Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Not my typa thing
I liked this, certainly nothing actively bad, very chill and I liked the sound that came with it. Nothing stuck out to me super hard though, felt like the whole album blended together very seamlessly. Probably won't be returning to this.
It's fine. Nothing I need to listen to again.
surprising, unexpected, good
A bit hit and miss for me. Some songs were on the boring side.
Never heard of this album, despite its critical acclaim. Reminded me of J Dilla’s Donuts. Flowed perfectly start to finish, clearly a labour of love. Always odd knowing this was effectively a work of hundreds of musicians stitched together but worked well. Nearly a 5
I had never even heard of this let alone listened to it. Loved it. Lofi hip hop sound kept interesting throughout. Will be going back
För det mesta sköna beats. Men det saknas ju något - dvs "sång". Nobody speak tex är ju grym, tillsammans med run the jewles.
Alltid varit svag för instrumentell hip-hop i allmänhet och hip-hop från den här eran i synnerhet, så det här är rakt upp i min mumindal. Finns några lite svagare spår så blir inte full pott, men överlag riktigt bra.
Follow that Tuxedo!
eyes as big as jolly ranchers
Used to think this was boring. But i was very wrong. I love the drums here specifically. Ending with a twin peaks sample made me sad now tho
This album is an interesting easy listen. It's great for paying attention to and for letting it ride in the background while you focus on other things. Great vibes for getting shit done.
Didn’t give it a full listen, but what I heard is not my thing
Made entirely from samples from obscure old albums. Incredible.
Good listening
.
Background music.
Day 23 like this one - though it is very different from what I would normally listen to. #musicsky #albumsky 3/5
There's a lot of great stuff here. As with most albums of this genre, it's not really an "active listening" event, but more of a subliminal mood setter. And, for the most part, I totally dug the mood that was set. There were, however, a few noisy misses and some run-on sentences, but I'm overall more pleased than pissed with the experience.
This was fine background noise. Didn’t leave much impression for me though.
This album was pretty good, once again just beats. I wasn’t blown away nor was I disgusted so this belongs right in the middle I think. I was hoping for a little bit more because I really liked the album cover lol
Best Foot Forward n/a Building Steam with a Grain of Salt 3.7 The Number Song 3 Changeling / Transmission 1 3.3 What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) 3.8 Untitled n/a Stem/Long Stem / Transmission 2 3.4 Mutual Slump 3.5 Organ Donor 3.4 Why Hip Hop Sucks in '96 n/a Midnight in a Perfect World 3.2 Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain 3.3 What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 - Blue Sky Revisit) / Transmission 3 3.4 Score: 3.4
Impressive what he's done with such a simple concept. Such an easy listen, would go back to it! 3.8
Tbh fendis schwerig dem Album öberhaupt es Genre zuezwiise. Es bestohd vorallem us Beats wie sie im Hip Hop vorchömed. Zom teil erennerets aber au e cgli a Electronica. Hauptsach bestohts vorallem us dene Hip Hop Beats, wo eigentlich die meischte au no geil send. Aber leider hed e Beat I minere Meinig vorallem t Fonkion de Hendergrond spannend z gestalte. De rap dröber macht's de aber erscht richtig us. Leider schiint Bi dem Album Nome de DJ ond ned de Rapper debi gse z si. Das esch mega schad wels eigentlech work no gueti beats wäred, wo aber sech emmer weder wederholed, was es langwiilig macht. Debi hani mech bim erschte Track so ofs Albom gfreut.
I loved this album. I have been obsessed with various Ambient and sample heavy electronic albums in the past but have never explored either genre seriously. Another win for me on this excessively long list of albums!
Just pure vibes throughout. I was expecting this to be closer to Dilla, but this was surprisingly beautiful.
Turntable-Sound, typical 90s electronic music.
Nothing much to grab ahold of me
Pretty interesting, sample heavy...obviously.... Absolutely loved What Does Your Soul Look Like, 4. Much of the rest was cinematic, atmospheric. Been a bit of a vintage week in 1001 World. I suspect this one will have me diving into the 90 SF/Bay Area underground hip hop albums/scene this weekend, instead of playing the next up Neil Young..
Entroducing is one of those albums which I used to love, but subsequently disappeared out of consciousness when the ex-wife insisted we make space and go digital as opposed to keeping my separate system which had served me well for many years. No visual cues, no DJ Shadow. So excited to see this pop up, and man has it aged well. It’s still as engaging as it was upon release. Genre defining and experimental in its sampling. Probably not one an album I will return to as often as I once did, as I don’t have enough “chill sessions” to do that these days. Still a great album. 5 stars all the way!
could've aged better but still
Probably like a 3.5 musically but the vibes are incredible and I used to listen to this in college so we're rounding way up.
I liked aspects of several songs, but overall most made me feel impatient. When it felt like we should be moving on to the next part of the song, it would just repeat the same sequence again.
W sumie całkiem niezłe, ale bez rewelacji. 3/5. Kilka utworów do zapisania. Ciekawy klimat całej płyty.
chill. would play it around a campfire at 3am, or on a night drive home. not sure when else, though
Tuned this out and by the time I came back to it, was 11 tracks in. Couldn't remember a single thing.
All time college years classic
Absolutely iconic. As a teenager, this album is what showed me turntablism was more than just scratching.
I think this is one of those where it was pretty groundbreaking at the time, but then the gimmick got copied so much that it doesn't sound so groundbreaking now. This is a '90s instrumental hip hop album that is basically all samples. There was plenty of sampling going on by the '80s already, but this does take it to a level that feels more '00s to me. I generally found this more enjoyable than some of the other trip hop type stuff that I've gotten on here. I think he pulled from a pretty wide range of artists (including Bjork), which kept this pretty fresh throughout (there were a lot of bounce backs after songs that I didn't really like). It almost feels like an art piece or something, very ethereal throughout. Also a bit jazzy at times which I liked. Anyway, this was enjoyable enough but firmly in the 3 category for me. Solid listen, I could imagine coming back to it it the right mood. Favorite song: What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt. 1 Other: Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt, What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt. 4, Stem/Long Stem, Transmission 2, Mutual Slump, Organ Donor, Midnight In A Perfect World 4/1/25
Way better than I thought. It might be the definitive sample and drum beat hip hop of the 90s
Cool beats
Solid beat with some cool hooks. Some of the soundscape was a little jarring but might have been less harsh if I was not listening on ear buds.
