This album really aged well. The beats seemed dull and dreary when The Roots dropped the album, but they have a kick and a snarl that I didn't pick up back then.
Also, Thought blazes this album. This might be his second best lyrical performance behind Illadelph.
The cameos work well, at least Thought has a verse on every album. There's a musical theme, but the band also gets a chance to rock out as well.
I'd rank it as their 7th best album, but that's because the ones above it (Phrenology, undun, Things Fall Apart, illadelph halflife, Game Theory, DYWM) are either significantly better or just are a personal favorite of mine. It's a really dope album.
1. "The Roots have the best overall discography in all of Hip Hop" In response to Reply # 0 Tue Oct-25-16 08:52 PM by justin_scott
maybe not the highest highs, but so many albums, and the only dud for me is ATYSYC, which sucked imho. I love Rising Down, esp BT's verse on "The Show." That line about "hit 'em up like Ethiopia hit up Italy..." GOT DAMN. "Singing Man" could have been dropped, and honestly, i could do without "@15," but everything else is STRAIGHT FIRE.
19. "Truck North's verse on singing man is one the best on the album IMO." In response to Reply # 1
Kinda got goosebumps the first time I heard it.
Uh, what you're witnessing is true dedication Charged by the call and the cause of the nation Countdown, minutes away from detonation A lifetime of grunt work, this is the culmination My manner, seems patient, inner rage lies So deep, I can taste it, let's sacrifice lives Past the first sensation, to paradise I fly Delusions are lighting up the midday sky The last days of mine spent in extreme secrecy Wolves dressed like sheep occur more frequently Too much faith to be scared, the petrified both fled Those who live fearing death, might as well be dead Towers of the occupiers, will soon fall Martyr or mass murderer? That's your call Mass transit or a mall? Who can watch them all? In the name of the merciful, sing me a song...
25. "The Show is my shit!" In response to Reply # 1
That drum intro: it sounds like it can't be done by one drummer all at once. Is there some kind of drum machine involved or Quest and Knuckles playing together? I don't play so I can't see (?) it. Quest is that dude but after all the times I've listened to the song I still can't grasp it. Anyone know? If it is being done by Quest at once don't ban me from the boards!
2. "why isn't this album on Spotify?" In response to Reply # 0
Dope album, somewhere in the mid tier of Roots albums for me, I'd have to think about the actual ranking, but definitely below DYWM, Halflife, Things Fall Apart, Phrenology, Game Theory, How I Got Over, and undun. So maybe it is in the bottom tier for me. I think Rising Down and Tipping Point are very close as far as how good they are as albums. I always felt like the standout tracks are great but the rest is kinda slacking. Rising Down, Get Busy, 75 Bars, Unwritten are some of the Roots' best work but the rest is kinda eh to me. Don't get me wrong there are some other good songs but none that really grabbed me, I need to give a re listen.
“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”
22. "I was pretty torn on it at the time." In response to Reply # 0
Girlfriend is heading out for a thing here soon, I'll spin this one up next, been meaning to revisit it as an older person for a while now. The whole first year it was out I was kind of obsessed with this "sloppier Game Theory" narrative that I might not care about as a 28 year old.
But I HAVE listened to the album since I wrote and ranked it in 2008 and I think I'll still strongly agree with myself that the album limps to an end after a ton of really cool songs. Still, I've had it ranked as the worst Roots album for a while now and I'm really doubtful I actually feel that way anymore, I think I was too caught up in just wanting another stylistic change after the constant on-your-toes nature of their albums from Illadelph to Game Theory, all of which I listened to (other than Game Theory of course) in the wake of The Seed 2.0 because I'm young.
I figured they would just keep changing, and I think young me was a bit petulant that they didn't.
28. "got back to it today, I think I've pinpointed at least how *I* reacted t..." In response to Reply # 23
back in 2008.
I think it was just eight years too early for me. I was 20 years old, Obama was on the precipice of being elected, it was a beautiful time to be alive. I appreciated the middle section for what it was (I've always felt it's one of my favorite sections of a Roots album) but didn't enjoy all the skits, held it against them that they'd brought in so many guests, and felt it was a cop out to end the album on a couple of 'feel good' songs (I was big into the idea of albums sounding consistent at the time).
I immediately remember listening to this album a lot, re-reading what I wrote at the time it just seems like I felt the album didn't deserve being appreciated on a high level for...whatever reason. it was a real Kanye shrug of a write-up I don't agree with much at all.
I do hate both the bookend skits, the last is too long and whether the first is fake or not it's annoying as fuck. I think I was really just too young and opinionated at the time, or more focused on how fun and entertaining music was, I don't know.
anyway, it jumped from lowest/worst to third, after Illadelph and Game Theory.
30. "no, I don't think so." In response to Reply # 29
>>whether the first is fake or not it's annoying as fuck > >Serious question. I've never thought that or heard that >before. > >Also curious what you think is so annoying about it ?
I just find it hard to believe they'd have audio from a pair of phone conversations in the early 1990s but that's me.
what's annoying about is the hysterics, like it is very grating on the ears and while it establishes the angry/frustrated mood of the album, the album is very contemporary. It's not about The Roots being leash-led by their label, it's not about their early years, it's not about how far they've come creatively. I just don't see the point of either bookend skit, they don't feel related to the album at all.
>I might not be remembering this properly, but I recall 15 >saying that the band was contemplating breaking up while >making this album. > >Maybe the beginning and ending skits were a meta commentary >about the relationship the band had with one another.
That's wild. Wish you could find where he said this.
26. "Didn't really care for it. Maybe it will grow on me in a few more years" In response to Reply # 0
Started out strong. Thought was definitely killing it. But near the middle it started to sound muddy and repetitive. And I've never been a fan of pseudo go-go music. I don't care if Wale was on it, if you not from DC (or Herby Luv Bug, since I'l old) don't do it
<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up... __________________________
Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect. Game: Like Gladys Knight. Jay: Aretha Franklin. Game: Word, I like her too. Jay: Nigga...
27. "Listening to the title track right now ..." In response to Reply # 26 Fri Oct-28-16 01:48 PM by Brew
good lord this shit is ridiculous. What a beat.
Ha but listening to it I'm reminded of one of my pet peeve-type gripes with this album. This is one of at least two, maybe three tracks where the hook has some version of "north side, south side, east side..." chanted in it. Pretty lazy IMO.
33. "Thats for the live show" In response to Reply # 27
>good lord this shit is ridiculous. What a beat. > >Ha but listening to it I'm reminded of one of my pet >peeve-type gripes with this album. This is one of at least >two, maybe three tracks where the hook has some version of >"north side, south side, east side..." chanted in it. Pretty >lazy IMO.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
