The Roots "Game Theory" album review

For those of you unaware of who the Roots are ( and I assume anyone who may actually read this is unaware) let me tell you: The roots are a rap band. Yes a band with live instruments and everything. The Roots are typically on the forefront of sound in rap music and they are the band non hip-hop loving people like to show they are down with dope music. Most of you have seen their drummer in many music videos. He is a big guy with a giant afro and they have put out classic album after classic album. To those real hip-hop fans they are like the Ramones. However, recently due to label struggles they have been putting out sub par music and even dropped 2 "best of" albums to fulfill contract obligations so they could search elsewhere.


Now with a new home at hip-hop premier label, Def Jam, they give us the single best hip-hop album to come out in 2 years. Musically it is solid and new. The drums are crisp and the rest of the band keeps up. Each song weaves into the next one like scenes from a movie and it is hard not to just nod your head as the baseline kicks throughout each track. Black Thought, the rapper, seems to have found his drive and delivers darker and harder lyrics than ever before. His flow is aggressive and raw when it supposed to be as shown on tracks like "Don't feel right", "take it there" and "long time". Yet, he can slow it down over the slower, more hopeful tracks like "baby" and "livin in a new world." He is not afraid to attack the mainstream media outlets in "False media" which uses a narrative sample as a hook as opposed to rapping or singing.


Everything on this album works. From the J. Dilla influenced intro to the J. Dilla tribute closing track, featuring real testimonials about the well respected late producer. While the label situation frustrated the group it seems like their best work is being brought out in the pain and frustration. I know I can't convince most of my friends to ever give hip-hop a real chance but listen to this album and tell me it doesn't take talent to make this kind of good music!