I was just so completely not in the mood for this music that even if it were a reasonably lengthed album, I wouldn’t have been able to go along.
Good vibes. Did not expect a Twin Peaks line thrown in there, good stuff.
Solid 90s dj set nothing else to it
Master sampler, show me the ways. How to do low-fi beats before it was a thing.
Definitely not my cup of tea, felt super lofi-like
I bloody love it
A frustrating and tedious listen.It's aptly titled in that each track feels like an introduction building to something more engaging, but the rug is pulled every time as the proceeding track is another haunted house themed slog. There are some soundtrack worthy beats.
I liked aspects of several songs, but overall most made me feel impatient. When it felt like we should be moving on to the next part of the song, it would just repeat the same sequence again.
Anything with a Twin Peaks sample gets at minimum 4 stars.
Ist ok, aber am Ende nervig
As someone who is not super into this genre, I thought it was funky and had a much more hip-hop feel than an electronica feel. Like it better than most in this area.
One of the key albums of the 1990s. Redefining the music making process and opening up the imigination of thousands of dj/producer/sampling musicians that would deconstruct and rebuild pop on Akai's MPC, turntables and other tools enabling not-formally trained creativity to find new ways to come up with sound designs/tracks/sets in the following decades. Hardly anyone (incl. Shadow) could follow up the feat of condensing this into a cohesive album like "Endtroducing..." though.
garage band vibes... here for it
Cool and fun
Pretty bland to me, had some nice songs though
Hip hop instrumentals with powerful, interesting drums. I don't care for the talking over some of the wonderful music, but there's still plenty here to enjoy. I can't rate this among the top of my albums, but some of the tracks I just love. 3.5/5
Overall: 4/10 This one was promising based on the first song but everything was so boring and repetitive that it elicited zero emotions from me. I can see why some may enjoy it but I need more variety. If he had some guest artists to rap over these beats then I may enjoy it but the instrumentals just weren't enough. Fav Song: Building Steam with a Grain of Salt Least Fav Song: Stem/Long Stem
- phew, eher anstrengend gewesen - paar ruhigere Sachen wie „midnight in a perfect world“ waren aber ganz entspannt 2/5
Some of it I really enjoyed, it kept me engaged by consistent vairations of whatever the fuck was going on. But at other times I was bored by an 8 minute song that just didn't need to be. Overall some cool stuff in there!
Id heard of Shadow but never listened, gutted for me, I WILL be returning. Really really enjoyed this.
Favorite Track: Organ Donor
Absolute classic.
Never really had much time for this type of music and thought that this would be an opportunity to revise my opinions. Alas I was reminded of all the things I disliked, the unsettling loud outbursts and disjointed melodies. This really isn't my cup of tea. 2 stars for the method of compiling these samples.
A must listen for anyone who dj’s or likes samples. Trying to get through it even if it’s not my style. Album art perfectly matches the vibe.
Dark Daaaaaays
Bom disco de trip-hop/chill, mas serve mais como trilha sonora do que algo pra apreciar ouvindo.
Hate it
This is kinda everything you'd want from a late 90's beat tape. This and Tribe's Beats, Rhymes, & Life and more importantly Dilla gave way to those groups and producers that sounded like Jet Set Radio on steroids. Love to the pioneers who paved the way for everyone to be as weird as they wanted and have a group and a sound to call home.
10
One day I'll find the non deluxe or re-released album so I won't have to complain about it being HOURS LONG. Also I'll be so fr I thought he was a black British dude not a white American sob emoji
An undeniable banger - full of unbelievable sounds that you feel like you haven’t heard before! Need to spend more time with it tbh but it’s so great
One of my favourite albums. So many cool sounds! So cinematic!
probably the core album for me . mateen kinda forced me to buy a used copy of this at dr disc when i was like 14 and im glad he did! it really changed about what i thought music could look like and also introduced me to a lot of older rap music which I still really love... dont tell mateen tho...
groundbreaking, experimental, incredibly well-polished…just totally not for me would have enjoyed it more as burn session background music, it just does not hook me otherwise i don’t dispute its importance to hip-hop, i just don’t mesh with it
I'll admit I read your review before I listened to the album, and I was sure we were going to have another album where we completely disagreed, but instead I think I completely agree with you. My only exposure to DJ Shadow before this album was his collab with RTJ. There are definitely some bops, not all of it was my thing, but overall it was a great listen.
There were a lot of really cool sections throughout the album. Looking at reviews, it seems that this is a hit or a miss, probably because of it being just an instrumental album. I've always been a fan of instrumental music, so that never bothers me, and lo-fi hip-hop has always been in my rotation for certain occasions. There are definitely some bops. I can see myself putting on this album again.
Rlly liked it Loved all of the instrumentation
Just not for me. I can definitely appreciate the artistry of certain moments and some of it’s pretty vibey, but overall I found it dull and ended up fast-forwarding through a number of tracks. (1.5 stars)
I really enjoy a lot of music in this sampling genre. The classic Frontier Psychiatrist comes to mind, as well as more online artists like Pogo. I am giving this one a pre-emptive and possibly premature four. I enjoyed quite a few songs and I think with more relistening it will grow in me the way other sampling music often does.
un 4 de manual, esta requeteguapo
what does your soul ... good
This was oka
This was huge in the nineties but I haven’t listened to it in ages. Let’s see how it holds up. It’s funny how some of the most popular instrumental hip hop nowadays is “chill lo fi beats to study and relax to”, that was so heavily influenced by this album, yet is so different. Yeah this has lo fi beats but it’s not chill. It’s engaging and alive and it tells a story. It does feel dated though. Compared with say Boards of Canada which is still interesting to listen to. This is more of an historical artifact. I mean it’s a nice listen and definitely merits inclusion on the list, but I wouldn’t put it in any personal favorites list or anything. Three stars.
