Reviews (page 2 of 8)
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.” The 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.
I loved this album as a teenager and still love it. rediscovered tracks I'd not listened to in ages and reminded me of iPod times when I had a few of these tracks playing on repeat.
Exactly the sort of thing I was hoping this website would help me with. Rap has always been an embarrassingly large gap in my music knowledge but I haven't known the best way in. This may have been it! I love the blend of rock and hip hop and I just found the whole thing incredibly listenable. I want to take a closer look at the lyrics some time soon, I'm sure it'd only make me appreciate the album more.
A perfect album from start to finish. Deep and catchy. Rap with funk and neo soul influences. All great tracks but The Seed (2.0) is one of my favorite songs of all time. I just come back to it again and again over the years.
I'm very familiar with "The Seed (2.0)," but I'm unfamiliar with the rest of this record. It's so much more than just hip-hop. It's a pretty transcendent work of art. I'm genuinely impressed by the depth of this record, and I find myself bobbing along with the infectious beats. Pure genius.
The Roots provided one of the last but best entries to the neo soul that came up since the mid 90s. Seldomly hip hop was that abstract in sound but got held together by tight lyrics. It's a masterpiece but maybe not the best album by this great band because it takes a while to find access to.
The Roots are amazing. The Tonight Show has the best band ever.
Epic
Unbelievable range in the tracks - seemlessly shifting from boom bap to funk to jazz to hardcore to techno to soul and back again. Features were perfect and definitely suited the song they were on. Overall just a really enjoyable and quality record. Definitely want to review this one more fully.
My first time hearing The Roots, and I enjoyed it. The start of the album comes out swinging and never really lets up. It has plenty to say, both lyrically and musically. Plenty of variety between tracks so it never gets boring.
My favorite hip-hop album that was released after 2k. Yeah... even better than Kendrick. Black Thought is criminally underrated as an MC. Unfortunately I feel they lost some respect being a late night backing band. The featureson this album were all welcomed additions... ESPECIALLY the inclusion of beat poet Amiri Baraka. Also known as LeRoi Jones. He passed about 10 years ago. RIP
This is hip-hop virtuosity right here with little filler or misstep. I might give it 4 stars but I gots to love my 215 brethren. What can I say? I’m a Philly homeboy.
Good stuff.
"Phrenology" by The Roots is a musical journey that ventures into uncharted territories, which offered me and others for sure a distinctive blend of hip-hop that pushes the boundaries of the genre. This album is an avant-garde masterpiece, with the lyrics both thought-provoking and challenging, exploring a wide range of topics, from identity and politics to personal introspection. Tracks like "Water" and "Thought @ Work" showcase the group's lyrical prowess, delivering sharp insights and commentary which makes its abstract nature adds an intriguing layer to the overall listening experience.
Black Thought top 10 mcees. RIP Hub
Tight, well put together hip-hop album.
5/5. A solid collection of conscious and bopping rap and R&B. Smart music and real easy-going while also being present and direct. Instrumentation is top notch, so many little noises and drums that drive and differentiate this album. It's almost a 5 but it was good enough that it deserves it. Gonna play it back again.
4.6
Tight classic early 2000s hip hop. Great band dynamic with brilliant lyrics.
First one I downloaded to my library to keep
I was first acquainted with The Roots when they became the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I was way behind the game, as this group has been putting out albums since the late 90s. I was aware of their plans to disband following mediocre album success. Phrenology is a masterpiece, IMO. "The Seed 2.0" is one of the catchiest songs of all time, a perfectly blended smoothie of soul, hip-hop and rock-and-roll. A steady, slapping beat, Black Thought's thoughts, and Cody Chesnutt wailing come together nicely. Some other notable songs: Rock You (Black Though is mad), Sacrifice (Black Thought is smooth) and Break You Off (Black Thought is in love). This group has gone on to do big things. Questlove just won an Academy Award for best documentary. Five stars for Phrenology.
I love this album; it's a perfect mix of every genre of social justice, from funk to punk. Creative, hooky, chock full of not only talent, but also pop sensibility. Listen actively or play it in the background, it's The Roots at their best.
Top tier hip-hop - like the Radiohead of rap. Crossed with pretty much all other styles of music too, making for a really varied and interesting album. Wonderful
Some top-notch hip-hop here. I have neglected to check out The Roots previous to this. I have been missing out! Such a variety of styles. I dig it!
Great mix of styles and voices. Enjoyed it mucho.
I have heard the Roots perform often with Jimmy Fallon and their talent was obvious. But this album really surprised me how incredibly good they are! These songs move and groove and have an interesting range of styles. The time flew by listening to this and when it ended I immediately started it over to listen again. One of the best hip hop albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to. Phrenomenol!
I really enjoyed this album. The production and rapping are both stellar. (That’s really all I have to say.)
Awesome experimental rap album with interludes I actually liked so that was cool. Enjoyed every song even the long ones. There's just a lot going on instrumentally and lyrically that I really enjoyed and I'm gladly adding it to the playlist. Also seeing a Nelly Furtado feature made me laugh. Score: 90 Art: 80
A classic from the Legendary Roots Crew
I've been a fan of The Roots so this may be biased.
From which so much has grown.
I was going to give this review a sort of intro as I expected to write a lot for this album but simply I’ll just say this record is incredible and honestly I expected nothing less from The Roots. This is quite a long album spanning 1 hour and 7 minutes over 16 tracks however this doesn’t take away from the quality that is imbedded all throughout this record. The first stand out track is ‘Rock You’ where Black Thought is spitting braggadocious lines over this hard hitting beat pattern that runs through the track, this is really prime Thought rapping. Phrenology really shows off Thought’s versatility too as the next stand out track ‘Sacrifice’ has him harmonising with pop singer Nelly Furtado over a smooth sounding track about the Sacrifices one has to make to succeed in life. Some other key moments on the record are the collaboration tracks with none other than Talib Kweli. The first track ‘Rolling With Heat’ is a funky smooth track where Roots member Dice Raw opens with the hook and Talib follows with a fantastic verse. The other track ‘Rhymes And Ammo’ is a bit more classic hip hop especially with the chorus with Thought and Talib going back and forth “Pump that, Shit up”, “Stand up, Get up” is such an infectious moment in the record. The true peak of this album is quite fittingly the middle of the album which is nice to see considering it’s more common to see albums these days put their best songs between the 2-5 song mark, well the singles anyways. This starts off with ‘Thought @ Work’ which is layered with instruments and some classic hip hop sounds that cumulates to such a groovy instrumental, in the background you can hear some small drums and more prominently later in the track some brass instruments that give this track some nice groove. This is followed by the highlight off the album ‘The Seed (2.0)’ which is a mix off some hip hop drums and this almost western guitar in the back giving the track a fairly cold tone, and of course the sample of Cody Chesnutt is fantastic, gives the track some extra soul. This is followed by an equally incredible track ‘Break You Off’ which is a story told by Thought about him trying to steal someone else’s girl. The hook, performed by Musiq Soulchild, gives the track a slightly R&B touch and with the piano fill in the background it makes for an incredibly smooth track. The last 2 minutes of instrumental in this track are equally beautiful where some strings are introduced to calmly close off the track. The final grand track that makes up the middle of this album is ‘Water’ where Black Thought displays his feelings about former member Malik B who had to leave the group due to drug problems, it’s a reminder to everyone of how they met and how talented Malik B is when it comes to rapping. The latter half of this track is an instrumental mix possibly an audio visual into drug affects on the body as we hear some heartbeat sounds and some disorganised instrumentals. Lastly I’d like to mention the closing track ‘Thirsty!’ which stands out because it’s not really a hip hop track, it’s more of an electro-dance track with some small verses from Black Thought. I’m not entirely sure if it’s relevance with the rest of the album but I guess it’s another display of the versatility shown already. Honestly, I could write a lot more about this album but it’s something that over time I want to digest even more. This has probably been my favourite first listen so far and I hope others would agree with me when I say this album is a work of art. 5/5
Very chill, vibin', rap
The percussion on this is worth 5 stars on its own.
