ClubHooligan.com - Burning it up at both ends

Web posted August 30, 2007

Kweli remains relevant, Ritter on an experiment

Talib Kweli "Eardrum" ★★★

Returning with what could be a make-or-break sixth album, Talib Kweli, the pigeonholed "conscious MC" from Brooklyn, remains relevant, if not perfect. With high-profile guests like Kanye West, Norah Jones, Justin Timberlake and Musiq on board, it's clear he's at his best tag-teaming with former Black Star partner Mos Def (not on Eardrum). "Hostile Gospel, Pt. 1 (Deliver Us)," a multilayered beat heavy on churchy keys and a heavenly gospel chorus, is classic Kweli. "Listen!!!" delivers the tried-and-true boom-bap, while the will.i.am-produced "Hot Thing" showcases Kwe's sultry sass. "Eat to Live" offers phenomenally positive messaging but fails as a well-put-together song. "Eardrum" dishes on faith, hip-hop, black self-love and black self-worth better than most.

Josh Ritter "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter" ★★★★

Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter's fourth full-length CD has him sporting not only a new record label, but also a new sound - one that clearly straddles the line between Americana and straight-out rock 'n' roll. While Idahoan Ritter hasn't completely turned away from his trademark introspective folk musings, the cheekily titled "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter" is his most sonically experimental effort to date, and one that seems deliberately designed to push him out of the "guy-with-a-guitar" category. Produced by longtime collaborator/keyboardist Sam Kassirer, "Historical Conquests" smartly plays to Ritter's strengths: rapid-fire wordplay bolstered by sharp imagery, and a knack for clean melodies. He stretches but never strains on all 14 tracks, including the Dylanesque opener, "To the Dogs or Whoever," and the soulful, radio-friendly "Right Moves."