DJ Shadow's Endtroducing

by Eliot Wilder

Book Overview

What resonated about Endtroducing when it was released in 1996, and what makes it still resonate today, is the way in which it loosens itself from the mooring of the known and sails off into an uncharted territory that seems to exist both in and out of time. Josh Davis is not only a master sampler and turntablist supreme, he is also a serious archeologist with a world-thirsty passion (what Cut Chemist refers to as Josh's "spidey sense")...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826416829
• ISBN13: 9780826416827
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.7" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

An extended liner notes for one of the greatest albums ever created

Endtroducing... by DJ Shadow is one of the best albums of the 20th century, period. A lot of words have been said about it, but it was Eliot Wilder who, through a combinations of interviews with the artist, was able to get a closer look and listen to an album that is still an intense experience from start to finish. It feels like having an extended set of liner notes with you, as Shadow reveals facts about his childhood, his eventual obsession of all that is vinyl, and what moved him to turn that love of rap music into something he could add into the mix. He talks about his experiences with his early work, all of which contributed to what would become "the album". As with many artists, he does keep himself slightly guarded but Wilder is able to have Shadow reveal things about the album that even the most diehard fans might not have known. Had I written the book, I would've went in deeper, much deeper, but Wilder's book is able to dig up as much as possible from the artist himself, who is open into sharing his experiences, dreams, fears, and outlook into a piece of work that he calls his album of hope, and he formally thanks in full everyone who made an impact on him and his debut album.

A Book For Shadow Junkies

Shadow is one of my musical heros. His Brainfreeze and Product Placement mixes, alongside Entroducing are what I've always thought Hip-Hop should be. The 33 1/3 series is usually guys writing about their favorite LPs -- kinda boring, even if they are on some great stuff like Pink Floyd's "Piper at the Gates of Dawn." Anyway, this particular 33 1/3 diverges from that trend and has about a 80 page interview with Shadow that gives you a glimpse into his creative process on some level -- at least from a historical perspective. Shadow wasn't an instant success story, and you can read about the many mistrials he had at the beginning of his career, which is good for any music-maker who feels he's not quite understood. I didn't realize how close Shadow was to Paris, even to the extent that he purchased Shadow's first MPC. Good book for Shadow fans, sans the long-winded rock journalist introduction (which is only about 10 pages).

Excellent series of Interviews

This book is essentially a long interview by Wilder with Josh Davis, and if you've seen Scratch, you know that Shadow can be very articulate. In essence, Wilder guides the story and gives it context, but is basically letting Shadow speak for himself. They go the whole nine yards: delving into Davis' childhood, how he discovered hiphop, how he started making his first mixes and tracks, who he met and when, and how he made the album in question. The focus is one Endtroducing... but you get the arc of his whole career up to Private Press. A very worthwhile read, in my opinion. I supplemented my reading with the liner notes from the deluxe edition of Endtroducing... and also listened to the album and Preemptive Strike and all the b-sides. It's a fast read, you could finish in one sitting. Sold!

Any who would understand the man or his music needs ENDTRODUCING in their collection.

D.J. Shadow's 1996 album Endtroducing created a new sound sonic pop music was to follow for years, influencing electronica and reaching out to other forms. Music critic Eliot Wilder follows this change in ENDTRODUCING, which is basically one long interview with DJ Shadow via telephone during 2004. From DJ's passion for music to his involvement in mixing and interactions with some of the key electronica wizards of modern times, any who would understand the man or his music needs ENDTRODUCING in their collection. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch