Just got my hands on Shadow’s latest album, The Outsider. First impressions (not final opinions by any long shot – I may air my thoughts after I’ve given it a few more spins):

By the way, I thought his show at the Hordern was great. Not perfect – plenty of hiccups – and not quite as continous as I might have liked, but a production with brilliant components. If he comes back to Australia this tour I’ll definitely be back.

OK, first impressions:

• Opening track kicks butt (This Time). Blues singer over a funk/soul track. Hits the spot.
• MASSIVE lurch over to hyphy territory with the lead single. What the? I’m not a hyphy hater, but it felt like there should have been something to make a progression to this track.
• Hyphy / crunk / rah rah. Dunno, needs to grow on me. It has moments, but I’m not getting jaw-droppers.
• Seeing Thangs may be the pick of these opening rap tracks. Not sure.
• Artifact – punk thrashalong?! nothing special. It’s no Nursery Rhyme Breather if you’re thinking in that direction
• Second half flows better
• Backstage Girl is classic. Great vibe coming off it, murky blues meets hip hop. The drum solo is nothing short of awe inspiring. C’mon peoples, that’s programmed!
• Triplicate is nice, something new.
• Chris James is as boring on record as he is on stage. Well, I don’t mind You Made It (despite bordering on saccharine) but Erase You is doing nothing for me right now.
• Enuff is alright. I don’t hate it despite the fact that it’s obviously going to be made a single and will probably go huge. It’s enjoyable. The drum sounds give it cred.