DJ Shadow – Endtroducing...

There is no ploy here. This the deluxe version Shadow wanted to put out with his control. He says it himself on the damn album! I completely disagree with this negative toned review here, despite giving a 4/5 stars. Criticizing an artist that made one of the most iconic hip-hop, sampled-based records of all time with the critique that the inclusion of B-sides and alternates weren't unreleased? Come on. Greedy much? I want new material?! Boohoo. Then to thumbing your nose at the chance of written material detailing the creation of the mystic record? That's the most pretentious thing ever. Island Records was the big money, major label attached to this release later on, and I'm sure helped keep the lights on at Mo'Wax and keep the royalties paid for all the samples once it became so popular. DJ Shadow worked in tandem with Island to make this deluxe version in the shape he wanted. The inclusion of Excessive Ephemera is a perfect opposite side of the record, and like countless Deluxe Versions from Island and related labels that collects said related material from said record, saving you from tracking down all the Mo'Wax CD singles from the album. Now, enjoy it. It's about nuances here. From the Peshay Remix (which is the only way to get it digitally), Extended Overhaul, to the added Heat sample on Stem, to (Hello!) the BBC live set?! Just listen and enjoy. Chill out and stop complaining so much.

Another ploy by our friend Josh Davis “DJ Shadow” to steal funds from seemingly unsuspecting fans, beware. Possibly the worst thirty dollars I’ve ever spent. When I heard of the re-release I was stoked the package sounded great, New Liner Notes Booklet, Alternate Takes, Demos, B-Sides but the price was a bit steep. I figured its DJ Shadow you can’t go wrong, right? Wrong. The second disc is a shoddily compiled list of tracks already released on singles Demos lasting no longer than a minute and a half and Alternate takes no different than the originals less scratching and samples. Don’t get me wrong I’d pay thirty dollars for just Endtroducing by itself its quite possible one of my favorite albums of all times but adding this second disc is just an insult to all Shadow fans and himself. In giving the booklet a once through I notice an ment for the new book entitled Endtroducing. The book is dedicated to the recording of Shadow’s first full length. Is that not the most pretentious thing you’ve ever heard? Makes me wonder what’s next the DJ Shadow the movie? Man I haven’t been this heated since the release of Private Press.