I have some fun personal history with this album, but I tried to set that aside to listen to it. DJ music isn’t my favorite nor a go-to by any means, but this album was solid. enjoyable front to back, a complete vibe. Will listen again.
It was a bit better than expected, but the bar was low
Some interesting stuff and as a drummer some of the beats were really good but there’s not enough here to make want to come back and listen again.
I'll repeat No electronic instrumental album should be near any top list. Only song worth listeningwas organ donor. Good song
Vibey in a 90s way. OG drum tracking.
While the idea of building an entire album out of samples is interesting, none of these songs struck me as meaningful or unique
Good listen! I'll be adding this to the mix
Errr… it’s ‘INtroducing’.
There are some standout tracks, like What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) and The Number Song. However, some tracks become repetitive to the point of annoyance. Overall, the album falls somewhere in the middle. While I could give it a higher rating, it ultimately feels like a fresh way to recreate similar music using new technology.
I like this style but primarily as background listening. Interesting enough to tune into but also to focus on something else while it goes on in the background. I don’t mean it as an insult to categorize as hip hop elevator music. But this can probably be playing in a Whole Foods.
Good music to work to. Enjoyed having this on. I already had Organ Donor on a couple of playlists.
So this is just a style of music I don't like. It's probably very well done, but I just don't care about or for it.
5/5 Certified hood classic
This is for someone... drummers maybe... not for me.
Some good diverse tracks here and there. But the thing about hip-hop without the bars is that it feels... lackluster? Like the entire time I felt like there was some essential ingredient that I'm missing.
A gloomy soundscape of samples that piques the attention here and there. But I reckon it is a bit too long or could have used a bit more variety.
Lot of really nasty beats here, I love the kind of haunting feel he achieves with the piano and strings. The more mellow songs are beautifully done as well. Overall very enjoyable album, but I can't help but think about what could have been if these songs had vocals as well. Imagine Nas or Jay Z or any great rapper penning verses to these beats. It could be majestic. Same goes for a great soul or R&B singer on some of the slower tracks. Favorites: Building Steam With a Grain of Salt, What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt 4 and Pt 1, Stem/Long Stem
wow - a rare gift - not really hip hop, as more Chill music. I enjoyed.
No es muy mi onda pero tiene buenos ritmos y me entretuvo en una caminata de una hora. No creo volverlo a escuchar pero leeré por qué es tan importante.
I think i am not quite feeling this album, but it is ok. I appreciate the love of music that is obviously behind the musician. Husband once described this style of music, (off-syncopated, skipping rhythm, not always a consistent bpm) as "music for people who are not worried". I may listen to this album again , but it wont be in my top favorites.
outstanding stuff. 5
Endtroducing is a masterclass in sampling and must be one of the biggest influences for the "lo-fi movement" of the late 2010s and early 2020s. While some of the songs feel long and repetitive, Endtroducing is still influencing hip-hop and electronic producers to this day. Best Songs: The Number Song, Organ Donor Worst Songs: WDYSLL 4
Cratedigger elegy. On the hunt for an elusive feeling. It's an excellent mood, if not massively exciting much of the time.
I did like some bits, but the weird rythms and the sort of unsatisfying tone of loops that go nowhere is not something I'd sit and listen to. I assume this is here due to some sort of musical value that I don't fully understand.
Some of it sounds like video game background music, but overall some pretty good beats. Kind of hoped someone would get on the track and start spitting but I appreciate just the instrumentals as well. Very calming. Great to have on in the background while you do chores around the house. What Does Your Soul Look Like, Pt. 1 is a phenomenal track.
When I read the description of this being instrumental hip-hop from vinyl samples I was pretty psyched. Unfortunately I was expecting something funky and this was not that. This is very percussive/drum heavy. I was hoping for some dirty bass lines. I need more melody!!
Excellent.
4- Stars (10/15)
I enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would.
I was not familiar with DJ Shadow, but his influence is obvious - there is crazy skill to the complex art form of DJing/mixing, and doing it well. "Building Steam with a Grain of Salt" somehow hit me hard.
I'll take L'Orange over this any day of the week, 3/5
I confess to not having listened that closely, but I don't feel like relistening, though I liked this. This is an interesting album--I don't think I know anything about intrumental (if that's the right word) hiphop. Cool beats, interesting compositions. This was definitely too long. No further analysis. My gut says 3 stars, but it's definitely a high 3.
Some fun boom bap rap in here. If that's all it was, I'd probably just give it 3.5 and round down. But "Why Hip-Hop Sucks in '96" is the shortest piece of musical (and comedic) genius I have heard in awhile. So I'm rounding up to 4.
I'm someone who is broadly very into drum & bass and I can see how revolutionary this album is for sampling considering how exciting so many of these beats still feel. However, could not make it through. It went LONG. I finished under duress
Wine bar music for 90s hipsters.
Decent album remember enjoying it more back in the day. It’s got a interesting sound but does drag Light 3/5
Really unique album and I just love a hip hop drum beat
Really enjoyed this! So playful.
Not really sure what to make of this one. Started out ok but only so many times you can listen to a variation of the same song. Not really sure if it’s a good album or not!
Well that was disappointing! For some reason I thought I might like it, but no, and I can’t find any redeeming features!
Haven’t heard this in ages and was expecting to enjoy it more than I did. It was a nice trip down memory lane, and it’s really nice to have some variety on this list. However, as an album it totally do it for me. It’s a pretty low key maudlin vibe, some highlights, but some elements that’s more technical skills than something to really vibe out on. I prefer my trip hop a bit sassier.
Not memorable
Not something I listen to.
