Rising Down - The Roots
Rising Down Image
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The latest studio album from the hip-hop group features Common, Malik B, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Styles P, Wale, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, amongst others guest artists.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    100
    With an incongruent Fall Out Boy track set aside for single duty and all those rappers a dream community taking the burden off Black Thought, this is the most accomplished pure hip-hop album in years.
  2. Mojo
    80
    The brooding 'Singing Man' and the euphorically optimistic 'Rising Up' underline that the best hip hop is about taking chances. [July 2008, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    It might not be their best-ever album--Phrenology can still claim that title--but Rising Down finds The Roots reinvigorated, more passionate than ever.
  4. NOW Magazine
    60
    This time, the Mos Def/Common/Talib triumvirate contribution is expectedly solid. Saigon proves his debut's delay is criminal. Malik B shows how much he needs to be the permanent Prince Po to Thought's Pharoahe Monch. And Kamal, Hubbard and ?uestlove flesh out a series of sonically stunning numbers midway through.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. LouisD.
    10
    ATTENTION: The Roots Crew are officially back on the map with another stellar album. With the amount of plastic the music industry has been releasing over the last few years, one would be hard pressed not to believe that they are a primary contributor to the world's ever-growing oil crisis. This album is a breath of fresh air in a world polluted by highly-commercialized and pablum-filled music. Rising Down is raw enough for those who have grown up during the golden age of hip-hop ('86-'95) and fluid enough for those who need a real history lesson. We must give props to The Roots Crew for this most recent release that not only displays their depth and true mastery of the craft but also for keeping the essence of real hip-hop alive.… Expand
  2. RadoslavP.
    10
    Simply the best rap has to offer - phylosophical and politicly aware - it just makes you think about life.
  3. DunD
    10
    Thanks for save "Real Hip-Hop".
  4. MycroftW.
    8
    Doubt that this will end up being my favourite Roots record, but that's mainly due to the stiff competition. The record focuses on the harder edge of their sound, with ?uestlove apparently saving the more mellowed-out stuff for the Al Green record.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

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