The Roots - How I Got Over Review

Story by Courtesy Photo 

| Published Sep 7, 2010

By Andrew Stellmon

It’s not often that a group's ninth studio album is anything to fawn over. Hell, it’s not often a group ever makes a ninth studio album. Obscurity or disbandment becomes much more likely. For the Roots, however, a ninth album seems to comprise only part of their current image. In the midst of fulfilling a laundry list of obligations (including extensive touring, serving as the house band for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” and a host of side-projects) the Legendary Roots Crew has found time to dominate yet another studio release.

“How I Got Over” is considerably different than their last few projects in many respects. Unlike both “Rising Down” and “Game Theory,” which treated relatively dark subject matter, the Roots' latest is far more positive, as MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter reflects on his journey to the present through his life and career.

The group has also continued to evolve musically, adopting a smoother, groovier sound, as well as blending an interesting combination of influences and styles. The first couple tracks of the album (which features guest vocals from the Dirty Projectors and Monsters of Folk) reveal that the band might have been drinkin’ from some of that indie Kool-Aid.

As prior LP “Rising Down,” took off like a rocket and never slowed, the Roots ease the listener into “How I Got Over” with similar dexterity. From the haunting keys and rhythm of all three MCs (Truck North, P.O.R.N., and Trotter) on “Walk Alone,” all the way through to the album’s title track, the first half of “How I Got Over” flows with unfaltering jazzy grooves driven by Amir “Questlove” Thompson on drums and keyboardist Kamal Gray.

After a deep breath in the middle of the record, “DillaTude,” lyrics turn from reflection to thoughtful (and wholly confident) celebration. The music follows suit, becoming more upbeat while maintaining the soulful quality of the first half. “Web 20/20,” bounces the album to a finish with a bare-bones rhythm and some tactful wordplay by Trotter, Peedi Crack and Truck North.

In short, the essential feel of the album is as follows: the band provides an excellent landscape to showcase Trotter's skillful writing and excellent rhythm, which (with the help of equally talented guest MCs) level buildings and steal souls, in a good way.