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http://www.rollingstone.com/assets/images/album_review/e654231758dd7a39cd470f787593f5bb4a179d93.jpg As U Were

Lyrics Born

As U Were

Decon/Mobile Home Recordings
Rolling Stone: star rating
Community: star rating
5 3 0
November 16, 2010

Japanese-American hip-hop lifer Lyrics Born may never top Later That Day . . ., his career-defining 2003 album, but he still puts in an honest year's work. Now he's setting his rich-baritoned soul-rap verbosity over Eighties electro funk that recalls Cameo, Rockwell and "Party Train" Gap Band. He comments on fame's "bourgie" temptations in "I've Lost Myself" and prescription addiction in "Pillz" — music-biz sleaze in two skits. Money's on his mind too: nonexistent benefits and pension, a lady who bounced when the economy went south. But in "Something Better," he swears pessimism and cynicism aren't the answer. Corny, sure, but inspiring.

Keep up with rock's hottest photos in Random Notes.

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