Amazing!!!
Absolute professionals
amazing one of favorite bands implementing all kinds of music and still being able to gain a reputation, all the songs are good, have unique personalities, the drum beats are good, the vocals, when they implement a new genre into a song it’s like it’s still part of the album but it’s just another song the style switches are so clean, the album is great. the jazz, hip hop, RNB, and more genres coming together to make this the only in this album, but some of the songs don’t hit as hard but some don’t some do it just depends on feelings, the album should be very praised the amount of versatility they have is incredible 10/10 would recommend a listen
Hip hop van rond de eeuwwisseling voelt voor mij altijd gauw outdated. Weinig albums van rond deze tijd die nou echt must listens zijn, maar The Roots zijn echter de uitzondering. Things Fall Apart en Phrenology zijn albums die vandaag de dag uitgebracht kunnen worden en niemand zou merken dat ze 20 jaar oud zijn. Ik geef dit album een 5, vanwege de diversiteit en creativiteit. Een nummer als ‘water’ laat zien dat ze niet bang waren om het anders te doen. Het gaat van boom bap naar jazzy hip hop en een soort punk interlude er tussen, en daardoor is het album geen moment saai. Een nummer als ‘break it off’ zou vandaag de dag - uitgebracht door de juiste artiest - makkelijk de charts toppen.
Very good album. Each beat is amazing and each feature delivers. The lyricism and word play is a strong highlight of the album. Every song is good
Oops all bangers. Some really good hip hop through and through.
If there is a perfect contemporary music group out there, it is The Roots. Every member is a god damn genius, and mind-meltingly skilled. And the songs on this joint? Damn. A great listen from start to finish. Favorite Track: "Something In The Way of Things" which is straight up beat jazz complete with spoken word. Fantastic!
Stupendously funky and awesome.
The Roots are always such a delight. They were one of my first forays into hip hop, back when I was still a classic-rock purist, so they will always be a little special to me. Not to mention ?uestlove might be one of the most important drummers of the last 30 years, if not the most important. Loved this.
Damn, I regret not sitting down with The Roots before. Of course the performances are perfect, but I honestly was shocked by how strong the album was over a longer duration than I typically prefer.
Truly unbelievably good album from the best musical act out of Philadelphia. Album starts out hot, stays hot through the middle, dips a little before the end, and ends on a high note. So many great tracks, but my favorite has to be Rolling with Heat
Apart from their debut album and the John Legend collab, this is quintessential Roots
Heavy use of AMAZING samples. Amazing features. Has a great blend of deeper, lyrically impressive tracks and songs that are more laid back and almost psych
Fucking hell... this one of the most far reaching albums I've ever heard. Insane experimental fusion of Hip Hop, RnB, Soul, Prog, Techno, Metal, Jazz, Funk... I want this on Vinyl
I never managed to get into The Roots, which I will admit is on me – as anyone who (like me) knows them as "that band from Jimmy Fallon" is not late to the game, they missed the whole tournament. What stopped me from really being into them was never listening to this record.
9/10. This was really good, I'll have to listen to it again.
Well this is from 2002, so is doubtlessly awful. Except it isn't. This is hip hop that goes in unexpected and rewarding directions. Tracks that tickle your earballs delightfully. Tracks that make you feel slightly uneasy. Tracks that flow. Tracks that pop. I will be listening to this again. Given the year - unbelievable!
I mean, it’s The Roots….it’s great
All the rock
Amazing. Best hip hop album I’ve heard in years. Maybe ever.
The Roots are just so solid. One of the best bands out there.
Great album.
Sooooo good!
I love this one and I've love The Roots in general so this can't be objective. I remember hearing 'The Seed' for the first time and just howling, like, what the hell am I listening to? If 'The Chronic' is a Netflix-era Michael Bay movie, this one is a late 80s John McTiernan movie. It's just as fun, but it's got something to chew on, too.
Maybe it's Philadelphia-bias, but this is The Roots at their best.
Might as well become my fav genre lmao 5/5
End of the album is better.
Seed 2.0 is always solid...love this album cover...the lyrics are powerful, but the beats make me long for the times when more rap sounded this way - powerful lyrics + a unique beat
Bangers.
Great hip hop album with a lot of variety that transitions into different genres at times. Big fan of The Roots!
Loved it the whole way through
meh
one of the best roots albums of all time.
Really varied both instrumentally and vocally. I love the focus on live instrumentation. The lyrics are great too.
I’ll never forget the sousaphone solo when I saw them live. Top notch
Very very good album, with forwardthinking beats, experimental songs, emotional power, incredible rapping from Black thought and a new aesthetic for the Roots. Also great to see some hiphop on this very dadrock focused list. Aside from a few weak hooks this is perfect, my score would be a 9/10 but you can't do that in this systen so i'm giving it a full score.
I like the hell out of this. It has a great sense of rhythm and changes up style frequently so that you don't get bored. It's unique and I dig it.
Необычно. Это джазз-рэп, нео-соул или что-то подобное. есть саксофон, МНОГО бэков. Я морж который почти не понимает рэп на слух, пыталась полезть в джиниус но там много диалекта, если прям зацепит то позже переведу. Неожиданно замечен тот самый популярный сэмпл барабанов. Пока 10/10 буду переслушивать. Оао хватит ли мне времени слушать каждый день альбомы из списка¿
Brilliant hip-hop album.
was good
I love everything by The Roots ❤️. Hadn’t listened to this in a long time and was glad to do so again
This music pulled me in. Some of the tracks are great. A few are not to my own liking, but that's just a matter of taste. Really talented group.
This has vecome my favorite rap album atm. And also the best rap album I've at heard so far after about 100 albums on this list. It's nice to listen to and also experimental and special in many ways. About 4.5 to me butI'll give it a 5 because it's the only really good rap album I've heard so far. (On this list)
LOVED this. Wasn’t expecting The Roots to have a hardcore punk song. Loved the variety
Hat einfach Spaß gemacht.
genuinely a revelation - infectious hooks and instrumentals, great vocals, hooray !
Man. The Roots are great. I loved this album.
Wow, this album is all over the place and also somehow ...not. I like it.
yes
No notes needed
Own this, bought on NASA Glenn trip. Not quite as good as their previous but still amazing
I've listened to this many times, great album!
