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Product Description
Amazon.com
Despite their signing to Def Jam, on Game Theory the Roots head in a direction opposite from all the trendy, commercial formulas that the label has pioneered. This is as intensely a "Roots album" as anything they've put out, the rightful sequel to their brilliant, creative Phrenology (unlike their last album, the off-balance Tipping Point. Game Theory is a dark and brooding affair, not just in Black Thought's foreboding lyricism but also in its musical textures. There's a layer of melancholia running beneath nearly every song, whether in the heavy thump of "In the Music" or the frenetic verve of "Here I Come." Track-for-track, this isn't The Roots' most scintillating collection of songs, but listened to from end-to-end, it's actually a remarkable achievement in album-making. Every song builds into the next one, and those willing to experience Game Theory as a 47-minute suite of 13 songs will be richly rewarded by how precisely the whole puzzle fits together. --Oliver Wang
Album Description
Japanese pressing includes one bonus track, 'Bread & Butter'. Def Jam. 2006.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Hip Hop, period,
By Citizen M (Toronto, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Game Theory (Audio CD)
The first album by The Roots for their new label Def Jam was predicted with doom. Given the supposed radio-friendly production of their previous 2004 album "The Tipping Point" and the fact that Def Jam has long been known for such pop friendly acts as Jay-Z, many fans and industry folk speculated that The Roots poised to descend from their mantle as a major creative force in Hip Hop. With "Game Theory", The Roots return to the strengths of their biggest selling 1999 album "Things Fall Apart" and expand upon the creative innovation shown in 2002's "Phrenology." "Game Theory" may well be a serious competitor for best album from The Roots and a standout success for Hip Hop in 2006.One of the most noticeable changes listening to "Game Theory" after 2004's "The Tipping Point" is the band's return to a more collaborative sound. The Roots are at their best when they play as a rap/hip hop BAND rather than relying on the vocals of Black Thought. Thought has always been able to rap with the best, but the lyric-centric songs on "The Tipping Point" suffered from his lack of emotional range and dramatic inflection. On "Game Theory", fans will once again find that larger diversity of the band, creating integral parts of the music using broad influences, instrumentation, and guest singers. The tracks on "Game Theory" range across the spectrum from down and dirty beats that make you jump to smooth grooves that slide like silk into your ear. The media critical second track "False Media" is a short personal critique tune that features an intense chorus of seriousness from Wadud Ahmad. The album then jumps into high gear with the title third track featuring Black Thought belting out in-your-face lyrics to a fantastic beat from ?uestlove on drums and sharp keyboards from Kamal. If that wasn't enough, Malik B returns to The Roots on this album and makes the title track sing loud with a melodic backing vocal performance. The great tunes continue with the darkly electrical sound of "In The Music" and the guitar sliding, heartfelt singing on "Long Time" until the album closes with a soulful tribute to deceased J-Dilla on the eight minute finale "Can't Stop This." Lyrically, "Game Theory" features a broad palette of darker tones as well as some flat out fun rhymes. These lyrical dimensions return The Roots to what they do best: mixing it up with variety and substance. While it is unlikely that "Game Theory" will propel The Roots to the mass market success that has often eluded them post-"Things Fall Apart", the album is a winner for fans of their traditional sound and a creative triumph for inventive hip hop grooves. The Roots have returned to theirs and remain the band's band that the fans have come to adore. This is The Roots at their finest; innovative, ensemble, diverse, and making tunes that just rock.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars (87 customer reviews) 38 of 42 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Roots - Game Theory,
By Done - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Game Theory (Audio CD)
The Roots (Black Thought (MC), ?uestlove (Drums), Hub (Bass), Kamal (Keyboards), Knuckles (Percussion), and Captain Kirk (Guitar)) keep things moving delivering their seventh studio album "Game Theory" (2006). Former member Malik B returns for this release appearing on three tracks. Fellow Philadelphia native Peedi Peedi (AKA Peedi Crack formerly of State Property) appears on one track, and it is rumored he will be joining the Roots. Overall this album is laced with darker production and has the Root's talking about more serious issues - like politics, war and the state of the world. The album opens with "Dillatastic Vol Won(derful)" a short instrumental and ends with "Can't Stop This", both a tribute to the late great producer J Dilla aka Jay Dee (R.I.P.). The eight-minute closing track is my favourite on this album, Black Thought rhymes over J Dilla's excellent production providing an outstanding track. The album's first full-length track is "False Media" an ominous sounding track; laced with a dark chorus (Wadud Ahmad), Black Thoughts rhymes are on point. Black Thought reunites with Malik B and both flow fast over the title track "Game Theory". The first single "Don't Feel Right" is a powerful cut, which has Black Thought talking about the problems of the world. The production to "In The Music" is deadly and the highlight of that cut for me, Black Thought continues to drop thought provoking rhymes backed by some words from Wadud Ahmad on "Take It There". John-John provides the chorus to the more laidback sounding "Baby", and the three MC's who have rhymed for the Roots over the years - Black Thought, Malik B and Dice Raw triple tag team "Here I Come". Black Thought, Peedi Peedi rep Philadelphia and talk about their beginnings backed by some feel good production on "Long Time". Black Thought reflects on years past, broken friendships and regrets on the exceptional "Clock With No Hands" backed by some soulful singing from Mercedes Martinez. The Roots shine again with "Atonement" feat. Jack Davey (Brook D'Leu and Jack Davey), Brook's chorus is outstanding. Black Thought never fails to impress me, seems like he gets better and better as time goes by like good wine. The Root's Crew provides outstanding instrumentals and production - I would love to hear them live. Short, memorable & potent "Game Theory" is another keeper for Root's fans.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hands down The Roots LP "Game Theory" is the best in the 2006 (4.5 Stars),
