i like the hopkins reference and I see it like this:

When Phrenology came out, I felt that it was time for a change. Thought lost his right hand, the Roots had to top themselves after winning the grammy and being what everyone thought they should be. they start getting darker and were particularly dark from Game Theory on. This is their most artistic, reality touching period in their careers.

I know that people hate to hear this, but I think that the story will always be the same. with most music listeners you form you standards between 12 and 25 and want to hear something similar to that for most of your selections afterwards. we would love to hear Things Fall Apart part 2 but it wont happen. the roots are trying harder and harder to set themselves apart from the 15 minute mc who can spit a hot 16. they want to do their tales about their lives and channel to younger fans through Porn, North, STS and Dice.