Taproot Albums Ranked

Taproot is an American alternative metal band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, formed in 1997. They are best known for their hit single “Poem”, which peaked at #5 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 2002, as well as a number of other singles from 2000 on. Taproot was formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan by vocalist Stephen Richards, guitarist Mike DeWolf, bassist Phil Lipscomb, and drummer Jarrod Montague. The band earned a following with their live performances. In 1998, Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit frontman, Fred Durst, after seeing a request for demos on their first album. Impressed with the material, Durst offered to get Taproot a recording contract through Interscope Records. However, after extended negotiations, Taproot decided to look elsewhere and finally landed a record deal with Atlantic Records. Durst heavily cursed the band on vocalist Stephen Richards’ answering machine. Here are all of Taproot albums ranked.

Never miss out on the music of Taproot. Click below and listen to their most memorable songs of all time.

8. Upon Us

“This is Taproot’s second independently released album, and they slightly improved on their underground debut. However some of these songs will feature in a more improved version on their major label debut, because here they sound pretty sloppy.”

7. Plead the Fifth

“I will say they come back to form a bit but also feel like they are trying to hard to be what they were in “Welcome” and “Blue-Sky Research” still a very solid album with they band maybe enjoying themselves again. “Fractured” truly is one of their best songs in a long time. “Release Me” is very interesting, defiantly not comparable to almost anything else they have ever done. “Trophy WiFi” is just catchy as hell. I must admit though, they full achieve form with “Stolage” almost like every note on this song they know what they are wanting, good job guys.”

6. …Something More Than Nothing

“These dudes got a lot of hype from their “controversy” with Limp Bizkit back in the day, but I liked this demo more than I liked any of their albums that came later. It’s an example of a band that’s better before they’re set up for marketing, in contrast to someone like System of a Down, who did alright in their transition from cassette and CDR demos to major label records. It’s pretty gritty and fairly standard rap-metal by 2018 standards, but these guys definitely tried to carve out their own little niche and as far as I was concerned I rooted them on all the way.”

5. Our Long Road Home

“Their softest album as well as their weakest conceptually. “Path Less Taken” “Hand That Holds True” and “Footprints” are very nice and more sensitive than just depressing for Taproot’s older stuff. While “Wherever I stand” “Karmaway” and “Take It” ring the best of what Taproot is all about, dark, confused by their own self and still fighting to look for what they are searching for. Im not sure why Taproot toned it down on this album, but im glad they didn’t stay that way.”

See more: W.A.S.P. Albums Ranked

4. The Episodes

“Two years after releasing Plead the Fifth, Taproot is back in the studio. The end result was The Episodes, a kind of interesting album reminiscent of some Deftones albums. The Episodes is quite a typical Alternative album, good atmosphere and rather pleasant lyrics. My grade will be 4.0; due to the creativity of making a different album, but without leaving much of what was done in the previous albums.”

3. Blue-Sky Research

“he innovation in this album is shown. The powerful “Facepeeler” is followed by the catchy “Calling”. I must mention “Promise” is the most bouncy song you’ll ever hear by Taproot. It’s actually a delightfully soothing change. The final song “Blue-Sky Research/What’s Left” is exactly what got my hopes up. A sutle, soft acoustic starts the song, but wait… what’s that sound? An awkward buzz slowly approaches and the second half begins. Somehow, Taproot contains both an uplifting and vengeful tone. That’s what Blue-Sky Research is all about.”

2. Welcome

“I had only heard a couple of songs by Taproot before this album, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. However I was very impressed, I like it how there’s a good mix of soft songs and harder songs. My fave songs would have to be “Poem”, “Art”, “Myself”, “Dreams” and “Time”.

1. Gift

“Taproot’s debut album doesn’t break any more new ground than the overnight successes in the rap-core genre, but has a suprisingly accessable and melodic approach to the genre. The album opener “smile” and the lead single “again & again” have glorious hooks that instantly drew me to this band. They seem to have a more serious way of representing the rap-core that can easily be mishandled, but has definitly not been on this album.”