Silent Shout (song)

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 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."

Blender placed "Silent Shout" at #92 on its 100 Greatest Songs of 2006. Pitchfork Media 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.

Development

For "Silent Shout", director and long-time collaborator Andreas Nilsson drew on the work of Charles Burns’ graphic novel Black Hole. Karin Dreijer Andersson 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 reminiscent of Black Hole 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 Silent Shout: An Audio Visual Experience.

1. "Silent Shout" (Original Version) – 4:02
2. "Silent Shout" (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) – 9:47
3. "Silent Shout" (Troy Pierce Barado en Locombia Mix) – 6:22

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

1. "Silent Shout" (Radio Edit) – 4:02
2. "Silent Shout" (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) – 9:46
3. "Silent Shout" (Troy Pierce Barado en Locombia Mix) – 6:30
4. "Silent Shout" (Shinedoe Remix) – 7:11
5. "Silent Shout" (Original Version) – 4:53
6. "Silent Shout" (video) – 5:02

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