Customer Reviews

Illadelph Halflife

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The rumor: This is The Roots best album. The objective truth: Yes, it's true. And this was the 5th Roots album that I finally purchased after TFA, then DYWM, Phrenology, and Tipping Point. This album has a whole different feel and approach to it. "Illadelph Halflife" was their third LP, and where they finally showed us what they are entirely capable of. This one eclipsed what I thought was their best album before, "Do You Want More?!"
Where DYWM was really where you got to meet and get a good feel for this band, "Things Fall Apart" was more of a posse album, and "Phrenology" had some hard rock and neo-soul influence, this album is where Black Thought and Malik B. (M-illa-tant) shine lyrically. Actually, all those other albums frustrated me lyrically, great at times but sloppy and random at others. "Illadelph" is where I finally understood their lyrical approach, and it makes all the other albums easier to comprehend once you get this one down.
This album was very, very mellow; possibly so we can focus on the words. It feels like coffee shop Roots, where they are saying knowledge over chill beats instead of trying to rock a party. The album starts off nicely at track 2 "Respond/React" and does not let up until a short brake is taken at "? vs. Scratch" so we can finally catch up. "Section" contains an eerie, mellow beat, as does "Episodes." "It Just Don't Stop" is more about social analysis than glorifying happenings in the hood and the world, and is an excellent track. "Push Up Ya Lighter" is mellow at it's best and a memorable track leading into Black Thought's proclamation to never do "What They Do"-which is a poppy, slower-paced joint about reflecting and being aware of the type of music that the Roots do. Even though this album is focused on the lyrics, it's still a joy to hear the rest of the band (keyboards, drums) in the background and some jazz added as well.
There could be a heated argument over which half of this album is the best. I consider "Concierto of the Desperado" as kicking off the second half, and this track is hard-hitting and calls for "all the fake sh_t gots to go," which obviously still continued all these years, but it was a great effort nontheless. "Clones" is the only other hard-hitting track, and it is a good one, featuring Diceraw. "No Alibi" is probably my favorite joint on the whole album, where Malik and BT just lay the lyrics down perfectly over a nice beat. Malik's solo "No Pretenders" is excellent with Rahzel in the background, and listening to this shows why Malik is missed (not necessarily by the rest of the band, but by us Roots faithful). "The Hypnotic" is incredible as well, and is more captivating and powerful than the version off the "Men In Black" soundtrack (which is great as well). I almost forgot, on this album Common and Q-Tip give two of the best guest verses that you will ever hear on any album. Common on "UNIverse At War" which is excellent, and Q-Tip passing the mike with BT on "Ital." These two essential guest spots, among others, solidify this as a classic album and the Roots best. The album ends off with three non-lyrical tracks without the two front MC's, and although it doesn't hinder, they should have been shortened into a track or two.
In closing, you really need to get this album if you are a true hiphop head and have other Roots' cds already! This one really displays why The Roots are so valued by the underground hiphop base. I would recommend buying other Roots albums like TFA and DYWM first so you can truly appreciate this masterpiece once you get the privilege to hear it. Compared to your everyday, get-rich-now, fast-food recycling rappers, The Roots truly are committed to doing any thing other than "what they do!"

From Chuck D's spoken word intro, to his somber voiced outro 79 minutes later, this astounding album educates, infuriates, shocks and beats you into submission. And there's not a moment wasted. "Respond React" has the best understated melody and bassline ever recorded in rap music history and is positively addictive. Be forewarned, this is not radio-friendly pop rap ("What They Do" being the possible exception), but mind expansive, ambitious and lengthy hip hop, that not only educates, but keeps your head nodding for nearly 80 minutes. The grooves provided by ?uestlove (drums), Kamal (keys), Hub (bass & cello), Rahzel (every sound effect known to mankind) and the remarkable Scratch (self-explanatory) perfectly suuport the hardhitting, socially aware and endlessly inventive rhymes by Black Thought and Malik B and the result is musical murder! Guest spots by Q-Tip, D'Angelo, Common (on the hypnotic deep bass groove "UNIverse At War"), Amel Larrieux (the lovely, haunting, operatic soprano on the masterpiece "Concerto Of The Desperado"), Bahamadia (a smooth freestyle on the sparse yet still DOPE "Push Up Ya Lighter") and Cassandra Wilson whose vocals drift in and out of "One Shine" fill the album to overflowing with a variety of textures, sounds, voices and ambience, yet they don't disturb the flow of the music and don't feel forced or trendy. I suggest listening to this CD through headphones since the music is so intricate and detailed. It seems like a lot of sound and information to digest in one sitting, but once you hear it, you'll keep returning to it. I've owned this CD for almost 4 years now and still manage to hear something new and different everytime I put it on. The Roots have made listening to music an adventure, and easily rank as one of the best hip hop crews of all time. For my money, this is their best album. A genuinely satisfying listen.

