shifting gears

dj z-trip

hollywood records, 2005

Mood—Fun at first, then a bit aggressive.

Sample: "All About THe Music"

Thoughts—I put this album in thinking it was going to be a good, upbeat drive record. My memory betrayed me, though. I had recollections of this being much more fun and lighthearted than it is, thanks to the best tracks. The majority of this hip-hop record is on the offense.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just not what I recalled from when I purchased the album five years ago. And indeed, the first three tracks are very fun, bouncy, and infused with a party sensibility. "All About The Music" is a great track, and along with "Everything Changes" and "Breakfast Club", it represents the most memorable of the album's offerings.

"About Face", a track I also like, represents just that... an about face away from the fun party atmosphere and into darker territory. If you're not in the mood for angry hip-hop, three quarters of the album is not for you. There are some tracks, such as "Bury Me Standing" and "Shock and Awe", that I choose to skip most of the time, something I try my best not to do. Even "The Get Down", which features one of my favorite MC's (Lyrics Born) doesn't get me going.

This is not a bad album, it's just a little bipolar. The production value and ideas behind the music are great. Whereas you can expect even the aggressive songs on a Fatboy Slim album to make you want to dance, that can't be said for Shifting Gears.

Recommended? Not an essential album by any means.

Link—djztrip.com

Tracklist
1. Intro
2. Listen To The DJ
3. All About The Music
4. The Get Down
5. About Face
6. Furious
7. Take Two Copies
8. For My people
9. Bury Me Standing
10. Breakfast Club
11. 3rd Gear
12. Everything Changes
13. Walking Dead
14. Shock And Awe
15. Revolution (STR Parts 1+2)