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Preemptive Strike
Participated by DJ Shadow
Studio : Fontana Island
by Fontana Island
Release Date : 1998-01-13
Publisher : Fontana Island
Released : 1997
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EAN : 0731454086721
UPC : 731454086721
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 46 reviews)
List Price : $13.98
Our Price : $9.38
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Americancivilwar.com |
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This set compiles much of DJ Shadow's pre-major label material in one convenient package in an attempt to foil bootleggers and bring new fans up-to-date in the curriculum. The results are naturally varied, but all point to a marvelous evolution of talent. The collection is kept together primarily by its propensity for jazzy beats and psychedelic loops. Shadow (né Josh Davis) moves through everything from old school funk ("In/Flux") to grungy '60s-style guitar raveups ("High Noon"). The centerpiece of the set, however, is a four-part composition called "What Does Your Soul Look Like," which is likely to be the first ever entirely sample-driven rock opera. It's a brilliant piece of work, laced with intriguing sounds, sound bites, and a detectable set of motion. It is also quite possibly better than anything on the critically -acclaimed Entroducing. --Aidin Vaziri |
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A worthy album |
The forgetten album I like to call it. Some people think the Private Press is DJ Shadow's second album but I beg to differ. This album stands well on it's own. Yeah I know 3 of the songs are on Endtroducing but the rest are all solid pre-Endtroducing DJ Shadow tracks. What Does Your Soul Look Like Part 3 is the best of the WDYSLL series. And then theres High Noon. Oh boy what a great track. One of my top Shadow tracks hands down. The Organ Donor remix is memorable but I prefer the original version.
My only riff is that it's a bit short. Especially if only consider the new tracks. And theres filler that honestly takes away from the album as a whole. It had really huge shoes to fill coming right after Endtroducing and given the genius of Psycence Fiction, I can see how it's forgotten.
Not his best but a phenominal album none the less. |
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The best of early Shadow b-sides and rare tracks |
As the liner says, this release encompasses much of Shadow's early work that predated Endtroducting, or was released outside of North America. Also, the title suggests what Shadow acknowledges as a protective measure against the clamping-down of sampling by the recording industry. Much of Shadow's early work relied very heavily on sampling, so to put these track on a release for popular distribution was a very wise release.
In/flux, Organ Donor (extended overhaul) and the What Does Your Soul Look Like (pts. 1-4) are monumental accomplishments in the realm of the modern sample and digging DJ scene, which Shadow pioneered and popularized, to the delight of millions. What can we do but listen and praise? |
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Better than Entroducing |
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As a DJ Shadow enthusiast for about a year now i was amazed that i didn't find this gem sooner. I initially bought entroducing, quickly followed by private press and then branched out to bands like uncle and lemon jelly. Finding this album reminded me of what i liked so much about DJ Shadow in the first place. The mixture of jazz instruments and a beat that makes you tap, this album is the most pure of all the acid jazz / drum bass albums i own to date. A must buy! |
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What Josh Davis' Soul Looks Like |
Enough with the arguments. Everyone knows what Shadow's best tracks are. Some of them are on Entroducing. Some are on Preemptive Strike. A couple are on Private Press. He also did some real magic with James Lavelle on Psyence Fiction. And almost all of his best are on In Tune and On Time.
But if you look at In Tune and On Time, his live album, as a reflection of what Shadow is most proud of and what he is most "into" at the time, it seems pretty clear to me that he is 1) enamored with his recent work (Private Press), but 2) still sees his vision as a product of his early musical conceptions. It is these early musical conceptions (and some revamped ones) that you get with Preemptive Strike.
I am a huge Shadow fan and have been for a long time. blah, blah, . . . I was fortunate enough to see him perform the In Tune set live at Stubbs in Austin when he toured for the release of Private Press. Shadow is a showman extraordinairre and I was blown away. The amount of brilliance that went into his visuals and track order have seen few equals. I remember that he dropped the first track (Fixed Income) after the following words:
"The most important thing for me is that you know how much I appreciate you and have a good time. You see, I view you, the fans, as my employers, and this is my resume . . ."
This kind of humilty and appreciation is sadly missing in most musicians.
Therefore I don't think that it is out of line to view In Tune as a reflection of his own view on his career. The two clear winners are Private Press and Preemptive Strike. Private Press can be explained by recency, but I think the reason that Shadow still plays so much Preemptive Strike is because it still reflects how he views himself.
As much as I love Endtroducing (Building Steam, Midnight, and Stem/Long Stem are clearly some of his best), Preemptive Strike is no less essential listening. Between In Flux, High Noon, and Organ Donor, you have as much of a concentration of greatness as the best tracks on Endtroducing. And then there is What Does Your Soul Look Like, which is like a warm blanket, flowing, changing, and walking you through Shadow's own soul. Just amazing. It seems incredibly ironic to me that Preemptive Strike seems to flow more smoothly than Endtroducing, despite it being a chronological compilation of previous endeavors.
My point is not to pick a fight between Entroducing and Preemptive Strike (or fuel the existing battle), but to encourage any fan of DJ Shadow to make sure Preemptive Strike is on your absolute shortest list of must own albums. Do not underestimate this album because of its origins. Camel Bobsled Race is also great; getting a chance to hear Q-Bert remix/compile Shadow is a treat.
I also think that Psyence Fiction is essential, and it is pretty clear that Shadow likes those tracks too. Also don't miss the bootleg of him live in Austin or his old Soulside tracks. Product Placement is a fun mix, too. |
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Some of the Best Music I Have Ever Heard |
I had never heard of DJ Shadow and had no idea what trip-hop, acid jazz or the like was when I initially listened to this album in 1998 at Karma Records in West Lafayette, Indiana. Thank all supernatural beings that someone on the staff there had placed 'Preemptive Strike' in the listening booth thingy. Upon sampling a few tracks through the store-supplied headphones, I purchased the CD and have been a Shadow fan ever since. I am coming to realize that I almost always enjoy artists' early work better than anything that comes later. That is not to discredit ANY of Dj Shadow's or any other musician's newer music, but there is just something about an artist's first round of music.
I had gone several years without hearing this CD, due to extenuating circumstances, but it has moved me to the point of joyous tears to behold its splendor once again. It is the quintessential Shadow album. Its varied paces, melodies, and elements combined with the beautiful drums make for a magnificent soundscape that should be shared with anyone worthy. |
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