Listened to this a lot in my college days. I remember being pretty disappointed in most of what followed this album. I think I'd find this more listenable nowadays if the tone wasn't so dark, embracing more of the r&b tone of some of the samples. (19 known/30 new)
So stereotypically 90s - some of the producer tags really made me laugh. I did enjoy this, good vibes
Again good background music not a goto for me
Really great album. Pity I missed it when it first came out.
!!!
Endtroducing..... was actually a very good album. It is interesting to see an album that was entirely made up of samples in a very lyric-focused genre like hip hop but this album managed to work with that very well. The beats all felt cool and had a downtempo like ambiance to them which really added to my enjoyment. Even when the songs were long (mainly when they were doing medleys) they were still good even if they did take a while to get to that point. There were also some samples/ideas that didn't work so well but the good heavily outweighed the bad. This is a really good album for what it is. Best Song: Changeling Worst Song: Organ Donor
Surprisingly enjoyable actually. A nice easy listen for background noise at work.
A landmark, a monument. The ultimate lp of its kind. The only thing that comes close is Donuts. The ability to tell a compelling story using only samples and beats is remarkable.
Interesting stuff, not my usual type of music but i enjoyed the listen a lot.
Basically an entire album full of samples but god it’s good
those some cool sounds
Woah holy shit twin peaks.
Rubbish!!!
Top 10 albums of all time. A fuckin' masterpiece.
Honestly hate to do it. I understand Shadows influence as I have friends who love his albums, but I just can't do two hours of beats. Just not my cup of tea.
Gut um nebenbei laufenzulassen, aber nichts um gezielt zu hören. Stem / Long Stem und Transmission 2 sind ganz nett
Good music. But, leave the rap out.
1 2 3 4 5 breakdown baby
I really do love mashups — truthfully, honestly, and totally. It's a fascinating kind of music: to take pieces recorded at different times, in different places, with different people and under different contexts and still find a way to make them work together. I never would have thought that "Basket Case" would sound so nice layered on top of "Fireflies" — or "Smells Like Teen Spirit" over "The Final Countdown", or "Bring Me To Life" over "My Heart Will Go On", or... I could go on. When done just right, the mashup can be a truly incredible thing that elevates every song involved and makes you appreciate them just that much more. And if I like mashups that much, you can only imagine how I feel about sampling in hip hop. Especially the ones that go above and beyond with their samples: the Dust Brothers' work on PAUL'S BOUTIQUE, the Bomb Squad on FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET, J Dilla's DONUTS, and of course today's album... Naturally, this kind of hip hop beat-work operates under a different mentality, skillset and end goal than regular mashups, but they still come from the same place. It's all about manipulating existing work to create something bigger and greater than the individual pieces. Like, it's amazing listening to this album keeping in mind that there was nothing new recorded for this album, besides the record scratches if you wanted to count those. Everything here comes from an existing record or film or whatever, but all structured and manipulated in a way that you can hardly notice. For real, I listen to some of these and I can't imagine how they were strung together. They sound like they were recorded this way fresh. And, true, part of that might be because I didn't recognize anything here except for a snatch of "Orion" early on... But still. I can't pick out where a sample begins or ends. So on a purely technical level, this album is a marvel — I mean, goodness, it inspired Radiohead to edit drum loops for OK COMPUTER. And I won't tell you it's not a great listen. Sure, it's an hour, but it remains pretty engaging for its runtime. It's just... If I have any problem with it, it's that it's not just instrumental hip hop and sampledelia — it's that it's also trip hop and downtempo. These aren't just supposed to be beats without raps over them. They're also meant to be chill, ambient, trance-like... And, look, I don't take much issue with trip hop. There's songs I like, even in mashups; check out "Golden Teardrops" by Wax Audio. But... I know I just said that this album remains engaging, and I meant that. I really did enjoy listening to this. If there ain't some times, though, where it's really easy to slip beneath the surface. Like, I put this album in conversation with PAUL'S BOUTIQUE, FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET, DONUTS... And it belongs there, of course. It's a seminal piece of plunderphonics; I'm not trying to downplay what DJ Shadow did here. Speaking just for my own tastes, however, I don't 100% think ENDTRODUCING..... entirely stacks up as an experience. Take DONUTS on its own, even. I'm not about to compare Dilla's techniques to DJ Shadow's and definitively declare one better — I mean, it **is** damn criminal that it's not here on this list, but that's besides the point... You listen to any random song on DONUTS and no matter what mood or energy it's going for, it never demands anything less than your complete attention. You're left captivated at every flip and turn Dilla makes these samples do. Hell, just how he manipulated the drums on "Don't Cry", with little regard to any of the other sounds on top of them. As well, there's also no track that runs over nine minutes, and that's not nothing. ENDTRODUCING....., for all of its positives, and there are many, just doesn't inspire me in the same way. Y'know, it's kind of like the Kleptones' double album UPTIME/DOWNTIME. I've listened to the "UPTIME" half of that album a fair bit for all of the fun ways it mashes up and strings together various sources. It's entertaining **and** impressive. Meanwhile, the "DOWNTIME" half... DOWNTIME is ENTRODUCING....., and ENTRODUCING..... is DOWNTIME, and I'm not surprised I haven't really listened to either in years since I first nearly fell asleep to them. When this album popped up from the Randomizer, I was really excited, honestly. Again, I love mashups and sample-based hip hop production. There's nothing more interesting than cutting and pasting old shit together to make new shit. It's basically a more direct version of how music has always grown and evolved. I was ready to slap this thing with a 5 just from that alone. But, I'unno, over the course of writing this, and especially once I put DONUTS on to soundtrack the back half... Jeez, I've come to feel like a 3 is more appropriate? Which pains me — I've repeatedly emphasized how much of a feat and milestone this was for sampledelia. A 3 feels like undermining it. I just can't lie about my feelings, though. Hearing DONUTS again and thinking about the best stuff off of PAUL'S BOUTIQUE and FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET... Or, heck, stuff like Danger Mouse's THE GREY ALBUM, or even more traditional "rap vocals on non-rap instrumentals" mashup albums... Jeez, and I haven't even mentioned MM..FOOD yet — how in the world has **that one** slipped my mind until now? Like I said, it just comes down to the fact that ENDTRODUCING..... is downtempo trip-hop. If I'm in the right mood for it, sure, I can let the soundscape carry me along. More often than not, though... I mean, it's not like I expected this to be MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS, y'know? So, yeah, as much as it pains me, this is a 3. Still worth checking out, if for nothing more than DJ Shadows's technique, but if you ask me, any of the other albums I've mentioned are much more engaging experiences. And seriously — I hate to complain too often about what is or isn't on this list, but it's damn criminal that DONUTS and MM..FOOD aren't here. Honest to goodness...
