Phrenology

What a ride. Coming off of their breakthrough (and my favorite Roots album) "Things Fall Apart," this was incredibly ambitious to make. It veers in a lot of directions, but I feel like the message gets across no matter which way it takes you. I read something once that said "The Roots are not a band you put on for your backyard BBQ." We've got straight forward hip-hop, neosoul, punk, hard rock, and the closer "Thirsty" is some hard house all about the Black experience. So yeah not great sunshine feel good tunes. Black Thought, for me, is one of rap's all time greatest lyricist, so I felt he really captured aspects of the culture that shape the Black mindset in America. A repurposing of the racists study of Phrenology. Gotta love "The Seed 2.0" and the Talib Kweli feature on "Rolling With Heat." I've had the pleasure of seeing them live a few years ago, and I felt like they brought a lot of that energy to this record. It does feel a little jarring and disjointed at times with the abrupt stylistic shifts, so for that I'm going with a 4. This is a fantastic example of what a hip-hop album can be as a work of art.

Ambitious, mature. The Roots never settle. For me this album suffers from a bit of the same issues I have with later Roots albums...almost too much scope, leaving it feeling fractured and lacking cohesion. Black Thought's lyrical skills combined with their expert instrumentation at times feels like drinking from a sonic firehose. But nonetheless, for 2002 this was such a genre-busting effort.

I 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 dont like rap

Half an hour was as much of this mysogynistic tripe as I could stand.

Sounds nice. Nothing for me. Reliance on n-bombs makes it hard for me to enjoy all but the most trancendant rap

The Roots? Like from the Jimmy Fallon talk show? Unfortunately, this will be many people's initial exposure to these east-coast hip-hop legends. While this isn't the most prominent album in the discography, there is still great music here. There's clear Mos Def influence here, and I fuckin love Black On Black so I'll happily listen. And for the most part it's great! Around the mid-point it does seem to get a little aimless and experimental, which causes it to lose steam for me. This, combined with the 70 minute runtime, makes for a overly long album that maybe could've been broken up into two separate releases (maybe an experimental EP?) and reorganized for a more concise listening experience.

I really like the combination of rock, hip hop, and some whacky electronic influences. Quite a few bangers on this album.

This was a chill rap album until the song "Water" took me into another dimension. The range on this project is very broad. Almost to a detriment as it feels disjointed. But there's no denying that Phrenology is fire from cover to cover.

It's funny I was just listening to this album the other day digging through albums that had sampled The Incredible Bongo Band. And they did sample "Apache" in the song "Thought@Work." This is The Roots' fifth studio album and has a lot of contributors including Ursula Rucker, Nelly Furtado, Talib Kweli, Cody Chesnutt, Musiq, Jill Scott and poet Amiri Baraka. The album is named after the discredited pseudoscience of Phrenology which was the study of head shapes to determine intelligence and character and rationalized racism in the 19th century. Wow! Learn something new everyday, some which make you shake your head or worse. Anyway, subject matter-wise, I did not hear a songs about racism per se, but on a variety of other subjects: anti-ganster, certain aspects of the inner city and hip hop culture, relationships and band member issues. Yeah, covering a lot, as does the music described as hip hop incorporating elements of rock, jazz, techno, hardcore punk and soul. This is a big album trying to do a lot and it accomplishes it with everything I heard. It is not really sprawling but has a focus to it as you listen. Lots of good songs on this album. As previously mentioned, " Thought@Work" samples "Apache" and has a great groove. Talk about a great groove, "The Seed (2.0)" featuring Cody ChesnuTT and remixing his song sounds like vintage 1973 Isley Brothers with a very soulful feel. The song is based on Muddy Waters' "The Blues Had a Baby and Named it Rock and Roll" using that forvhip hop to neo-soul in a very innovative way. The first single off the album "Break You Off" is another great soul-based song about trying to steal someone's girlfriend. A great majestic orchestra ending. This album is 77 minutes but does not seem nearly that long and is well- worth the listen.

