The Outsider
by DJ Shadow
User Score
4.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 46
  3. Negative: 23 out of 46

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  1. jONb
    Sep 29, 2006
    10
    This album is amazing! and easily stands beside anything that DJ Shadow has ever done... Unfortunately close-minded fans of only certain genres of music will probably not be able to follow the master through the full extent of his journeys. They'll wind up hating on this album, but truly only revealing their own ignorance... Too bad, DJ Shadow has left you in his dust! In short... a This album is amazing! and easily stands beside anything that DJ Shadow has ever done... Unfortunately close-minded fans of only certain genres of music will probably not be able to follow the master through the full extent of his journeys. They'll wind up hating on this album, but truly only revealing their own ignorance... Too bad, DJ Shadow has left you in his dust! In short... a truly killer and visionary work... Don't miss it cause of all the haters!… Expand
  2. ToddJ
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    Like all other masterpieces of the 21st century The Outsider is both groundbreaking, and breath taking. Albums such as Kid A and Hotel Yankee Foxtrot are definately comparable. In many years to come this album will be referenced upon. Well done Shadow, you should be ammended for this fine slice of art. An electronic/hip hop touchstone.
  3. clump
    Sep 30, 2006
    9
    A lot of people is sad and even aggresive - because this album differs from their expectations and rigid perception of music or what... I feel sorry for all of those bitching about The Outsider, because it's a really good album. The problem seems to be only in their minds, not in the music. This is very colorful record, entertaining and diverse, fully reflecting Shadow's broad A lot of people is sad and even aggresive - because this album differs from their expectations and rigid perception of music or what... I feel sorry for all of those bitching about The Outsider, because it's a really good album. The problem seems to be only in their minds, not in the music. This is very colorful record, entertaining and diverse, fully reflecting Shadow's broad approach to the music. We all know he likes funk, strange hiphop, triphop, that he has been influenced by working with UNKLE and so on... All of this and a lot more is reflected here and for me - this is true DJ Shadow. All those moaners should take a shower, wake up, have a spliff and enjoy this for what it is - piece of really great music, just not respecting the barriers between the genres.… Expand
  4. BradG
    Oct 7, 2006
    8
    It's really two albums in one. The album is full of great, complex tunes. A lot of tracks remind me of his previous efforts in all the best ways. On the other side of the coin, DJ Shadow lends his skills to more "mainstream" hip-hop tracks that wouldn't be out of place at the club. It's good... a touch conflicting though. It doesn't flow all that well, but I'm It's really two albums in one. The album is full of great, complex tunes. A lot of tracks remind me of his previous efforts in all the best ways. On the other side of the coin, DJ Shadow lends his skills to more "mainstream" hip-hop tracks that wouldn't be out of place at the club. It's good... a touch conflicting though. It doesn't flow all that well, but I'm really enjoying each song for a variety of reasons.… Expand
  5. JohnD
    Sep 14, 2006
    7
    Yeah, it lacks cohesion. Yeah, most of the rapping sucks. No, this isn't as good as "Entroducing". So why can't I stop listening to it.
  6. JB
    Oct 11, 2006
    8
    At first I hated this shit. I am from the Bay and listen to most all kinds of music but I hate the hyphy sound. The other songs wre ok, a little too much vocals some times. But the more I listened I realized that Shadow was apparantly irritated that such simplistic beats were getting so much play. So he decided to out-hyphy hyphy. On all the "hyphy" songs, he changes the beat up like 5 At first I hated this shit. I am from the Bay and listen to most all kinds of music but I hate the hyphy sound. The other songs wre ok, a little too much vocals some times. But the more I listened I realized that Shadow was apparantly irritated that such simplistic beats were getting so much play. So he decided to out-hyphy hyphy. On all the "hyphy" songs, he changes the beat up like 5 times, its not the same bars over and over again. Make no mistake, the rhymes are horrible, but the beats are innovative across the board. I seem to like it the more I listen to it… Expand
  7. Dan
    Sep 13, 2006
    7
    A mixed bag in more ways than one, The Outsider is something you don
  8. BryanBob
    Sep 19, 2006
    8
    KICK ASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Beats great but singers were i bit off but that still fine
  9. Scott
    Sep 21, 2006
    8
    While not Davis' best work, there is something here for everyone. And if you enjoy genre hopping like I do, you might enjoy the whole thing. Solid production throughout.
  10. Jhoira
    Sep 30, 2006
    9
    I get a feelin most Shadow fans wanted Endtroducing Part 3... and thank God we didnt get that... nothing worst than an artist trying to reproduce the sound of his most celebrated record, had he actually composed a new Endtroducing, certainly his fans would have flamed him for not moving forward.. but anywhay... As far as him concerned i really dig the hell out of this record... for the I get a feelin most Shadow fans wanted Endtroducing Part 3... and thank God we didnt get that... nothing worst than an artist trying to reproduce the sound of his most celebrated record, had he actually composed a new Endtroducing, certainly his fans would have flamed him for not moving forward.. but anywhay... As far as him concerned i really dig the hell out of this record... for the close minded music fan it's definitely a hard record to digest, ranging from bay area hip hop thru britpop thru gothic tinged folk.... but for the eclectic record buyer this is a definitive purchase.… Expand
  11. Jared
    Sep 30, 2006
    7
    It takes a few listens, but this is a solid album. Fands of Entroducing had a pre-concieved notion of what this album had to sound like. Had it been another artist besides DJ Shadow, this would have had much higher reviews. His intention is not fan-service, it is his artistic expression. He should be commended for writing an album that sounds how he wants it to sound like instead of what It takes a few listens, but this is a solid album. Fands of Entroducing had a pre-concieved notion of what this album had to sound like. Had it been another artist besides DJ Shadow, this would have had much higher reviews. His intention is not fan-service, it is his artistic expression. He should be commended for writing an album that sounds how he wants it to sound like instead of what his fans expect him to make.… Expand
  12. NickL
    Sep 29, 2006
    10
    shits hype, yo.
  13. JimMoose
    Nov 18, 2006
    8
    Unlike shadow but the more i listen the more i like.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Rolling Stone
    70
    As a full-length Shadow album, The Outsider buckles from its forced diversity. [24 Aug 2006, p.94]
  2. Q Magazine
    70
    As ever, The Outsider's production is immaculate. But by frontloading the album with forbidding hip hop, [Shadow] knows he's driving away the floating voter. [Sep 2006, p.106]
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    The Outsider screams to be downloaded in sections by fans of specific genres.
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