Simply immaculate electronic. Solid 5 Stars.
That’s an easy 5. This is a little more in the Fatboy Slim / Prodigy type of instrumental drum & bass album genre than it is a “hip hop instrumentals” album (ala MF DOOM’s Special Herbs), but I’m totally fine with that – this exceeded any and all expectations I had for it. It’s a breezy 60 minutes of some incredibly varied beats & soundscapes that feels innovative beyond its years, in a way that feels more attuned to the mid-2000s than 1996. I really don’t have THAT much to say about it – a lot of my praise would come down to “really cool percussion” or “neat synth work” or “great sampling throughout” or “this sounds like this video game I really like”. It’s really just an audio journey that’s meant to be experienced with headphones in, ears attentive, eyes occasionally closed to bop your head to, and your hands available to hit some sick air drums. If I have any knocks, it’s that some of the shorter, intermission-y tracks feel out of place (not the alien transmission ones, but stuff like “Untitled” & “Why Hip-Hop Sucks In '96”) & a few songs enter some repetitive states,but those are incredibly minor knocks – I really, really enjoyed this. It’s a wonderful listen, a great album experience, and a very welcome surprise for my ears; an album like this is the reason I’ve stuck with this for 412 albums so far, and it’s a very easy 5.
Reading some of the reviews I think some people really miss the point of this exercise. It is not a list of all your favourite albums, it's there to challenge you and get you to try to listen to things that you would otherwise never have listened to. When you approach it this way, it truly makes sense, it's a percentage of what I have listened to I would never have tried and my life is better for it. Hot Buttered Soul was a revelation, plus some of the rap I wouldn't have listened to either. So please embrace the true spirit of the app😁 This album is "cool" love the laid back beats. On the issue of ownership of samples the artists are paid and also how many chord combinations are now original? You have to be at the front edge of creativity to come up with original music eg Radiohead etc which most people are not to create totally new music Great experience 5*
I liked the early stuff better than the later stuff on this album. The beginning felt more unique and different in the techno realm but as it went on it really started to feel much more run of the mill techno. Gotta be honest I was a little surprised this was a white guy. Wikipedia says he "revolutionized hip hop" and his "work involves manipulating samples, taking rare and seldom-heard pieces of music and reworking them into parts and phrases for his songs." Is this album just included so that we could cut out 101 other albums from the list? And who are those artists that were cut out, what messages did we miss from their music so it could be sampled and repackaged into a potentially more palatable commercially appealing album? What credit financially and professionally did those artists receive? What overall message did we miss by only sampling their music?
What does my soul look like? He asked twice so I guess it's worth an answer. My soul looks like me only taller and more disheveled. I don't really know enough about DJ music to appreciate why this album was influential. I liked that it was some bass heavy grooves but after about 10 minutes I was bored with it and generally felt the album was too long. Things I'm looking for in these albums: instrumentation, creative songwriting, and unique voice/poetry. This album is lacking in these. For DJ music I think I like more upbeat dance music. This is just a lot of lukewarm languid beats.
This is a highly influential album but it mostly falls flat for me. Much of this sounds claustrophobic. Just a lot of going nowhere. I did hear a Bjork sample and an Underworld sample which sent me on over to their FAR superior albums.
It's pretty interesting this was created almost entirely of vinyl samples. And although it's not original music, he seems to have tinkered with it enough to make it his own, and rearranging and building music like this is a creative art and impressive endeavor in itself. That being said, this was mostly just chill mood vibes, and it didn't super resonate with me on a deeper level. Enjoyed listening though!
Mutual Slump might be the highlight for me?
7/10 Buon album di strumentali principalmente hip hop ma con cenni di noise Tutto fatto con il sampling, tecnica che adoro Sicuramente utile anche come sottofondo per lavorare
понравилось. процесс создания думаю был чем-то средним между музыкой, поиском и каталогизированием)
Well at least some songs had a good beat. A lot was not listenable.
Nope
Terrible. 1/5
I'm a bit confused by this. I mean it's an album that is made up of electronic drum beats and samples of everyone from Tangerine Dream to Bjork to Metallica. I mean I guess it's kind of cool to get samples from such different artists to fit together in something that could be described as vaguely musical? It's kind of vibey I guess. Interesting I suppose. But as far as something that needed to be heard, I don't know. I mean I don't feel like I really needed to hear an entire album of repetitive samples and fake drums. Like, maybe just a few minutes while reading about how it was produced would be enough? It's ok. I guess. But maybe write your own songs next time? Was definitely ready to move on after about 15 minutes. 2/5
Classic!
Groundbreaking and trailblazing when it came out, Still influencing to this very day!
This wasn't a bad album but it's not my style.
Even though my BIRDS just won the super bowl over the Chiefs, I am still giving this one star. Just wasn't interested
Really solid electronic/hip hop album
Album - Entroducing… Artist - DJ Shadow Release - 1996 Genre - Instrumental Hip Hop/Trip Hop/Plunderphonics/Sampledelia Heard it before? - N Nothing has ever defined “not my scene” for me more than this album. It was made by and for sample nerds. It’s a bunch of cut and pasted samples strewn together by quality drumbeats. While I can understand the appeal and artistry of music like this, it just doesn’t work for me. I’m not even sure it would work if I was a dedicated hip hop fan. Isn’t half the appeal of the genre the rapping? 2/10
It's a good album, I'd have given it a 4 if there were actual lyrics and not just instrumentals.