FIVE STARS
obviously, a great album
My favorite Roots album and one of my favorite hip-hop albums.
I heard this album in my RA's room not long after it came out, and at the time I didn't really know much about The Roots. It blew my mind then, and it blew my mind again today. Black Thought is the best lyricist in the game imo. Best track: Thought @ Work
Pretty good. Very experimental and great transitions.
Jimmy Fallon doesn’t deserve The Roots.
Far too many N words for the nursery drop off.
It is almost 5/5, however, I want another as one song as powefull as Seed
I fuckkkkk with this. Lively, varied beats and instrumentation. Rock You and all 24 glorious seconds of !!!!!!!! get things started in an in-your-face, almost hardcore punk fashion. The album settles into a more funky groove from there. The Seed (2.0) is the only song I knew heading into this - I love it. I started to lose interest with two excessive meandering tracks in a row (Break You Off and Water) but Quills picked things back up and the album finished pretty strong. It's great to hear Talib Kweli on the list!
Phrentow - 3/5 Rock You - 4/5 !!!!!!! - 3/5 Sacrifice - 4/5 Rolling With Heat - 4/5 WAOK (AY) Rollcall - 3/5 Thought @ Work - 4/5 The Seed (2.0) - 4.5/5 Break You Off - 4/5 Water - 4.5/5 Quills - 4/5 Pussy Galore - 3.5/5 Complexity - 3.5/5 Something in the Way of Things (In Town) - 3.5/5 Rhymes & Ammo - 4/5 Thirsty! - 4/5 The Roots? You mean the Tonight with Jimmy Fallon house band? This album takes a different direction than other, similar albums about blackness, which I think is to its benefit. They are a really good band that can really play anything, but I think the disjointedness does not work to their benefit. Good stuff overall but from what it seems it should have been the album before this one that should have been included. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: The Seed (2.0), Water
Very cool, need to listen again. Its dripping with grooves
Wow. This is really good really really good. The production is out of this world. Black thought is not the best rapper in my opinion, but it really works with this production. Quest is obviously one of the best drummers of all time, and it shows on this record. The live instrumentation is a very cool touch to a hip-hop R&B album really good stuff.
Jazzy conscious hip-hop with real band. A lot to appreciate here instrumentally to lyrically. The band really elevates the sound but the vocals are not lacking either. I can see how this influenced later hip-hop albums. Namely, a lot of this reminds me of Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. Good stuff.
Great to hear a variety of instrumentation and sounds on this groovy album.
This is the weirdest and best episode of Jimmy Fallon ever
The Roots - Phrenology Full of ideas, full of invention. Not afraid to go in starkly different directions within the genre. The run on the second half of the album - The Seed, Break You Off, Water, Quills - is sublime. Best Track - Water Worst Track - Rhymes and Ammo 8/10
I was not a hip-hop head at the time of it's release but I had a couple buddies who were and would play this all the time. Good album. Not surprised it's on here.
If the worst half of this album was as good as the best half, this would be 5 stars. But there's enough missteps and failed experiments to make this a low 4 star.
This is my first exposure to the Roots other than the little bit seen on Jimmy Fallon. The musicianship here is undeniable, and I’m really enjoying what I’m hearing, though I feel like I need more time with this to process everything that is going on.
The Roots have always been one of the most forward-thinking and often underappreciated hip-hop acts. Phrenology is an example of them pushing themselves sonically and while it’s a bit messy and not every risk pays off they still manage to bring so many new, fresh ideas to the table and this record was a great time as a result. Black Thought and Questlove are on top of their game as always. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Break You Off, Thought @ Work, Rock You
Expectation: -> The Roots from the Jimmy Fallon show? After listening: -> Ooooo what a find. I guess I was never inspired by their late night TV gig and so never sought out their music. -> If a few of these tracks were deleted in favor of a few bangers, this would be a five in my book. Hoping this band shows up again on this list. Track ranking: Seed Complexity Sacrifice Quills Rhymes Break Heat Rock Galore Water Thought Something Thirsty Thought (0:59) !! Phrentrow
I was very excited to see the roots on here! I discovered them when I spent a year living in Philly in 99. They're from Philly so they were beloved there. It's good stuff.
Are there any other women on this website who think it's weird that men are so obsessed with saying the word "pussy" or is it just me
The Roots are one of the most creative and unique hip hop groups ever. They pretty much recreate themselves with every album. This one right here finds them at their most experimental. It's hard to compare it to anything, the production has a super rough and raw quality often pulling elements from rock which makes it sound even harder. It's very different from other hardcore hip hop artists tho, the drums have a very unique feel, there is always some odd grooves and unexpected rhythms. On Rock You the drums are so raw, feels like they could explode at any moment. Rolling With Heat has a wild instrumental, so odd but somehow works very well. There is some pop hooks on this album, but they're not incorporated in a tacky way, but rather sound cool and mysterious. The Seed is out of this world, what an amazing tune, the bassline is amazing. The 2nd half of the album is somehow even wilder, they try some even weirder stuff. The ending of Break You Off, which develops into this breakbeat piece is incredible, they pull it off so smoothly, sounds like the song naturally evolving into this amazingly beautiful ending. Water starts off perfectly normal before changing to this experimental piece, it's so hard to pin down but sounds insane. The back half also includes some spoken poetry over insane sax passages and a techno rap crossover. I love how random and all over the place the album is, and it's super impressive how they manage to sound so well over such odd beats.
Incredible creativity on display here, 'Water' is fantastic. The production is incredible and so punchy. Slumps a little in the last third but not enough to make it not great .
This shit slapped. So many different genres of music packed into 1 album and done so well. Thoroughly enjoyed. Not my all time fave (not quite a 5) but a banger nonetheless. -1 point for Water, little too much. Fave songs: Break You Off, the Seed(2.0)
what a ride.
Your uncle Tom had this album when we lived together, it’s track after track of energy, rhythm and hip hop. Can’t fault it, and it’s another one to play loud in the living room and let it take you, or on your head phones to take it some where with you.
i would recommend it to ANYONE the album is awsome
Pretty good, I like rap and they executed it very well.
A cousin of Mos Def’s The New Danger, The Roots’ Phrenology is not the outfit’s greatest record, but it’s probably the best introduction to what they do so well & why they’re such a necessary footprint in hip hop history. While some of these tracks put me to bed, I recognize that The Roots are at their most interesting when they are most intent on straddling the lines between pure & pop, rap & rock/r&b. Black Thought is a lyricist’s lyricist, but he also has a knack for hooks & songs. The freestyler on Funk Master Flex is also the composer of The Seed (2.0), & that should be celebrated.
INPUT = {"artist": "The Roots", "album": "Phrenology"} LINEUP = {"men": 7, "women": 0} FEATURED_ARTISTS = {"men": 4, "women": 3} TOTAL_MEN = 11 TOTAL_WOMEN = 3 WOMEN_PERCENTAGE = 3 OUTPUT = "Score adjusted accordingly. 4/5"
There's a lot that I like about this album, but the overall bend toward a slightly more commercial sound is a surprising result since it came at the end of the Soulquarians sessions. All the collabs are there, but the sound and the vibe is quite different from Things Fall Apart, which is the album that should've been here.
