Customer Reviews

Tipping Point

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a young hip-hop fan I am not familar with the majority of The Roots earlier works so in my perspective is not comparing this to other records but instead judging it purely based on what is heard. This is definetely a decent record. The production is bass driven and laid back and lyrically it sounds pretty raw to me. If I were to point out any weak points on the album I would say that The Roots struggle to be able to put together an adequate hook (with the exception of 'Somebody's Gotta Do It'). Also the beat backing 'Boom!' is downright lackluster and really does not tempt you to listen even though Black Thought drops some gems. I would definetely recommend this record to anyone who is strictly about beats and lyrics like me. Certainly enjoyable and one of the top five hip-hop albums of 2004.

this cd was really great but i honestly expected a little more from the group. keep up the good work though. this cd is worth buying.

This may be the best hip hop record of 2004. Although it may not be the best ROOTS album (all of their albums are great), it is a great album nontheless. Whereas PHRENOLOGY was more experimental, the TIPPING POINT is more of a return to straight beats and Rhymes. Worth picking up

I've never delved into the Roots too deeply, despite being a hip-hop fanatic. This is album had me on the first listen. The album has a 70s soul throwback flavor which drips off each track. The lyrics are catchy and infectious. When I listen to "I dont' Care" I simply just don't care, as long as the bass starts rockin, drumline fadin' away...

Best CD I've heard in a long time... Rivals Phrenology

roots jamb but check out afroman and his doubleneck guitar and the 2 zigzags and mr. mixx. afroholic even better times. join the streetteam.
fro

The lackluster quote above is from a sampled old-school voice used to introduce one of the tracks on this album, and accidentally illustrates the rather unenthusiastic, noncommittal nature of the record. This is a significant step backward from the sprawling and adventurous Phrenology, as The Roots have settled back into a minimalist sound, based on lazy classic soul grooves, with very conventional old-school raps. The lyrics offer few surprises and are mostly form over function (such as "cool like a polar bear colony"), while Black Thought's delivery is competent yet utterly unexciting. The Roots' awesome secret weapon, ?uestlove, is also underutilized. His booming natural drums certainly kick some life into some of the songs here, though in others his beats have been processed to the point where he sounds like the type of cheesy drum machine that he's supposed to be replacing. It's interesting that the hottest moments on this album occur in the two uncredited bonus tracks at the end, which drop some serious classic phunk with some experimental twists. As for the rest of the album, the minimalist drums-n-bass delivery works well in a few places, like the coolly insistent "Web" and the aptly titled "Boom!" But otherwise, you get the feeling that if this album was any more laidback, it would be in a coma. [~doomsdayer520~]

Let me start by saying I love The Roots. So maybe my disappointment is based in the fact I keep wanting them to take their music to the next level on each disc. I didn't feel they really went there on TTP. This album is alot more "polished" than their previous efforts, complete with samples and handclaps. I was hoping that the talent that made them not only the best live show in hip-hop, but also one of the best live acts in music would continue to be showcased. I just didn't feel it was. The song they included on their Okayplayer compilation "Y'all Know Who" is straight fire and would have been a welcome addition to TTP. But always realize an average effort from the Roots still puts them at the top of the hip hop genre.

The Roots are truly a frustrating Band on so many levels. on One there attitude is do as they please,but on the Other as Industry Vets you still wonder what is gonna happen if they ever get it all together at once. they can't seem to get Words&Music together. this Set like alot of there previous work has some instrumental work&Grooves but the Production&Overall vibe falls off after starting off strong. you expect more from them by now&you feel they are missing something&can't quite get it all together as one.

"Tipping Point" may be a notch below the greatness of its 2002 predecessor "Phrenology" (which had guests ranging from Musiq to Nelly Furtado to Cody Chestnutt), but it has its knockout moments only a fool would resist. The beats are still hot and the rhymes flow with a unique sharpness. Hip hop's greatest live band keeps things concise on this 55-minute set with tight numbers like the Sly & the Family Stone-sampled "Star Pointro," in which they name-drop Kylie and dis Ruben Studdard. I also dug "Somebody's Got to Do it," "Guns are Drawm," the aptly named "Stay Cool (love that Al Hirt sample)," and the 17 minute closer, "Why," a socially conscious, pro-self-empowerment epic that's one of "Tipping Point"'s best tracks. Hip hop snobs and outright haters might pick apart at this CD for not being "Phrenology II," but I think it's a progressive, if flawed, step in the right direction. Give me the Roots over 90% of the hopeless dreck that is modern hip hop.