All this build-up is making me dizzy. Wake me up when Rising Down drops.

TRU regular Walter saw the boys from Philly last night and loved it.
Peep his brief account of the show below. (more…)

The Roots performed “Star Spangled Banner” on Colbert Report last night. Perfect avenue. Perfect timing. And, given the current political climate, perfect choice of musicians. Captain Kirk really killed it. But if you’ve ever seen these fellas live, then his guitarrific performance shouldn’t surprise you.

On another note, I’m mad at Colbert; he has a copy of Rising Down and I don’t.

[Thanks to Shawn @ Wiredset]

Oh boy, music videos are raining like confetti today.

Check out The Roots’ “Birthday Girl” video featuring adult entertainer Sasha Grey (but with no adult entertainment).
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Ian says: “Video is garbage - the unofficial one from a while back is KILLIN’ this.”

Cosign that to the fullest. If you missed it, here’s the unofficial one from a while back.

Rising Down (Hum Drum)
Alternate version of Rising Down’s title track. [via: Okayplayer]

Featuring D.C. whiz kid Wale and Def Jam songbird Chrisette Michele.

Definitely better than “Birthday Girl,” but I don’t know if it’ll work as a single.

Photo © Ginny Suss

The Roots heard all your griping and decided to axe “Birthday Girl” from Rising Down.

“We told you a few weeks ago that “Birthday Girl” could easily get dropped off of Rising Down. We received word over the weekend that the song is now the International Single and will be an iTunes exclusive. It will not appear on the North American release.”[via OKP, by way of Eskay]

I haven’t heard Rising Down in its entirety, so it’s hard to say whether this move will strengthen the album or detract from it. But I will say this: When the dust finally settles, yanking “Birthday Girl” will be perceived as the move that single-handedly made or marred Rising Down.