++: Phrentrow, Rolling with Heat, WAOK (Ay) Rollcall, Thought @ Work, The Seed (2.0), Break You Off, Water, Quills, Complexity +: !!!!!!!, Sacrifice, Something in the Way of Things (In Town), Rhymes and Ammo, Thirsty! +-: Rock You, Pussy Galore 7,9/10
I wish I would have heard this in 2002 because in 2026, this sounds like it could have been made today. Super fresh and current. Probably about 15 minutes longer than I would have liked, all told. There wasn't a (music, not spoken word) track on this album that my foot was still. I'll definitely be adding Phrenology to my personal collection
I’d forgotten how much I liked this record. Really fun. 8.5/10
Hell of a band.
Light 9/10 So…’Water’ is just one of the best songs ever written? Black Thought is a top 5 rapper of all time? Questlove is one of the best living drummers that we have? A lot of the 1/5 reviews on this kinda reek of racism based purely on the fact that “this is a hip hop album, there must be a lot of use of the n-word and misogyny”…right right
Not the best Roots album, but some good tracks. Good flow to the album.
Sublime
Cooler sound, hab nichts einzuwenden
Took me a few sessions to finish because of the intensity and my own state of mind. Second half of the record is much better imho, incredible hip-hop that advances the form. Initially 3 stars but bumping to 4. "Will probably listen again" and to more than just 3 songs is my 4 defining criteria. This album feels ahead of me and I'd like to catch up.
Too long, but groovy as hell. The playing, oof
My kind of hip hop, pure and simple. Love that The Roots do mostly live music with every song, Questlove brings the groove whether theyre doing straight hip hop, funk, r&b, rock or even punk. Black Thought is one of the most deft lyricists ever, with a great flow. This record is super creative and gets really weird at times with the poetry and extended instrumentals. Great guest spots too and hooks. More alt rap like this should be on the list
Hip Hop with live instruments? Yes please!
Considering the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of rap, this was a nice listen with a few stand out tracks. I realized that my preferred type of rap is one with a mix of "regular" vocals and more interesting instrumentals that blend different genres which was a lot of this album. A few tracks were on the experimental side and not a good kind of experimental, they definitely bring down the enjoyment of the album as a whole.
Highlights: Rock You, Sacrifice, Rolling WIth Heat, Thought @ Work, The Seed, Water, Quills, Thirsty I had high expectations from the Roots, but I never got into them. A big mistake on my part since I loved this record. From what I've heard of the Roots, they seemed like a classy take on hip hop, but this was a bit different... The opening tracks were a lot more bassy and had a harder sound than expected - they went full hip-hop. It also commits to its aim for the cool factor with all these interludes between the tracks. I really liked this grittier version of them, but the second half does slow down and drag itself a bit too much for me to call the record a masterpiece.
An interesting mix of Hip Hop, R&B, Rock, and Jazz. There were enough interesting ideas on there to keep it interesting throughout despite the long run-time. Favourites were the rock-influenced 'The Seed 2.0' and the jazzy 'Break You Off'. It was borderline between a 3 and a 4, but I'm feeling generous and think it's just about good enough to warrant a 4.
I really enjoyed listening because of the beats and the vibe. Until I paid closer attention to the lyrics of “the seed 2.0” and felt really uncomfortable. This kind of spirit takes away some of the enjoyment for the album. Otherweise I loved how the band switches between different genres, and it always feels natural... really impressive.
Oh I thought this was gonna be 2000s shitty indie but this is actually something. Oh. Oh don't hurt em. Ok. Idk if some of these are making the playlists but I'm glad I'm hearing them. It's some really interesting music. It feels very unique which I've definitely needed from an album after the reheated nachos this list has been throwing at me. Big fan definitely. Nelly Furtado?? Why is she actually everywhere. Idk just funky beats great flow interesting sounds I'm really enjoying listening to this. One could say it's music to my ears even. You pushed your seed where?? Get away from me man. Really really liking this it's so good. Banger after banger. Favourite: Sacrifice Least favourite: Complexity
You don’t have to put the bad ones in the end, just delete them!!! 3.5/5
Variety: 4 Adequacy: 5 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 3 Emotionality: 4 = 4.2 rounded down to a 4 "They say a record ain't nothing if it's not touching, gripping/ Draw you in closer, make you want to listen to it/ And if you real ill at making music, the listener feel like he living through it" I will admit to being mostly familiar with The Roots as the house band for The Tonight Show. And I haven't seen much of that aside from some of the early viral song stuff. They seem like a talented bunch of guys. THE TRACKS "Rock You" - So I guess a lot of edges were filed down when they went to network tv. I really dig Black Thought's flow here. The lyrics are dense and he navigates them with an acrobatic flair. Never robotic and halting but always stumbling forward WITH the beat. Solid stuff, but unfortunately I did not care as much for the instrumentation. The rock sound is a lot, especially coming off that N.E.R.D. album we just had. "!!!!!!!" -Interesting and unexpected straight up hardcore punk. Hard to tell if it's serious of not. Based on the lyrics I'd say no, but not really much to enjoy. "Sacrifice" - This is a bit more of what I expected. Some late 70s soul sounds underneath another Black Thought marathon rap session. Features a guest from Nelly Furtado on the chorus, where it slows down .... just. These guys do NOT seem concerned with provided a chill atmosphere with these beats. "Rolling with Heat" - Now we're cooking. As mush as I dug the previous track, this was MILES ahead in all regards. This one features a few guests, Talib Kweli, who burns it up on his solo verse. The beats on this one are fucking tight. Questlove is credited with drums as well as production, and this sounds very much like a live drum loop. I have seen the man play before and he's a talented dude. No idea if the beats here were sweetened at all, but who cares. Sounds great. * "WAOK (Ay) Rollcall" - Won't be spending too much time on interstiaial/ skit stuff but this is interesting as we get call outs to what I assume are a lot of the group's influences. "Thought @ Work" - Dig the layers here. This is giving me some old school LL Cool J energy vibes. He's not the fastest rapper I've ever heard, but damn is able to pack a LOT of content into each verse, which are also long in and of themselves. Would be curious to see how he gets away with this in a live set. Like does he have some sort of yoga trained breathing method. Damn. "The Seed (2.0)" - We start with an Some Girls era almost Rolling Stones-ish sound that loops throughout. Cody Chesnutt gets a feature here on the chorus, and does a fine job. Supposedly he's a bit of a neo-soul star, and might be tempted to look more into his stuff. The song is pretty much his. "Break You Off" - Big change up here as we get a very downbeat, introspective track heavy on the cymbals and with a catchy synth line that runs throughout. Black Thought also proves himself to be pretty adaptable as he slows things way down and his flow becomes more wavelike, hitting those crests and troughs sometimes every other word. Still mathematical and precise though, and without a breath in between. The R&B breakdown sections with the jazzy electric piano work really well and add a bit of dynamic contrast. "Water" - Some interesting vocal effects don't keep the rhythm section from taking center stage on this. The beats are almost but don't quite out of step with the vocals and it adds a sort of musical limp quality in the timing that really hits. Halfway through we get an extended moody atmosphere piece that almost sounds like a musical collage made up of elements from some 70s horror movies. It builds to a