The Roots’ greatest strength is also their greatest weakness; their exemplary musical skill means they can play any style and genre - but just because they can, should they? The album is ambitious, but at times lacks a cohesive satisfying overall mood. But when they’re good they’re very good - The Seed 2.0, Rolling with Heat, Rhymes and Ammo are straight up fire and Black Thought solidifies his reputation as one of the great - but slept on - rappers.

This was a real slog. Overlong, half acerbic and irritating rap, half bland nu-soul, neither very good. Black Thought's voice and lyrics are pretty uninteresting, and the "it's a real band" conceit leaves little room for innovative (or even catchy) samples or effects. About as entertaining as a piece of dry brown toast. Saved from 1* due to an unexpected dash of one of my fey favorites in the mix

It's not exactly bad, but it's very bland and so bloody boring.

This is horrible haha

Why this album by the Roots rather than “Things Fall Apart” which contains the Grammy-winning romantic rap ballad “You Got Me”??

A heap of fine craft, thought, good faith and intention leaves me wishing for something with anything near the edge of Public Enemy's :"Elvis was a hero to most/ I said Elvis was a hero to most/ He never meant shit to me/...Motherfuck him and John Wayne". Amiri Baraka made me listen: his poem blazes out of the throng, but I'd be happier listening to it without the music. The Cobain/Burroughs "The "Priest" They Called Him" came to mind as the right approach - instrument counterpoint to the reading, rather than background. Most alternative hip-hop on this list is a chore; this is no exception.

This is the most surprising album I've so far heard on this list! It's not what I thought The Roots were about, and even when I thought I'd got my head around what to expect they kept flipping on me! Great record, strong 4.5*

Don't think I've ever heard a hip-hop album quite like this. Wildly creative and boundary-pushing, every song is completely different from the last and still manages to feel coherent. Even manages to use filler tracks in an interesting way. Something for everyone to enjoy. Top tracks: Sacrifice, Break You Off, Water, Rhymes And Ammo

Phenomenal album. From start to finish.

Some songs were a bit too experimental but most were great - the seed (2.0) was definitely my favourite and thirsty! is a great party and hype song.

I'm not saying I wouldn't be married to my wife if not for this record, but I'm also not not saying that. When we were dating we had the best time seeing The Roots on this tour at the Roseland Ballroom. One of the best shows I've been to, and I've been to many. To me, this record is head and shoulders above their others, not the least because of their borrowing of Cody Chestnutt and his instant classic "The Seed."

Fantastic hip hop album! More electronic than I was expecting.

Har aldri hørt dette albumet b2b før. Men, WOW, for en overraskelse! Særdeles variert med alt fra "klassisk" rap, til hardcore punk ('!!!!!!!'), frijazz-aktige-greier ('Water') og techno ('Thirsty!'). Favoritter: Quills, Rock you og Thought@Work.

I mean. It's a top 5 hiphop album for me for sure. The whole album is just packed with top-of-the-game, unrelenting, socially-concious spitting backed by power beats. Impossibly good.

An amazing masterpiece!

Eclectic, creative, and fun. I enjoyed this and want to return for a closer listen. +1 ⭐️ for Philly representation

Actually liked it way more than I expected to. Was ready for some spiritual lyrical miracle boom bap jazz rap but was pleasantly surprised at how pop-minded it was and the different sounds going on. Ultimately not the kind of rap album I will ever voluntarily listen to again but I COULD and I wouldn't hate it In other words 3/5 needs more Nettspend Fav song: Sacrifice

Old school rap con algunas canciones experimentales, pero no me gustó mucho. Liked songs: Seed Break your way off Something in the way of things

All I hear is misogyny and violence, coupled with bad electronically generated music. Pure trash.

Not as long as the hole in my backside points down would I listen to this crap. Hate this grunty genre that are obsessed with how many times they can say niggah in a track. Really pathetic, I hate it.

It's amazing how you can take a group of very talented individuals and produce an album that I can't stand to listen to. Good job.