I'm probably never gonna listen to this one again, but hey, this was fun. Every track a bit different, love the titles not taking themselves seriously.
I respect the tenacity of DJ Shadow to produce this album almost exclusively from vinyl samples. I love hip hop sampling and how it takes the best parts of songs and highlights them, the cream at the top. However, as a collective this album doesn’t inspire me. It’s pleasant enough, but I need more from an album. …maybe I just miss the rapping.
A good time
It sounds like royalty free background music on youtube videos. It's fine and I think DJ Shadow is talented, but I don't see what all the fuss is about.
'Entroducing....' is a masterclass in the art of sampling. Atmosperic without making the songs sound overproduced. Classic
Wasn’t enjoyable, almost annoying.
cool music
I guess I just don’t get it.
Listened: 5/02/2025 Album no: 14 % rating: 68% Fave Song: Building Steam with a Grain of Salt This is not what I think of when I think of Hip Hop. I feel like I have an avenue into this through British dance music and EDM so it makes more sense to me than “traditional hip hop” (what ever that might be?). This feels simultaneously very 90s but also very modern, it’s aged really well. It is giving low key Matrix vibes though haha. This is still a tough listen for me, but the challenge on this one is very welcome. I definitely like it, but I don’t think I could be a passive listener of this just yet. It’s taxing my noodle, but in a good way! I can imagine if I stick with this one it will grow on me more.
Another album that I was fortunate enough to buy on release and have listened to more times than I can count. It's another ground-breaking album. There really wasn't anything like this at the time it came out. It spawned thousands of replicas which all fell short of this masterpiece.
Good beats but not want I wanted
This is not really my thing at all. I can see the creativity, and there are few songs with some hooks that are fun to listen to.
Day395 - first and last time i will voluntarily listen to this
All beats. Pretty good.
i didnt save my notes and they got deleted, so i'll just say a chill album
cooli rhythme, sphärisch, jazzy wenn au oft repetitiv, bass-prominenz gfallt mer. fänds glaubs als dinner-hintergrundmusig no toll, devo abgseh passiert mer ned gnueg 🤔
kacke, hat mir so gar nicht gefallen
Fing geil an, chillige Samples, wurd mir mit der Zeit aber immer stressiger und meine Bewertung immer weiter gesunken.
A slick and cohesive album. It doesn't demand your attention but it did captivate mine.
I didn’t expect an album by any DJ to be so mellow. Kinda meh really.
This is fine for background music when you have work you need to concentrate on. I suppose burn outs might like it too. Ultimately very dull.
This is one of my earliest Techno/ DJ Albums that I listened to as a kid and I love this album start to finish is a complete masterpiece! I love the laid back grooves that DJ Shadow showed us on this album before he really blew up, this is the album to introduce people to DJ Shadow
Would listen again as ambient music; an interesting experience; tough to pick favorites but i liked floating along with this in general
Well crafted hip hop beats.
Not something I’d normally listen to but was ok for something different
Började rätt intressant, Steam / Long Steam var väl mest i min smak. Häftiga trummor. Det blev tyvärr rätt tråkigt och platt halvvägs igenom.
Really cool album.
record scratch
El álbum tiene un concepto interesante y puede servir como música ambiental para un día de lluvia, quizá. De todas formas, es un álbum que rara vez volvería a escuchar.
Didn’t finish only because it’s just so repetitive.
Enjoyed it in the background.
Ihan passelia taustamusiikkia.
Great chilled album
infectious. uses jazz motifs in meaningful ways and knows how to create build up and pay it off well. loved it since the first time i heard it.
Classic
If nothing else, this album is one-of-a-kind. A compilation of our favorite movie lines, TV Show themes, a pinch of Metallica, a pinch of arcade, and as a result, we get an entire album of samples. Favorite Track: "What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 – Blue Sky Revisit)"
Love me some DJ Shadow. It does get a little long and repetitive in parts, but still good to come back to once in a while.
This took me a while to wrap my head around, but glad to say I warmed up with each listen. This album creates a world for sure. Or maybe rather knits worlds together? It's like a 4-dimensional collage. DJ Shadow is both a basement tinkerer and a cosmic composer.
Surprisingly chill; hip-hop-ish
As a link between album sound and art, you can’t get much more intertwined - this has a feeling like you’re a fly on the wall of a dozen record shops at once, sample after sample seeping through an eclectic selection of percussion backing tracks. Hip Hop’s lyricism is always make-or-break for me, so if you remove it almost entirely, it can only make the record more focused on its production. And DJ Shadow is a rare case where the Disc Jockey earns that title. If absolutely anything, this is just Shadow showing off. An hour of hip hop beats and samples. A.K.A., my usual favourite bits of your average rap record. And this is no average record. Some areas are so unique, they can’t be compared to anything else.
Веселая нарезка сэмплов 9/10
Too long and didn't do a lot.
that was wicked cool! i really really enjoyed listening to this while working in a cold office. i shall be revisiting in the near future. fav tracks: mutual slump; what does your soul look like, pt. 4
Prettyyyyyy good. I like the jazzy parts mixed with the electronic sound. Relaxing but still energetic.
Easy 5. So good. Good for intense listening. Good for chilling. Good for working. Good anytime. Classic. Great cover art.
I own this on vinyl and have listened to it about 1000 times through, so safe to say I love it. Giving it a 4 because there’s a little something that’s holding me back on a 5. Favourite track: Midnight in a Perfect World Least Fav Track: Transmission 1
Was skeptical reading the description but lots of cool grooves put together, creative idea. Enjoyed it much more than expected.
