, and with a distinct trip-hop vibe, the material, is ultimately, a bit forgettable. But a pretty chill vibe. I do love the cover. I've spent many an hour digging crates in stores just like that. It felt like I had been seen.

Shrug

more noise than music

Yet another I was puzzled by when it came out. It's built entirely from samples - great, but why? Dull as ditchwater, highlight is Organ Donor but when you're relying on Bach for a tune you're pretty low on ideas. Could be entirely AI-generated these days. Rubbish

Somewhat catchy during certain parts, but not super memorable as a whole. It is hard for me to judge a DJ's work as it is typically relies on the work of others through samples. In this instance, I noticed a bit of Metallica's 'Orion' on one of these tracks so I am sure that there is a ton here that was not originally created by DJ Shadow. While he did use this piece in a unique way, it is hard for me to tell how good this really is outside of my personal enjoyment of it (which was average). I understand that it takes real talent and patience to create mixes on the level he is doing here; however, I am overall not as impressed as I probably should be by this work. If it had more that stood out or more of a cohesive album structure, I would probably like this more, but it just ended up coming across as what I would consider mediocre DJ work (even though this is probably considered one of the best given its placement on this list). There is nothing here that would make me want to come back to it. 2/5.

Listened to this on a road trip, album pretty much finished, and I barely realised it was on. Not adding nor deducting points for working with Zack De La Rocha later down the track.

DJ music. Pass.

Too experimental for my taste

I don't get this album, pretty sure that I listened to it before a couple of times but it doesn't inspire anything in me at all. Maybe it's an album of it's time but not for me.

Not a fan

Perfect chill out album

It’s about mood. Mood and range. A melancholic journey through beat making with a truly eclectic sample base. The vocal samples help create an atmosphere of mystery. A complete new beat oriented world filled with chopped up drum breaks, funk guitars, organs and the wish to go roller skate. It’s no coincidence the album ends with a sample from twin peaks - this is the otherworldly red room of 90’s hip hop (RIP David Lynch who just passed). My favourite tracks were always ”building steam with a grain of salt” ”stem/long stem” and ”midnight in a perfect world” but lately it might be ”mutual slump” and the druggy slow break beat of napalm brain turning into the hectic jungle beats of scatter brain. Not to forget the closing track what does your soul look like part 1 - especially the scratching on the outro of the track. But every song is its own little world connected to the greater universe that is this album. My favourite album of all time. Although I like most of shadows output he never has come close to the magic of Endtroducing…

I enjoy this album far more than the me before I ever heard it would expect me to. Can't even explain why, it's just eminently listenable.

a masterclass in sampling……my dad has loved dj shadow for his experimental take on his medium, somewhere between trip hop and ambient. listening on headphones rly highlighted the weirdness this time.

This is pretty awesome. Great samples, impeccable vibes, an exploration of the potential of an entire genre of music. Favorite track: "Midnight in a Perfect World."

always dug this album

Really enjoyed this. Like ambient hip hop or somet

Very cool concept for an album, opening tracks are so open and honest, can’t imagine taking all these samples and layering back in 96 Metallica sample was cool af Organ Donor is a banger Such a chill, atmospheric, melancholy album.

A masterpiece. Listened to it a billion times as a teenager. Grateful to be revisiting it now.

I listen to this once or twice a year it’s not perfect but i need to sit back and immerse myself in this occasionally as it evokes great memories

sounds insanely cool

Oh nice

Mint album

I'm surprised at how much I loved this. I heard this when it first came out and struggled to connect with it. But today, boy, it swept me away. Fantastic grooves.

Astounding. This is one hell of a trip !

Fuckin love this album, lots of memories here. It's a vibe, tho. Little dark, little uncomfortable; mesmerizing soundscapes.

Perfect album

fav hip-hop album

Listened on my CD version - bought the day it was released in the UK! Stills sounds great - esp organ donor.

"Endtroducing....." to jak muzyczny Frankenstein – DJ Shadow wziął kawałki zapomnianych płyt winylowych, posklejał je z chirurgiczną precyzją i stworzył coś, co zamiast straszyć, zachwyca. To album, który z sampli zrobił sztukę, a Shadowa koronował na króla gramofonowej alchemii. 5

One of my favorite albums in high school. Still holds up.

A hip-hop and electronic music classic. So many breaks and so many samples that is instantly identifiable because of the number of times I've heard this album. It's a timeless album really. It could have been released yesterday.

One of the best records you can listen to if you like underground music. The album that started/popularized plunderphonics (I think). A beautiful fusion of samples that give an eerie electronic and hip hop blend of music. Raucous / jazzy and hip hop style drums, weird vocal/spoken world snippets and some very unique blending of electronic samples. A true one of a kind record. Hear all the main singles (the number song, building steam from a grain of salt, midnight in a perfect world). stay for deeper cuts (stem/long stem, what does your soul look like, organ donor, mutual slump, changeling and napalm brain/scatter brain).

I actually recognise a few tracks. Back when I was watching old VHS skate videos. Gave me a bit of nostalgia. I enjoy

I was waiting for this record to show up; I knew it had to. This album has carried me through several years and is a staple in my hip hop collection. This master class in sampling is something to be in awe of, and always will be. This record is timeless and portrays such a fluid movement through music. His knowledge of music and the vinyl collection he has amassed is on full display when listening to this album. His wizardry to blend and collaborate samples that wouldn't otherwise have been thought of. This is a mainstay in my collection and easily a Top 25 record of all time for me.

Another one that I expected to write off, but which will now get five stars from me. I liked it a lot.

one of those albums that’s so good that i don’t even need to say anything about it

Sarò pazzo ma mi è piaciuto un sacco

yeah, I can listen to this no prob

Sisisi bello

Guess my A/S/L in 1996 ;)

Also know this one already and love it.

What a corker! I had to relisten to this to make sure it is as good as I remember... and it is! I was surprised to find it came out in the mid-nineties. I thought it was older than that for some reason. Did DJ Shadow ever do anything as good as this? I tried to keep an ear out but nothing hit me to the same degree. Anyway... Five stars!

I’d take this to the desert island it’s so good…. Completely biased 5 stars for this gem….. my generations Tubular Bells, though unfortunately I doubt it sold as many…

So much quality and depth, every listen reveals. Cool name, cool album cover, top 10 album you hope not everyone knows

A little backloaded but otherwise phenomenal album 9/10 Fav tracks - building a stream with a grain of salt, Changeling, Stem/Long Stem, Mutual Slump, Napalm Brain / Scatter Brain, What does you soul look like pt. 1 Least Fav - none

Truly something I would not have listened to if not for this list. Looked at the length at first and rolled my eyes at another album that goes for over an hour. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this. Multiple listens, no skips here at all. As someone who is not familiar with the genre at all, I don't know how monumental this album is in its production and style. From the little reading I did, it seems this album's was very influential in music. For me, this album feels like the precursor to the endless waves of lo-fi slop study music on youtube (not a bad thing at all!). Not many albums have piqued my interest this much to go and explore more of the genre, so for that and how much I enjoyed it I can't give it anything lower than a 5. Highlights: Changeling, Stem/Long Stem, Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain

Putting this album contextually in its place in history. It is a true masterpiece. It's not a perfect album for me because I have a little bit of trouble with instrumentals and personal relation. I have no criticisms of the type of material or the way it's deployed. I simply wasn't as moved by it as lyrical or narrative musical pieces. Not to say some of that isn't there or that it isn't evocative. Just not what I am into.

Really sick album

Didn’t even bother to listen. This is still a 5. Ground-breaking!

Very cool stuff. Makes me want to find more instrumental hip hop.