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 This CD is really tight! While it is not as creative as Phernology, it holdS its own for what it was trying to achieve lyrically. Black Thought came off with his lyrical gymnastics especially on Star and Stay Cool, which happens to be my favorite tracks. The only requirement for this album is you must be a die-hard member of the Roots crew! The length of the album did not bother me too much because all the tracks are tight with the exception of Duck Down which is OK. Do You Want More??????!!!!!
This is their 6th studio album and it looks like this time the boys decided to go back to the drawing board to create something that they're core fan base would appreciate. The album overall has that Illadelph Halflife studio production with that organic "Things Fall Apart" twist to it... and they abandon much of the live instrument sound that was prevalent on their last album Phrenology,,,which disappointed a multitude of long time fans including myself. This time Black Thought goes for the jugular with the pure lyricism that hip hop has been dying for. Honestly, Black Thought has always been sharp on the mic by far, but now he sounds more polished than ever, with an astonishing delivery. This is proven on the cuts "Web", "Duck Down", "Guns are Drawn" and "Star/Pointro" which intelligently samples Sly and The Family Stones' "Everybody is a Star". "Stay Cool" is another smooth jazz influenced track reminiscent of the early 90's hip hop...that uses the Maceo Parker horn's and Al Hirt samples that De La Soul used on "Ego Trippin pt 2". But the highlight of the entire album for me at this point is "Boom" where Thought brings the B-Boy back to the game.My jaw is still on the floor. Thought delivers the first verse for Boom as himself and then he transforms into Big Daddy Kane & Kool G. Rap for verses 2 and 3....Amazing! And he sounds exactly like them. One of the best aspects about the Tipping Point is that the album actually sounds like a full length project with continuity with an overall flow that's easy to digest. It will appeal to most of the underground cats...but leaves room for those floating in the mainstream....The Tipping Point offers balance but tips a little bit to the left which is good for hip hop today. This album honestly sounds more like a Black Thought solo joint rather than a group album. It would have been great to have at least heard a track or 2 with the underrated Logan young bull Dice Raw. But for the most part it's the Black Thought show. The album could have used few more original concepts as well too. And sadly Malik B. seems to be officially out of the group. It would have been dope to see Malik reunited with the fam. If Malik B. would have offered his counter-punches this would have been pretty close to a classic. Songs like "Why" and "I don't care" take points away, because they sound too watered down. This is definitely one of 04's best albums, arguably the best album of the summer to this point. Definitely worth the cheese. Real heads won't be disappointed. To sum it all up, If you've been supporting these cats since 93(Organix), you'll trully dig the album, and see that it's way more structured than the overated "Phrenology". If you just started listening to the Roots 5 years ago when "Things Fall Apart" came out or when "Phrenology" was released 2 years ago, you'll probably be dissapointed,,,because you see the roots as a band and thats it. The Roots are a multi-dimensional hip-hop group yall. They proved that they can produce through samples on Illadelph Halflife, which is arguably their best album. Those people that just want to hear a live band, go somewhere else, or go purchase Illadelph Halflife. A lot of these mainstream Roots fans seem to be only interested in them for the fact that they play live instruments...its funny to me because it seems as if these folks never digest one word that Black Thought spits out. The Roots are not tree-huggers or neo-soul yall...they are a well balanced hip-hop group and Black Thought is a dope MC and thats that. They can bring it live or through sampling and digging in the crates. P.S. Rahzel and Scratch are also absent.
anyway, the tipping point is the roots at their best. as one article put it, "the roots have always strived to sell more, not sell out." that is, they have never compromised their sound in order sell more records and cash in. instead they have always been themselves and even their "commercial singles" (ie. you got me, break you off, the seed, don't say nuthin) have have had a sound and unique quality that made them their own. what first struck me about the tipping point is the sequencing of the tracks. this album flows so well and is so continuously entertaining that i swore the album lasted only 20 minutes. time flys... indeed this album is much shorter than previous efforts and is a much tighter and focused project. starting with "star" over a sly (pun intended) sample of sly and the family stone black thought kicks his sharp and intelligent lyrics thoughout. a suprise to some, relief to others, and nothing new to fans who always knew he was capable, black thought delivers with more socially conscious and political rhymes than previous and clearly broke his routine of relationship and bragging rhymes. not that he doesn't rip the mic to pieces when given the chance though. on "web" and "boom" he flexes his mc muscles in what seems like an attempt to solidify his place as one of the best to ever touch a mic. let me tell you, he passes with flying colors. other highlights are "stay cool" which is the perfect summer song and "why," described as marvin's "what's going on?" for 2004. the bonus cuts are just icing on the cake. the tipping point is everything i love the roots for, but more. great musical tracks and on point lyricism are made better by better hooks and a stronger, more focused, and seamlessly sequenced package. go get it now and thank me later. |
Suppose my kudos are more or less redundant - y'all covered it pretty good - but I just have to say that I simply love this album, particularly "Don't Say Nuttin'". This is typically hard-hitting, brilliant, witty and delightfully allusive hip-hop from
