Rising Down: Album Review
The Roots new Studio Release Holds True to Greatness
Times change. The Roots do not. In April of 2008 the influential American hip-hop band out of Philadelphia have, yet again, given the world a gift. If anyone is looking to find a sure fire way to get a proper groove going in the car or the at home, Rising Down is the only way to go.
The Roots’ eighth studio release is just as cutting as their first, but the band’s mastery of the hip-hop craft has only gotten better with time. Fan’s can still expect to find the same The Roots’ trademark elements alive and well on the album; ?uestlove’s musical prowess continues to be as inspired as ever and Black Thought’s verse is still like miles of crushed velvet set ablaze.
However, fans and newcomers can also expect to be introduced into a new sound on Rising Down. ?uestlove has described it as the band’s “the most incendiary, political album” in their discography thus far and there is a decidedly new flavor and feel to complete the ardor.
What to Expect on Rising Down
The mix on Rising Down begins on a strange, dark road that twists and turns and, eventually, spirals back up-hill towards a triumphant end, beginning with the title track of “Rising Down” and ending on “Rising Up”. Tracks like “Criminal” are amazingly slick with socio/political lyrics. Some might say that they dangerously close to devolving into one of the cliché protest singles that most can expect to see during an election year but, between Black Thought and the cavalcade of guest MC’s like Mos Def and Common, there’s a fresh anger in the work that is more vibrant than a gun blast but never loses sight of the album’s ultimate end and never extends beyond its polished feel.
The band has cut back on the guitar as a major instrument in favor of a more synth sound. Occasionally, the synthesizers almost lend tracks like “Get Busy” and "I Can't Help It" to a post-industrial feel but, overall, the powerful essence that defines the Roots is stil prevalent. While this might be a gamble with some fans that will either embrace the choice or turn them off, the decision to go with synths again allows for The Roots to create the impression of anger boiling just beneath the surface even on those tracks with a more pop feel.
Rising Down brings the old feel to a new day. Word is still out on whether or not all fans will be equally accepting of it but as of May 21, Rising Down was listed at 28 on Billboard's Top 200. What must be said is that the album has an artistry and purpose that commands respect, as solid and slick as La Pieta.
