The magic of DJ Shadow

The Endtroducing album by DJ Shadow is a fascinating piece of artwork unlike anything that I've heard before. The record consists of samples from various performers that are blended into completely new composition. In way DJ Shadow create his own genre that encompasses psychedelica, jazz, funk, soul, experimental, chill-out, and hip-hop music. The strength of this album lays in its ability to flow from one song to another without creating any distraction. During the whole composition It felt like a was sitting in large opera house listening to the classic symphony. The music captivated my mind to the point that nothing mattered around me. It took me away from thinking about my problems by letting me indulge into its majestic sounds.

My favorite song on this album Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt opens with the smooth piano melody that continues throughout whole composition, and almost instantaneously adds dreamy feel to the music. The heavy drum beat that follow the piano riff have an effect of reassuring this atmosphere that is further developed with the introduction of choir mix in the subsequent section of the track. Initially it feels like you heard this melody somewhere before, but you can't recall the time or date. It seems like you are dreaming without knowing what's really happening around you. This track let your mind enter the imaginary world by blurring the distinct line between the illusion and true reality.

This composition builds itself from different music components before arriving into its complete stage towards the middle part of the song. This track is the perfect way to start the album considering that it introduces the listener to the musical philosophy of DJ Shadow and sets the ground for the subsequent compositions. Every little component that comes from different music genres is an essential part of the Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt. The spoken segment at the end of the track shows that the DJ Shadow doesn't want to take major credit for his musical creation. He sees himself as a filter that let the different music genres come through him changing into the new imaginary form.

Exit from the Cave

I watched a dubbed version of Groundhog's Day for a first time about 10 years ago. Initially I didn't see any deeper meaning in the movie, but rather enjoyed it as a fun and entertaining comedy. Despite the great translation of the movie I didn't pick some interesting details of the plot. Watching the original version with new understanding of the culture and native language helped me to see the Groundhog's Day in the new light. It was surprising to me considering that with some exceptions I rarely watch any movie more than once. I realized that even great translation of the motion picture can miss on the representation of key ideas meant by the author.

After reading the Allegory of Plato's Cave it was also interesting to see how the ideas of the Greek philosopher play out in the modern day cinema. The Groundhog's Day provided an intricate example of the man living inside of his own cave with little regard toward the outside world. He sees himself as a special one destined for the success while treating others as not worthy of his time. The egocentric nature of Phil prevents him from the realization of the fact that he is far from the goal of achieving public recognition. His personal shadows blind him into thinking that being a weather man on the news channel makes him a celebrity in the eyes of naive locals of Punksatony.

Phil's initial thoughts are set on how to broadcast the festival as fast as possible and then leave the godforsaken town before the end of the day. He is annoyed with every little thing and seems to have a sarcastic remark to anything that takes place during his first Groundhog's day. The subsequent plot of the movie traps Phil inside the day that he hates the most. This repeat of events plays the role of the outside force that helps to change Phil's self-centered personality. It makes it easier to see the sequence of changes that open Phil's eyes and help him to find true love. Before achieving ultimate enlightenment he goes through stages of accommodation to his new environment. Initially he uses his ability of predicting future for getting laid with women or stealing money from the bank. Then Phil breaks the law by running from cops and even tries to kill himself on numerous occasions. As the prisoner of Plato's Cave Phil experience irritation while going through the process of rebuilding his character. It takes some time before Phil realizes that he can use his time to learn new knowledge and help other people around him. With this understanding comes the freedom that spares Phil from the limits of his inner Cave.

Prisoner of Circumstances

When I was thinking about my personal reflection to Plato’s Cave allegory I realized that the immigration to the United States helped me to find my own truth. It opened my eyes to the realities of the world outside of my native society. I had to quickly learn how to adapt to the ways of life in the new environment. I am not trying to say that I was living in the Cave-like settings, but the change was rather drastic.  At some point these new unfamiliar surroundings affected me the way the sun burned the eyes of the prisoner in the Plato’s allegory.

Before I moved to the US I was attending university in my hometown in Russia where I was growing up all my life. I was enjoying my freshman year with friends that I knew back from the high school thus I felt comfortable on the new campus. I was also playing on the university soccer team that gave me a privilege of missing my classes without any serious penalties. I could always talk to the coach and he would help me to fix my problems with past due assignments and missed exams. At seemed like I never had time to do my homework, but I could always find time for my social life. At the time I thought that the university was a place where you hang out rather than acquire important knowledge.

 Shortly after arrival, I realized that I have neither close friends no family members. Most of my first year in immigration, I spent sitting in the room surrounded by nothing, but the four walls. I felt that I was in a complete isolation even though the life outside of my circle was moving at the same pace as before. My main problem was the fact that I didn’t know the language very well thus I couldn’t explain myself in the same way as in my native language.  There was only one way out of my personal “Cave”, so started to do everything I could do to learn the language as fast as possible. Day after day I was working on my grammar, expanding my vocabulary, reading newspapers and listening to radio. In the course I learned to enjoy the process of acquiring new knowledge.

By the time I took my first class in the university in the United States I was mentally prepared to do as best as I can in any of my classes. It didn’t matter to me if like or dislike the particular subject or teacher. I learned to appreciate gaining a new knowledge and enjoy the process of doing your own work. I feel better prepared to face the task of learning something new be it a different culture, language or occupation. This experience led me in the direction of real truth in my life. I believe that I have a better understanding of myself as a person and know what I need to do to achieve my personal goals. Without this hard process of accommodating my eyes to the “sun” I could have still been on the same path of the total darkness.