The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Music
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Download  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features  |  New England Music News
--> -->

Talib Kweli

Ear Drum | Warner Bros.
By MATTHEW GASTEIER  |  August 20, 2007
3.0 3.0 Stars
insidetalibkwelieardrum
Although Talib Kweli consolidated his place among the underground hip-hop elite with his last two albums, the talented Brooklyn-born rapper hasn’t had a consistent full-length since he teamed up with producer Hi-Tek seven years ago on Train of Thought. Ear Drum doesn’t reach the highs of that far more ambitious and sprawling album, but it’s a welcome return to form. Kweli’s lyrics lean toward feel-good consciousness, but his points are sharp, and he’s confident enough to experiment with flows in ways he hasn’t before, stunting syllables and shifting around emphasis as he bounces over the jazzy rhythms with which he works best. Previous collaborators like Kanye West, Madlib, and Hi-Tek complement him with strong beats; even Will.i.am steps up, notably on the vocal-tweaking “Hot Thing.” But it’s with UGK and the smooth and nice beat on “Country Cousins” that Kweli shines, holding his own next to the Southern kings and proving he’ll be worth checking for well into his second decade.
Related:
  Topics: CD Reviews , Talib Kweli , Talib Kweli , Entertainment ,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

Today's Event Picks
ARTICLES BY MATTHEW GASTEIER
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   UGK  |  September 18, 2007
    Underground Kingz | Jive
  •   TALIB KWELI  |  August 20, 2007
    Ear Drum | Warner Bros.
  •   SKILL RIDE  |  July 17, 2007
    Pharoahe Monch’s timely return
  •   THE HATE-LOVE-HATE CYCLE  |  June 18, 2007
    Inescapable seasonal charttoppers
  •   DIZZEE RASCAL  |  June 12, 2007
    Maths + English | XL

 See all articles by: MATTHEW GASTEIER

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 
HOT TOPICS
 More Topics . . .
LATEST SLIDESHOWS

All Slideshows



Monday, December 01, 2008  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2008 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group