Not a good start to find Spotify #plays under 1500 for some of the songs. And was for good reason. The only songs that do not offend the ear are those where The Roots teamed up with other artists. "Sacrifice" with Nelly is OK and some melody. "The Seed" with Cody Chesnutt is a lot more mainstream, but still falls very short. Big fat zero. F

What lyrics I could understand I did not enjoy. Some of the samples were grating. I gave it a few songs before I was done.

a lot of variety with some good sounds, but fairly inconsistent

what the fuck did I just listen to

Very rich

Super funky hip hop with one of the best lyricists ever. 5/5

Much more of a progressive, crazier space for a Hip Hop album during the tailend of the Gangsta Rap era. People cite Kanye West and The College Dropout for the mainstream hip hop appeal moving to a rapper's more personal matters rather than the old-fashioned "gangsta shit" but for the headier hip hop, that train was grooving and Phrenology gave The Roots a place for alternative hip hop again, mainly cause Dead Prez refused to get that commercial. Anyways, this album is the shit, Kanye is a piece of shit (derogatory) and this is a stellar, creative and fun hip hop album that goes to places and spaces you wouldn't normally take hip hop to go to. Not in the jazz fashion like Guru or Tribe, but even further than that into other genres.

rap music that has a central theme about the idea of self. for those of you who don't know, phrenology refers to the study of someone's head to indicate someone's personality and perceived intelligence. with fat and stylish hip hop beatflips... this album is nice little soundscape of spoken word and creative instrumentation. the whole album is produced a little messy and a little crazy, with some tracks sounding like they'd come from an entirely different album, but it's the perfect amount where it makes it accessible for a lot of audiences. a window to the mind, this album is...

Very good album. Every song sounds different and the transitions to song to song is amazing. Production is great as well.

This is not the best Roots album. But, this album is definitely one of the most ambitious and genre-encompassing. My preference is to lean towards Things Fall Apart, The Tipping Point or even Illadelph Half-life when I choose a Roots CD to pop on. That said, a re-listen today shows just how much these guys can master music in all of its varieties, and there are still some absolute bangers on here to boot.

Underrated rap album, I get why people dislike it but I am not one of those people. It is not a great album statement, but it is an amazing collection of songs 4.75 Favorite song:Water Least favorite:Break you off

Come on, 1001. Just entering that Friday night vibe and you drop Phrenology on my lap to crank on my headphones, as if to challenge me: “rate this one two-stars…I dare you.” This game is rigged. Listening to Phrenology is the best I’ve felt all week. Rolling Stone Magazine watch: I’m tired of this joke.

This was such a party album from university days I felt drunk listening to it again

Really surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. One of the easiest albums so far to return to and just enjoy — really listenable. Favorite track is “Break You Off.”

5 stars

Thought @ work is the standout. Conscious and thought provoking

Excellent

Very good album

10/10 - actually a super cool hip hop album, lots to respect here, even if a few songs were kinda corny lol

Cool album!

Phrenology is probably my favorite The Roots album. It's adventurous, spanning hardcore punk to chill neo soul to hard trance thanks to Rahzel. The first song I remember hearing from this record is “The Seed 2.0”, specifically the music video. It got me to listen to the rest of the album right away. I think it is their best work, creatively speaking. Everyone is at their best. The flow, the vibe, the lyricism is all there. “Rock You”, “!!!!!!!”, “Sacrifice”, “The Seed 2.0”, “Break You Off”, and “Complexity” are all favorites of mine from this album.

Amazing live band!!

Surprised how well this album still holds up. More surprised it isn't still in my rotation.

7/4/25. Happy Independence Day despite a lot of negative feelings toward my country right now. However, receiving this 2000s gem improved my vibe! Love the instrumentation and storytelling throughout.

no notes this shit slaps

So much good here. I actually hadn't given it a proper listen in quite a while, and really hadn't given credit to the non-hit songs. Some weirdness in some of the latter half of the album, but not enough to bring it down for me.

Masterpiece. I know of The Roots, and I even know a couple of their songs, but I never knew they could hit like this. I really missed out by skipping them in the early aughts. 4.5 stars.

