Shapeshifters

I just listened to the whole CD and I love it!!! The sounds of Lola's Theme are just awesome, love singing to it on the car on my way home, and always makes me smile and seat dance. Back to basics is another one of my favorites as well as Incredible.
This whole CD is great, if you liked Lola's Theme or any of the other singles is a deffinitely must to buy it :D.

Well what can I say!? It is about time this album was released... ever since I heard "Lola's Theme", I couldn't believe my ears. Was it the new Basement Jaxx single? Was it by Silicone Soul? No. The groundbreaking "Lola's Theme" was in fact by two London-based DJs Simon Marlin and Max Reich who made up The Shapeshifters. And then came "Back To Basics" and I thought to myself, when are these guys actually gonna release an album!? I want more from where this came from.

Released March this year, Sound Advice is The Shapeshifters massive debut. Think of Sound Advice as The Shapeshifters' contribution to dance music as was Keane's contribution to rock with Hopes & Fears. That's just how powerful this album is.

From opener, "You Never Know" until the last track, "Instead of Falling", Sound Advice never disappoints for a split second. Apart from the aforementioned tracks, the other two singles off this album, the ever-funky "Incredible" and the catchy "Sensitivity", are of course extremely impressive. But don't worry, I assure you every single track on this album is single-worthy... there just isn't a single filler in here.

For fans of funky house, this album is not to be missed. Get it right now and start enjoying this masterpiece of an album as soon as you can.

This is one of EMIs wonderful content protected CDs. Make sure you read exactly what this is compatible with. If you are using an iPod (and who isn't?), you will only be able to install this into iTunes if you also have a Mac. It's a shame, its a great CD.

Alright, if you are reading this review it's because you've stumbled upon the Shapeshifter's debut album, while taking a glance around to see what this site has to offer. I am going to assume, also, that you've at least heard their HUGE summer '04 smash, Lola's Theme. Perhaps not, perhaps you know them from their song Back To Basics, under the moniker Shape:UK. Or perhaps, even more unlikely, you know them by their current amazing single, Incredible. Whatever the reasons, here we both are.

Now, you look at the price of this CD and wonder, should I? Is it worth it? I daresay it is, but perhaps that isn't enough for you. Why, that you're even reading this review as opposed to processing the transaction this very second is all the proof I need that you need some convincing. So I shall start at the beginning.

The Shapeshifters have almost molded the scene to suit them, much like Madonna does to the pop scene. House music wouldn't be where it is today without the instant success of Lola's Theme, and that's saying a lot. They continue to be a breath of fresh air, providing something new and refreshing amid a stale scene. This album is no exception.

From the getgo, this album sets out to prove that there is so much more to the dance, and subsequently, house, genre than meets the eye or ear. Take the opening track, You Never Know. Most listeners would expect to open up to a dancefloor smash, their booty shaking almost immediately after pressing "play". But what do the Shapeshifters do? They give us a pop track, slower with beautiful vocals, lush synths and bass, and a great lyrical hook. And what is it about? Wow, she says, "It might be the last time you close your eyes." Take a chance, take a risk. What an amazing message, the very first song.

But don't worry, the latest dance craze is but a song away, in the form of the string & guitar-driven Sensitivity. About half the album has actual vocals, and while those tracks are interesting enough, it is tracks like these that make the album shine. You'll find yourself singing along in no time, bopping around wherever you are, regardless of what you are doing. Lola's Theme and Incredible follow (check my other reviews for an in-depth of Incredible), and then on to the track Really Feel. This song has a smidgeon of vocals, but it is more of a showcase of their music rather than their lyrical skills, or the skills of their amazing vocalists, Cookie, Jenna Gibbons, Kelly Marie, and an assortment of others. Over Me is the next song, and it starts off beautifully with a simple drum beat, shortly joined with a beautiful string arrangement and some effects. This is another great slower, more pop-oriented track. The great thing is that all of these songs would sound great if remixed (properly, that is), but sound amazing even without any.

The album follows in that general progression, although the next few tracks are mainly instrumental, with some slower vocal tracks bringing up the end of the album. All in all, this album is like a pleasant beach vacation, the perfect mood to a perfect day.

And heed the advice given in "You Never Know". Take a risk and pick this up.

Popular MTV Rap is not crushgroovin, bodymoovin, recordmakin, or recordbreakin. Shapeshifters are. Shapeshifters give you words fools and Circus alone makes it all worth the all. There's nothing like it. Its rap that makes you remember that money isn't the end... its a mean.... so cough up the $15 and get the CD foo. Notice that Eminem is whiny twerp.

