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
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  1. Pitchfork
    Oct 6, 2011
    45
    Its only commitment is to a subtle antagonism, and it ignores pretty much any worthwhile development in pop, rock, electronic, or hip-hop music since the turn of the century.
  2. Uncut
    Nov 23, 2011
    60
    The Less you know is a rather ponderous return to form. [Dec 2011, p.81]
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  3. PopMatters
    Sep 27, 2011
    60
    What's sometimes impossible to put into words is how, despite all an album's shortcomings and stacked odds, it's still a perfectly enjoyable listen.
  5. Q Magazine
    Nov 8, 2011
    60
    While Josh Davis has valiantly refused to photocopy his pioneering 1996 debut Endtroducing, this fourth album could use its mystery and cohesion. [Nov. 2011, p. 139]
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  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 3, 2011
    50
    Overall it sounds like the work of a man struggling to recall his motivations for making music in the first place.
  7. The Guardian
    Sep 30, 2011
    60
    It's a hit-and-miss affair.
  8. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 26, 2011
    60
    Overall, this is a highly schizophrenic collection.
  9. Spin
    Sep 26, 2011
    60
    The Less You Know, the Better 
is equal parts frustrating and admirable.
  10. Consequence
    Oct 3, 2011
    50
    For an artist who lets as much time pass between albums as DJ Shadow does, his ideas shouldn't feel as undercooked as they do here.
  11. NOW Magazine
    Oct 20, 2011
    40
    His newest album, on the other hand, is all technique and no emotion.
  12. No Ripcord
    Oct 31, 2011
    40
    Shadow's production is wantonly flashy, but it can't mask his lack of flair.
  13. The Wire
    Dec 6, 2011
    40
    Given the sprawling length, naturally it's not devoid of a few stray gems and curiosities. [Oct 2011, p.60]
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  14. Magnet
    Nov 15, 2011
    45
    DJ Shadow first made his name by delving deep into the world's bottomless pile of debris to redeem the wannbe hits and half-formed artistic statements of our musical past. Now, he contributes to it. s[#82, p. 54]
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  15. The Independent (UK)
    Sep 26, 2011
    60
    There's a pronounced shortfall of his usual joyous eclecticism here, with many pieces settling for basic repetitive sequences; some sound like little more than extended intros.
  16. Prefix Magazine
    Oct 6, 2011
    50
    Things jump back and forth from there, and never seem to build to very much. Shadow may want to cross back.

User Reviews

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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 »
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