Phrenology is an absolute beast of an album. I always was aware that The Roots are a very talented band with them doing some pretty great stuff in The Tonight Show but this album did show just how outstanding they really are. This is probably my favorite Hip hop album on this project so far because it goes beyond being a simple hip hop album and takes inspirations from many genres other than hip hop including rock, punk, folk, jazz, blues, R&B, electronica among many others. Every single element on this album is handled incredibly well from the flows to the beats to all the other elements. This is one amazing album and definitely one of the best hip hop albums ever. Best Song: Sacrifice Worst Song: Phrentrow

Phenomenal, loved the experimentation, loved the flow

wow mate just dissapointing inactive for a whole year get back to work buddy.

A classic in a genre I usually don’t like. But the Roots have always been a very cool band.

## In-Depth Review of *Phrenology* by The Roots Released in 2002, *Phrenology* stands as one of the most ambitious and experimental albums in The Roots’ catalog. This review examines the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, and concludes with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) is the lyrical anchor of *Phrenology*, delivering dense, cerebral verses that probe personal, social, and cultural issues. The album’s lyricism is notable for its intellectual rigor and emotional depth: - **Personal Narrative:** On “Water,” Black Thought pens a raw, sprawling letter to former bandmate Malik B., grappling with addiction and mental illness. The track is both a tribute and a tough-love intervention, showcasing vulnerability and nuance[5]. - **Social Commentary:** Tracks like “Phrenthrow” and “Thought @ Work” address hip-hop’s evolution, Black identity, and the commodification of culture. The lyrics are layered with allusions to history, politics, and the state of the genre itself[1][2]. - **Verbal Dexterity:** Black Thought’s technical prowess is on full display, especially on “Quills” and “Thought @ Work,” the latter paying homage to the rapid-fire delivery of Kool G Rap[5]. His flow is relentless, and his wordplay is intricate, rewarding repeated listens. The album largely eschews the bravado and materialism common in mainstream rap of the era, opting instead for introspection and critique. However, the density of the lyrics can at times be overwhelming, demanding close attention from the listener[6]. --- ## **Music** *Phrenology* is a sonic collage, blending genres and pushing the boundaries of hip-hop’s musical vocabulary: - **Genre-Bending:** The album traverses drum ‘n’ bass (“Rolling With Heat”), punk (“!!!!!!!”), neo-soul (“Complexity” featuring Jill Scott), R&B (“Break You Off” featuring Musiq Soulchild), and psychedelic rock (“The Seed (2.0)” featuring Cody ChesnuTT)[1][2][3]. This eclecticism is both a statement of Black music’s diversity and a challenge to genre orthodoxy. - **Live Instrumentation:** The Roots’ status as hip-hop’s premier live band is evident throughout. Real drums, bass, guitar, and keys provide a warmth and spontaneity absent from many contemporaneous rap records[1][6]. Questlove’s drumming is especially inventive, anchoring the album’s shifting moods. - **Melodic Hooks:** Despite its experimental edge, the album features memorable hooks and choruses, particularly on “The Seed (2.0)” and “Break You Off.” These moments of accessibility balance the album’s more avant-garde excursions[5]. The album’s musical ambition is both its greatest asset and occasional liability; the abrupt stylistic shifts can be jarring, and the album’s cohesion sometimes suffers as a result[3]. --- ## **Production** The Roots handled most of the production themselves, recording at Electric Lady Studios in New York. The production is marked by: - **Organic Sound:** The emphasis on live instrumentation gives the album a tactile, organic feel. The grooves are