How tragic is it that an album like "Illadelph Halflife" was so unfairly overlooked? "Illadelph Halflife" was the first Roots album I bought, after forever hearing the group being praised as one of the most innovative hip-hop groups around. But I was sincerely interested in the Roots because I had never really heard a "hip-hop band" before, "Illadelph Halflife" did not disappoint. This album has single-handedly restored my faith in hip-hop. What's that? This was made in 1996? Where was the revolution? "Illadelph Halflife" should have been the album that revived hip-hop as a creative force to be reckoned with. Nonetheless, I suppose The Roots had their cult following in the underground and they've gained wider recognition with the release of "Things Fall Apart" - but when a brilliant album like "Illadelph Halflife" is released - it gets frustrating that it doesn't get the recognition it deserves as opposed to a Roberta Flack cover (much respect to the Fugees but The Roots deserved it more). There's hardly a dud on the entire album - the beats bounce along with a eerie gritty minimalist feel like Wu-Tang Clan without the martial arts samples and with a more upbeat jazzy feel. And Black Thought is a truly talented lyricist. While some MCs come off as constipated and abrasive, Black Thought's rhymes move with a smooth ease and a pleasant rhythm reminiscent of Q-Tip's playfulness while also reminiscent of Chuck D.'s authority. I can't wait to start looking to the rest of The Roots discography as I'm sure they'll yield much more. I was getting burnt out from listening to "It Takes A Nation" for the millionth time, jaded from listening to "Stankonia" (a trillion apologies to Outkast), the punches and kicks of "36 Chambers" weren't hitting hard enough as of late, and I scratched up "Three Feet High and Rising" from overplaying it. "Illadelph Halflife" will soon join those albums in the pantheon of hip-hop albums that I consider classic. But like those albums...no matter how many times I play it and get sick of it, I'll always return to it. And surprisingly enough, it will sound fresh.

This is truly one of the most underrated hip hop albums to ever be recorded. It could easily be argued that this is truly The Roots' best album. All of their albums are great, but this is certainly their most focused effort. Black Thought and Malik B consistently display some of the most outstanding examples of mc-ing that have ever been recorded. Dice Raw holds his own, Q-tip hits you with some really soulful and heartful rhymes and Common kills it with his usual wit and clever observations on his song. All of the mc's touch on many different subjects throughout the album; dealing with everything from everyday life in urban America to controversial takes on Religion and Politics. And that's just the lyrics, the music itself is a cornucopia of sounds. There are many different styles of music represented in hip hop form on this album. They hit you with everything from jazz to opera all in the form of minimalist hip hop beats. This is basic purist hip hop at its best. For all of you who have grown tired and weary of the sad state that hip hop is in today, allowing yourself to indulge in this album will remind you of exactly what it is that is so great about hip hop music. I encourage you all to take a listen.

The Roots (Black Thought,Malik B., Hub, ?uestlove,Rahzel,Kamal) third album "Illadelph Halflife" (1996) is one of those good albums that is bound to be slept on. My introduction to Philadelphia's best came on there 2nd release "Do You Want More?!!.." an album I got from a friend on my birthday. I really enjoyed that album as I enjoy this one, though I missed out on "Illadeph Halflife" when it dropped originally (in my defense 96 was a year with a lot of good music, making it easy to miss out on some albums). Executive produced by Richard Nicholas this comes through as an eighteen track release excluding intro/outro that is. Guest appearances come from the likes of Common Sense, Dice Raw, with vocals from several performers notably Raphael Saadiq & D'Angelo. "Respond/React" gets things started with a lyrical barrage, a strong track. This is followed up by tracks like "Section" a more mellow low key track with a dope beat and "Panic!!!!" a track about street life and the ominous sounding "It Just Don't Stop". Track eight "What they Do" is my favourite joint on this release, a very impressive soulful combination of R&B/Hip Hop which runs at just under six minutes. Roots sound a bit crazy on "Concerto of Desparado" which is followed up by albums lead single "Clones" which has Roots coming out hard while representing themselves and talking about wack MC's. "Universe at War" features Common, and is a decent collabration track. "No Alibi" is another standout track I like. Laid back tracks like "No Great Pretender" and "The Hypnotic" follow and are enhanced by some nice smooth background vocals. Last standout track for me is "One Shine" an impressive jazzed up track, which features no lyricism, instead sampling a variety of intrumentals and vocals. The Roots "Illadelph Halflife" is another solid album from a Hiphop group that even now continues to be underated and slept on, highly recommend checking out this album it does not disappoint.

I admit it, I was very late on this album. I just got it two weeks ago. But, as the saying goes, better late than never.
On "Illadelph Halflife," The Roots take it to a whole other level. "Do You Want More? " was classic material, but this is a far better album overall.
Philly's finest kick things off with the bangin "Respond/React." From here on, it's nothing but sheer brilliance. A perfect blend of bangin, street-edged tracks and smooth, jazzy, melodious tracks.

"Sections," "Push Up Ya Lighter," "Concerto Of The Desperado," "Clones," "UNIverse At War," and "Ital" (featuring Q-Tip), are all bangin, flawless tracks. Then "Episodes," "What They Do," "No Alibi," "The Hypnotic," and "One Shine," are all well-crafted smooth, jazzy tracks. "No Great Pretender" is easily the best track on this album, and it may be one of the greatest tracks of all time. If not one of the greatest, definitely one of the SMOOTHEST. The JFN's work on this track is beautiful.
And no Roots album would feel complete without Ursula Rucker's poetry. This album delivers there too, with "The Adventures In Wonderland." I love everything about "Illadelph Halflife." The lyrics (Black Thought is a genious on this album), the beats, the guest appearances, the diversity, and every other aspect an album is judged on. If you don't have this album, I very highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed!

Illadelph Halflife is not the first Roots cd that I heard but it might as well be the last. As an owner of this cd as well as "Do You Want More?!!!??!", and "Things Fall Apart", I can safely say that 'Halflife' is my personal favourite. Track after track of genuine real and seemingly unpolished hiphop this album just doesnt quit. If you're looking to find advice on which roots cd you should pick up next, I think I'm answering that question and hopefully without doubt. This album belongs in a hiphop hall of fame along with Resurrection by Common Sense. We all remember commons views on why he 'Used to love H.E.R.' and the same morals lie within 'Halflife' as well. Track 7 "UNIverse at War" features com' spittin' back and forth with Black Thought for some of thee best flowing lyrics I have EVER heard. The message behind track 5 "It Just Dont Stop" is an exlpicit version of what should be taught in schools. Lesson being, hear with your ears and leave your eyes out of it. Easily one of the best hiphop albums ever created if not albums period.

The Roots are a group that truly is one of the best hip-hop groups out there. The first album i bought of theirs was "come alive" and i must have listened to it for 4 months. They bring true meaning to hip hop and there is a story and a lesson in almost all their songs. Black thought has amazing flow, and Hubbard, Questlove,Scratch, Rahzel and malik B all contribute to The Roots definitive sound.Once you here Illadelph Half life you will be a hard core fan and want all their Cds (organix, Do you want more?, Things fall apart, The Legendary, Come Alive and several imports.)Songs such as Clones, Concerto of the desperado and Hypnotic are true hip hop classics.Buy this CD!

In 1994, The Roots dropped their amazing second album entitled "Do You Want More?!!!??!". It was jazzy, featuring Steve Coleman playing the saxophone in many songs with a few other guest horn appearances. Rahzel even vocally beatboxed for Dice Raw's debut as a 15-year-old freestyling for over 2 minutes nonstop on "The Lesson, Pt. 1".

1999 came with The Roots' fourth album, "Things Fall Apart". It had futuristic jazz melodies in songs such as "The Next Movement" (featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff) and "Act Too: The Love of My Life" with old school hits like "Dynamite!" and "Double Trouble".

In between all of this was their "transition album," known as "Illadelph Halflife". This CD is when they first showed their permenant white-boy keyboardist, Kamal, and when Scratch made his debut.

The album starts off with "Respond/React" and "Section", which are excellent tracks to open up the album. "Respond/React" is more of the modern type of hip-hop that you hear on TFA, while "Section" is a lighter, jazzier song that could have fit on "Do You Want More?!!!??!" very easily. The two styles mix together on the track "Push up ya Lighter" (featuring Bahamadia), which is one of the top tracks on the album. "Clones" is a fun and wild song, probably the best on the CD. It has two of The Roots' friends Dice Raw and Mars Co.-Op, which makes those 5 minutes as interesting as "Essaywhuman?!!!??!". "The Hypnotic" is a jazzy, slow track that makes this CD legendary. "One Shine" has no real rapping, just a few vocals not very noticable put in by Black Thought. "No Great Pretender" is Rahzel's traditional vocal beatbox song, and "? vs. Scratch (the Token DJ's Cut)" is where Scratch gets his first shot at being with The Roots.

Overall, this CD is what you should get to see how the Legendary Roots Crew transitions from baby group to grown-up, mature band. Kamal's keys are laid-back and relaxed, Hub's basslines are sweet (I've been trying to play some off this album since I can finally afford one of the damn instruments), and ?uestlove's beats are tight as usual. For all you downloaders out there, get "Clones", "Concerto of the Desperado", "The Hypnotic", "Push up ya Lighter", "Ital (the Universal Side)" (featuring Q-tip of ATCQ), and "No Alibi".

PS: "The Tipping Point" comes out July 13th!

PPS: Okayplayer True Notes Vol. 1 comes out tomorrow! Buy it!!!

Personally, Illadelph Halflife is my favorite album by The Roots, and that's saying a lot because The Roots have a very strong discography.

This album mixes a lot of different styles of music into one. The first half of the album is a bit more guitar-oriented, while the other half is more jazz influenced, and there are DJ shorts in between. Black Thought doesn't disappoint with his lyrics as usual. Personally, I'm feelin the jazz tracks more. 'No Great Pretender', 'The Hypnotic', 'Ital', and 'One Shine' are my favorite tracks and in my opinion worth the purchase.

Definitely recommended.