...I've given Eardrum a few listens and I give it a thumbs up.It's certainly better than alot of what passes for hip-hop these days. Talib Kweli has always put forth a slick product and his ability to flow smooth is evident on this as well. Despite lackluster production I can groove on some of the heavier horn sections in "Eat To Live" and "In The Mood".

Content-wise I've gone on record as being a pretty harsh critic of modern hip-hop. Negativity for the sake of negativity or records that glorify ignorance and anti-social behavior don't play with me. Kweli, as always, straddles that fine line between positivity and discussions of the ironic qualities of urban existence. "Silicon Booty" indeed.

It's interesting you would mention Mos Def, though I suppose the two will remain "intertwined" due to their history. I found some of the more soulful passages on Eardrum had me reminiscing about Jill Scott's "Collaborations".

A good disc for a smooth bump on the ride home.