Loved- i luv experimental hip hop and it’s so interesting hearing how this has influenced future artists Iconic Although some tracks made me feel a bit on edge, I appreciate the art Favs: Best foot forward Changeling What does your soul look like Organ donor Napalm brain
I loved this so much, the amount of samples used here is like a treasure trove. The one sample that made my day however was Metallica’s Orion in “The Number Song” - finding my safe space song in this album was an unexpected joy. I didn’t keep an eye on the track names while I listened, but I loved it all.
Really enjoyed this. Reminded me of Pretty Lights, who I’m sure was inspired by this album.
Perfect chill out album
Endtroducing..... is all about layers - gritty loops stacked just right. It’s got that lo-fi vibe, but more grounded. Everything feels intentional but loose at the same time. It’s easy to just let it play and get lost in it.
Cool vibes but it wasn’t quite right for just a listening experience. This one needs a party or hang or something to share. The influence is clear and wide-reaching. But I couldn’t fully engage with just headphones on.
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…
Got me in the flow fr. 90's turn table and drums vibes. I realized halfway through that there's no vocals LOL. Record sampling is dope af.
It didn't work for me. Considering the time it was released and the skillful work that went on with a primitive device such as an MCP60 sampler, I am sure a lot of folks from the late 90s resonate with the album and have high praise. Sampling as an art form sure has come a long way, and to go back to the origin and enjoy the same in the present is hard, like a marriage that never worked.
The type of album that you can love in any situation, whether you’re stone cold sober writing a PhD thesis on thermodynamics, or you’re so violently high that you become convinced that you will be the first person to OD on weed, even though you only took half a gummy. There’s a level craftsmanship displayed on Endtroducing… that makes you forget that every element of this record is sampled. Sure, the turntable work is obvious, but the way some of the drums and instruments blend together, it sounds so seamless. Endtroducing… is like a magic trick, but unlike a magic trick, it never stops being impressive. Thankfully, it’s also so buttery smooth, so silk, that you don’t need to be paying attention 100% to get it. It’s also the birthplace of the ✨vibey✨ hip-hop album; the entire Lo-Fi Beats to Chill & Study To™️aesthetic is basically the grand-child of Endtroducing… It’s truly sad that DJ Shadow is a One Album Wonder™️, and for all his talents, never could meet this level of beauty again. But that’s also what makes this album so special, so singular, so unique. It’s Hip-Hop in a hyper-traditionalist sense, before sampling became fodder for lawsuits, and it’s a love letter to digging culture without overthinking what it means to love to dig through a stack of warped, water-damaged records in a basement. DJ Shadow was never going to match this; the entire genre of hip-hop was never going to match this. It’s pure in mind, body, and spirit, and while that doesn’t mean it’s the best hip-hop has to offer, it’s the Platonic Ideal of Hip-Hop as a genre, and a timeless classic that can still blow your mind and also chill you out.
First album I've been excited by. Definitely a passive listen, really good for in the shower
Didn't like. I wonder what happens if you're actually familiar with the source songs. Most likely nothing special but who knows could i write rap to this? y
Wanted to listen to this 2 years ago but I found out that it was on the list so I held off I have been listening to it for the past 5 hours, it's so fucking tight.
Solid instrumentals album. Some of them reminded me of ones I would listen to on YouTube growing up. That said, want too great. Standouts: Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt, Changeling, Stem/Long Stem, and What Does Your Soul Look Like - Pt. 1.
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.
Trip hop, the 90s - this is my jam. There are some absolute classics on here. The only thing holding this back from 5 stars for me is that I think there are a few less interesting tracks on the album - but that doesn't detract from how impressive the standout tracks are, or how well it captures the mood around this incredible music scene
ist ok
An album that has clearly much more effort than payoff, in my opinion. It’s no doubt a landmark hip-hop record, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get tedious fairly frequently. Quick couple minute tracks like “Organ Donor” would’ve strengthened this album a lot, which would be more akin to the stronger Donuts by J Dilla.
Endtroducing… is undeniably cool, enthralling, and innovative for its time. You could even say that at its heights it touches on the sublime. I like it a hell of a lot more than The Avalanches’ Since I Left You, that’s for sure. Still, trip hop is just not really my bag. Much respect though, and glad I listened. I’ll always hold this record in high esteem as a landmark of the genre and one of the boldest, most interesting LPs of the 90s.
Crap
Artiste inconnu. Classé dans le Hip-Hop, mais sans chant, ce qui est un vrai plus (+2) pour moi. Les samples sont biens choisis. Même si certains morceaux m'ont parus longs, ils restent variés et pas trop répétitifs. J'ai apprécié l'écoute de cet album. Il ne rejoindra pas ma collection, mais je pourrais avoir envie de l'écouter de nouveau. =>3/5
I had serious problems trying to listen to the songs till the end. I felt the necessity to cut them short. They felt increasingly oppressing. Maybe that was the point, but I cannot see myself wanting to experience it. 2/10
Can't say I got this album. I'm not against sampling, but it just doesn't do anything interesting with the samples and left me quite bored
Gonna assume this was vital in the development of lo-fi beats to chill to.
I had only heard this in pieces earlier, first time through the full document. Also read the liner notes for the first time and some things from Shadow. Ahead of its time, or the first one in the door, I don't know, but either way it is a really good record. I also forget he's not English - really should have been.
Meh
This album screams 90s hip hop. The samples. The lyrics. It’s all there. It’s all what you’d expect. It’s not a bad listen, but certainly one that I wouldn’t’ve found on my own.
Not my style at all. Didn't finish.
