Customer Reviews

Emergency Rations

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Lif is at the top of hip-hop now (much to chagrin of justice not commercially but....). Clocking in at 28:17, this EP packs more into 1/56 of that time than Ja Rule has put into his entire opus thus far. It opens with an informative-to-the-uninitiated but largely superfluous skit. So really this EP is down another 2:00. The album takes a path of hip-hop not often tread upon, real political analysis. Political hip-hop is not often done well artistically. No matter how much I agree with what Michael Franti might be spittin', the brotha just doesn't have skills on the mic. Lif however, is beyond reproach as a mc. His flow is superb and the rhymes are absolutely sick. On "Jugular Vein" Lif lays on slick rhymes over a driving beat with something like gothic overlay. "Heavy Artillery" is a hype track. It's high-energy rhymes and fast, heavy beats are a perfect intro for the albums high spot, track 4, "Home of the Brave". This tracks hits on the relevant issues of the hour. You might think it's easy given the transparency of Bush's motives in invading Afghanistan but try to make it rhyme and sound good and you'll see where Lif leaves behind simple agit-hip-prop and moves into art. A couple of additions to the CD version only, are two videos (Quicktime). One, a live performance of "Home of the Brave" and another for an outstanding track available here and on the C-Ox/Lif/et alii joint Coast to Coast, "Because They Made It That Way". Lif adds new depth to political hip-hop, joining the ranks of Dead Prez, The Coup, PE and others. In doing so, he proves that the message does not have to be sacrificed when producing art.

Dedicated Lif fans, boston underground fans, concious hip-hop fans- you probably know this cd and should. for the rest out there . . .

for those of you not familiar with the boston hip-hop scene, here's the perfect introduction. First, its cheap- it'll cost you under $10 for a delicious EP, it flows seemlessly (though each track is descrete), and if you don't like the vibe, you haven't dropped much on it. Next- it epitomizes Boston rap in a few ways- the beats are raw, the lyrics are amazingly intricate (you might consider Lif paranoid based on his messages, but at least he's well informed and concoius- a breath of fresh air from the Nelly/Ludicrous/Jay-Z s' out there), and you won't see the flashy self absorbed style of the mainstream. He's rapping your knowledge and enjoyment, not his own image like the entire radio crew. This can provide the transition to rappers like Akrobatik, Esoteric, Edon, the whole Boston scene, not to mention other Lif Cds (buy I-Phantom, his newer LP)

Next, its a great intoduction into the amazing, fresh, orignal label DefJux: its got El-P, Cannibal Ox, Lif, Aesop Rock, Rjd2 (illest!!!). Music for an alternative, underground hip-hop listener looking for quality, not catchy, cheezy radio appeal.

Standout tracks include "heavy artillery" (its pretty hard) and "home or the brave" along with "get wise in '91."

Introduce yourself to something new.

I know, how could an EP be worth 5 stars? But the truth is, is that this EP is just as potent as Mr. Lif's critically acclaimed "I Phantom". The album also delivers a concept. The premise being that Mr. Lif has been kidnapped by unidentified government agents, and is now missing. Throughout the album's content, we find out that Lif's relentless attacks on civil rights, censorship, and U.S. foreign policy, is the reason that Mr. Lif presents such a threat. Mr. Lif presents his political commentary in such a way, that the listener soaks it up like a sponge. The lyrics are metaphorical, but also direct. Leaving small subtleties to eke their way into your mind. Lif makes it work quite brilliantly, and he never comes off as too preachy.

We get production from Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, DJ Hype, DJ Fakts One, Edan (also guest vocalist), and El-P. Like "I Phantom," the lyrics are always on the forefront. Although the lyrics are very politically charged, Lif does drop some humor on us too, with his love for movies and video games. Check out these rhymes from "Jugular Vein" - "Once upon a time I had to slay crews / And the story never ends like a Atreyu's". Check this one out - "Pick up a controller and lets play Tekken 3 / Whoop that a** 4 times, now you wanna switch / You can use Eddie, now I'm Dr. Barsconovich". Throwing in lyrics like that show how much fun Lif can be, while simultaneously delivering mind bending lyrics to feed your mind. The next track is an assault on your ears, and one of my favorites, "Heavy Artillery", where he uses his enthralling lyrics as ammo for warfare. The next track, "Home of the Brave" is probably my favorite at this point. It contains the most insightful lyrics that relate to his message (that's debatable). His vicious attacks on George W. Bush are impossible to ignore - "Bush disguises blood lust as patriotism / Convincing the living to love 'Operation Let's Get 'Em' / But when he realized we don't support their attacks / They needed something to distract, hmmm, ANTHRAX". Unlike production from other Jukies, "Pull Out Your Cut" features some old-school funky beats (also one of my favorites). "The Unorthodox" and "Get Wise '91" also add heavily to the EP. The latter featuring lyrics and production from Edan, who also has a very sweet flow, and changes the album up quite nicely. The last track "Phantom," features guest vocals and some ill beats by El-P, which acts as a teaser for Mr. Lif's forthcoming full release "I Phantom".

