Illadelph Halflife

by

The Roots

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The rumor: This is The Roots best album. The objective truth: Yes, it's true. And this was the 5th Roots album that I finally purchased after TFA, then DYWM, Phrenology, and Tipping Point. This album has a whole different feel and approach to it. "Illadelph Halflife" was their third LP, and where they finally showed us what they are entirely capable of. This one eclipsed what I thought was their best album before, "Do You Want More?!"

Where DYWM was really where you got to meet and get a good feel for this band, "Things Fall Apart" was more of a posse album, and "Phrenology" had some hard rock and neo-soul influence, this album is where Black Thought and Malik B. (M-illa-tant) shine lyrically. Actually, all those other albums frustrated me lyrically, great at times but sloppy and random at others. "Illadelph" is where I finally understood their lyrical approach, and it makes all the other albums easier to comprehend once you get this one down.

This album was very, very mellow; possibly so we can focus on the words. It feels like coffee shop Roots, where they are saying knowledge over chill beats instead of trying to rock a party. The album starts off nicely at track 2 "Respond/React" and does not let up until a short brake is taken at "? vs. Scratch" so we can finally catch up. "Section" contains an eerie, mellow beat, as does "Episodes." "It Just Don't Stop" is more about social analysis than glorifying happenings in the hood and the world, and is an excellent track. "Push Up Ya Lighter" is mellow at it's best and a memorable track leading into Black Thought's proclamation to never do "What They Do"-which is a poppy, slower-paced joint about reflecting and being aware of the type of music that the Roots do. Even though this album is focused on the lyrics, it's still a joy to hear the rest of the band (keyboards, drums) in the background and some jazz added as well.

There could be a heated argument over which half of this album is the best. I consider "Concierto of the Desperado" as kicking off the second half, and this track is hard-hitting and calls for "all the fake sh_t gots to go," which obviously still continued all these years, but it was a great effort nontheless. "Clones" is the only other hard-hitting track, and it is a good one, featuring Diceraw. "No Alibi" is probably my favorite joint on the whole album, where Malik and BT just lay the lyrics down perfectly over a nice beat. Malik's solo "No Pretenders" is excellent with Rahzel in the background, and listening to this shows why Malik is missed (not necessarily by the rest of the band, but by us Roots faithful). "The Hypnotic" is incredible as well, and is more captivating and powerful than the version off the "Men In Black" soundtrack (which is great as well). I almost forgot, on this album Common and Q-Tip give two of the best guest verses that you will ever hear on any album. Common on "UNIverse At War" which is excellent, and Q-Tip passing the mike with BT on "Ital." These two essential guest spots, among others, solidify this as a classic album and the Roots best. The album ends off with three non-lyrical tracks without the two front MC's, and although it doesn't hinder, they should have been shortened into a track or two.

In closing, you really need to get this album if you are a true hiphop head and have other Roots' cds already! This one really displays why The Roots are so valued by the underground hiphop base. I would recommend buying other Roots albums like TFA and DYWM first so you can truly appreciate this masterpiece once you get the privilege to hear it. Compared to your everyday, get-rich-now, fast-food recycling rappers, The Roots truly are committed to doing any thing other than "what they do!"