The Roots
Game Theory


4.5
superb

Review

by TheSaneLunatic USER (6 Reviews)
September 30th, 2007 | 54 replies


Release Date: 2006 | Tracklist

Review Summary: After the disappointing and middling results of The Tipping Point, The Roots come back with their best album since Things Fall Apart.

After listening to The Tipping Point, my expectations for this album was in the crossroads, although listening to "Don't Feel Right" made my longing for this album rise a bit. Once I did get this album and listened to it with my headphones, however, all fears and ill feelings carried from that album simply melted away. After the mellow opener "Dilltastic Vol. Won(derful)", False Media enters, depicting Black Thought as the President. At this point, Black Thought, and everyone involved, sounds more present and lively than ever before. Then, the fueled title track makes a strong statement that The Roots are back. Black Thought has not sounded this angry and energetic since Illadelph Halflife. Then, a surprise comes at the end of the track: Malik B., originally the other main rapper of The Roots who left (or kicked out) due to wanting to stay at home than to tour (or because of his drug issues), comes in and adds an amazing finish to an already fantastic track.

After this, highlights just keep coming in a frantic pace. "In The Music" is the grittiest and darkest song The Roots can easily claim. Black Thought and Malik B. trade verses that fit the mood perfectly. "Baby" is easily the saddest song on the album, as Black Thought sing-raps about a female getting raped and another female finding out that her man is cheating on her. Thankfully, the guitar-and-keyboard-driven "Here I Come" is the most lively and fiery track on the album. Everything is just raved up, from the three rappers (Black Thought, Malik B. and Dice Raw) to the music from "Captain" Kirk Douglas and Kamal Gray to the percussion from F. Knuckles to finally the drums from the one and only ?uestlove is simply amazing.

Something that is quite interesting is the fact that the first eight tracks are segued together, but the last five are not. However, this does not affect the quality of the album in the slightest. "Long Time" is a beautiful track about Philadelphia, where The Roots originated from. However, the most track that has the most intriguing beat is "Atonement", which uses a sample from Radiohead's "You and Whose Army?" from Amnesiac, and makes great use of it. Then, the final track, "Can't Stop This," is an eight-and-a-half minute track dedicating the loss to J Dilla, a close friend to the band as a whole. Unlike all of their previous studio albums, each minute of this track is used, and does not hold a hidden track tacked at the end (unless this reader lives in the UK, Japan, or bought the album on iTunes, where "Bread and Butter" is a bonus track). However, this simply would have cheapen the effect this track has (and yes, although "Bread and Butter" is a good track, somehow the track would not fit successfully on Game Theory).

So, this album ranks with Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart as their best album they ever released. And it deserves to be.


TheSaneLunatic's Top Five Recommendations:
1. Game Theory
2. Here I Come
2. In The Music
4. Baby
4. False Media



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user ratings (633)
4.1
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
AtavanHalen
September 30th 2007


17919 Comments


Much better review. I love this band.

Abaddon2005
September 30th 2007


684 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Yep, good album.

JAD
September 30th 2007


200 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Totally agree, the title track may be the best thing they've ever written.

KINGGS
October 24th 2007


3 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This is my favorite album, ever.

tomwaits4noman
December 22nd 2007


91 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Great use of Radiohead's use of You and Whose army?

Would love to see these guys live missed them last time they toured.

InsertTacosHere
May 5th 2008


153 Comments


"So, this album ranks with Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart as their best album they ever released. And it deserves to be."
Great review until that last line. It's pretty redundant, and with all of the good things you've said thusfar I think you could come up with a better one-liner summary.
Keep up the good work.

Bsmith7
February 5th 2009


252 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This album rules. It's in my top five hip hop records of all time.

gaslightanthem
February 5th 2009


5208 Comments


top 5 hip hop albums? really? i love the roots and this is a good album but there is better hip hop albums out there

Bsmith7
February 5th 2009


252 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah I'd have this, and also Things Fall Apart. Deltron 3030 is my favorite for sure. I'm kind of lost after that, to be honest.

gaslightanthem
February 5th 2009


5208 Comments


you need to get hip hopping - there's so much good shit out there

Bsmith7
February 5th 2009


252 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Oh, I forgot Illmatic. That would be in my top five I think. But yeah, I need to get some more hip hop.

gaslightanthem
February 5th 2009


5208 Comments


illmatic is awesome but i don't think it would make my top 5

kingsoby1
Emeritus
February 5th 2009


4970 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

illmatic is def top 5 worthy, just not for me.

this album is pretty sick; i was addicted to it for an entire summer... review is spot on, even down to the track recommendations.

gaslightanthem
February 5th 2009


5208 Comments




illmatic is def top 5 worthy, just not for me.


same

jrowa001
February 5th 2009


8752 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i need to get back into The Roots other albums since ive been digging their most recent one a lot lately

SynGates
February 5th 2009


2467 Comments


Yeah I've been on a huge Roots binge lately. This, Things Fall Apart, Do You Want More, and Illadelph Halflife are all wonderful.

gaslightanthem
February 25th 2009


5208 Comments


Don't Feel Right is so good.

kingsoby1
Emeritus
February 25th 2009


4970 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

this album got me into hiphop, along with deltron and things fall apart.

gaslightanthem
February 25th 2009


5208 Comments


This is like my 4th/5th favourite album by these guys.

kingsoby1
Emeritus
February 25th 2009


4970 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

1. Things Fall Apart

2. Do You Want More

3. Game Theory

4. Phrenology

5. Illadelph Halflife

6. Rising Down

7. Organix

8. Tipping Point



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