Game Theory BY The Roots Reviewed by Jason Shaffner    The biggest problem with Game Theory, the new album from The Roots, is that it ends too soon, lasting a mere forty-seven minutes. It left me wanting more and looking forward to their next volley.The Roots’ unique sound should reach a broader audience outside hip-hop circles. Still, when they try too hard to be popular, as they did with 2004’s The Tipping Point, some of the magic vanishes. The most commercial track on Game Theory, “Don’t Feel Right,” would be eminently enjoyable in any other context; instead, flanked by the strong lyricism of “Game Theory” and “In the Music,” the song seems weak. The Roots seem to have sensed this, choosing to combine “Don’t Feel Right” with “In The Music” and “Here I Come” in what will likely be the only music video from this album. Assisted at the microphone by Malik B., John-John, Dice Raw, and others, Black Thought maintains a focus on political issues. “Can’t Stop This,” “Game Theory,” and “False Media” seamlessly combine dark lyrical analyses of the war in Iraq, Ritalin, and inner-city Philadelphia with potent hooks and thumping beats. “Here I Come” is a top-notch, high-octane gem. ?uestlove’s virtuosic drum riffs sit front-and-center, with enthusiastic bass and guitars coming along for the ride. This song is the high-water mark of the album, and as it comes to an end, the tempo immediately downshifts into a suite of laid-back jams: “Long Time,” “Livin’ In A New World,” “Clock With No Hands,” and “Atonement.” In another genre-bending touch, the last of these features a sample from Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army.” Game Theory is a true album, best listened to straight through, the tracks flowing into each other, à la Abbey Road. Whether you are a newcomer to The Roots or have been a devoted fan for years, Game Theory is a must-listen. |  |
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