crescendo and then we get some tentative drums and droning, like we're sitting near a detuned radio. By the end it's developed into a sort of prog jazz, music concrete freakout. Was very much not expecting this sort of thing but I'm 1000% down for it. "Quills" - Black Thought finds a middle ground here. Neither stumbling forward and outpacing the backing music, nor slowing down for a more contemplative effect. Here he's almost exactly hitting the accented beat when it comes. This feels like him at full power nonetheless, and he loses none of his signature sound. Despite his robocop level endurance, he also doesn't resort to a cold delivery. There's plenty of emotion in every bit of phrase. The instrumentation takes a back seat here, but does so wisely without stealing any heat from the main attraction. "Pussy Galore" - I expected this to be the horniest song on the album, but did not expect the cultural critique that we received. It went down pretty was as it was all under some great instrumentation and more solid ass verses from Black Thought. "Complexity" - Jill Scott features on what is ACTUALLY the horniest track on the album. Though it's 0a very classy, thoutful horniness, one becoming of the inestimable Ms. Scott. A love song for adults. "I let you know I'm here for you, care for you, and confide in you/ Break bread, share with you, and provide for you/ And that's full time, it's no 9 to 5 with you." Made more sultry I think by the music, but a nice pairing. "Something in the Way of Things (In Town)" - Amiri Baraka drops some poetry here over top a jazzy downtempo number from the band that gets more energetic and progressive as we go along. I normally don't go in for this sort of thing, but Mr. Baraka and his lively, naturalistic performance, makes it a worthy trip. HIGHLIGHTS - "Sacrifice" - "Rolling with Heat" - "Thought @ Work" - "The Seed (2.0)" - "Break You Off" - "Water" - "Quills" - "Pussy Galore" - "Complexity" MIDLIGHTS - "Rock You" - "!!!!!!!" - "Something in the Way of Things (In Town)" LOWLIGHTS - FINAL THOUGHTS This was much better than I expected, and I fully expected it to be pretty solid coming from a band that seems to have out way more than their 10,000 hours in. Seriously - no idea they had been around so long, with their first studio album released in 1993 (!). It was a good mix of rap and soul, with a lot of progressive electronic accents, and even some rock influence. All that said, this was very much a very good journeyman album. I doubt by this stage, the group was even capable of shitting the bed in any sort of meaningful way. Much as I liked the whole experience, there was not a string of songs on here that will stay with me for very long. No all-time barn burners. But that's fine. And it won't keep me from dropping a well-earned 4 on them. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - Just the highlights please FURTHER LISTENING - Blowout Comb by Digable Planets - The Ecstatic by Mos Def - Quality by Talib Kweli - Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 by Jill Scott - Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star by Black Star - To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
I really like the more experimental tracks on this album. The range on this album is fantastic.
It’s not my favorite I’ve heard by any means, but there’s a lot to latch on to on this album. I feel like the beats are all quite interesting, though not necessarily catchy. I don’t hear a bunch of social commentary throughout, which I feel like is a hallmark of a pinnacle rap album. But, there’s musical experimentation (LOVE the end of the song Water), variation, etc. I’ll toss a 6.5/10 out.
walked through the city with this
Pretty good. These folks are always enjoyable but for some reason I never intentionally seek them out. I saw them at a big festival 10 or so years ago and they were great, but for some reason I never circle back.
Always love The Roots and this is no exception. Don’t know this one that well but it was great!
Really great. The end of the album wasn’t as good as the beginning.
This has a lot of great tracks and I would definitely recommend this to others. 8/10
Usually I will only have to listen to an album once before I feel comfortable rating it. I had to give this two plays before deciding how I feel. It's actually pretty good. The samples are cool, and the live drumming gives it a different feel to a lot of hip hop. It's got cross over from neo-soul and rock. Very listenable. It does suffer from being over long, which seems to be a running theme with 2000s rap albums. There seem to be quite a lot of reviews on here from people who simply haven't actually listened, writing it off because it is rap. I can only feel sorry for such people who stubbornly refuse to engage with an entire art form owing to a social bias they have formed. I am not a big hip hop guy by any means, but I try to meet it on it's own terms. Some of it is actually decent. I didn't find any misogyny here, I don't know why so many people think there is.
It's good! The musicality is unmatched.
really good album. 4 not a 5 cause it wasnt perfext but that makes it better somehow. first time i heard the roots and i thought it would be more “foundational” rap rap and rap but it was so experimental which surprised me so much especially considering the year. good surprise
I don't have a lot to say. This album does some cool stuff
I listened to this album on the morning of a pretty light workday; the change of scenery has made the days feel warmer and more uplifting. I can't believe these guys just become the Jimmy Fallon band, because my word, this album ruled. I immediately noticed the great use of DJ scratches and heavy metallic drums, and the flows throughout the project had a percussive flow that scratched at my brain. And just as I was getting my feet underneath me and setting expectations for the rest of the album, suddenly there's a genre switch to a blistering 20-second punk track, and then another seamless transition back into mellow emotional hip-hop!? I will always respect art that takes weird swings in service of being true to itself, and Phrenology is full of those kinds of bold choices. Another such choice is their reworking of The Seed (a song which I, ironically, only knew from Jimmy Fallon's History of Rap), collaborating with Cody Chestnutt himself to craft something new rather than merely cover the song. I will also always appreciate an appearance from Talib Kweli, one of the earliest rappers I was ever aware of when I was younger. I also love how actively and explicitly The Roots stay in conversation with the history of other hip-hop groups, drawing direct attention to their influences and the lineage which they are paying homage to. Another particular highlight for me was the band's knack for great choruses, which can often be a hurdle for rap albums. It is impressive just how well the wild experimental movements weave in between more traditional songs, and even if the album loses some of the energy I've been vibing with as it gets closer to the end, I am still incredibly glad to have a new appreciation for The Roots. Highlights: Phrentrow, Rock You, !!!!!!!, Sacrifice, Rolling With Heat, Thought @ Work, Thought @ Work, The Seed (2.0), Water, Quills, Rhymes And Ammo
Musically excellent. The eclecticism of it makes it even more appealing.
I’m biased. I love The Roots. Things Falling Apart is a perfect debut. Have been lucky to see these guys live. Phrenology has plenty of great moments. Maybe not as amazing as their debut, but worthy of a spot on the list. The Seed is a perennial fave.
I really liked some of it and I felt meh about the rest. It was a really good rap album that I should probably save for a day that I'm much more in the mood for it. Complex, rich, and oh so well mixed.
Heard The Roots were playing at summerfest. Originally, I didn’t care. But now, I do
A cracking album. I own a couple of The Roots albums, but not this one. There were some absolute belters on this album, but a couple of very weird ones too, that felt they didn't belong at all (maybe that was intentional).
Vet hip hop album, wel interessant
Very good, 90s feel from a modern album
not 100% my taste, but I was vibing and I found it veeeeery interesting!
