The Roots: Game Theory : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

It's a problem when the drummer is the most compelling member of your group (just ask the Max Weinberg Seven). Producer-drummer ?uestlove is the crucial Root, while frontman Black Thought is more of a reliable MC than an exceptional one. The Roots have overcome this drawback by consistently pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. For every head-nodding beat (and ?uestlove brings plenty of 'em), Game Theory has a head-turning treat, from the "om" chant intro on the gospel-style "Baby" to the melancholy Radiohead sample of "Atonement." While the straight-ahead, singsong "Don't Feel Right" is underwhelming, bigger hooks come courtesy of "Long Time." A piece of Prince-ly cyberfunk with a gorgeous string arrangement by Philadelphia soul vet Larry Gold, the song celebrates growing up in Philly, with guest MC Peedi Peedi bringing some welcome humor: "It started in the bathroom taking a dump/Listening to Ultramagnetic Ego Trippin'." The album closer, "Can't Stop," is a fizzy eight-minute tribute to departed producer J Dilla, memorialized here as the "Muhammad Ali of beats."

PETER RELIC

(Posted: Aug 23, 2006)

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Track List

Play All

Dilltastic Vol Won(derful)
False Media (track not available in Rhapsody)
Game Theory (track not available in Rhapsody)
Don't Feel Right (track not available in Rhapsody)
In The Music (Album Version (Edited))
Take It There
Baby
Here I Come
Long Time (track not available in Rhapsody)
Livin' In A New World
Clock With No Hands
Atonement (track not available in Rhapsody)
Can't Stop This (track not available in Rhapsody)
Bread And Butter

Your Turn

Give us your review of Game Theory

Review 1 of 3

5of 5 Stars

This is my first time as a member of the rolling stone community so give me some lee- way here(how the hell do you spell lee way.?) Anyway, I read Peter Relic's article on the roots recent album, "GAME THEORY". I'm just baffled by the unreal numbers of people who try to critique a complex outfit such as the roots when they can't even figure out simple rap. I.E. - Southern rap!! This type of rap is extremely simple and down right nauseating to listen to.(I live in Dallas so you can imagine the torture I go through everyday listening to this crap!)
But back to the issue at hand, If Mr. Relic is calling Black Thought a solid,serviceable or whatever type of MC(not rapper, anyone can string together a stupid sentence that rhymes.) Ask a Houston or Atlanta bred rapper. They do it everyday.
Black thought is truly one of this industries lyrical diamonds. Dare I say, There are only a handful left. For Mr. Relic to even take such an idiotic stance proves only one thing, He's either a.)senile, b.)uninformed, c.)both a. and b., or d.and I tend to side with this notion the most, He simply doesn't know a damn thing about REAL Hip Hop.
THIS ALBUM IS A GEM!! LIKE SO MUCH OF THE OTHER STUFF THE ROOTS HAVE PUT OUT. GO COP IT PEOPLE. THIS IS TRUE HIP HOP, NOT JAY-Z!!!

Feb 24, 2007 20:43:42

Review 2 of 3

4of 5 Stars

Black Thought is one of the most accomplished and complex MCs to walk the earth. To call Black Thought reliable, Peter Relic must be on a strict diet of Rakim and...well, god knows. Either that of he just has no clue. An esteemed magazine such as Rolling Stone should be responsible enough to employ someone who knows Hip Hop. As usual,The Roots have delivered quality, innovative music that will be ignored by most people. Sad.

Oct 8, 2006 17:31:24

Review 3 of 3

5of 5 Stars

This guy who reviewed this album probably never heard anything from The roots older albums like organix, do you want more, illadelph halflife and things fall apart. Every time they come out with a new album black thought, questlove and the rest of the group keep progressing. Game Theory is ahead of its time and will probably go down as a classic. Its better than most of the hiphop out right now.

Sep 8, 2006 19:04:17

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