The concept of mixing samples into tunes is something that feels it would be hit-or-miss to me. I remember loving Paul’s Boutique by the Beastie Boys (which has to be on this list), but that album actually has a lot of original contributions from the Boys themselves. In that regard, Endtroducing is different, pretty much consisting of mostly samples. I feel like I don’t enjoy albums that are mostly instrumental, unless the tracks really hook me in. Up to now, not much of those albums have really hit me. But this one was special. While not perfect, the melodies from the samples really stuck with me. It didn’t feel like a standard hip-hop album or a collection of vintage 60’s pop lyrics put with record-stretching and drum beats. The vibes Endtroducing gives are chill without totally receding into the background. I particularly liked Changeling and Midnight in a Perfect World in that regard. But then there’s Stem/Long Stem. Such a beautifully experimental song. The fast parts in the first half sound just as hard as any metal riff I heard, which was unexpected. I was overall surprised with Endtroducing. I was expecting a hour long meandering soundtrack. But thankfully I got a lot more. Favorite track: Stem/Long Stem Other hits: Changeling, Midnight in a Perfect World, What Does Your Soul Look Like (Both 1 & 4)
Ages since I've listened to this album. It's great!
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I was going to. Who knew that bunging loads of samples together could be pretty good. Instrumental Hip Hop? liked it!
Nice to see something that's got songs I already know and learn where they come from. Good stuff on there
Instrumental is not really my thing. There were times that I found myself vibing along but there were also times that I was getting tired of a particular loop or sample before the song developed something else. I enjoyed it in the beginning couple tracks but by the end I just wanted something more.
Eh, it's a whole album of instrumental music. I can appreciate the influence it had on hip hop, I can even hear the undertones of music I absolutely love. But the album itself just didn't grab me. Best song: Organ Donor
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."
Nice sound, good for background music.
Shadows masterpiece. Still such an amazing soundscape of trip hop and down tempo hip hop. Too good.
Great background music, interesting samples used. Some of the songs were a little boring but overall enjoyed it
Interesting beats and compositions. Enjoyed it a lot as background music.
always dug this album
Midnight In a Perfect World has a good beat. Otherwise, not really a music genre I listen to.
Fantastic instrumentals. Great use of samples. Beats are bumping and calming.
Ah, so hip-hop doesn't always have to include rap. That's one positive - no filthy lyrics to endure. Another positive is some of the drum work, especially The Number Song and Mutual Slump. But instrumentals only go so far with me. It was fine, but I probably won't listen to it again. Oh, and bad album art.
Decent lofi beats and melodies. Very contemporary sounding which is nice. But the tracks drone on for way too long - if each track was maybe 2-3 mins instead of 6+ this album would be a lot better. The interludes are also largely uninteresting and slightly jarring. Top tracks: What Doea Your Soul Look Like Pt. 1 & Pt. 4
Nice album, easy listening
Really enjoyed this. Like ambient hip hop or somet
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I liked it, not the hip hop N word and sketch heavy album I have become used to this site having me listen to, but a nice, somewhat ambient, background music.
Nothing amazing. A good album to clean I would say. 3 stars. Positive tendency.
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.
Great idea. Instrumentally smooth considering the cutting and mixing. Would prefer there to be more extended blending of lyrical samples. Became too introspective on some tracks and although I could hear his passion, it left me a bit cold.
A masterpiece. Listened to it a billion times as a teenager. Grateful to be revisiting it now.
The longer I listened the better it got. Great blend
Loved this. Excellent driving music. I knew that two or three songs from this album were heavily used in NPR radio production and I was happy to hear them as part of this larger work.
excellent throughout, not what I was expecting, enjoyable and sent me looking for more
I found this mostly tedious, with just enough segments of interest to be disappointed when they lost it a minute later
255/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
I was pretty sure I rated this one before but I guess not? Really good beats here and great to have on in the background for working. easy 4 stars
Interesting stuff. Fun to listen to.
I wouldn't have discovered and loved this record were it not for my late Gozitan friend - who introduced me into the world of left field electronic music. This record might not feel much on face value, but the layers of genius to build up this record is mind blowing - and it's a groovy, fun, at times funny, wonderful record. A pastiche that is actually cinematic and cohesive in it's wildly differently sourced samples. Modern and analogue, and cool - not only is this to me objectively genius, but keeps the memory alive of a person I wish the world did not lose so soon.
The cover artwork for DJ Shadow's album Endtroducing..... serves as a nostalgic homage to the hip-hop culture of the '90s, encapsulating the essence of crate digging. The photograph effectively portrays the dedication and passion behind sampling. While the image is evocative and relevant, it lacks a striking visual flair that could elevate it further. The simplicity of the design reflects a raw authenticity, but it might not captivate those unfamiliar with the context. Overall, it's a fitting representation of its era but doesn’t stand out as particularly innovative or memorable in the broader landscape of album art. Album artworks rated: 21/1001 The music's not really for me.
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
bob ba awa bob wood
sounds insanely cool
boring
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've always been fond of "nocturnal" music but have only found Self-titled by Gorillaz and Machine Says Yes by FC/Kahuna truly fit that bill. Glad to have another album to add to the pile, and for the new addition to potentially be better than the ones I already know. As someone who is generally antagonistic towards hip-hop, this album feels like it was made for me. Trip hop is the only hop-adjacent genre that I'm partial towards, I've always had a thing for plunderphonics and the muffled lo-fi sound is the cherry on top. I'm impressed by how cohesive and immersive the listening experience is with how off the wall it can be at times. I'll need to give this one another listen - preferably while cruising down a highway in the middle of the night.
Oh nice
Building steam with a grain of salt is one of my favorite songs
I liked the samples :) 3/5
Cool and interesting.
Would really have to be in the mood but cool concept
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.
Great album to listen to for concentration and great vibes.
Mint album
Wow - did this go on forever? It seemed like it lasted for days! I only warmed up to it in the last 3 or 4 tracks and am glad it’s over.
I don't know what to do with this. Is the entire thing just other people's work mixed together by some guy with DJ equipment? I guess it doesn't much matter. It gave me a headache.
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.
Boy I was conflicted with this one. At times I liked the chill hip hop vibe but when the orchestration was in there and the long drum beats…I lost interest
Astounding. This is one hell of a trip !
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.
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.
Surprised at how cool this was. I loved the eclectic feel to the music, which has moments of true beauty. I can get annoyed with too much gimmicky sampling but somehow this works great. Had a great headphones experience while working on a writing project.