Emergency Rations

Artist: Mr Lif
Label: Definitive Jux
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: EP
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 600308885424
EAN: 0600308885424
ASIN: B000067A5S

Release Date: 2002-06-25

Emergency Rations

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Tracks:

Intro (Missing Person's File)
Jugular Vein
Heavy Artillery
Home Of The Brave
Pull Out Your Cut
Get Wise '91
The Unorthodox
Phantom

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I Phantom
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Amazon.com

Mr. Lif's latest mini-album, <I>Emergency Rations</I>, contains in-depth political analysis and has a fine grasp of America's role in international affairs. Plainly, we're far from the urban party zone occupied by most contemporary hip-hop icons. More polemicist than documentary maker, Mr. Lif comes on like a next-generation Chuck D on this frequently marvelous album, or Noam Chomsky with two turntables and a microphone. On "Home of the Brave," this hyper-articulate Boston rapper nails America's long and oil-dominated interest in Afghanistan and the scare tactics employed at home in the wake of 9/11. "When they realized we don't support their attack," he forcefully argues, "they needed something to distract--anthrax." Raging, conscientious, tofu-espousing, incredibly well-informed, and perhaps a little paranoid, Lif is in good company with the mighty El-P and Cannibal Ox at the Def Jux label. <I>--John Mulvey</I>

Customer Reviews:

NOT A KID JUST DIDN'T WANT TO SIGN IN.......2007-01-29

This is one of if not the best rap albums I've ever heard. I bought this because I heard 30 seconds of one of the songs and thought it sounded incredible. It definitely wasn't a mistake. He isn't preachy but just tells it like it is and he does so with an amazing uncanny flow. Buy it.

Political Rap.......2005-12-10

This is hip-hop with a true message and meaning behind it. On top of that Lif's delivery is nothing short of amazing. The saddest thing about this album is that hardly anyone is going to hear it. Ironically the theme of this album is that Mr. Lif has disappered due to the fact that the government doesn't want you to hear what he has to say, and are going to great lengths to make sure nobody will hear the charasmatic emcee's lyrical enlightenment. This album definetly has a raw, old school style to it. This disk is not very long, and some of the tracks do vary from the main topic, but this isn't a complaint. It's just the right length so it never becomes worn-out or preachy, and Lif has alot more things to talk about than just politics. There isn't a single track I do not like, but my favorate is definetly "Phantom" <----- The lyrics are so deep and I identified with it more than probably any other hip-hop track i've heard in my life, plus the beat is amazing. I wish this album could get some airplay on MTV, but they'd rather play G-Unit and Chingy. What happened? MTV used to be about "musical revolution". They used to play real artists with a message like Pearl Jam and Tupac. Now it's all manufactured, plastic, and shallow. Remember when music had something to say? Remember when hip-hop had something to say? Well Mr. Lif does. This is a great album. That being said; I don't recommend this to conservatives or republicans.

lif's the truth............2005-08-23

This was my first undrground cd EVER...I trully enjoyed this one fo sho...

Beginning to end theres so many messages about gov and thought provoking songs on here.....this cd had me thinking while I wuz listening to at the same time.....Quality stuff right here...

TO me, this is lif's best cd, honsestly, dude was on it on this cd, like he had sumthin to prove.....consistancy is what youll find on this one..

this is a good alternative cd if you are tired with the played out commercial scene....

Its a shame this artist is SO overlooked......

support real hiphop like this and def jux.....

Mr. Lif has been kidnapped!.......2005-06-06

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.

GET UP !!! STAND UP !!! DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT !!!!!!!.......2005-02-04

MR.LIF's album "EMERGENCY RATIONS" is not only one of the greatest rap albums eva made,its a masterful piece of artwork in general!!! MR.LIF's skills are pretty much damn near untouchable & his lyrics are just the kick n the a$$ this decaying society needs, especialy if we eva hope for it to sqiunt at itself/ourselfs in the mirror. LIF is a friend to the thinking man,the needy,the truth teller's & the worldwide piece seeker's(in short "THE SOLUTION") & he is a pure bread ENEMY to the weak minded,right wing, system loving,power craveing,close minded,manipulative,self indulged,self centered,useless,upper class yuppppy,nationalist's(in short"THE PROBLEM") this album is a must have for the unblinded intelligent person that loves music!!!! so STOP reading this review & hurry up & go get this masterpiece! enjoy!

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