The Roots: theory becomes fact

By Nick Elmer
Collegian Editor
September 13, 2006

The Roots’ newest magic shiny music plate (a.k.a. - CD), Game Theory, hit the stores on Aug. 29. An amazing album, Game Theory manages to keep from sounding repetitious during all of its 13 tracks.

The album sports the “big band” feeling more than other recent releases. The sense of camaraderie is especially strong in tracks like “Don’t Feel Right”, “Here I Come” and the title track. Picturing the band members playing and having the time of their lives in your head will come as second nature while listening to these tracks. Picturing yourself playing along with them on an instrument that is fun but simple to work (I think blowing into an empty jug would be appropriate), so as to not mess up their groove, is also relatively easy.

Game Theory is much darker lyrically than previous Roots albums, but the tracks themselves are appropriately diverse. A listen through the album will present the audience with varying emotions. Tracks like “Don’t Feel Right” and “Long Time” present the sadness of living in a world such as the one we live in now. “In the Music” is angry and lets you know it. Goodness gracious, does it ever let you know it!

Then a track like “Here I Come” will play, and the energy from the song will pick you right up after listening to the other tracks. Listening to this album as a whole will take you through “a day in the life” of The Roots’ collective minds.

The band’s last album, The Tipping Point, only gently persuaded the listener to maybe bob his head a bit or, if he’s up to it, tap a foot. Game Theory demands movement. Not awkward flapping around movement though, cool movement. Honestly, if you do not look cool while listening to Game Theory, or at least find yourself certain that you look cool, you are doing something wrong.

Old timey fans may be upset with the group’s continuing lean towards a rock and roll sound, as opposed to their jazz beginnings. But the album may appeal to newer listeners more than Roots connoisseurs.

Game Theory sports some of the most solid hip-hop a person can find these days. The songs are diverse enough to suit any person’s tastes at any moment of his or her life. To top off this musical wedding cake (since I keep mentioning “taste” and now I am hungry), every song on this album is great. Your skip buttons are going to start wondering why you never come to see them anymore after popping this disk in your CD player. Luckily, you’ll never miss them.

elmern1@lasalle.edu