Game Theory

The most powerful hip-hop creation of this year’s other suchlike works

The influential Philadelphia-based hip-hop band The Roots has recently signed to Def Jam records and the newest album Game Theory has been released under this label. The band’s line up has never been constant and today it includes MC Black Thought, drummer ?uestlove, bassist Hub, keyboardist Kamal, percussionist Knuckles and guitarist Captain Kirk. As it is always expected from the collective, one can hear nice guitar parts, multilevel keyboards and great drums on its new work and an outstanding rapping from Black Thought. More sullen and topical, Game Theory boasts several guest appearances including The Roots’ former member Malik B, who takes parts in three tracks, and Peedi Peedi, who is reportedly about to join the group for recording the coming album. The first single off the album Don’t Feel Right has penetrated the Internet in May and received the highest acclaim of the fans and others who heard it. Many may call Game Theory the best album The Roots have done since Things Fall Apart, but little would object to give it the title of the most powerful hip-hop creation of this year’s other suchlike works.

Game Theory is a great achievement

The release of Game Theory has been saddened by the death of the producer J. Dilla, hence the general slant of the album. ?uestlove describes the record as very dark and reflecting the political situation in the United States. Indeed, the key feeling on Game Theory is depression and uneasiness, and two songs (the opening brief interlude Dillatastic Vol Won(Derful) and the closer Can't Stop This) are directly devoted to the departed friend. The first full-length track False Media is a threatening song, especially dark on chorus, starting the political theme. Malik B appears on the title track, and together with Black Thought they make it one of the most lyrically lucky songs on the album. The topical single Don’t Feel Right is remarkable for its powerful sounding; here Black Thought is talking about the world problems that must worry all of us. The production is one of the best on the thought provoking composition In The Music, while Baby acquires a calmer attitude. One of the album’s standouts is the second single Here I Come, on which all the three rappers have been or are the MCs for The Roots. The song must be especially effective on live performances, as the band is famous for making its shows really unforgettable. The album ends with almost eight minutes long song Can’t Stop This, that is also a candidate for many listeners’ favorite. Breathtaking and reflective, in any respect Game Theory is a great achievement.

The Roots has never sounded more professional and self-sufficient

Having turned to a darker sound, The Roots have found a new manner of performance that does the band a lot of good and probably have inspired the guys better than the usual hip-hop topics would have done. Malik B’s return has become a most pleasant surprise for the faithful fans of the band and the songs on which he is present call for the reminiscences of The Roots early material. What makes Game Theory even a more original record is that each of the songs is gradually passing to the next one, turning the album into one whole balanced unity of 13 great tracks. Rarely making a disappointing creation, this time he band has managed to record an impressive and emotionalizing piece of music, which can be said the list of a real hip-hop masterpiece. Remaining The Roots everybody remembers since their first appearance ten years ago, the guys have introduced just some new shades into their style sounding more furious and categorical. Yet they have preserved their incomparable instrumentation and due to collaborations Black Thought’s rapping is either emphasized through the contrasts or has become a part of harmonious interlacing. No doubt The Roots has never sounded more professional and self-sufficient.