meticulously crafted, and the interplay between musicians is palpable[6]. - **Experimental Approach:** The production is daring, incorporating elements of jazz, punk, and electronic music. The transitions between tracks are often abrupt, mirroring the album’s thematic restlessness[1][2]. - **Collaborative Spirit:** Guest appearances from Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Cody ChesnuTT, and others add variety and texture to the album, without overshadowing the core band[4][5]. While the production is generally lauded for its creativity, some critics and listeners found the album’s soundscape occasionally cluttered or unfocused, especially on the more experimental tracks[3]. --- ## **Themes** *Phrenology* is thematically rich, exploring: - **Identity and Race:** The album’s title references the pseudoscience of phrenology, once used to justify racial discrimination. The Roots reclaim and subvert this imagery, using it as a metaphor for challenging stereotypes and expanding notions of Black identity[1][2][3]. - **The Evolution of Hip-Hop:** The Roots position themselves at a crossroads between tradition and innovation, paying homage to hip-hop’s pioneers while pushing the genre into new territory[1][2]. - **Mental Health and Addiction:** “Water” stands out as a candid exploration of addiction and its impact on relationships, a topic rarely addressed with such honesty in hip-hop[5]. - **Community and Legacy:** The album frequently references the broader lineage of Black music, situating The Roots within a continuum that includes jazz, soul, rock, and rap[3]. These themes are woven throughout the album’s lyrics, music, and artwork, making *Phrenology* a deeply conceptual work. --- ## **Influence** *Phrenology*’s influence is substantial: - **On Hip-Hop:** The album demonstrated that hip-hop could be both experimental and rooted in tradition, inspiring artists like Kanye West, OutKast, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak to embrace live musicianship and genre fusion[1]. - **On Black Music:** By traversing multiple genres, The Roots asserted the centrality of Black creativity across musical forms, challenging the compartmentalization of Black artists[3]. - **Critical Acclaim:** The album was widely praised by critics, earning a Grammy nomination and inclusion in numerous “best of” lists. It remains a touchstone for artists seeking to innovate within hip-hop’s framework[4]. --- ## **Pros and Cons** | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Bold, genre-defying experimentation | Abrupt stylistic shifts can disrupt cohesion | | Lyrically dense and thought-provoking | Some tracks may overwhelm casual listeners | | Exceptional musicianship and live instrumentation | Experimental tracks occasionally feel unfocused | | Strong guest features that complement the core band | Less commercial than its predecessor, *Things Fall Apart* | | Thematic depth and conceptual ambition | Not all risks pay off—some genre excursions are divisive | | Influential in expanding hip-hop’s possibilities | May alienate listeners expecting straightforward hip-hop | --- ## **Conclusion** *Phrenology* is a masterclass in artistic evolution and experimentation. The Roots leveraged their formidable musicianship, lyrical intelligence, and willingness to take risks to create an album that both honors and challenges the conventions of hip-hop. Its blend of genres, live instrumentation, and conceptual depth set a new standard for what hip-hop albums could achieve, influencing a generation of artists across genres. While its ambition sometimes leads to a lack of cohesion and accessibility, *Phrenology*’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It remains essential listening for anyone interested in the evolution of hip-hop and the possibilities of Black music. Even two decades later, its impact and relevance endure, solidifying The Roots’ legacy as one of the genre’s most innovative and enduring acts.

