Lyrics Born :: As U Were

The general consensus is that Lyrics Born is not ageing well. Fans suggest that you’d be better off listening to his earlier work, while critics shake their heads at his attempt at experimentation. However all disparagement aside Lyrics Born has always managed to style his seemingly ceaseless amount of zealous energy into something characteristically unique with As U Were being no exception. And while there are those who derive credit from the fact they are different, most of the time Lyrics Born deserves credit from the fact he is not only different but really quite good.

He’s definitely stuck in the 80s but he does it better than most. His funky beats suggest disco groove while the contradiction of his ‘don’t mess with me’ rap with an eagerness to throw different musical styles into the mix suggests an awareness of his potential to achieve. As it happens, the album commences with the wearingly common lyrical opening of ‘I don’t need no introduction …’ but the synthed up hip-hop of Kontrol Phreak almost makes it work.

Following on is We Live by the Beat, dominated by the deep suggestion of a club beat but morphing into a complex pattern of ever-changing rhythms, and the soulful pop of Lies X 3. Though one of reason As U Were is most criticised I think Lies X 3 exemplifies Lyrics Born’s ability to create drama musically – something lyrics can’t always do alone. The descending chords on the keys suggests the stage spotlight while his attempt at vocals is surprisingly effective.

Framing this is As U Were Reception and Born-E-Oh’s; somewhat bizarre skit tracks which start with a conversation between Lyrics and Seth Greenblatt’s receptionist and evolves into Greenblatt trying to convince Lyrics to name a new type of cereal after himself. This is less strange considering that since 2008 Lyrics has provided voice-overs for Cartoon Network but being more than anything else a disruption to the album it really could have been cut.

Something Better feat. Francis and the Lights comes at just the right time, following on from three of the weaker tracks of the album. It’s a call back to his earlier style seamlessly fusing the drive of his rap with the jagged synth beat and a fast-paced chorus demonstrating Lyrics at his best.

Closing off with the laid-back duet of (What Happened 2 Our) Love Affair the album finishes off as an open-ended question, leaving listeners not so much wanting more as wishing for something more final. More than anything else it seems as if As U Were is an interlude. Lyric’s old energy remains but the novelty of his experimentation is starting to wear thin. As U Were seems to suggest that he’s looking for a style which is bigger and better than anything he’s produced before, but at almost 40 he better get cracking.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••