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100

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Since We Last Spoke finds RJD2 sounding like some blessed creature who's able to tune in every radio station in the world, past and present, and mix them together into a cohesive whole.

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Entertainment Weekly

RJ... lets his softer side show to touching effect. [18 Jun 2004, p.84]

Spin

A Kleenex-grabbing, chain-smoking, staring-out-the-window, in-bed-for-days breakup record. [Jun 2004, p.106]

PopMatters

Since We Last Spoke continually subverts expectations of what an Rjd2 album is about, yet the songs all stick together in a cohesive way, and the album still somehow bears the distinct personality stamp of the RJ we already knew, even as some of it diverges wildly from the path he's been on so far.

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Q Magazine

Terrifying, but in a good way. The bar is raised. [Jun 2004, p.105]

RapReviews.com

The order of the songs in the end seems carefully chosen, not unlike a play or movie where the emotional resonance from each piece is meant to build you up, bring you down, and build anticipation through each movement towards the climactic ending.

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Alternative Press

RJD2 possesses the rare ability to transform moldy samples into fresh-as-tomorrow compositions. [Jun 2004, p.110]

Tiny Mix Tapes

What makes Since We Last Spoke such an indisputably groundbreaking record is Rjd2's ability to create such an intricate pastiche of diverse musical styles that it seems like a wholly new genre in and of itself.

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Billboard

RJ's solo work transcends hip-hop boundaries, and at its peak moments, is better described as much closer to soul.

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Stylus Magazine

Much in the way Pete Rock or Kanye West reinterpret classic 70s soul for a new generation, Since We Last Spoke is RJD2’s trip through the AM dial 30 years ago, the songs of the period experienced anew.

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Village Voice

RJ and his sampler wander the record crates of shared memory, and come up with progressive rock and Northern soul songs that have little to do with anybody's idea of revival.

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Filter

A fluid record packed with full songs. [#10, p.88]

ShakingThrough.net

Since We Last Spoke is more sonic retreat than bold reinvention, an intriguing, if not entirely triumphant, tip of the hat to the sound and spirit of the Year of the Dragon.

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Playlouder

But even on those tracks that don't make the cut as RJ stand-outs almost everywhere you care to look there are stylish touches and subtleties waiting to be discovered with each subsequent listen.

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Dot Music

Favours The Song over ambient abstraction and real-time playing over rejigged samples.

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Uncut

Solid song structure replaces ambient abstraction... ranges across Latino jazz, stadium rock, soul and pastoral glitch. [Jun 2004, p.86]

Blender

A hip-hop Blood On The Tracks. [#27, p.143]

Pitchfork

Unfortunately, few of these tracks wield the same impact as his tried-and-true hip-hop productions, and more often than not, feel like attempts at being everything to everyone.

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All Music Guide

With only a few exceptions though, Since We Last Spoke makes the moody Dead Ringer sound like a piece of flag-waving exuberance; instead of the occasional uptempo track, it's brooding and mellow throughout the record -- very nearly a rap singer/songwriter record.

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Dusted Magazine

With experimentation comes occasional failure, however, and at times Since Last We Spoke can feel a bit forced.

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Urb

With hardly a breakbeat in sight, RJ's sophomore effort plays like an homage to '80s-era easy listening.... An ambitious effort, but a failure all the same. [May 2004, p.86]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

peliciane gave it a7:
This isn't an insult, but this release isn't for rjd2 fans. This a step away, not necessarily down, for Mr. Krohn. Ambitious? Sure. Creative? Uh-huh. But, man, I just felt awkward the most of the time. He is a hip-hop producer. Had this been released by someone else, I would have probably felt more comfortable. His "Intro" track is the only track remotely hip-hop. Just because I'm placing this rjd2 CD in 3rd is no insult. (I haven't heard his "In Rare Form" hard-to-find CD)

marcus h gave it a10:
Better than the first album.

Travis B gave it a9:
Phenomenal. A lot less rap than Deadringer. I still can't decide which album I like more. I think both are excellent in different ways. This album would have received a 10, but I really am not a fan of the last track.

Brandon B gave it a9:
I have to completely agree that this album is amazing. So far, I have been nothing but fascinated by the ability of RJ to blend so many different sounds into something harmonic and meaningful. I'm surprised at how many reviews were dissapointing.

Lawrence P gave it an 8:
Different from the first LP, but maybe better???

Mark T gave it a 9:
The more I listen to this album the more I like it. His new rock'n'roll influence has raised him to a higher level than Deadringer and is another great addition to RJD2's impressive CV. If you like DJ Shadow you'll love RJD2, so plug your headphones into Since We Last Spoke NOW!

Jordan G gave it a 9:
exotic talk is gangster. very good i felt like headbanging. & thats a good thing.

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