7 Phantom ’ boasts
diverse, solid beats
CD review
Helen Schumacher
Pulse Reporter
Since its inception, the Defini
tive Jux label has reigned as the
high king of intelligent, talent-driv
en hip-hop. And with Mr. Lifs first
full-length release on the label, the
rule continues.
For those who are choking on the
flashy images of Cadillac Escalades
and platinum jewelry, the release “I
Phantom” is a welcome departure
from the consumer-driven rap MTV
delights in shoving down the public’s
collective throat.
“I Phantom” chronicles the strug
gle of a man to survive in a rapidly
decaying world. The album starts
with a dream sequence in which the
main character dies while robbing a
store and is resurrected by hip-hop.
His alarm goes off, and it is time for
work, with the bulk of the album fo
cusing on temptation of capitalism’s
fruit. The consequence is the loss of
his family through divorce, neglect
and suicide.
On “Live From the Plantation,”
Mr. Lif raps “We are all being mur
dered by a similar process / whether
you work at the candy store or slave
at the office / the purpose of our life
is just to serve the economy / they
misinform our minds to paint a pic
ture of harmony.”
The story climaxes with a nuclear
holocaust — not the kind of subject
matter veejays are likely to be prosti
tuting during a “Spring Break in
Cancun” broadcast.
But it’s not the politically caustic
message that supports the album. It
is Mr. Lifs tight lyricism and the sol
id, diverse beats provided, in part, by
"I Phantom"
chronicles the
struggle of a man to
survive in a rapidly
decaying world.
Definitive Jux founder El-P that
make “I Phantom” worth repeated
listenings. Aesop Rock and Insight
also contribute to the album.
Overall, “I Phantom” is meaty
hip-hop — with more head-bob
bing satisfaction than the usual
mainstream fare.
Contact the Pulse reporter
athelenschumacher@dailyemerald.com.
Bond
continued from page 5
female “M,” Bond’s boss.
In many ways, “Tomorrow Nev
er Dies,” and “The World Is Not
Enough,” the other two Brosnan-led
Bond flicks that followed “Golden
Eye,” are mundane exercises. These
films have further pronounced that
the character’s name and formula
are the only thing required to ap
peal to the masses and make a suc
cessful (read: profitable) flick.
Whether “Die Another Day,” will
continue to follow the set, formulaic
trends remain to be seen. There are a
few positive things indicating other
wise, however. Three years have
lapsed between Friday’s release and
“The World is Not Enough,” the last
entry into the series.
This is the second-longest gap be
tween releases in the Bond series,
and perhaps it gave the writer, direc
tor and producers sufficient time to
create a more quality product. Also,
Oscar-award winning actress Halle
Berry stars as Jinx, a female, Bond
like counterpart — so much so that
producers have even discussed the
possibility of her having her own
spin-off film series.
Sadly, this will be the first official
Bond flick not to include “Q,”
played timelessly by the late-actor
Desmond Llewelyn. John Cleese,
who appeared in the last film as “R,”
has been promoted to the new “Q.”
Brosnan has signed on to play
Bond for another film after “Die An
other Day.”
Contact the Pulse reporter
at aaronshakra@dailyemerald.com.
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