This new Roots album is one that I've been anticipating for some time now and it just leaked onto the nets. Will this be the next great Roots album or just another lackluster post-2000 release?
1. The Pow Wow
An argument over the phone that I can't understand
2. Rising Down (Feat. Mos Def & Styles P)
The best song I've heard this year hands down. The beat is great and the rhymes are generally on point, especially Black Thought's. And what's more is that Mos Def actually raps on this and doesn't just do R&B crooning on the hook or whatever.
3. Get Busy (Feat. Dice Raw & DJ Jazzy Jeff)
This one's kind of experimental because it's got that kind of live, Root's sound with the drums but also a synth bassline thing. Can't argue with the results though because the track is definitely hard. Dice Raw comes through with the hip hop quoteable "I'm kinda like W.E.B. DuBoise/Meets Heavy D. & The Boys." Jazzy Jeff on the cuts...just another great track.
4. @15
A freestyle
5. 75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)
The obligatory Roots song where Black Thought raps straight through the track with distorted sounding vocals except with the same sound as "Get Busy". A pretty good track but Black could probably tone down on the N word there.
6. Becoming Unwritten
Like the interludes on [insert Roots album here].
7. Criminal (Feat. Saigon & Truck North)
The weakest beat so far and the singing on the hook is a little annoying. Being the Saigon stan that I am I was happy to see him on this album I just wish there was a more exciting track for him to be on.
8. I Will Not Apologize (Feat. P.O.R.N & Dice Raw)
This is just alright like the last one. It sounds like Talib Kweli is on the chorus but doesn't rap on this which is sort of strange.
9. I Can't Help It (Feat. Malik B. & P.O.R.N.)
This one is more synthy sounding and thus more interesting. Maybe this is the natural progression of the Roots sound or something.
10. Singing Man (Feat. Truck North & P.O.R.N.)
This is just weird. The first really skippable track though.
11. Unwritten (Feat. Mercedez Martinez)
Another interlude, this one with rapping.
12. Lost Desire (Feat. Talib Kweli & Malik B.)
Maybe the worst of the synth beats but still a good track. The singing on the hook here is better than on the other songs and the guest spots are nice too.
13. The Show (Feat. Common)
Think of this as a blend between the new, electronic Roots and, say the Phrenology Roots. Still one of the best tracks since the beginning of the album.
14. Rising Up (Feat. Chrisett Michelle & Wale)
This song is kind of weird but I think I could get used to it. It's a nice switch up all the hard, synth beats and stuff. Def Jam is really pushing this Chrisett Michelle, huh?
15. Hidden Track
An old freestyle or something.
Overall:
This is a no brainer when you look at the lack of quality albums to drop this year. For a reference point, I like this to the Roots last two albums, at least on first listen.
Best Tracks: "Rising Down", "Get Busy", "75 Bars"
