Phrenology - The Roots
  • Band Name: The Roots
  • Record Label: MCA
  • Release Date: Nov 26, 2002
Phrenology Image
Metascore
87 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The groundbreaking Philadelphia rap outfit returns with 13 new tracks and guest contributions from Jill Scott, Nelly Furtado, Talib Kweli and Musiq.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Blender
    100
    Phrenology is a celebration of self-determination, a nonstop joyride through some very complicated brains. [#12, p.149]
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  2. Mojo
    100
    The Roots have created another masterpiece. [Jan 2003, p.100]
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  3. Mixer
    80
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Uncut
    60
    Thankfully, Phrenology is more therapy than quack science. [Feb 2003, p.86]
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See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Mike
    10
    This could be my favorite hip-hop album ever.
  2. j30
    10
    Just a great Hip/Hop record. From start to finish, it's an intoxicating, exhilarating album that gives you hope in Hip/Hops future.
  3. FreesiaA
    10
    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… Expand
  4. ChristopherB
    7
    Phrenology has little of the fresh, newly creative material that hip hop desperately needs. However, the production is superb and the layering of beats, effects, and lyrics is so nice to the ear that you just get all excited. They also come harder on this albumn relative to previous efforts. It is obvious that the thought, effort, and hard work put into it is superior to most hip hop. A super tight albumn with a potential single of the year in The Seed (2.0). Some of the between track filler and end of track space out takes away from the albumns overall flow … Expand

See all 30 User Reviews

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