Search - Rjd2 :: Dead Ringer

The hype is warranted!

skytwo | Boston | 08/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album largely because of the positive buzz that has surrounded it, and because in the past I've found that dj's from non-coastal areas can be less pretentious and a hell of a lot more fun than their counterparts. So why not a dj from the Rust Belt?The comparison it most often draws is with DJ Shadow's Endtroducing. The reason is clear, given the complexity of the arrangements and the "soundscape" quality to a lot of the tracks. However, this album is both less intense and less eclectic than that milestone. Which isn't necessarily bad-- just different. rjd2's tracks tend to be more funk-oriented and less bass-heavy. Normally that would be a strike against it for me. I may generally prefer the dark, urban stuff, but this album works brilliantly. Effective sampling and just enough turntable trickery to please (well, almost enough) make this album (like Endtroducing) consistently good from start to finish. It's good to see that the "DJ-as-artist" trend is alive and well. This album should help convince some doubters that it's worthwhile musical terrain."

Night Of The Living Dead

wei | Chicago | 08/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's get the requisite DJ Shadow comparison out of the way - shall we? Both RJD2 and DJ Shadow construct their musical compositions out of samples and both have the ability to fashion a very atmosphere/mood heavy piece. We'll leave it at that and just say that "Dead Ringer" was what "Private Press" should have been but wasn't. Also forget what you've heard about the Definitive Jux label - you might be turned off by the other chaotic dense sonic landscapes of producers of El-P or the bleak New York rhymes of Cannibal Ox that were touted so much last year and this, but "Dead Ringer" is a looser and funkier album - unafraid to strut its head-shaking grooves down the walkway like a hip-hop model wearing a chic colorful patchwork coat. The album kicks your teeth in right from the start with "The Horror" - which sounds like a blunt-smoking Snoop Dogg West Coast vibe set on reverb with a B-movie giddiness. It builds and deconstructs itself like Lego construction on a speed rush. "Smoke and Mirrors" marries an old long-forgotten voice from the historical vinyl annals with a beat - much like the Moby fixation - except it's funner than anything Moby's done lately. (read: 18?!?) "Good Times Roll Pt. 2" is that "feel-good" song, over rhythmic drums, fiesta sounds fire off, as an announcer cries out "Part two are you ready?" finished by the cheers of children. That's before it breaks out into an all out freakfest with scratching. The straight-up hip-hop songs like "Final Frontier" featuring Blueprint and "F.H.H." feat Jakki the Motormouth set the rest of the instrumentals in welcome relief. But the finest moment on the record is "Ghostwriter" which flips a Elliott Smith sample and speeds it up. (Recognize it? Hint - X0) The song builds on a simple acoustic guitar sample and then washes it over with snippets of dusty blues and soul harmonizing, and then transitions into a horn-driven fist-pumping joyous celebration. Believe the hype - "Dead Ringer" is the finest release of the year. Who's your favorite DJ savior? RJD2. (all respects to Shadow)"

Instant classic

eternal now | mankato | 08/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered this CD in a local music store. I had never heard of RJD2. I picked this CD up on a whim and was very pleased with it. I have been a fan of Moby, DJ Shadow and all of the other DJ's and producers that RJ has been associated and compared to. With that being said, RJ sounds NOTHING like Moby. There are some tiny similarites, but they are not in the same class of style or genius. DJ Shadow and RJ don't really sound anything alike, at all. I don't see the comparison.

Being a producer/music creator myself(not a DJ), I can appreciate the style and creative force that RJD2 wields like an iron sceptor. Each song is crafted and laid out with tight beats and awesome production. All of the reviews on this spot seem to classify RJ as this or that. WEll, to be honest, he has his own style, RJ style. It sounds like no one else.

RJ seems to enjoy using samples, but his creative energy shines forth. This album is more "hip hop" oriented,, even featuring a few emcees who rock the mic right. I love this cd and I would recommend it to all who enjoy tight beats."