Eardrum (2007)

HIP-HOPE Talib Kweli's Eardrum is his most accessible CD yet

We knew this indie rhymer was clever, but ambitious? Yes! Corralling production help from Kanye West and will.i.am, Talib Kweli delivers his most accessible CD yet — his raspy cadence playing off vintage-soul samples, explosive horns, and trembling bass lines. It's a groovy jam session with thinky lyrics about decadence (''Soon the New Day,'' featuring Norah Jones) and empowerment (''More or Less''). A procession of sharp cuts, Eardrum is a glimmering example of what polished rap can be when it's endorsement-free. A
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