Emergency Rations
Mr. Lif's latest mini-album,Emergency Rations, 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 mightyEl-PandCannibal Oxat  the Def Jux label.--John Mulvey