You could probably already tell that this review would be favorable but to end the suspense, I like the album.  I don’t have the musical expertise to give it a letter grade nor am I pretentious enough to think I could apply a 5-star rating system but I will say that if you’re a fan of hiphop/rap even slightly then you should probably download a few songs for free off of your peer-to-peer program of choice and then purchase the album with real money.  Now, if you enjoy, Linkin Park, O.A.R., Little Brother, and Common then you should probably buy the album based solely of my vantage point because you’re going to like what I call, The “New” Roots: slightly more mainstream with just the right amount of street.

So, now that I’ve massaged my own ego because I can finally say I enjoy listening to a group/band that hasn’t achieved total mainstream, mass appeal nor sold-out for the money, and actually mean it, let’s move on.

I first heard of The Roots back in 2000 when my more rap conscious friend took me to see them in concert.  At the time I wasn’t musically mature enough to appreciate the band.  I would say that Black Thought’s endless flow and the stylistically loose form of their songs was as much of a turn-off to me as uploading a porno of what I figured to be a heterosexual encounter only to find a dude banging a woman with a penis (maybe I’m not as mature as I think).  Now at the ripe old-age of 24, I can say my musical palette is little more sophisticated.  If you’ve been reading then you know my number 1 “go-to” is O.A.R..  Their passion, freestyle ability, and Jerry on the saxophone make them first-rate in my mind.  I’m also fond of the likes of Juelz Santana, Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Little Brother (another suggestion from my more rap conscious friend), John Mayer, Lil Wayne, Wyclef Jean, and OutKast.  The Roots have never been on my short list of favorite music but have no attained honorable-mention status thanks to this album.

I’ve always been of Dave Grohl’s school of thought as he recently wrote in an open letter to Metallica about the release of a new album, “Don’t release it until it’s kick-ass.” (The balls of this guy) Rather, I’ve always believed that my favorite artists shouldn’t release anything that sucks. When I actually sit and think about it more diligently I would wonder if the artist knew their current work was weak then they wouldn’t release it right — it does represent them and bear their name.  Only in a perfect world.  The Roots in my mind put out quality this time around though I can hear their underground faithful clamoring now, “Rising Down is too watered down.”  Yes and that’s probably why I like it.  It’s still original; it’s still as dark as any record they’ve recorded though I’ve heard only one other; it’s edgy; it’s angry (reminds me of a childhood lost in suburbia) but what it really is, is listenable(is that word?) to the average fan.

Niggas talk a lot of shit, really need to stop the lies
Jewels rented, cars rented, homie that ain’t authentic
Acting tough on TV but to me you seem a little timid
Don’t blame the nigga, blame America, it’s all business
Acting like a monkey is the only way to sell tickets
Shit I can dig it, niggas gossip silly digits
White kids buy it, it’s a riot when we talking about pimping
Or sipping on old English brew or whatever they think we do,