"*raises hand* Um, isn't The Roots' best album illadelph halflife?"
So uh....not sure when's the last time someone did this post, but how do you rank The Roots' albums?
illadelph halflife Game Theory Things Fall Apart Phrenology Do You Want More?!?!? undun How I Got Over Rising Down Tipping Point Organix
I *think* that's how I rank them. Admittedly, illadelph and Game Theory are the only ones still in my rotation regularly, but I probably need to go back and listen to TFA again.
undun is kinda new to me, so the rankings may change. I am pretty sure I gave Rising Down more burn than How I Got Over, mainly due to "Criminal," but also that HIGO had more better songs.
I don't listen to TP or Organix because I value my listening time and they don't add up for me. What's fascinating is that they're at completely different ends of the production spectrum, yet have the same value to me.
Go Smack yourself and then apologize to your hand for looking stupid - Case_One
1. "Things Fall Apart remains the one I go back to most" In response to Reply # 0
So I guess that means I think it's the best? I dunno.
I'm also one of the few people who really likes The Tipping Point, though in their catalog, it is one of the weaker ones. Still a strong release though.
___________________________ OL' DIRTY BASTARD on himself: "I may curse, I may have a bad mouth, whatever whatever. I'm not that bad, yaknow'mean. Bad to y'all, I dunno how y'all... I don't give a fuck. Um, I'm a good person at heart, for real and shit.
5. "While I didn't shit on it, I will say, I didn't get Phrenology for a whi..." In response to Reply # 4
It was a bit too left of center for me at that time. I've come to appreciate a lot of it though.
___________________________ OL' DIRTY BASTARD on himself: "I may curse, I may have a bad mouth, whatever whatever. I'm not that bad, yaknow'mean. Bad to y'all, I dunno how y'all... I don't give a fuck. Um, I'm a good person at heart, for real and shit.
2. "RE: *raises hand* Um, isn't The Roots' best album illadelph halflife?" In response to Reply # 0
>So uh....not sure when's the last time someone did this post, >but how do you rank The Roots' albums?
>Things Fall Apart ***** >Game Theory ***** >illadelph halflife **** 1/2 >Phrenology **** 1/2 >Do You Want More?!?!? **** 1/2 >Rising Down **** >undun **** >How I Got Over **** >Tipping Point *** 1/2 >Organix *** 1/2
i started listening to the roots when DYWM came out, which i wore the fuck out. i mention this because of quest's theory that roots fans tend to say the album that they first listened to is their best.
6. "RE: *raises hand* Um, isn't The Roots' best album illadelph halflife?" In response to Reply # 0
illadelph halflife is the best to me but I used TFA in my post b/c people tend to say its their overall best LP and in my debate with friends that is what they said so I used that one. To me (and I'm bias with this LP) illadelph halflife is one of the best Hip Hop LP's I've ever heard
"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein
12. "i remember its making The Source Top 100 Rap Albums" In response to Reply # 6
> me (and I'm bias with this LP) illadelph halflife is >one of the best Hip Hop LP's I've ever heard
Back when The Source actually meant something. Their 100th issue or 10th anniversary or something, they did top 100 singles and albums and that definitely made the list at the time. I agree, Black Thought is just on fire on that whole album, the guest spots are sick, and the production is amazing.
Go Smack yourself and then apologize to your hand for looking stupid - Case_One
I thought it was good when it came out but the last 3 years I've definitely grown to loving it. DYWM? & Phrenology were my favorites before but I think this passed them. An album that sounds like nothing else of it's time
>I thought it was good when it came out but the last 3 years >I've definitely grown to loving it.
Shit really? It took you that long? No snark haha, I only say that cause I pretty much immediately knew it was their best. I've never really made the list but I think this album might encompass like 4 or 5 of my top 10-12 Roots songs, and that's saying a lot.
Game Theory In the Music Here I Come Long Time (which is high on the list) Clock With No Hands
27. "I agree with this.." In response to Reply # 10
Reason being, I have a (hipster) buddy who states that the Roots are overrated and that if you like hip hop, you HAVE to say you like the Roots. (he's a trendy, musical idiot)
I thought and thought about what album I would suggest to him to prove him wrong and I kept coming back to Game Theory. I think it's their strongest start to finish.
(plus, he respects/likes Dilla - or so he says - and the overall theme may get him to open his eye/ears)
19. "RE: lol i happened to come across undun on a cross-country flight." In response to Reply # 16 Tue Apr-03-12 07:34 PM by Brew
>i was like, "OH SHIT...i haven't listened to this yet!" >lol >so i did >i liked it >i have to do a more thorough listening tho
Haha no doubt.
My thing is that since it's an actual, official "concept" album, I've pushed it off until I can find the time to give it the attention it truly deserves. Problem is I never have that type of time so I just need to do it.
Sad part is I already bought it. So like, I own the shit. But still have yet to pop it in. I got too much respect for The Roots to give it a half ass listen haha.
21. "RE: By a wide margin" In response to Reply # 18
..good god, ol'girl in that avy would do damage...but back to the program...The Roots got too much heat, can't really call what is their best, damn they dope...
25. "RE: *raises hand* Um, isn't The Roots' best album illadelph halflife?" In response to Reply # 0
Things Fall Apart Game Theory Illadelph Halflife Phrenology Do You Want More Undun The Tipping Point How I Got Over Rising Down Organix
For the record, Game Theory was the first Roots album I heard and it's true I have a stronger emotional attachment to that record than I do most albums. However, I consider Things Fall Apart to be their masterpiece, but only by the smallest of margins.
>Game Theory >Things Fall Apart >Rising Down >Do You Want More?!?!? >illadelph halflife >Tipping Point >How I Got Over >Phrenology >Organix
Game Theory/TFA are basically tied for me, with the latter probably getting a bit more burn... Rising Down seems to get ignored with no good reason, I still play the heck out of that thing (especially as a morning starter). DYWM & illadelph probably get the same amount of play. I actually really like TP, I don't know why folks hate on it so much...
The only two I don't pull out with any regularity are Phrenology and /Organix... I'm reserving judgment on undun until I've given it more time, but it will probably tie w/HIGO.
I don't usually "rank" albums by an artist but w/the Roots it's actually pretty easy for me...