All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Entertainment Weekly

A procession of sharp cuts. [24 Aug 2007, p.133]

100

NOW Magazine

Kweli's curse- 'n' cliché-free rhyme-ripping proves he needs no help on the microphone. He outshines his celebrated guests, including labelmate Grae, KRS-One, Norah Jones (!), Sonia Sanchez, UGK's Pimp C and Bun B, Musiq Soulchild and Raheem DeVaughn.

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RapReviews.com

Talib Kweli has made the career-defining work that his fans have been expecting for nearly a decade.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

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

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Filter

The production work throughout provides a head-bobbing, arm-waving backdrop to Kweli’s lyrical genius, exactly as it should.

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Mojo

Ear Drum confirms Kweli's position as an icon. [Oct 2007, p.106]

Village Voice

Ear Drum marks the self-proclaimed BK MC's third full-length feature, and astoundingly, it's a captivating, cocksure rejoinder to everyone who abandoned him.

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PopMatters

I Think, one of Talib Kweli's major goals with his music is to speak to (and from the vantage point of) groups that have been marginalized from "the norm." Ear Drum comes mighty close to reaching that goal, with only a few stumbles along the way.

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The Phoenix

Ear Drum doesn’t reach the highs of that far more ambitious and sprawling album ["Train of Thought"], but it’s a welcome return to form.

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Pitchfork

He's made a nice to return to form, crafting a mature album that nods to his past without being a retread.

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All Music Guide

At 20 tracks and nearly 80 minutes, Eardrum is both too much and too little, never quite understanding exactly what it needs to be.

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Billboard

There are enough different feels and flows to dazzle listeners with Kweli's dexterity, but some judicious editing could have produced something perhaps even more impressive.

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Blender

Kweli’s rigid delivery and obsession with self-empowerment remain liabilities.

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Hot Press

Kweli's collaborative work has set the bar so high that his solo efforts routinely fail to meet these exalted expectations.

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Rolling Stone

Though it's admirably consistent and pretty darn OK, it lacks a knockout track to counterbalance the complaints about the King James Bible and swine toothpaste.

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Observer Music Monthly

He's back on his own terms, those of the earnest hyper-intelligent bookworm who won the plaudits of Jay-Z and 50 Cent, and sounding a lot more comfortable, with 'Hostile Gospel' and 'Say Something' re-staking a claim for the hip hop high ground over beats that are soulful and sonically coherent.

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Vibe

Eardrum lacks cohesiveness. [August 2007, p.75]

Prefix Magazine

Kweli shows again that he deserves the respect he receives, but Eardrum is simply not cohesive enough.

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Uncut

Kweli, whose wordy rhymes can often read better than they flow, sounds nimble and at ease most of the time. [Oct 2007, p.96]

Spin

Though Kweli can't change his voice he was born with, he needs to figure out how to make it as compelling as his material. [Sep 2007, p.133]

Q Magazine

Articulate and thoughtful as Kweli's rhymrs are, few of the star producers he's invited along rise to the occasion. [Sep 2007, p.95]

Dusted Magazine

Ear Drum is his sprawling, messy 2007 manifesto, loaded with rhymes that take weeks to unpack, to say nothing of the bizarre diversity of producers and guests.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
It's real.

Kyle Z. gave it a10:
Album of the year. Hands down. Production from long time partner Hi-Tek on More or Less is phenomenal. The quintessential Hip-Hop album.

Edward H gave it a10:
He is a freekin' genius I have neva seen anyone outshine UGK not anyone, neva eva. But he doez it, his like tha lyrical perfection of Nas, Kanye West, and Jay z all in one. One of NY'z Finest, correction one of tha rap games finest, pure genius and raw rappin' talent dat is true and really really inspirational. Keep doin' yo thang man. Its rappers Iike you dat I live 2 hear in rap muzik.

prolifik gave it a9:
Solid album from start to finish, way better and consistent than Beautiful Struggle

Milton R. gave it a9:
This is by far the best hip hop album to come out in 2007! No doubt about it.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
This album really speaks to the people!

moe m. gave it a10:
Classic record.

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