The Roots Perform at Miller Oasis

July 4th, 2008 – Miller Oasis – Milwaukee, WI

Since their first album nearly ten years ago, The Roots have stood by two things. First, they are open to a continual artistic evolution and advancement. Secondly, their music represents an ideological dialogue on issues of politics, economic inequalities and civil rights. With this in mind, when The Roots took the stage tonight at the Miller Oasis, they proceeded to represent themselves perfectly.

I had hoped the crowd would be somewhat smaller than expected considering the loads of fans that chose to forego the Summerfest crowd in favor of guaranteed entrance at Questlove’s Stonefly after party. But I was sadly mistaken. The venue screamed overcrowded as festival goers filled every bleacher, isle and open space.

The Roots began with a showcase of their album history; playing Star off the Tipping Point and Long Time from Game Theory in the first few minutes. The show included beloved Roots anthems like Din Da Da, Mellow My Man, Here I Come, the Seed and The Next Movement.

Mid-show The Roots offered a history lesson in hip-hop. The lesson streamed together song moments from dozens of artists including Old Dirty Bastard, Talib Kweli, Biz Markie and Kanye West.

The lesson fit perfectly. As artists, The Roots continuously emphasize the importance of continuity and evolution; referring to albums not as conclusive productions but as a minor piece in a much larger compilation of work. Their chronicled maturity remains central to lyrical themes and reveals a compulsory consideration of the past in their vision of the future. Tonight’s playlist undeniably attested to the presence of the past in their creative expression.

It was a constant dance party on stage as the forcefully intense lyrics pushed band members into collective motion. In one of very few nods to their new album, Rising Down, The Roots played the single Rising Up. Despite just releasing the album in April 2008, the band kept promotional overkill to a minimum.

Critics have hailed Rising Down as a negative stream of griping and protestation. True, the album is far from light hearted or carefree but as musical social commentary it is acutely honest.

Several critics have claimed that hip-hop must have an upbeat aesthetic to be industry viable; but in consideration of artists like KRS One and Public Enemy, I respectfully disagree.

Rising Down builds on the melodic aggression of 2006’s Game Theory and although the outcome is considerably more intense and forceful it is absolutely relevant.

The Roots also gave airtime to political and social motivations tonight. Political statements addressed the death of Senator Jesse Helms, the need to vote and the war in Iraq. In honor of their decreed disdain for the current administration, the band played Bob Dylan’s Masters of War. The song was beautifully sung by Captain Kirk Douglas but given the oversized venue, any united impact was lost on its way into the crowd.
While most bands tend to appease label expectations as their careers continue, that has never been the case for the Roots. The Roots closed the show with crowd pleasing favorites from Phrenology, Things Fall Apart and Game Theory.

Unarguably the most angry, disturbed, ventful album of their career, Rising Down takes what were motivations for social and ideological action in previous albums to warnings of destruction and disgust today.

The album features slew of guest artists including Common, Talib Kweli and personal favorite Mos Def which only solidifies feelings of desperation and disgust amoung some of the most pointedly influential musicians in the hip-hop industry.

(As Published at www.OnMilwaukee.com)