Game Theory
by The Roots

From LebowskiRams 02/13/2021 22:16 | #266282

Their best album tbh

Maybe it's because The Roots have so many albums that range from very good to great ("It's a new bad moon on the rise, who feelin it New true skill in it y'all, The Roots still in it") , but in no way did I remember it being as good as it actually turned out to be. I can easily picture this building a strong case for being near the very top of their catalogue. So, what makes this so good? If I had to describe it with one word, I would say it is "full". You couldn't have guessed it by the short and sweet intro, but it soon proves to be the calm before the storm. Not only is every song different from the previous and the next, but each song by itself is taking various (subtle and not so subtle) twists and turns. The most impressive is that their songs aren't that long, they achieve this majestic outcome in the space of 3-4 minutes. Even the songs that consist of only one verse ( those would be False Media and Livin’ in a New World) are so rich. The use of live instrumentation is obviously the main factor responsible for this success - not that the samples are bad, who would expect Radiohead. Another thing this album has going for it is the plethora of guests with each of them adding to the variety with a substantial contribution. The lyrics provide some ever so timely socio-political commentary with a touch of irony and many memorable lines ("Keep the bright lights out of our faces You can't shake it; it ain't no way to swallow the hatred Aim, fire, holler 'bout a dollar, nothing is sacred We gon' pimp the shit out of nature Send our troops to get my paper Tell 'em, "Stay away from them skyscrapers Ain't long 'fore you get y'all acres" I'ma show 'em who the glo-bal gangster Sentence me to four more years, thank you I'ma make you feel a little bit safer, because it ain't over— See, that's how we get your fear to control you But ain't nobody under more control than the soldier", or "Your ma don't like to jitterbug, said this unholy music Hip hop just so ridiculous, everything sounds so confusing Nowadays ain't nothing like it was, one thing that showed the blues Is this system so mysterious, can't let that stop the movement Can't get no satisfaction, they all laughing, glad it's happening All ringside for the main attraction Acting a fool with a lust for action Young girl caught in a crime of passion Sitting there crying in designer fashion Didn't blow, didn't have time for asking "Somebody call for the ambulances", girl",or "A celebration of the loss of your innocence To your old self, you've lost any resemblance They say the city make a dark impression The youth just lost and they want direction But they don't get the police, they get the protection And walk around with heat like Charlton Heston, man"). Also, I view this as very accessible, but at the same time I suspect it is gonna be a grower (not many albums share these two qualities). An album I'm definitely gonna give more listens when the tournament is over. Many candidates for highlight of the album, but it has to be Can't Stop This, the touching J Dilla tribute ("Happy he's no longer in the pain he'd been Recently feelin', I'm crushed by the pain of His absence. Name's Dilla Dog and I can only Rep the real and raw. My man, Dilla, rest in Peace.").

From LebowskiRams 12/29/2020 04:21 | #263381

Really shocked by how low this is

seriously underrated, may grow to be one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time

One of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time. Give the Roots some love!!

From paladisiac 07/16/2012 15:36 | #46579

I had almost given up on the roots. I found Tipping Point boring. They didn't have anything to say and the beats were just okay. Well, they're back, baby! A little more funkdafied, lyrically sharp with some well-laid-out beats (incl. one of j dilla's last). It sounds like they've put a lot of thought into this one. Sure, musically it's not as "futuristic"-sounding as Clipse or as "on the pop tip" as gnarls barkley, but they've found their own middle ground without settling on it here in their 13th year.

From junodog4 05/08/2012 03:10 | #41800

Worth it for "Here I Come" - best hip-hop drumming ever. You should check this album out - GARY gave it a 5 - it must be good.