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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Phrenology
by The Roots


9.1

based on 23 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 38 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The groundbreaking Philadelphia rap outfit returns with 13 new tracks and guest contributions from Jill Scott, Nelly Furtado, Talib Kweli and Musiq.

LABEL:	MCA
RELEASE DATE:	26 November 2002
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Rap

NOTES: Also available in limited edition with bonus DVD.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Blender

Phrenology is a celebration of self-determination, a nonstop joyride through some very complicated brains. [#12, p.149]

100

Mojo

The Roots have created another masterpiece. [Jan 2003, p.100]

Village Voice (Consumer Guide)

They've found it in their talent to put black music's long tradition of tune and structure into practice.

E! Online

With Phrenology, the cool Philly troupe remain head and shoulders above the rest by sticking to their well-defined course of smoky live beats, serious lyrics, stunning guests... and not one ounce of production from the Neptunes.

Stylus Magazine

Mainstream and casual fans will remember them best for Things Fall Apart, but probably only hardcore fans will be able to see the value and dedication that much of Phrenology holds.

Village Voice

Phrenology reveals pulsating growth--a surprising bump on our skulls that some didn't feel before, while others banged their grapes wishing for it.

All Music Guide

Phrenology is the hardest-hitting Roots album to date, partly because it's their most successful attempt to re-create their concert punch in the studio.

Salon.com

By taking a new path with their music the Roots succeed in both staying relevant and momentous.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The album combines a deep reverence for rap's visceral power with a desire to move the genre beyond its primordial synthesis of beats and rhymes.

PopMatters

Phenology is stunning, ranking right up there with the best hip-hop music of today.

Entertainment Weekly

Not all of the experiments work, but drummer ?uestlove's Clyde Stubblefield-cum-Chemical Brothers grooves and rapper Black Thought's mighty flow never waver. [29 Nov 2002, p.106]

Pitchfork

Phrenology completely realizes The Roots' talents and potential, maintaining its cohesiveness despite its many disparate elements.

Rolling Stone

With their fifth studio record, Phrenology, they finally become what we've always hoped they would be: a hip-hop band that strikes a very funky balance between righteousness and humor, between headbanging grooves and truth-telling.

Billboard

The band's most challenging--and rewarding--album.

Mixer

Undoubtedly the toughest music yet from the six-member crew, Phrenology may also be their best work, characterized by a powerful, head-nodding groove that carries through the entire album. [Nov 2002, p.78]

Dot Music

What is different about the overall feel of this messy and ambitious album is that it marks The Roots' liberation from genre, the neo-soul meanderings of 'Things Fall Apart' only appear when they're wanted and never outstay their welcome.

Q Magazine

It is their way with a collaborator, though, that sets them apart. [Feb 2003, p.97]

Spin

The Roots have never sounded this raw on record, this much like an actual band playing in an actual room. [Jan 2003, p.95]

Launch.com

All the experimenting produces inevitable indulgences (take Amiri Baraka--please!), but even throughout them, each backbeat from drummer ?uestlove hammers an exciting new sound into place.

Ink Blot Magazine

This is the best hip-hop album I will never love.

Neumu.net

With Phrenology, The Roots have finally made an album that lives up to their potential.

Uncut

Thankfully, Phrenology is more therapy than quack science. [Feb 2003, p.86]

Playlouder

In their quest for paper, The Roots have lost their way.

The average user rating for this album is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 38 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mike gave it a10:
This could be my favorite hip-hop album ever.

Freesia A gave it a10:
Increible album, lyrics are hot, political, moving, beats are old skool which is jus straight smart! back up vocals are so nice...smooth album, one of the best in this day and age of garbage

ruben f gave it a9:
yo this cd is knocking. i mean black thoughts flow is just crazy. and the beats on this albumi are just amazing. the roots the greatest ever. keep repen philly.

dirk t gave it a9:
the best album I heard in a long time.very fresh, energizing,after umpteenth time listening it can still surprise me. a masterpiece.

Asia Z gave it a 10:
An instant classic from quite possibly the best band in music today. Phrenology's only setback is the over bearing ambient outros to a few tracks on the second half. A reviewer below this (the onle that gave it a 3) said that "things fall apart was a great album" but that Phrenology is shit. First of all, Things Fall Apart was a good, but FAR from great album- especially coming off the heels of the incredible Illadelph Halflife. Any longtime Roots fan knows that Things Fall Apart- not Phrenology, is- up to this point- the closest to a commercial album the Roots have produced.

Hugo G gave it a 9:
Fresh and brainy.

Mike H gave it a 10:
Gotta give it up to their bold reach in breaking from their own unique mold... it works. The whole cd continues to metamorph into an instant classic. Water, P**** galore, etc. continue to hit hard lyrically.

Phrenology by The Roots

Phrenology
by The Roots