A classic hip hop album from The Roots. Not their best album, but still a banger overall. It’s funny reading the reviews on this 1001 Albums site, as you can tell the truly ignorant by using the typical hip hop criticisms that don’t even describe this album. But the dumb will be dumb, while The Roots will continue to bring the fire.

oooooh nice intro! Super diggin the style man. Damn this shit hits hard! 5 stars!

Incredible album. Some great catchy hits and some real experimental stuff like "Water". Black Thought and ?uestlove are just perfect together

I wanted to listen to this one for a while, and I’m glad I did. Great album

i like this song i like the beat and i like how they sing . i like the second song i like the beat and the singers sing good . i like the third song to for the same reasons . i recommend this album

Maybe my favourite so far, the variety is insane.

Yeah this was a cool, varied, ambitious album and I am excited to try out the other one that's on the lists.

Top notch. Will be listening to their discography. The randomness at the end, the different genres they put into it. Super excited this opened me to them.

Absolutely essential. Black Thought is so fucking good. And it has Nelly fucking Furtado.

Banger

I don't quite know what I was expecting from The Roots, but it definitely wasn't this! The progressive hip hop label fits but also doesn't do the album justice. There's a lot going on here, highlighting some of the best of early 2000s hip hop and neo-soul, mixed with a diverse array of other genres and a deep social consciousness. The African American experience is the focal point, particularly how it's been shaped by centuries of racism. The title and cover art reference the debunked practice of determining intelligence and personality traits from the shape of a person's head. This pseudoscience was used for a disturbingly long time as a justification for racist policies, colonialism and genocide. The fact that The Roots draw attention to this suggests that they're focused on the historical context of systematic racism, not simply what exists today. The lyrics remind the listener of urban decay that stems from these historial roots. Despite this, there's a explosion of creativity and diversity in the sound, reaching into jazz and punk seemlessly with hip hop and soul. There are occasional moments of misogyny that feel out of place in the other socially conscious collection. This aside, it's a great album and I can see that I definitely need to start paying more attention to The Roots now.

this was the Roots' most experimental release up to this point, and it's not usually a fan favorite, but it's right in my wheelhouse. especially towards the back end, the songs veer away from hip hop and into electronic jazz fusion territory. the ending of "Break You Off" is incredible, with all the new chord changes and the new drum groove. Black Thought verses are literally never bad. there's an amazing version of Cody ChesnuTT's "The Seed" which is a straight-out funk jam. I totally get why people prefer other Roots albums over this one, but there's some days where I'd call this my favorite of theirs. decent 9/10.

Love the Roots. Varied styles, but all good

loved every single second. just so fucking cool!

Solid

Real Hip Hop!!! Black Thoght is just phenomenal, poignant lyrics., cool ass delivery and flow and of course Quest ties it all together. I love the arrangement of the records, the production is smooth & enjoyable. Tremendous record!

Turns out this is exactly the kinda shit I’m into. Black Thought is one of the best MC’s ever, full stop. Fantastic musicality and instrumentation too.

Fuck I love The Roots

this is one of the coolest sounding albums of all time. like the sound is just so cool. it oozes cool. the beats here are infectious, the verses are great. listening to this genuinely makes me sad that the roots are just jimmy fallon's house band now. we could have had it all.

A great album, and yet not my favorite Roots album. Feel like this is the album where the Most Incrediy finally stopped being slept on, likely driven by the success of “The Seed 2.0” … which was great, since The Roots demand to be heard. But for those of us who were early converts to “Do You Want More!?” and “Illadelph Halflife” and the greatest Roots record ever made, “Things Fall Apart,” the buzz just felt inadequate. I’ve always loved “Quills” … a great Roots track. And I have never, ever seen a bad Roots show, starting when I first saw them in 1996 at Red Rocks on the inaugural Smoking Grooves tour … up until last summer when I caught them at Mission Ballroom.

The Roots. Where have you been all my life? Love their mix of live instrumentation plus some drum and bass elements. I even hear traces of Bad Brains on a couple tracks. Wonderful, vital, revolutionary.

The roots were all the rage when I was in my indie phase and I never really got into them. But god damn. My bad.

So diverse! Love that kind of hip-hop

Hur kan jag ha missat detta?

I’ve always loved The Roots and my old band actually got to open a show for them back in 2008. This is an incredible album that could easily be appreciated no matter what type of music you like

Great album standout songs: Sacrifice The Seed 2.0 Water

Fuckin. A. 5

Never listened to The Roots before. What an album!

Amazing, super delayed discover for me.

This album blew me away. I repeatedly thought "Damn, this sounds pretty sick, good beat and complex lyrics", just for the next song to do it again. Sacrifice, Thought @ Work, Break You Off, and Complexity are all amazing. Will definitely remember this one.

Never heard the roots before besides listening to Jimmy Kimmel. Wow. I did not see this album coming. I loved it and will absolutely listen to it again.

This would not open for me.

Wow! Such an awesome variety in one album!

Great listen, enjoyed a lot.

Thirsty

Pretty much perfect. Incredible album 4.7 Fave Track: The Seed

Banger

I bought this in 2003 when I first heard The Seed; I remember being disappointed that it was the only track that has more R&B/Funk sound to it than Rap. The CD sat mostly unplayed. Listening again, the entire album is a masterpiece. Talented instrumentation, thoughtful collaborations, cross-genre appeal... it has everything.