Top tracks — play these first
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This Time (I’m Gonna Try It My Way) Start here — This track embodies the album’s theme of self-determination, showcasing DJ Shadow's signature production style while blending pop sensibilities with introspective lyrics.
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3 Freaks — Featuring a unique blend of spoken word and layered production, this track highlights Shadow's innovative approach to storytelling through sound.
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The Tiger — A standout instrumental piece that showcases DJ Shadow's ability to create atmospheric soundscapes, reflecting his evolution as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases DJ Shadow's ambition to experiment but lacks strong cohesion and memorable hooks.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature multiple sections that shift in style, such as 'This Time (I’m Gonna Try It My Way)' which transitions from a melodic hook to a more aggressive beat.
- The inclusion of instrumental pieces like 'Artifact' provides contrast to the vocal tracks, allowing for moments of reflection within the album's flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with varied pacing
- introspective narratives that provoke thought
- wave-like flow with surprising turns
- background ambiance for creative work
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification tracks
- prefer straightforward listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — The Outsider represents a deliberate departure from DJ Shadow's established sound.
- Moods
- Introspective· Chill
- Career context
- When DJ Shadow released The Outsider in 2006, he was navigating a transition following the commercial success of his previous album, The Private Press. He aimed to redefine his sound and artistic vision after a four-year hiatus, making this his first major release since his acclaimed work in the late '90s and early 2000s. This project marked a departure from traditional sampling techniques, incorporating live instrumentation and collaborations with a diverse range of artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Portishead· Massive Attack· Amon Tobin
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Outsider Intro 2:20
- 2 This Time (I’m Gonna Try It My Way) Start here 3:05
- 3 3 Freaks 3:49
- 4 Droop-E Drop 0:18
- 5 Turf Dancing 4:35
- 6 Keep Em Close 3:05
- 7 Seein’ Thangs 3:40
- 8 Broken Levee Blues 2:07
- 9 Artifact (instrumental) 2:55
- 10 Backstage Girl 7:21
- 11 Triplicate / Something Happened That Day 3:43
- 12 The Tiger 5:23
- 13 Erase You (long version) 7:55
- 14 What Have I Done 5:24
- 15 Triplicate, Part 3 2:52
- 16 You Made It 2:47
- 17 Enuff 4:28
- 18 Dats My Part 4:06
Disc 2
- 1 Seein’ Thangs 3:40
- 2 The Tiger 5:15
- 3 Erase You 6:52
- 4 Triplicate 1:52
- 5 Behind the Scenes of the Making of the Video: “3 Freaks” 8:08
- 6 Credits 0:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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