Todd Inoue wrote about DJ Shadow in September 2006 for The Washington Post:

For his third record, DJ Shadow's mental crate bursts with more broad and varied ideas than his obsessive fans might have patience for. There are even (shock!) live instruments. The result has Shadow communicating ideas that transcend genres and decades. But like most mix tapes, there are fast-forward moments.

Two tracks with Chris James, of the British rock group Stateless, and "The Tiger" with Kasabian recall B-roll "Psyence Fiction." And "Backstage Girl," with Little Brother's Phonte Coleman, is long on playing time and short on innovation. Fortunately, the sideshow in the parking lot is in full effect. It's exciting to hear Shadow channeling "hyphy" producers such as Rick Rock and Droop-E on "3 Freaks" (with Keak Da Sneak and Turf Talk) and "Turf Dancing" (with the Federation and Animaniaks).

After the club shuts down, Shadow disappears down dark corridors, stereo-tuned to the sounds of blues, psych rock, folk ("What Have I Done" features Charalambide's Christina Carter) and hip-hop. On "Seein' Thangs," Mississippi's David Banner tees off on the government like Michelle Wie after a double bogey. Q-Tip and Lateef the Truth Speaker bridge coasts on "Enuff." Yet for all the bluster, Shadow can arrange a piece as subdued and delicate as the acoustic guitar and shakuhachi flute duet "Triplicate" or the Up With People throwback "This Time." It's a lot to digest, but Shadow came into music with an open mind, and for "The Outsider" he hopes his fans will, too.