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I didn’t know what to think of Talib Kweli after The Beautiful Struggle. The album fell somewhat below expectations, as his preceding effort, Quality, captivated hardcore hip-hop fans and mainstream audiences alike. Not to mention, the video for “Get By” was probably the first time most of us saw the face to go with then up-and-coming producer, Kanye West.  All things considered, Kweli remains one of the most passionate and energetic artists in hip-hop, and Ear Drum is a much-appreciated return to form.

Listening to the album, the beauty of it is its focus, given that Talib Kweli can tend to be a little too sporadic. Ear Drum feels like a singular listening experience where things build up and slow down in gradual intervals. You can appreciate every track individually, but you can also hear how each track leads perfectly into the next. “Everything Man”, with it’s soulful production courtesy of Madlib, and background vocals from Res, leads right into “NY Weather Report”, with its ominous funk beats, soul-claps, and DJ scratches. With Talib slowly drawing listeners in, “Say Something” has the right amount of kick at the perfect time, with its uptempo, pulse-pounding beat, and a lyrical assist from female MC, Jean Grae. Listening to the two trade verses has always been a treat, and with this particular track, it’s even more evident that they need to do a full album together. But once again, Talib decides to go for more of a laid-back vibe, teaming up with Houston rap group, UGK, and R&B singer, Raheem Devaughn for “Country Cousins”. It’s a great concept, as all the rappers reminisce on the rappers they grew up with, and how amazed and thrilled they were to discover how much they enjoyed artists and groups from outside their respective regions of the country.

While just about every track on the album is solid, there are plenty that standout above the rest. The aforementioned “Say Something” is close to being one of my favorite Talib Kweli tracks of all-time. In addition, collaborations from the likes of Norah Jones (“Soon the New Day”), will.i.am (“Hot Thing”), Kanye West w/Roy Ayers (“In the Mood”), and even Justin Timberlake (“The Nature”) are equally enjoyable, with subject matter varying from love and sex, to societal woes. 

All the while, Talib’s sheer lyricism is simply astounding. His command and manipulation of words sets him apart from even the most talented of MCs. One has to wonder when, if ever, he stops to even take a breath. Ear Drum is a perfectly balanced record, and one that I would dare to say even surpasses Quality. It’s a bold step in the right direction for an MC that’s finally starting to get his due.

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