The Shape Shifters have come through with yet another rockin' album. I've seen these cats since early '94, and they have yet to disappoint. Not only do they have fabulous emcees, but their abmormal, way too funky, mutant beats are without compare. This is true hip-hop to its fullest, all real no b.s. Pick it up if you are ready. Shout outs to the CBS crew, rocking all day and all night, to the Shape Shifters, Chain Smoker Crew, the Project Blowed, Massmen, Visionaries, OMD, etc. We know what time it is, true b-boys never forget. RIP SK8 ONE

Good beat, moves from more relaxed to more energetic, some lyrics. Nothing too complicated, no sections with harmony, generally single male vocalist. Good study music.

I've bought the set because of positive reviews. I found CDs ineffective and I even don't like them. Don't waist your money!

Shapeshifter's Albums are definitely a must have. The more you listen the more you get out of them. Every fibre of your being will resonate with these soundscapes, and transport you to realms one dreams of. The best meditation and spiritual growth sounds I have ever experienced.

Thank you Shapeshifter

This series is a absolute must for anyone seeking spiritual growth and a pathway back to home. A unique combination of sounds and vibrations,which when listened to,allows one to explore new levels of awareness and balance.

I like this CD. I have it and the DNA Activation series of 4 CDs plus guidebook, all from Shapeshifter. They call it "Visionary Music". It is NOT what most people call music. It is very different and is a blend of electronica sounds, extended notes and blends. It is spacey, like a sound track you would expect to hear in a movie when the astronauts were floating around in space in their little space suits. I would call it "New Age". It is very vibrational. It is mainly sounds, with some brief music segments.

Now, with that said, does it balance my chakras? I don't honestly know. It's hard to say what any one product is doing, especially when you have many. I am also a Reiki person and we deal with energy and vibrational sensitivities. I do lots of things to balance and center and ground. I have lots of different types of CDs to try to do that. I believe that a variety of these types of CDs is helpful to me and probably to others. I do believe the vibrations on the Shapeshifters CDs are at least stimulating different areas of my brain, maybe more. In all honesty, a CD that does something for me may or may not do something for you, depending on where you are and what you need and what resonates with you. Sometimes you have to just believe in the possibilities until proven otherwise. But, I have also found that I do not often achieve overnight success with anything. It usually takes awhile to program or re-program my subconscience.

Now that I've said all that, the material I have in the DNA Activation Guide book from Shapeshifter for the Odyssey CD says it was created with the intent to balance the chakras and expand the auric field. It claims to "create a continuous subtle vibrational effect on the physical body which allows the undulating modulations and melodies to stretch and expand the etheric energy bodies. . ." Shapeshifter recommends using this CD prior to using their DNA series CDs. I would assume this recommendation is because you would logically be in a better position to reprogram yourself if you were in an optimum balanced state.

There is also a gold-cover chakra balancing 2 CD set by Deepak Chopra that I like a lot, called "Chakra Balancing: Body, Mind and Soul". See my other reviews for more info on that set. It provides info about the chakras (colors, sanskrit, etc.) as well as the music. Those who are looking for Chakra 101 info may find Deepak Chopra's set more beneficial.

After reading the other reviews here I was very excited to order this CD hoping that I will be able to balance my chakras etc. I have been listening to it once or twice a week for two months now and can't really say that I have noticed any real results from it. I have another CD from a diferent author which has a track for chakra balancing and it is much better, I can actually feel that I am becoming calmer, more energized and in a good mood. Not with this one. The music is very strange too, sounds like a movie score or something. Not too bad but hasn't worked as expected.

I am into many things, Reiki, Magick, Telekensis and so on. But this CD does wonders for the Charkas and helps balance them out meanwhile expanding the aura field. It is an amazing work of heart, it takes a while to get used to since sometimes it sounds like something you'd heart in the background of a anime movie lol. But it's well worth it, I hope you all enjoy it too.

An interesting combination of grunge and mainstream rock. Almost like weezer in a major key and better vocals.

When I first listened to this CD I did not have much expectation. Electronic-sounding music is not my cup of tea. However, I was attracted to the artwork and the concept, so I bought it and played it one night to fall asleep to, just to see what would happen. I was quickly drawn into a receptive, altered state in which I began to "feel" the music. I then began to see in my mind's eye all sorts of magical and wondrous things (electric blue dolphins synchronized swimming, a UFO I was on board, and other things too difficult to put into words but equally amazing). Everytime I listen to it, I have a different experience, and while I already have some capability to have visions on my own, they are distinctly different and are very much stepped up with this CD. I believe Shapeshifter helps you through sound and vibration and imagery to realize the multi-dimensional being that you are.

This CD has been a major change in my life in many ways and forms beyond anything I have ever felt. As I wrote in a previous review (DNA Activation #2) I was a big skeptic because of a few so called "Psychics" who were into this only to get the mean green and help no one really see. People who were more like motivational speakers than true Light works and this my friend is a way of self-exploration on a level I never thought I would experience and it feels wonderful. You should buy it ^_^

Listening to this CD has allowed me to journey in wonderous and familiar places.