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Liberator 5.3
The Roots
Game Theory

The Legendary Roots Crew has just released their eighth full-length album, "Game Theory." "Game Theory" is hungry, socially conscious and the strongest political statement from Def Jam since Public Enemy's epic "It Take a Nation of Millions." It takes you to so many levels from confusion about trust with people around you, war, the government/matrix, being surrounded by the police and the loss of a loved one. The exploration of paranoia begins with "False Media" and continues through "Don't Feel Right" where Black Thought strategically, cautions "My eyes open/ cause I'm really a watchman/ and when I'm writing' my thought out/ really I'm boxing." His demeanor shifts as he stays focused "You're mesmerized by the calm nonchalantness/ I spin a dark web/ on some John Hitchcock shit." With the backdrop of Katrina, Iraq and everyday struggle, Black Thought shines throughout with a hunger and clarity few MC's possess. The masterful title-track, "Game Theory" features the return of lyrical assassin Malik B., who comes back snappin' "Dreams of M16's/with infrared beams/ blowin' up president's cribs/With cans of kerosene." Everything isn't so heavy. Things lighten up on "In the Music," "Baby" and "Here I Come." The soulful narrative "Clock With No Hands" featuring Mercedes (Jazzfatnastees) finds Black Thought being vulnerable. More than ever, Black Thought takes center stage, paying tribute to the "Last of red-hot, Hip-Hop lovin MC's" on "Can't Stop This"--a reflection of the now deceased super-producer J-Dilla (R.I.P.). When I first heard the track I wanted to cry, listening to what everyone had to say about J Dilla and his genius, how he started a movement, how humble he was and how he always had a smile on his face. The record closes with the brooding, mournful "Atonement" featuring Jack Davey (J*Davey) and a Radiohead sample. I highly recommend this album. "Every action is heard and it speaks louder than words." (Black Thought)
(Christina Rimstad)