With This Mic In My Hand is an album that immediately jumps out from the stack of CDs it sits upon – and for several reasons. First, in addition to two skilled producer/emcees, the group features instrumentation uncommon in hip-hop these days, including Spanish guitar, reversed bass, tempo shifts, and even a symphonic track called The Right Angle. Second, Engineers in Your Ear are a hip-hop group rooted deeply in conscious dialogue. Of the twelve tracks in With This Mic In My Hand, there is not one that fails to comment on current events, self-reflection, or humanitarian unity in every song they write. But what impressed me the most about E.Y.E.’s With This Mic In My Hand was the manner in which the group presented their views within the music. While many conscious hip-hop acts can come across as preachy, angry or negative, Engineers in Your Ear do not. Their lyrics are optimistic and inspiring, and the presence of the band creates a live show vibe that is celebratory and refreshing. The head nodder of the album is undoubtedly the album’s opening musical track, Doctor on the beat. This song depends on piano chords and drum grooves that are masterfully intertwined with well-placed bass and lead melody parts. The beat bounces back and forth, relying on the groove for the verses and the lead melody for the hook in order to provide a canvas for switching flows and background vocals. Other hits include the thoughtful, inspirational track My Own, the fast paced lyrical 180 Degrees, and a straight up original Fast Life. Watch the music video for the song Planet Earth on YouTube! E.Y.E. is also in the works of many different collaborations. If you have any suggestions, comments, knowledge, or would like to collab, leave a message or comment.