"Phrenology" is the fifth studio album from standard bearers for rap's underground, The Roots. For years they were music's nearly men, unable to translate respect and admiration into multi-platinum sales. But 1999's "Things Fall Apart", won them a Grammy nomination and their profile since has been much higher. They provided live backing for Jay-Z on his MTV Unplugged set, while drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson has become an in-demand session player and producer, working with D'Angelo, Bilal and Erykah Badu among others.
"Prenology" is the result of years of gradual forward motion, a record which luxuriates in its own sense of confidence, belying the often troubled three years that went into it. "Phrenology" respects no boundaries: "Water" is a 10-minute, three movement piece, while "!!!!!!!" is 24 seconds of hardcore thrash punk; "The Seed (2.0)" shows that The Roots can do funky psychedelia, and "Quills" samples, of all things, Swing Out Sister's "Breakout". But at its heart this is rap of the highest order, the band's instrumental prowess adding both edge and centre to a sizzling, crisp production, while Black Thought's adds some bile to his trademark lyrical erudition and vocal precision. They're still a hip-hop group, but The Roots are a class apart. --"Angus Batey"