By Zeb91 "Hip Hop Head 4 Life" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Game Theory (Audio CD)
I normally try to listen to a record a good five to ten times before I review it, but I'm only on my second listen & I just have to express how impressive this album is. It Starts off with a very quick instrumental intro with a little vocal sample, but quickly segues into the scathing "False Media" (2) and one has to wonder if the press is gonna hate on this album just because of this song. The title track follows and is so live you can't help but scrunch up your brow and nod your head. The lead single "Don't Feel Right" on it's own does not stand out as an amazing track but in context of the rest of the album and where it is placed in the order of tracks it feels so right. Musically Hub, Kamal, Kirk & Knuckles play their part perfectly while ?uest ties it all together like only he can. This is by far one of the most musical LP's the Roots have dropped not only in a minute, but throughout their whole career. You can hear influences of Funkadelic, Prince, Miles Davis, Shuggie Otis, etc. throughout and it's completed with the one man who is always forgotten when it comes to lists of great emcees: Black Thought. Thought steps up and knocks one out the park on this release, what may be his best yet. He delivers autobiographical tales about the streets of Philly, he delivers social commentary, and he gets his braggadocio on. This is his testament to all the haters who think the Roots are great because of the band. They are great because of the band and Black Thought is the integral part of that band that puts them a step above. Malik B also makes his triumphant return to the group that he was an original member of and he sounds so fresh. Its perfect hearing him and BT rip it together like any classic rhyming duo, and they haven't missed a step. This album is dark and moody and will probably receive criticism for that, but where would you be artistically after leaving your label of ten years, dropping possibly your worst album ever, and then being told by one of the greatest to ever pick up a mic (who just happens to be your new boss) "Do not embarrass me." Jay has nothing to fear as he will forever be remembered as the man who brought the Roots to a major label and let them release "their" music.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Roots Begin A Legacy At Def Jam With Another Classic Album,
By Ludacris88 - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Game Theory (Audio CD)
Game Theory is The Roots' 7th album of original material, and although the music remains as dope as it was at the beginning, their sound has greatly evolved and matured. Game Theory is their darkest, most mature, and most politically charged album' production wise, and lyric wise.The production on this album is definately a highlight. The Roots produce most of the album themselves, but James Poyser, Khari Mateen, Tahir Jamal, Richard Nichols, Owen Biddle, Kevin Hansen, J. Dilla and others help out. J. Dilla (RIP) produced the 28 second intro, as well as the final track, 'Can't Stop This', which is a tribute to Dilla that uses the beat 'Time: The Donut Of The Heart' from Dilla's incredible instrumental album 'Donuts'. The rest of the album has a large production range from extremely chill ('Atonement'), to as hype as a Roots song gets ('Here I Come'), but most of them fall comfortably in the middle. As I stated earlier, this album has the darkest production of any Roots album. This goes perfectly with the lyrical content of the album, as well as provides a great tone throughout the album. While the production on Game Theory is top notch, even for Roots standards, Black Thought is really the shining point of this album. Game Theory is Black Thought's best album lyrically yet. The social & political consciousness of the album, and how it's presented is extremely impactful and makes for an interesting, and very hard hitting album. The album also has some noteworthy guest apperances, with easily the most noteworthy being the return of Malik B. Malik is only featured on 3 tracks, but he drops dope verses on all 3 tracks, which are 3 of the best tracks of the album. I really hope that Malik, who was dismissed from the group as a result of drug problems, will play a more prominant role on the next Roots album, because he has been such a great compliment to Black Thought in the past. Game Theory is The Roots' best album since 1999 ('Things Fall Apart'; which I also consider a classic), and is probably the best album of 2006 (only rivaled by J. Dilla's 'Donuts'). This album is definately a sign of good things to come for The Roots on Def Jam, and should be the beginning of a great relationship. Top 5 Songs (In Order): 1. Can't Stop This - J. Dilla tribute song over 'Time: The Donut Of The Heart' from Dilla's 'Donuts'. Easily one of the best songs of 2006 so far. R.I.P. 2. Game Theory (Featuring Malik B) - Malik B returns with a nice verse on just an overall GREAT track. 3. Here I Come (Featuring Malik B & Dice Raw) - The 3 best MCs of the 90s Roots crew reunite for a great track over one of the best beats on the album. 4. Don't Feel Right (Featuring Maimouna Youssef) - Another overall dope track. 5. In The Music (Featuring Malik B & Porn) - Some great production, as well as the 3rd dope verse on the album from Malik B. Worst Track: Clock With No Hands (Featuring Mercedes Martinez) - My least favorite beat on the album, and although it's a good song, it's kind of boring. Lyrics/Substance/Subject Matter - 10/10 Flow/Delivery - 9.5/10 Production - 9.5/10 Overall Feel - 10/10 Guest Apperances - Malik B, Maimouna Youssef, Porn, Wadud Ahmad, John-John, Dice Raw, Peedi Peedi, Bunny Sigler, Mercedes Martinez & Jack Davey - 8/10 - Guests contribute some great hooks and nice compliment verses. Overall Rating - 10/10 - Another classic from The Legendary Roots Crew. If you have any interest in hip hop (and I dont mean Young Joc), this is a must have. |
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