The Roots - Philly legends, Hip-Hop veterans, and one of my favorite musical outfits – have recently released their 10th LP, Rising Down. As is typical with a Roots release, and due in large part to their self-financed web community Okayplayer.com, there has been much internet buzz (and some snark) about the new record. And while the boards at Okayplayer are not always a reliable source, the album is also posting good numbers with all of the journalist and music reviewer types who have heard the album and chosen to write about it. Don’t have time to read all the reviews? Fortunately Metacrtic.com has already taken the time to filter, condense and metascore said reviews
HEREIf you do have time to read anything though, I would suggest two recent pieces of journalistic excellence (refreshing in these cut-and-paste times). This one
HERE by the folks at the NY Times explores the background of The Roots psyche as they were recording and are now promoting Rising Down. And
THIS PIECE, which is referenced in the NY Times article, further explains The Roots unique position in the current music marketplace, and paints their relationship with their current label (Def Jam) in a not-so-warm-and-fuzzy light. As for the album itself, I of course purchased it the first week of release (29 April 2008) and would highly recommend it. The tone is much the same (but perhaps even darker) than their previous effort Game Theory, and except for a few places where the hooks don’t work so well (Get Busy, Criminal) the music is pure listening satisfaction. Black Thought once again establishes himself as the best rapper alive that you haven’t heard boasting about being the best rapper alive, and bandleader (and timekeeper) ?uestlove guides the band through some of the most banging beats the roots have ever produced. This record could quite possibly provide the soundtrack to your summer, if only you give it a chance. If bonus content is your thing, forego buying the record in stores and head on over to iTunes where purchasers get 1) the satisfaction of actually paying for music and helping to support the struggling music industry and larger economy, 2) the iTunes album-only bonus track “Birthday Girl” featuring Patrick Stumpf of Fall Out Boy, and 3) Detailed song-by-song, blow-by-blow liner notes written by ?uestlove himself, delivered to you in .pdf format, and not available in the physical CD booklet (more on that maneuver if I find the time)
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