Since becoming the
house band for Late Night With Jimmy
Fallon (QRO Indie on Late Night TV),
The Roots have become songwriting machines.Earlier this year, drummer and bandleader Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson
told SPIN Magazine (link)
that since joining the show they write anywhere from three to seven songs per
day.No wonder they have released three
studio albums in the last four years.And
that isn't even counting their superb John Legend collaboration album Wake Up! from 2010.Their most recent album, Undun, is piquing curiosity everywhere as it is the underground
hip-hop pioneers’ first-ever concept album.
It tells the story of
a young thug who makes bad decisions that derail his whole life.But the unique thing is that the story is
told backwards.The album opens at the
end of the character's life on "Dun", and ends at the beginning with four
movements, the album's final four tracks, "Redford", "Possibility (2nd
Movement)", "Will To Power (3rd Movement)", and finally "Finality (4th
Movement)".
It's abundantly clear
that The Roots have just as much to say politically and socially as they ever
did.But what makes Undun special is that it showcases their musical talent probably
more than any of their albums prior.That
is why it is especially worthy of appreciation.The album's crowning achievement ironically enough has no lyrics.It's the last four tracks mentioned
previously.They comprise a soulful take
on what was to be the beginning of the story's main character's life.But they maintain a sense of closure, like
listeners are clearly coming to the end of something.
Undun is
a brief work.It clocks in at just over
thirty-eight minutes.That's pretty
short in the grand scheme of studio albums, not to mention a concept album.But more power to The Roots.When inspiration strikes it's completely
admirable to churn out music the way they are.This album works well and here's hoping their creative streak continues.
Click here for photos of The Roots at SXSW 2012 in Austin, TX in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Since becoming the
house band for Late Night With Jimmy
Fallon (
Fueled with Voodoo Doughnuts, Alcoholic Faith Mission
delivered to a rockin' crowd in Portland.
Those lucky enough to
enter the House of Blues Boston took a spacey journey
that felt like one long dream starting with opening act I Break Horses.
The student-filled O2 Academy in Manchester started heaving
forward the instant the visual art showed "The Cribs" on the backdrop.
