The Less You Know, The Better
by DJ Shadow
  • Record Label: Verve
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2011
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Filter
    Oct 14, 2011
    84
    [It] transcends sonic genres with a mature exploration of a global village too distracted to notice it's shorting itself.
  2. Mojo
    Dec 22, 2011
    80
    This 17-track colossus is eclectic, ambitious ad expertly executed. [Nov 2011, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. AllMusic
    Oct 4, 2011
    80
    Except for the occasionally bumpy ride, though, The Less You Know, The Better is one of the most entertaining albums of the year, with countless moments of brilliance.
  5. The Telegraph (UK)
    Sep 26, 2011
    80
    A guest spot for Little Dragon's Yukimi Nagano adds spice to this unexpected feast.
  6. The Boston Phoenix
    Oct 5, 2011
    75
    Shadow's densest and longest work at first sounds like an overstylized, underwritten retread with lots of superfluous cuts sporting names like "Tedium." But it eventually rewards hard listening.
  7. Under The Radar
    Nov 3, 2011
    70
    The Less You Know isn't as consistently stunning as Shadow's first two discs, but it'll be comforting proof that he's no mere shadow of his former self. [Oct 2011, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Rolling Stone
    Oct 17, 2011
    70
    While this album may lack his debut's soul-jazz seamlessness, it compensates with bipolar freakiness.
  9. BBC Music
    Sep 26, 2011
    70
    The Less You Know, the Better isn't a bad album at all, and will likely grow into something far more impressive, something that isn't quite evident on first play.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Oct 4, 2011
    67
    The Less You Know also feels inconsequential, sounding like the work of a man who has run out of ideas and is coasting along on craft. Which might be fine, except that so little of it actually sticks.
  11. Chicago Tribune
    Oct 3, 2011
    63
    Shadow also flirts with more conventional songs, putting vocalists at the forefront of "I've Been Trying" and "Sad and Lonely" with acceptable if hardly transcendent results. But when he focuses on dark, shape-shifting mood pieces ("Tedium," "Circular Logic," "Enemy Lines") he remains unmatched.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. MikeColina
    Jun 1, 2012
    5
    The patented blueprint is there, the form... doesn´t. A record that compensates the collection: 2 great initial, 2 unfulfillingThe patented blueprint is there, the form... doesn´t. A record that compensates the collection: 2 great initial, 2 unfulfilling last. Plain, generic beats, that maybe ´cause of the expensive cost for clearance sampling, pushed Josh to use nowadays souless tools. Only 1 of the 16 songs made me put extra attention thinkin this was the one for us that listened to him from the beginning, but nothing interesting happened at last. I hope the next will fullfill my need of memorable, epical, provocative songs that made a Dj Shadow album worth of remembering. To try: "I Gotta Rokk" , "Redeemed"… Full Review »
  2. stef27
    Dec 3, 2011
    9
    For me The Less You Know The Better is one of the best album of 2011. Every song of the album are great specially Back to front..Stay theFor me The Less You Know The Better is one of the best album of 2011. Every song of the album are great specially Back to front..Stay the course...Sad and Lonely (very special a melancholic piano with the vintage female voice) and awesome I Gotta Rock...Scale it back with Little Dragon what a great song and very different ...Circular Logic!! Another great album by the greatest Dj Shadow!!!… Full Review »
  3. MooziikMaster
    Oct 9, 2011
    7
    Agreeing with critics to some point, this is no Entroducing (we all know that). It isn't even The Private Press. What it is better than is TheAgreeing with critics to some point, this is no Entroducing (we all know that). It isn't even The Private Press. What it is better than is The Outsider (his 2006 album). He has gone back to what he is known for, but he hasn't done it the same way as before. This album includes a lot more different styles of music involved which is good for some songs. The only songs, however, that are like his old stuff and are the best are "I Gotta Rokk" and "Circular Logic (Front To Back)". This is worth it if you are a hardcore Shadow fan. If not, try the first two albums.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »