Pitchfork

Front page photo by Natalie Kardos

The upcoming presidential election has everyone feeling political, and the Roots are no different. In a press release, group backbone/mouthpiece ?uestlove calls Rising Down, the Roots' forthcoming 10th (!) album, "probably our most political album to date, dealing with addiction, nihilism, hypocritical double standards in the prison system, and overall life in Philadelphia." But don't worry, rap fans, ?uest also says the record is "not a 'downer,' as most people expect us to do."

Nonetheless, the Game Theory follow-up's title comes from a William T. Vollmann treatise on violence, and its release date-- April 29 (via Def Jam)-- is also the 16th anniversary of the riots that consumed Los Angeles after the police officers accused of beating Rodney King were acquitted. That is to say, "downer" or not, Rising Down offers plenty of chances to get worked up.

As for the music, Rising Down features guest appearances from Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Peedi Crakk, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Saigon, Styles P, Wale, and someone unfortunately named P.O.R.N. Perhaps most notable though is Fall Out Boy singer Patrick Stump's appearance on first single "Birthday Girl".

The Roots have North American tour dates to keep them busy until the album comes out.

Rising Down:

01 The Pow Wow
02 Rising Down [ft. Mos Def and Styles P]
03 Get Busy [ft. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk and DJ Jazzy Jeff]
04 @15
05 75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)
06 (Time Up)
07 Criminal [ft. Saigon and Truck North]
08 I Will Not Apologize [ft. P.O.R.N. and Dice Raw]
09 I Can't Help It [ft. Malik B and P.O.R.N.]
10 Singing Man [ft. Truck North and P.O.R.N.]
11 Up There (Unwritten) [ft. Mercedes Martinez]
12 Lost Desire [ft. Talib Kweli and Malik B]
13 The Show [ft. Common]
14 Rising Up [ft. Chrisette Michele and Wale]
15 Birthday Girl [ft. Patrick Stump]

The Roots:

03-29 Decatur, IL - Millikin University
03-30 Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
04-05 Austin, TX - University of Texas
04-07 Bloomington, IN - Indiana University
04-09 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
04-11 Killington, VT - Pickle Barrel
04-12 Boston, MA - Northeastern University
04-16 West Lafayette, IN - Purdue University
04-17 Pittsburgh, PA - Carnegie Mellon University
04-18 St. Louis, MO - Webster University
04-20 Washington, DC - Green Apple Festival
04-23 Durham, NC - Duke University
04-24 Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
04-25 Charlotte, NC - Amos' South End
04-26 Towson, MD - Tigerfest (Towson University)
05-03 New Orleans, LA - Jazz & Heritage Festival
05-04 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
08-08 Jersey City, NJ - All Points West Festival