Overall, I'm quite impressed with "Emergency Rations". The EP is only 30 minutes long, but it's chalk-full of great material, and feels very complete. If you were lucky enough to find the full length version of this EP, which includes the extra 11-minute live performance of "Because They Made It That Way/Home of the Brave" then it's actually about 40 minutes long. Although I couldn't find it myself, I'm still quite happy with my purchase. Mr. Lif serves up the entire package here. Sick production, and mind-bowing lyrical content delivered by a very personal, and charismatic emcee. Along with Immortal Technique, Mr. Lif is by far the most relentless MC to come along since Chuck D and KRS-One. If you are a first-time purchaser of Mr. Lif, I would probably recommend "I Phantom" first, but "Emergency Rations" is definitely a close second.

Although this album is far from becoming a classic (like most of Def Jux's stuff, even though they'd like it to be), it will be remembered as vital social commentary in the wake of 9/11. It's good to be able to hear someone in the recording industry, albeit on the fringes, openly criticize the off-base policies of President-Select Bush, and he does it so eloquently on "Home of the Brave" (the video is tight too). The song with Edan , Pull out Your Cut, and Phantom are also worthwhile listens. It deserves only four stars because it's too short.

This CD is 1 million time iller than Enters the Collosis, Phanton has to be one of the best songs ever made, that beat is crazy. That track Get Wise 91' with Edan, damn thats hot. Lif is improving every time I hear something new from him, he doesnt fail and Def Jux doesnt fail. Only reason I give it 4 stars is its too short, I want to hear more. Where is the full length? Oh yeah Lif autographed my cd cover, he wrote heads up. I dont think Def Jux will ever put out a bad album, its just not possible.

Mr Lif and Akrobatic are off the hook... Tur hip hop is right here on this CD... no BS here just hip hop from the heart...

Mr. Lif's new EP, 'Emergency Rations', is a break through for this already incredible artist. This EP touches on subject matters that most MCs out there could not even understand. Tracks like 'Home of the Brave' and 'Phantom' are so on point it is sick. Plus you also get some old school feeling tracks like 'Pull Out Your Cut' and 'Get Wise '91'. I'm not trying to say this guy is on the same level as the Gza or KRS, but he is damn...damn close. Everything Def Jux has released has been great...but honestly I think Lif is their crown jewel.

This is an e.p., not an album, and the reason it is called "Emergency Rations" is not only a witty remark on Bush's War, but a hint that he has a full length coming up. There is not one bad second on this e.p. It is incredibibly, indelibly dope. Lif rips a track with El P. Edan rips it on "Get Wise 91" which really sounds like its from 1991, and supplies an incredible beat on "HEavy Artillery!" Good lord. Top three rap releases of 2002:
Edan: Primitive Plus
Mr. Lif: Emergency Rations
Motion Man: Clearing the Field (Drops 8/20/02)

one word..wow. the reason why i gave this cd just 4 stars is that some of the beats could have been worked on a bit...but regardlessly lif delievers..ive followed lif for as long as ive been in the hip hop scene and to see him rising and rising..and then emergency rations..seeting up I Phantom..my friends we have just hit lif's catalyst..Lif was extremly on point on this Ep. Elp's production on phantom is one of my favorites. wow i cant even sort my thoughts..Anyone who missed the show last night...feel sorry for u..lif/edan/aesop/insight rocked the joint. a must have for anyone who loves hip hop.

This EP is relevant whether you heard in 2001 or listened for the the first time in 2010. Mr. Lif always comes correct.