Super fun! I've always like the roots. I like how playful they are, always messing with beats and sounds. Just a bit of rock mixed in. I enjoy hip-hop with real drumming, gives it something a bit extra that's hard to pin down. Not exactly going out on a limb, but I really like Questlove's drum style. Even a decade of Jimmy Fallon doesn't make him not cool. Bass is really good too. Nice rhythm, really stands out on "Complexity". Favorites are "The Seed" and "Complexity", great drumming on "Something in the Way of Things". Lyrics don't always blow me away, ("pussy Galore" is pretty dumb). Flow is good though. A lot of nice layering of lyrics. The Black Eyed Peas ripped this off and made it terrible. I might be overrating hip-hop and modern music because I've been getting nothing but 70's and 80's rock, but this was a great change. 4 stars Only negatives are the lack of cohesion as an album, and a bit of a drag around the long song "Water". Not sure about the last track, its kind of fun, but doesn't fit and is a weird way to wrap up the album. Should have snuck it in the middle somewhere if it needed to be included at all.
Surprised they picked this one rather than Tings Fall Apart. That feels like the best entry point into The Roots' discography, especially if it's the one album of theirs you 'have to hear before you die.' But Phrenology is good, too.
This has been one of the more fun listens I’ve had in a while on here. Once again, reading the reviews of hip hop on this site is crazy. Haters. Such a diverse Hip-Hop record. I have a weak spot for 90’s-00’s Hip Hop and this didn’t let me down. I love the fusion of genres here. Is it the most consistent? Nope. Does it fall off towards the back half? Sure. But it was really enjoyable. Favs: rock you, rolling with heat, thought @ work, The Seed 2.0
The Roots: ?UESTLOVE and Black thought now of Fallon fame. I know both of these artist originally from 2 places. ?uestlove was my go-to center in NBA 2 K9. When I played it on the PS2, it was him, Redman, and Flava Flav that were my favorites, and ?uestlove was tall af. Black thought, of course, I know him from the freestyle, one of the best freestyles I have ever heard. I am listening to it right now, in fact, and it is amazing. All that preamble to see that I like this quite a lot. pussy galore, Complexity and water are amazing. The drums on some of these songs are amazing and when black thought just goes on a tear on thought @ work. I really was grooving to this, and even songs like " Thirsty " are a party send off, wow, how did they even pull that out in this soulful and funky vibe. The seed is so iconic, sheesh. The album cover is also pretty cool.
Loved this. Lots of different things going on. Will revisit. Something in the Way of Things is awesome.
Not my cup of tea.
A mixed bag for me, which is not surprising given it's 16 tracks long. Holds up pretty well for something from 2002. I didn't immediately love it, but I suspect I would find more to like if I listened to it a few more times. 3.5
Definitely need to re-listen to this.
Good album, starts strong and gets me moving with the beats, and then keeps going just a bit too long.
14/03/2026 I didn't mind the album, some of the songs were long and a slog... but it was alright. Don't think I'd choose to listen to them though. Spotify listeners: 3.2 million
J'ai l'impression d'avoir déjà entendu exactement Thought @ Work. Par contre wow j'adore l'ambiance sonore surtout Water
Jill Scott shoutout
The Roots are phenomenal with Hip-Hop and this album was no exception. Just a really solid flow with great lyricism on top of it.
Scheinbar gefällt mir Hip-Hop besser, als ich gedacht hätte.
Interesting and intelligent with some great hooks. Not everything lands perfectly, but there's still a great combination of talent and ambition
First of all, amazing album cover. I remember when this came out I was reading tons of praise about it. I got the CD and gave it a few listens, but I don't recall it standing out to me as much as I wanted it to. Largely this was due to it being a period of time when I had four young children and minimal ability to really focus on what I want hearing, and this is an album that required intentional listening. With all of that, I was excited to jump into this today given I hadn't played it since that time. And I was rewarded with a record with so many different styles-hip hop of course, but also soul, punk, spoken word, and even techno-all of them done very well. Songs that really stood out to me were Sacrifice, The Seed (2.0), and Pussy Galore. Water went places that were very unexpected, and very cool. I didn't think there were any bad songs, but I did feel the album was a bit too long and some of the songs could have been edited down a bit. But that's really my only quibble.
i haven’t heard of this album before but i know the group. i don’t really have any expectations honesty, other than apple music calling it a hip hop/rap album. i’ve also heard of the band. i played a show last night. i’m a bassist :) partied hard after. slept over at my bandmates’ place. very tired and hungover today. i’m feeling this. i liked that punk interlude, that was fun. rock you was alright, im feeling sacrifice :) rolling with heat is fine. surprise surprise, questlove is a good drummer. the seed 2.0 is my favorite song so far. mmm water goes hard. i’m feeling a 4, i’ll probably revisit this. hooooly fuck the second half of water is awesome. the next couple songs were alright, something in the way of thing and thirsty were highlights at the end. ultimately this was a damn good album.
This album is certainly the pride of the hip-hop tradition, and of the tradition of African-American music. This is my favorite kind of hip-hop, the kind that pairs exquisite musical interest with conscious lyricism. The instrumentals borrow inspiration from funk, jazz, hip-hop(of course), and more. And they display a lot of versatility; there are some long-form and experimental tracks, and I love the jazzy spoken word in "Something In the Way of Things." I resonate heavily with the feeling that there is something deeply wrong with society that often goes unnoticed or unspoken. Every track had something new to offer, ending with the last track which is basically electronic dance music, which was also refreshing. Strong seven to a light eight.. I'm struggling between three or four, because I don't think this is a 9/10, but I think I'm confident enough to give it 8, so I'll go with 4
I kind of slacked off today, and only listened through this album once. I actually own this CD, but probably haven't listened to it for years. I'd forgotten what an awesome song "The Seed 2.0" is (5 stars for that one, for sure!). One thing this exercise will do, I think/hope, is remind me of some of the great albums/CDs that I own, but have been neglecting, so that can go back to listen to them again. Anyway, to not fall behind with the albums we're listening to together, I think I have to give this one 4 stars, and call it a day. But I will try to listen again soon, and see if I can come up with some more comments. I wonder if it would have sounded more unique when it first came out than it does now? It does have a lot of variety (among the tracks on the album), though. And good overall quality. And, I think, a thoughtful sequencing of the tracks, too.
This was great. The name was familiar but i couldn't have listed any songs. Turns out o knew a few and its exactly my flavour of rap. The right combo of beats, production value, occasional rage, wordsmithery and minimal bullshit skits and misogyny that can ruin it.
