What makes Becoming a Cliché by Adrian Sherwood notable?

This album garnered positive critical reception, reinforcing Sherwood's influence on the dub genre. It was noted for its innovative sound and is often cited in discussions about contemporary dub music's evolution, impacting both fans and aspiring producers within the genre. By 2006, Adrian Sherwood was an established figure in the world of dub music, having built a reputation through his work with On-U Sound Records. 'Becoming a Cliché' marks his first full-length studio album release in nearly a decade, following his 1998 project 'Never Trust a Hippy', showcasing his unique production style and continued evolution as an artist.

How many songs are on Becoming a Cliché?

Becoming a Cliché has 14 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Becoming a Cliché

Adrian Sherwood · 2006

67 min · 14 tracks · dub music

A vibrant fusion of experimental dub and eclectic soundscapes, blending organic textures with electronic rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Animal Magic — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its enchanting blend of rhythmic bass lines and atmospheric effects, embodying Sherwood's signature style.
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Two Versions of the Future — This track features layered vocals and complex instrumentation that reflect on societal issues, showcasing Sherwood's ability to merge political commentary with infectious grooves.
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Stop the Bloodshed — Serving as a poignant closer, this track uses haunting melodies and samples to evoke urgency around social justice themes, leaving listeners with a powerful message.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative soundscapes and strong production but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.

What we noticed

Several tracks utilize unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of extended grooves.
The first half of the album maintains a consistent tempo, while the latter half introduces more varied rhythms and dynamics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Stop the Bloodshed

The verses shift from abstract imagery to direct calls for action as they approach the song's climax.

This progression deepens the emotional impact by transforming a personal narrative into a collective plea for change.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Animal Magic 4:21
2 Two Versions of the Future 3:57
3 A Piece of the Earth 5:26
4 Monastery of Sound 4:53
5 Dennis Bovine, Part 1 (Tribute to Blackbeard) 4:55
6 J’ai changé 5:36
7 You Wonder Why 5:21
8 The House of Games 4:40
9 Nu Rizla 4:29
10 St Peter’s Gate 5:33
11 Home Sweet Home 4:34
12 Forgive Yourself 3:41
13 All Hands on Desk 3:59
14 Stop the Bloodshed 5:30

What to play next

Listen next

Dub Setter

2009

Go back to

Never Trust a Hippy

2003

Full Adrian Sherwood discography Artists like Adrian Sherwood

dub music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata