"Dear Diary, the fans still swear by me/Even though I'm Late Night now like 'Here's Johnny'" That's the most resounding statement in The Roots' first album since signing on as the backing band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Don't get it twisted, the new gig hasn't changed a thing about the group. Black Thought is still calling out wack MCs for lack of creative vision, while making his case as one of the most consistent rhyme slingers around. His crew is still as wildly experimental as ever on How I Got Over.
Black Thought has always been a solid mid-range singer, even if he was reluctant to showcase this skill in the past. Thought works his vocal muscles in various ways throughout How I Got Over, singing on "How I Got Over" and employing sprechgesang (a vocal technique that splits the difference between singing and speaking) on "Walk Alone." His varied vocal stylings offer much needed variety on an album that sometimes plays like one long note.
Sprawling Sonical Palette
If you play the last three Roots albums back to back, you'd think How I Got Over was the third installment in a trilogy. Game Theory plays like the prelude to the apocalyptic-paranoia of Rising Down; How I Got Over is the median between the two. It strikes the perfect balance, even if it does so by retaining familiar themes from the other two albums. Sonically, though, it's a departure from the typical Roots sound.
A sprawling musical palette is the driving force behind How I Got Over. Meandering electric slides, lush piano loops, drawling bass, and brisk snares wrap around Black Thought's resolute voice. His lyrics take on the weight of the world, whether rapping about his late parents on the dreary "Dear God 2.0" (two victims of two different homicides) or giving a pep talk to his daughter on the bonus cut "Hustla." The lush arrangements provide the perfect backdrop for Black Thought and the cast of supporting MCs, as they explore the harsh realities of life with uncommon insight and depth.
Lean, Mean Philly Masterpiece
Inspired by the presence of greatness, the guests on How I Got Over excel alongside ?uestlove and co. Peedi Peedi has turned in so many impressive guest roles they might as well make him a permanent fixture. Dice Raw threatens to snatch the spotlight from Thought on three of his four guest appearances. Crooners Joanna Newsome, Patty Crash, and John Legend help provide the necessary glue to keep the album grounded.
After 40 minutes of soothing beats and pensive lyrics, The Roots unleash Black Thought on "Web 20/20," a lyrical exercise carved in the vein of "75 Bars" and "Web" from previous albums. Thought breaks out his lyrical kung fu while ?uestlove manhandles the drums. Concise, cohesive, and well executed, How I Got Over is a lean, mean Philly hip-hop masterpiece.
Top Tracks:- "The Day"
- "Walk Alone"
- "Web 20/20"
- "The Fire"