I don’t think I’ve ever had back to back days where I’ve needed to contemplate if I just listened to two straight 5/5 records. This was really good, wildly good when you consider it came out in 2002. Some of it sounds like it’s from 2026. The first song was an excellent, energetic song on its own, then it gave way to one of the best transitions into a following song I’ve ever heard. So smooth. “Break You Off” was a jam, it highlights one of my only problems with the record which is that it doesn’t escape some of the misogyny of it’s time. But the highlight of this record is EASILY “Water”. A convicted performance on its chorus during a structured first half that turns into a sonic drug trip / night on the street which the first half of the song warned about. Stellar storytelling through sound. I’d give this song a 6/5 if I could. It’s cool to see Jill Scott on here, just days after she dropped her own album thats been getting a lot of praise this week. Lots of life-affirming songs on her album. I’m gonna give this a 4/5, but this is an inverse of my problem yesterday, I may regret not giving this a 5/5
buenardo
Amazing hip hop experience!
it’s obviously an incredible album, but it didn’t have to be this long. after a point it just kinda starts blending together a bit, with songs going on just a bit too long. i’d love to give it a five but like as a whole, it drags a bit
Interesting and a little bit different
I liked it
This album is why I keep doing this day after day. Have never spent much time with them, I really appreciated it. I will definitely be doing a deeper dive into their albums. Good stuff.
I've really struggled getting into The Roots, I feel like I should like them more than I actually do, but there is always something holding me back. Something about their song structure is just too simple, too repetitive, or they are lacking that key melodical hook. I think this is a good album, but it is just missing that extra ingredient for me to really love this. This is right on the edge of a 3 and a 4 for me. Low 4.
Loved how smoothly this album flowed, all the songs transitioned into each other so seamlessly. I was ready for another typical hip hip/ rap album which i’d be okay with because i enjoy the genre anyway but my expectations was fully exceeded. I was taken off guard by !!!!!! And then mellowed back down by sacrifice and then brought back up again by Pussy Galore. That all being said I think the track Water brings this down to a 4/5 as I found it dragged on (deffo could have done with being 5 mins shorter in my opinion) but overall a solid album that flowed well… like a water…!
This album is really cool. I don't dig into hip hop and rap often, just not quite my vibe, but I know talent when I hear it and it is definitely here. This is intelligently crafted and well performed. The songwriting is diverse and full of hooks. There are definitely some lyrics that I don't appreciate and I'd have preferred them to be a little more intelligent in those moments. However, I'm a listener that tends to tune out lyrics and really only hear more of the melody. It's experimental at times in its instrumentation in a very successful way, and It knows when to let itself breathe and when to change it up. I do think an hour is just a little too long for an album, and it would have been stronger to trim some of the fat. It overstays it's welcome just a bit, but it's very good either way. 3.8/5
Phenomenal album. Black Thought spends most of the time showing why he should be in your Top 10, if not Top 5 Dead or Alive. (see 'Rock You', 'Rollin' With Heat', 'Thought at Work', 'Quills') ....'The Seed 2.0' is still an all-time banger. Gets a little too experimental at times. Feel like it kind of peters out with the last three tracks - the 7-minute spoken word last(?) track doesn't really want me to run it back immediately. Still a must listen if you're a fan of or newbie to hip hop: 4.5 stars
This is good, I have not listened to them before, will check out more Will I listen to again: 90%
Very varied, covering a huge range of styles. Always kept me interested
I would listen to this several times day. This is my jams!!
Not the one most people would reccomend, but the one that deserves it
What a ride this album was. I enjoyed it though.
This is a pretty great record, even if it doesn’t hit perfectly all the way through. What carries it for me is the sheer musicality. Questlove’s drumming alone gives the album a physical presence that a lot of hip-hop records don’t have, and the live-band feel makes even the more experimental moments feel intentional rather than indulgent. Not everything works equally well. “Water,” for example, wears out its welcome and starts to feel tedious rather than hypnotic. There are a few stretches where the album feels more interested in pushing ideas than delivering songs. I respect that impulse, but it does cost the record a bit of momentum. Where Phrenology really shines is when it locks into something soulful and direct. The standout for me is the Cody Chesnutt collaboration, The Seed (2.0), which is an absolute hit. It’s catchy, warm, and grounded, and it’s hard not to wish there were more moments like that across the album. It’s also a reminder of how striking Chesnutt’s voice and songwriting are, and it’s a little disappointing that I never really encountered much more of his work beyond this track. Overall, this feels like a bold, ambitious album that mostly succeeds. Even when it stumbles, it’s doing so in pursuit of something interesting. It’s not flawless, but the highs are high enough, and the musicianship strong enough, that it earns its place as one of the more compelling records in this stretch of hip-hop history.
Not a big hip hop guy, but quite enjoyed this one. Really interesting chord progressions, harmonies and melodies. Production is very nice. Dug the latter half of the album more than the first. Complexity is an absolute gem! 3.75/5
Decent. Enjoyed a lot of it.
Phrentrow - no rating Rock You - 4/5 !!!!!!! - no rating Sacrifice - 3/5 Rolling With Heat - 3/5 Thought @ Work - 4/5 The Seed (2.0) - 5/5 Break You Off - 4/5 Water - 4/5 Quills - 3/5 Pussy Galore - 4/5 Complexity - 3/5 Something in the Way of Things (In Town) - 5/5 Rhymes & Ammo - 4/5 Thirsty! - 4/5 Average score: 3.8/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if i had one bit of criticism, it would be the length of a couple singles. Water would have easily been 5 stars if it weren't for the 10-minute runtime! i understand this is an experimental hip hop but damn all that aside, this is great experimental/conscious hip hop. i don't really have any strong feelings about the neo-soul tracks, but i could easily see myself coming back to the album in the future highlights: The Seed, Water, Something In The Way Of Things
Great album by The Roots, really enjoy this one. Highlights: “Rock You” and “Seed 2.0”
This album was awesome. So much colouring outside of the lines of their perceived genre. I just loved it.
this is gooood. if is was shorter and tightened up a bit this would easily be a 5
The calipers show a fully developed prefrontal cortex. 4/5
Such a solid hip-hop album. Black Thought is a top 5 MC all-time. Hoping Things Fall Apart makes the list, that shit is probably getting a 5. 4/5
4.5
Interesting selection for The Roots sole representation on this list. I think I agree about it being their best album. It feels like their most self-assured, at least, a statement of purpose in terms of content and music. Gone is the jazzy excursions in Things Fall Apart, which mostly feel like genre-stabs than anything that the group felt fully invested in. "Water: The First Movement" may be the best thing they ever recorded, a cautionary message to and about former member Malik B. who departed the group in part due to issues with drugs. "Rock You" and "Thought @ Work" are really strong, I enjoy the machismo on "Rhymes and Ammo" and Amiri Baraka's spoken-word essay "Something In The Way Of Things" is a powerful piece with some very cool background music. I do find myself wishing the rest of the material had a little more going for it, both lyrically and musically. As much as I like the first part of "Water," the extended instrumental suite in the rest of the track doesn't do anything for me. "The Seed 2.0" is a song about the music business with too many awkward, muddled metaphors to make a real statement. "Pussy Galore" (about the destructive impact of sexuality in pop culture) and "Break You Off" (about fucking some other man's girl) are working both sides of the same street. "Quills," Black Thought's braggadocio on his own skills, lacks teeth. "Sacrifice" and "Complexity" are soulful stabs that drift in one ear and out the other. I like the very brief punk raver "!!!!!!!" and I wish they had committed to it, as well as the hidden electro-dance track "Thirsty." This is a very good album if not necessarily a great one (to me), and it's brought me back to want to re-listen to the rest of the Roots catalogue, which deserved more representation here.
