#earfear

Ear Fear by Erin Kim (erinkimart.tumblr.com/)

Let's get something out of the way right now... I have never reviewed an album, so please bear with me as I attempt this difficult task. Moving on...

earFear is a hip-hop duo from right here in Little Rock, Arkansas. 607 (Adrian) and Bobby Tillman are not new to the scene in Little Rock. These two have been putting out albums for years, both solo and as a team. earFear, which is the name of their newest project, has released 3 albums in the last 6 months alone! Needless to say, these guys aren't afraid to work and "G33KS GON3 W!LD" shows.

The first track, "Geeks Stay Fly" opens with a great beat and a melodic hook. 607 opens the first verse with passion and grit. Just a heads up, the duo has not censored themselves as 607 has done on solo albums in the past. Bobby stays true to his style with an energetic verse spoken with the voice of experience from the streets of Little Rock. "Gas Station," the next track on the album makes no effort to disguise its meaning. This track is simple and to the point. The life and times of a pusher doing business at gas stations. The production and beat on this track are well put together and easy to listen to. However, the lyrics are quite simple for 607, an artist that has historically chosen topics that play to the "smart" crowd.

The next track, "Butcher Knife" uses a horror theme in lyrics and hook. I love the snare and hi-hat tracks in the beat. I can already tell you that the beats on this album are, easily, the best we've heard from the duo. I was surprised to hear 2Pac AND Kanye being called out in the album, but thought that both references were well placed and clever.

The next track, "Alone Tonight" catches your ear immediately. This is my personal favorite on the album. As a fan of southern hip-hop, I love the fast hi-hat that we heard so much about in the movie "Hustle and Flow." The beat is great, the hook is great and the lyrics are laid down as smooth as an R&B singer, with the aggression of a seasoned hip-hop artist. This track is a 10!

Next up is what I imagine will be the most popular track on the album. The video is already receiving rave reviews and Arkansas Times' blog, Rock Candies is calling it a contender for best music video for the 2011 Little Rock Film Festival. I love everything about this track. 

The lyrics are SO true.

It's hilarious.

It's clever.

It's very, very catchy and you WILL hear it on airwaves in Little Rock. 

The rest of the album contains great production work with beats, rythyms and hooks that will have you spinning this album over and over. The group continues their tradition of using non-traditional samples. earFear never ceases to amaze with at least 1 sample that will make your jaw drop.  In the past, we've heard Neal Young, LaRoux, and on this album, Conjure One. Who does that? No one! Especially in the local hip-hop community.