Talib Kweli: EARDRUM

Did You Hear That


An Album Review By Nfared

Talib is one of the greatest. Sure his name may not be tossed around with yout latest luxury car name dropping, gun toting, pant sagging, uh-- "Hip-Hop Star", but honestly, this is probably not a bad thing. Talib has always offered that variety, a different from the norm factor that makes him interesting. This can be a gift- Talib is an amazing lyricist with a distinctive sound-, or a course- he rarely gets the recognition due him. Either way though, with his 2007 release "EARDRUM", Talib is determined to do what he loves the way he wants to do it, regardless of the outcome.

Talib creates something of an ode to home with "NY Weather Report", a track that to documents his survival while at the same time creating a feel for the amazing city New York is, especially with, "It's my blood/sweat/tears/years/of struggle/love/hate/fear/New York City/you can make it here you can make it anywhere." In a groundbreaking coming together of musical coasts, the South and North come toegther on the album standout "Country Cousins". Talib tells his side; "Growing up in Brooklyn/shit I thought everybody talked this way/raised on Rakim and RUN D.M.C so I thought everybody walked this way/we fresh/we chill/we def/we ill/was just some things I was taught to say/...E-40 hold it down in Yay/N.W.A in L.A./OutKast in the Atown/way down in Houson they play UGK...most New Yorkers got family in North and South Carolina." Then Bun B releases his memories; "Growin up in PA/I knew nobody out there talk like us/Nothing but that country slang/what up dawg/what up cuz.../listening to Eric B. Rakim or EPMD...plus that Public Enemy." The chorus puts everyone together in one happy family, "It's nothing/I'm from New York but I got country cousins/it's nothing/we stay connected by the slang we bussin." Talib goes straight educational with "Eat To Live". On this track, knowlege falls like rain; "...White sugar is so addictive it's pure cane/they got pork in the Sunny D/...in Africa they starving ova here the food hurt you/cows going mad and the chickin caught the bird flu." Kayne West was probably in the studio patting himself on the back after creating the sounds-like-nothing-else production on "In The Mood". Though Talib goes slightly elementary at parts; "I know you into me so/let me get into you..." the total concept (love) is hard to ignore. On "Stay Around" talib gets it off his chest by mocking his adversaries, or maybe just people with friendly advise, "Kweli you should rap about this/you should rap about that/anymore suggestions/you in the back/yeah you/you should rap on beat/you should rap more street/and neva eva get your mack on please..." The album ends with a smooth message from the heart on "The Nature", featuring yes. Justin Timberlake. Talib sums up the sentiment at the beginnng of the song with "It's kinda hard to keep faith in the things you do/when everybody turns their back on you."

Needle Meter
This album is amazing, period. From the production, to the lyrics, the total concept is mind blowing. Talib has created one of the best most thoughtful albums of his career with "EARDRUM". What's more, the album is a purchase pleaser with 20, count em, 20 tracks!! This many tracks from one of the greatest artists of our time is definitely worth the trip to the music store. Hip-Hop is not dead! Thanks talib.

Five Needles- CLASSIC ALBUM!

 

 

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