Undun

1. TastyJamProject

   Jan 30, 2012

   10

   The Roots are an amazing band. Throughout a career that has spanned nearly two decades, they have proved on wax and live that they can playThe Roots are an amazing band. Throughout a career that has spanned nearly two decades, they have proved on wax and live that they can play and do anything. Undun is the sound of a band taking an artistic risk and coming back with something that is transcendent of anything else released in 2011, maybe since the start of their career. Undun is the Roots' masterwork, a tour de force, their magnum opus. If you like the Roots, buy this album. If you like music buy this album. If you have ears, buy this album. Starting with an introuduction, 9 songs which are musically and lyrically brilliant, and closing with a four part orchestral suite UNDUN is a heartbreaking, beautiful and unbelievably catchy album. In twenty years you'll look back at this album and tell your children: I was there. I was there when Undun was released on the world. I could go on for days about how great this musical treat is. An instant classic.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
2. Tanktronic

   Dec 31, 2011

   10

   I'm usually not the kind of person to take the time to write a 'user review', since they usually end up being clearly biased, poorly wordedI'm usually not the kind of person to take the time to write a 'user review', since they usually end up being clearly biased, poorly worded fan-speak. But in this case, with this album, I feel like it's some sort of civic duty as a fan of music to spread the gospel of this album's perfection. I won't start an inflammatory discussion that this is possibly the best album of all time, in the sense that the usual definition of album is an unaffiliated collection of songs - I'm sure that most would give that distinction to myriad Beatles, Dylan, Radiohead, etc albums, and it's largely a matter of age and personal taste, anyway. What I WILL start the discussion of, is that this IS possibly the best "album" of all time - I use the quotes to stress a different definition of what an album is; in this definition, a cohesive collection of songs that are linked by a common lyrical or aesthetic genesis. I cringe at the label of "concept album", as that seems to invoke a knee-jerk assumption that the album is either about some science-fiction fantasy or that it's a directionless piece of instrumental junk that uses the "concept" moniker as a free pass to, well, suck. What The Roots have created is an album that tells a story in amazingly communicative detail, without beating you over the head that you're being told a story. Left to their own devices, the listener would probably have an 'aha!' moment somewhere about 20 listens into this album that the songs were in fact all connected, and in a linear [albeit backwards] fashion. This not only respects the intelligence of the listener to figure it out, it keeps the emphasis on the music where it belongs. They have created an album that bridges the gap between meaningful connection between the songs, and the ability for each song to be a successful, enjoyable single in its own right. You can rock each of these tracks out of order at a party and nod your head with the grooves for an hour, or you could listen to it in proper order in a classroom and have a 2-hour debate about fate, responsibility, and socio-economic politics. You need to own this album. As a collection of great hip-hop tracks, as a provocative story, or simply for its importance in keeping alive the hope that music can still mean something.… Expand

   • 11 of 11 users found this helpful
4. hiphop97

   Feb 18, 2014

   10

   This album is a masterpiece! My personal favourite album by the roots. I had goosebumps from the start right through to the end. It tells aThis album is a masterpiece! My personal favourite album by the roots. I had goosebumps from the start right through to the end. It tells a powerful story and completely blew me away! I am seriously lost for words when it comes to this album. Listen to it if you haven't! You would be doing yourself a massive favour!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. dijavantewow

   Dec 13, 2011

   10

   Easily the best hip hop album of the year, and possibly the best album of any genre for the year. This album is superbly done, and it is aEasily the best hip hop album of the year, and possibly the best album of any genre for the year. This album is superbly done, and it is a must buy for anyone that likes music.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
6. QuintonB

   Jan 4, 2013

   10

   An instant classic, Undun is a severely underrated concept hip-hop record by The Roots. It is quite possibly The Roots' best album; every songAn instant classic, Undun is a severely underrated concept hip-hop record by The Roots. It is quite possibly The Roots' best album; every song works together, the beats almost ooze consciousness, every note is perfectly placed.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. SodBuster

   Dec 8, 2011

   9

   Undun is a great album, and coming out this late in the year it is definitely a contender for one of the top 5 albums of 2011. The reasoningUndun is a great album, and coming out this late in the year it is definitely a contender for one of the top 5 albums of 2011. The reasoning behind me giving it a 9 is because, like mentioned in some of the professional reviews, the album starts to lose some steam during the second half. It starts out so phenomenal, that when it gets to these least spectacular tracks (they are still great), they just don't quite match up to how well the album started.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
8. 9zep_peppers

   Dec 7, 2011

   6

   This album is alright for rap i dont get too much into rap but ost of the songs follow the same structure and the lyrics are all the same:This album is alright for rap i dont get too much into rap but ost of the songs follow the same structure and the lyrics are all the same: tough times and cursing. That aside "Kool On" has some awesome music to it. Good bass line and funky guitar and the lyrics are good. The instrumentals def show a different side of the Roots. Violins and edgy and soft piano mixed with some crazy drum beats???? Awesome. Going from gangsta to classical music? Gotta give the Roots some prop, seems like they would be the only ones to get away with it.… Expand

   • 0 of 9 users found this helpful

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