- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
It fleshes out its cohesive narrative and cogent ideas with beats that respect the spare antipop ethos without abjuring such wayward rhythm elements as femme chorus, bass-drum-whoop jam, and $20 synth loop.
-
Make no mistake about it, I Phantom is a fantastic record.
-
Lif has managed to transcend the gimmicks and wankery that generally mar this kind of grand opus, and emerge with his strongest offering yet.
-
BlenderWith innovative, funk-influenced beats and engaging rhymes, Lif brilliantly avoids the pitfalls of vacuous bling-drones and 'real hip-hop" whiners alike. [#10, p.124]
-
The guest appearances on the mic by Akrobatik, a fellow fledgling Bostonion, Edan, Aesop Rock, El-P, and Jean Grae make all the tracks quality and seal the deal on Lif's breakthrough set.
-
With I Phantom, Lif creates a funny, sad, profound world, populates it with memorable characters, destroys it, and ponders the meaning of it all.
-
UncutAn album of flashing wit and giddy ambition. [Oct 2002, p.110]
-
The WireI Phantom could prove to be one of the most consistently rewarding HipHop records to land in 2002. [#223, p.52]
-
Alternative PressThe tone grows shrill by album's end, but occasional bursts of accessible production help alleviate that shortcoming. [Oct 2002, p.84]
-
UrbLif's strengths as an MC make his tight narrative focus on the protagonist's plights palpable. [Sep 2002, p.104]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 8 out of 9
-
Mixed: 0 out of 9
-
Negative: 1 out of 9
-
LiamOFeb 1, 2007A refreshing take on hip hop that deserves all the credit it can get
-
LawrencePApr 13, 2005The best hip-hop record of the year! Many highlights in this concept LP.
-
nickmMar 6, 2005