Eardrum
by Talib Kweli

Album details

US: 21 August 2007 on Warner Bros. / Blacksmith
UK: 3 September 2007 on Warner Bros.

The rapper’s long-delayed sixth album includes production from Kanye West, will.i.am, Madlib, and Hi-Tek and appearances by Norah Jones, Justin Timberlake, KRS-One, UGK, and Jean Grae. It is Kweli’s first release on his own Blacksmith label.

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The critical consensus

One of the foremost purveyors of "conscious" rap returns just in time to get a three-week head start on Kanye West, and only a few weeks following Common’s newest release. Is the timing right for another Talib Kweli disc, and can it correct the mistakes that made his prior two albums disappointments?

Yes, says Amazon: "Ear Drum marks a milestone in the Kweli catalogue." The Hartford Courant praises the rapper, stating the album is "alternately angry, ambitious and Afrocentric, but always sounds like the work of the same artist." Entertainment Weekly also provides a glowing review, commenting, "A procession of sharp cuts, Eardrum is a glimmering example of what polished rap can be when it’s endorsement-free." The Washington Post finds "a full album of sophisticated sampling, cunning wordplay and passionate songcraft," while Harp calls it "about as musically accessible as a hip-hop record gets." The Onion concludes, "While other rappers pump out music for ringtones, Kweli makes art for the ages." Kweli even coaxed a glowing 5-star review out of Now Magazine–no small feat.

Other critics liked the album, with reservations. Blender comments that "Kweli’s rigid delivery and obsession with self-empowerment remain liabilities." Artist Direct says the album "sags" a bit from too many collaborators, but otherwise decides "Kweli’s determination, enthusiasm and lyrical agility remain irresistible." All Music Guide says Kweli is overextended on his new album, noting, "At 20 tracks and nearly 80 minutes, Eardrum is both too much and too little, never quite understanding exactly what it needs to be." Vibe notes that the album "lacks cohesiveness," while Billboard finds the album simply too overstuffed, but definitely likes portions of it. And Rolling Stone’s Robert Christgau declares, "The man simply lacks spark," while Spin finds that it is Kweli’s voice that’s lacking.

Sexual and spiritual, conscious and just plain fun, Eardrum is a master class in lyricism from a man supremely comfortable in his own skin.

- Nathan Rabin, The Onion

Review roundup

Tracklisting and media

1. Everything Man
2. My Weather Report
3. Hostile Gospel, Pt. 1 (Deliver Us)
4. Say Something
5. Country Cousins
6. Holy Moly
7. Eat to Live
8. In the Mood
9. Soon the New Day
10. Give ‘Em Hell
11. More or Less
12. Stay Around
13. Hot Thing
    
    
14. Space Fruit (Interlude)
15. Perfect Beat
16. Oh My Stars
17. Listen!!!
    
    
18. Go with Us
19. Hostile Gospel, Pt. 2 (Deliver Me)
20. Nature

Also on the web

• Official Artist Site
• Talib Kweli @ MySpace