• Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Aug 29, 2006
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 93
  2. Negative: 5 out of 93

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  1. Apr 25, 2012
    7
    This is my favorite Roots album. It's listenable from start to finish. It never dips off and "Don't Feel Right", "Long Time", and "Atonement" take the experience to the next level.
  2. Feb 24, 2012
    3
    I dont know what happened to the Roots before Undun but this album wasnt nearly good. They couldnt make this album a classic and it disappoints me because im a huge Roots fan. But at least we have classics like "Undun" & Phrenology
  3. j30
    Sep 28, 2011
    8
    Dark, exciting new territory for the Philadelphia based band.
  4. RadoslavP.
    Jul 12, 2008
    10
    Incredible - borders gendre,rase,coolor and religion - everythnig for everyone.
  5. KrishB.
    Mar 1, 2008
    10
    The Roots have done it again. Now that they have moved to a decent record label they have shown their true intentions for hip-hop and i have to say that it is absolutely amazing.
  6. CosmoD.
    Oct 19, 2007
    9
    Best Hip Hop album of 06, people need to hear this shit because once i listened through it a few times the shit was unbelievable.
  7. thomasm
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    absolute classic album, finally a rap act who isnt just focusing on club songs, great lyricism and substance all the way through
  8. TorreyD
    Feb 22, 2007
    10
    I Could Not Believe This Album did not win the best rap album at the funckin grammy's nuff said
  9. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    9
    Part of what I am calling an apparent Alt. Hip-Hop Renaissance, The Roots are up there with Subtle and TV On The Radio as stand out artists of the genre to release albums this year.
  10. HappyC
    Dec 12, 2006
    10
    Best hip-hop album of 2006, by far!
  11. AhmirT
    Dec 12, 2006
    10
    my best effort
  12. MikeM
    Nov 26, 2006
    10
    The Greatest Roots Album there is. Loving everything by the roots this has a certain something that all the others dont have. Even though all are great this tops them all.
  13. LiamR
    Nov 25, 2006
    7
    Ppl saying this album is in any way political or philosofical should get their heads checked cause they b dead wrong.
  14. AdrianR
    Nov 25, 2006
    7
    Not diggin the hype this album is gettin. Possibly 5 or 6 listenable tracks. Pleanty o skip material (cures for insomnia) but a few gems like Here I Come, In the Music, Long Time, and Game Theory..."Downtown Philly where it's riiiila than a heart atack!". Production and rhyming otherwise is iffy if not just plain absent.
  15. ZakT
    Nov 11, 2006
    10
    I don't even like rap and I think this album is the sh*t.
  16. Haterade
    Nov 10, 2006
    9
    I slept on this album for sure...Best album since Things Fall Apart. Comparablel to OutKast's ATLiens because its one of those you listen from start to end...everything is seemless from song to song. The only thing better than this album would be a recorded live album like Things Come Alive. Dont sleep on it!
  17. SeamusF
    Oct 25, 2006
    9
    If you were disappointed by "Tipping Point" and "Phrenology," then "Game Theory" is a great reason to return to your Roots. It eschews the "maturity" of the last two records, and achieves a new paranoid darkness that the band wears well, with excellent guest appearances and a reverent flow. In short, their best record since "Things Fall Apart."
  18. steve
    Oct 13, 2006
    9
    fantastic effort from the roots crew. the overall sound of the album is amazing and snippets from "it takes a nation of millions" only drive home the point that the roots area band with a message. black thought is one of the best out there.
  19. Spongeee
    Oct 9, 2006
    5
    The Roots are talented, but they will forever lack the ability to make 'songs' and not these weak, simple, 'real hip hop' jam sessions they call songs. Things Fall Apart was their apex...its been all downhill since. I rather watch them live, but as far as albums...they need to learn to make songs cause theyre wasting talent. And yes Idlewild was far better.
  20. CrabsodyInBlue
    Sep 30, 2006
    5
    I don't understan why this album had better reviews than "idlewild". It's not bad but nothing special either
  21. Hein
    Sep 25, 2006
    9
    What wonderfull Hip-Hop band. Warm, intelligent and soulfull. Things Fall Apart is undoubtedly their best record. And in my opinion the best Hip-Hop record ever made. But this record approaches Things Fall Apart. Every The Roorts record is a present. Greetings from The Netherlands, Hein.
  22. SethC
    Sep 24, 2006
    9
    the roots have finally made an album you can leave on repeat for days. 'in the music' may sound a little like limp bizkit, but besides that, this record is near perfect, with a perfect last track. way to go, roots.
  23. LawrenceP
    Sep 21, 2006
    9
    Fav track is the groovy #122 "Long Time" The Roots are still to cool for you and me.
  24. BryanW
    Sep 18, 2006
    8
    Their best record since 'Things Fall Apart'
  25. PhilipA
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    As always The Roots never disappoint. the nevr stop being creative, and the never let true hip hop fans down. The Roots have not only out done themselves, they have continued a trend of always trying something new and making it a work of art. If ever you meet someone and they say that they don't like hip hop, take them to a music store near you and buy them a copy of Game Theory. As always The Roots never disappoint. the nevr stop being creative, and the never let true hip hop fans down. The Roots have not only out done themselves, they have continued a trend of always trying something new and making it a work of art. If ever you meet someone and they say that they don't like hip hop, take them to a music store near you and buy them a copy of Game Theory. Their perspective will not only change, so too will their musical taste. Expand
  26. JBone
    Sep 15, 2006
    6
    A lot of high votes for this one, I see. I'm not really sure why, for me there are only about 4 decent tracks on the album. Better than the last one I suppose, at least.
  27. DavidN
    Sep 13, 2006
    9
    Immediate and with plenty of variation while ditching the filler. Definitely their best since "Things Fall Apart" and probably better. Loving "Long Time" (especially the line where Peedi P says "it started in the bathroom, takin' a dump" ) and "Baby"
  28. pgg
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    one of the best hip hop acts putting out what might be their best album... it's wierd that it's so late after we thought we saw their best... could they even get better???
  29. Bryan
    Sep 3, 2006
    9
    Everything and anything that a hip-hop fan could want. A dynamic, paranoid and angry record that never pulls any punches. Easily among the band's best efforts, this album stands out.
  30. aki
    Sep 2, 2006
    9
    Great beats, intelligent lyrics, and an organic sound make for an amazing album.
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Vibe
    80
    Like prior Roots albums, Game Theory boasts top-notch craftsmanship... but it's continuity that makes this album unique. [Sep 2006, p.211]
  2. Los Angeles Times
    75
    "Game Theory" helps rescue a remarkably anemic hip-hop summer. [20 Aug 2006]
  3. It's all ghetto vérité and political paranoia, with claustrophobic production to match the doom and gloom.