"Silent Shout" is a song by Swedish
electronic music
Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromechanical means ( electroa ...
duo
The Knife from their third studio album
of the same name (2006). The song was released on 20 February 2006 as the album's lead single.
Critical reception
Paul Woloszyn of
musicOMH gave a positive review, describing "Silent Shout" as "brooding, bassy, dance-fuelled electronica" that is "pure evil." Likewise, Sharon Edge of
Contactmusic.com
Contactmusic.com is an online magazine of cultural criticism based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, and ...
opined, "the lush and dreamy production is reminiscent of
Bristol's finest, while the electronic beats call godfathers of electro
Kraftwerk to mind." Edge went on to praise the song as "an intriguing and promising taster" that contains "a moody dance angle to it in the style of
VNV Nation
VNV Nation is an Irish alternative electronic project led by Ronan Harris in the roles of singer, songwriter, and producer. VNV Nation's sound combines lyrics with sounds that ranges from melodic industrial dance anthems, to haunting ballads ...
."
''
Blender
A blender (sometimes called a mixer or liquidiser in British English) is a kitchen and laboratory appliance used to mix, crush, purée or emulsify food and other substances. A stationary blender consists of a blender container with a rotating me ...
'' placed "Silent Shout" at #92 on its ''100 Greatest Songs of 2006''.
Pitchfork Media
''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music publication (currently owned by Condé Nast) that was launched in 1995 by writer Ryan Schreiber as an independent music blog.
Schreiber started Pitchfork while working ...
placed "Silent Shout" at #2 on ''The Top 100 Tracks of 2006'' and at #74 on its ''Top 500 Songs of the 2000s''. In addition,
Resident Advisor voted "Silent Shout" at #16 on the ''Top 30 Tracks of 2006'' and at #30 on its ''Top 100 Tracks of the 2000s''. ''
Slant Magazine'' placed "Silent Shout" at #84 on its ''Best of the Aughts: Singles''.
Music video
Development
For "Silent Shout", director and long-time collaborator
Andreas Nilsson drew on the work of
Charles Burns’ graphic novel ''
Black Hole''.
[McLean, Craig (2006)]
The Knife - Biography
theknife.net. Retrieved 2010-06-21. Karin Dreijer
Karin Elisabeth Dreijer (born 7 April 1975) is a Swedish singer-songwriter and record producer. Dreijer was one half of the electronic music duo the Knife, formed with their brother Olof Dreijer. Dreijer released their Fever Ray (album), debut ...
explained the connection of the video to the song:
"We told Andreas we wanted something very dark and surrealist. When he came up with this idea it was perfect. ..it has all the elements that we like – it’s very sad, but hard and beautiful at the same time. And it’s cold, but it’s warm."
Synopsis
In the music video, mutated people sing along to the song. Flashing white and orange lights are seen throughout the video. Eventually, a group of mutated people is seen traveling through a forest. A giant man resting on a pillow and blanket nestled against trees continues to sing the song as the group travels by in the background.
Reception
Gigwise praised the music video as "a brilliant mix of flashing, multi-coloured lights and strange set piece scenes."
Live performances
The Knife performed "Silent Shout" on their live
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...
''
Silent Shout: An Audio Visual Experience''.
Track listings
*;UK CD single
# "Silent Shout" (Original Version) – 4:02
# "Silent Shout" (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) – 9:47
# "Silent Shout" (Troy Pierce Barado en Locombia Mix) – 6:22
*;UK 12" single
:A. "Silent Shout" (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) – 9:46
:AA1. "Silent Shout" (Troy Pierce Barado en Locombia Mix) – 6:30
:AA2. "Silent Shout" (Original Version) – 4:02
*;US CD maxi single
# "Silent Shout" (Radio Edit) – 4:02
# "Silent Shout" (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) – 9:46
# "Silent Shout" (Troy Pierce Barado en Locombia Mix) – 6:30
# "Silent Shout" (Shinedoe Remix) – 7:11
# "Silent Shout" (Original Version) – 4:53
# "Silent Shout" (video) – 5:02
*;US 12" single
:A1. "Silent Shout" (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) – 9:46
:A2. "Silent Shout" (Original Version) – 4:53
:B1. "Silent Shout" (Troy Pierce Barado en Locombia Mix) – 6:30
:B2. "Silent Shout" (Shinedoe Remix) – 7:11
Charts
References
{{The Knife
2006 singles
2006 songs
The Knife songs
Mute Records singles
Songs written by Karin Dreijer
Songs written by Olof Dreijer
V2 Records singles
Music videos directed by Andreas Nilsson