Phrenology
by The Roots
  • Record Label: MCA
  • Release Date: Nov 26, 2002
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 56
  3. Negative: 4 out of 56

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  1. KeithG
    Apr 25, 2012
    6
    This album made me fall in love with the live hip hop sensation that is the Roots. It starts a little slow, but the middle tracks (7-12) are all worth listening to.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2002
49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2002
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Rolling Stone
    80
    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.
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  2. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    They've found it in their talent to put black music's long tradition of tune and structure into practice.
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  3. E! Online
    91
    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.
    Read full review
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