{$Mr. Lif}, the hardworking Bostonian MC, drops a debut LP that playfully discloses in lyrical fashion his inner battle of whether or not to return to his nine-to-five job, but the long-overdue record practically guarantees he'll no longer need the day job. One of the working-class heroes signed to {\hip-hop} indie {@Definitive Jux}, {$Liffy} enjoyed a busy 2002, releasing the {^Emergency Rations} EP and appearing on several releases from the {@Jux} camp. {^I Phantom} is slightly less politically aggressive than the EP in overall aesthetic, with blue-collar rhymes over hype, funky tracks with great production by {$Fakts One}, {$DJ Hype}, {$Edan}, and {$Lif} himself. 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. ~ Nic Kincaid, All Music Guide