For some reason I could never get into the Roots as with De la or ATCQ. Maybe the rapping style or it's too pop for my taste. Either way it's a fine listen.
7/10
I've only recently gotten into the Roots, having originally known them as the house band for Jimmy Fallon's Late Night show (and now the Tonight Show, but Late Night with Jimmy Fallon was more fun IMO). It's no surprise that these guys are talented. They were already established at this point too, as Phrenology was their fifth album following a slew of other successful albums in their own right. So why Phrenology on this list? Well, The Roots were always ones to approach hip-hop in different ways, and here they utilize neo-soul, funk and rock to drive their messages on hip-hop and Black culture across. Black Thought's presence on the mic cannot be understated, one of the lesser appreciated lyricists in my opinion. The features from other established hip-hop/R&B artists such as Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, and Musiq richen the experience too. An ambitious album that veers a bit in the middle, but certainly worthy of inclusion here.
Complex arrangements here
Loving this a lot! In the extension of Outkast, but maybe a bit less drawn out. Super fun collaborations and musically excellent.
Cool dynamic hip hop. Always nice to hear Jill Scott, who’s featured on “Complexity”.
I liked this, but frankly, I wasn't able to spend enough time listening to this album to really form a strong opinion about it. If I have time, I'll revisit this one and write a more thorough review of it at some point. But just based on my feelings after first listen, this is a solid 4/5. It's no 'Things Fall Apart', but it's still really good.
pô bem daora pedrada atrás de pedrada
nao eh ruim, mas nem eh o melhor deles. quem sou eu pra reclamar, mas, papo reto, pq não o things fall apart??????? enfim, eh bão! ainda eh 4 estrelas mas não ter o things fall apart é putaria
I really liked this eclectic mix of rap, soul and rock!
Not something I'd normally listen too but enjoyed most of the songs
2000s hip hop.
Nice mix of styles and good variety on her. An enjoyable listen and just about squeezes a 4 rating.
much better than I thought, I like the less sample-driven, more musician performing hip hop here.
Enjoyed this quite a bit, a couple whatever songs on here but mostly great stuff and very memorable production
Possibly the gold standard when it comes to R&B. Made me feel 15% cooler just listening to it. Excellent inclusion.
7/10 Favourite: Sacrifice Least Favourite: Thirsty!
Idk what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. So much diversity and genre blending for a hip-hop album.
Back in the early 2000s, I completely overlooked this album. Everyone was always talking about The Roots, so I was too busy searching for something fresh and underground. Now that I’ve given it a few listens, I realize this definitely would have been right up my alley back then. The conscious style lyrics are pretty standard for that era, but the experimental tracks really caught me off guard in a good way. There’s also a mix of funky, soulful tracks that add an easy listening vibe. Overall, the album’s diversity really stands out.
Just an iconic hip hop record by an iconic hip hop group.
Might be almost a 5? Just a baby bit too much filler for me to say that
Cool early 2000s classic (not too classic) hiphop vibes. Funky and made me bop my head to the beat. Added 3 songs to my likes.
This is how you write an album with somewhat inappropriate lyrics but doesn't bother me. I mean listen to The Seed, and yet I want to be the girl. Just such a fun deep album that changes with each song but still is so perfectly The Roots.
This really had a lot of layers to it, it was a delightful onion to peel. I loved the creativity and diversity. And ending on Thirsty was such a fun rager.
I know I’ve listened to an album by The Roots before, but I think it was Things Fall Apart. I remember enjoying it, but I don’t remember what I enjoyed about it. It’s a shame that I haven’t listened to more of their albums, because I read Questlove’s memoir, and I really liked it. I have no idea how I’m going to feel about this album, but I think there’s a good chance that I’m going to enjoy Phrenology. I didn’t fall in love with Phrenology, but I thought it was a good album, and I enjoyed listening to it today. I guess I’ll get my gripes out of the way first. Phrenology pulled from a lot of different influences, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I felt like the album was a bit uneven. I’m not a huge fan of neo-soul, and I found the really long tracks towards the end of the album to be a bit tedious to get through. Most importantly though, I just couldn’t get into the lyrics on this album. Some songs had some good social commentary, but there were quite a few songs that I felt didn’t really say anything noteworthy. Now that my criticisms have been dealt with, on to the things that I liked here. The things that were most consistent about this album were the drumming and the production work. Questlove’s drumming was downright hypnotic throughout this album, and he did so many different things with his rhythms. His talent was on full display on Phrenology, and I really loved what he added to the album’s sound. Secondly, the production was fantastic. Even with the songs that weren’t really my jam, I was able to sit back and appreciate how good they sounded. Even my least favorite songs on the album had at least one musical element that I appreciated. As for the individual songs: I loved how this album started off, with “Rock You” and “!!!!!!!”. The beat on “Rock You” was really driving, and the synthesizers and drumming were excellent. I wasn’t expecting that sort of sound from this album. The follow up to “Rock You,” “!!!!!!!,” was excellent as well, despite its short run time. It felt like the perfect second track, and I love how well it segued into “Sacrifice.” Speaking of, I thought “Sacrifice” was excellent. I loved the gentler sound, but the beat was great too. The synthesizers and keyboards added a lot of richness to the sound, and I enjoyed Nelly Furtado’s guest vocals. The percussion on “Thought @ Work” was really great, and I loved how the sample from The Incredible Bongo Band was used. The bass playing on “The Seed” was excellent. The song had a great overall sound, bolstered by some good guitar playing and vocals. This was one of the few songs where I really liked the lyrics. I loved the double meaning of the progression of life and the merging of musical styles. I loved the first several minutes of water, with its excellent lead and bass guitar parts. Rhythmically, those first several minutes were awesome. When the song went off the rails, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much, but it did have a good segue into “Quills.” Phrenology was enjoyable to listen to. The Roots showcased their talents and uniqueness really well on this album. This isn’t the type of album I’d probably fire up again, but I appreciate the artistry that went into it.
This flowed nicely (can't remember the last time an album felt so seamless), good beats. I could really vibe with this, 4* Water was too weird. End of album was some weird electronica.
cool Album, wouldn't have needed some of the "strange" tracks but maybe I'll get that one on vinyl
This is really not my genre, but Phrenology was far more interesting, more varied hooks and some standout tracks.
3.5.
Wow, I am very particular with what I like as far as hip hip and rap but this really did it.
Good and varied, somewhere above 4 but below 5 stars.
This is good, but I don't really connect with it. It's also a bit too long. My favorite parts were the more Neo-soul moments.
4/5 Really good album, never heard any of their stuff before, no 5 starts because some of the songs did unnecessarily drag on
I could go a 3.5 or 4 stars, because I'm pretty split on this album. On the one hand, I really do like a lot of the music and the flows of the vocals. However, the lyrical content, like other Roots albums/songs I've heard, are lacking. I feel they have been present/spoken-of as more sophisticated than most of the radio rap and other hip-hop artists, but I feel a small percentage of their lyrics hit a level of other artists like Talib or Mos Def or Jurassic 5 or Del or even Outkast or Gza, et cetera.