The Roots crew returns with their latest album, Game Theory. The greatest thing that can be said about The Roots is that every album sounds completely different from the previous.
Game Theory follows this pattern beautifully with an almost punk rock type of flow, creating thirteen tracks that span just under forty-eight minutes. They attack this album viscously with hard beats, rhymes, and moods.
This album adds balance to the hip hop scene with elements of mid-’90s griminess, late-’80s fastness, and modern musical creativity. Black Thought is as sharp and focused as ever on the microphone, discussing personal, social, and musical struggles with his undeniable flow.
A welcome back is in order for longtime Roots member Malik B., whose return from his musical hiatus adds favorably to the lyrical side of this record. Questlove really produced an album hip hop has not heard; everything is done with precision, beat and musical changes midway through some songs, heavier rock influences on others, and the insatiable grooves throughout.
Will this record change the face of modern or mainstream music because it’s on Def Jam? Probably not. The masses won’t understand it, but for the music fans that love original, straight-to-the-gut, we-do-music-the-way-we-love hip hop, this record will speak to you.