Reveling in Rhyme

The Lifesavas offer a welcome tonic of joyous rap.

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Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Lifesavas recalls A Tribe Called Quest at their nim-ble best. This exciting trio combines crisp, punchy beats with brisk verbal flurries, generating densely textured sounds worthy of repeated hearings. MCs Vursatyl and Jumbo are both playful and commanding, reveling in the sheer joy of rhyme even when meaning gets lost in the hubbub. Awash in conspiracy theories, the thumping “Resist” turns paranoia into a call to action. Riding a tough groove, “Livin’ Time” sports the uplifting sentiments of a self-help sermon, yet there’s nothing trite about it. Buoyant and witty, Spirit in Stone is a welcome tonic for the bling-bling weary.

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