by Oliver Wang

Lifesavas

Spirit in Stone

(Quannum Projects)

The Lifesavas' "Hellohihey" opens on a conversation between MC Vursatyl and an imaginary rapper named Catapult. The latter launches into a long spiel that draws on a host of hiphop cliches, i.e. "My crew is called the Cannibals. We're 30 deep and each member is the mutant combination of six animals." For a moment, it seems obvious that Vursatyl is ridiculing his upstart brethren for being pretentious windbags. By the last set of verses in "Hellohihey" though, he throws back the curtain to reveal that he's been talking about himself this whole time, offering the song as a mea culpa for the many ego-inflated tirades he's inflicted upon others. The confessional is completely unexpected and a rare display of humility in bravado-dominated world. It's just one of the many examples on the Lifesavas' debut, Spirit In Stone that suggest how refreshingly different this Portland group promises to be.

Hiphop seems more crowded than the densest city, but it also feels lonelier than the desert. For fans fed up with the glossy, substance-free sheen of mainstream rappers, the underground usually only offers bitter rants as an alternative, where the lack of resources is only exceeded by lack of (choose one or more) vision/personality/sense of humor/etc. It's hard to recall the last album, let alone debut, on either side of the mainstream/underground border that feels as mature, expansive, and balanced as Spirit in Stone. The Lifesavas are careful not to suffocate listeners with rappers rapping about rap pretzel logic, and instead craft an album that takes time to stretch and breathe when it needs to. Vursatyl, Jumbo, and Rev. Shines might deliver sharp slices of braggadocio like "Head Exercise" and "Selector," but it's not just a puffed-chest fest as they also dip into the spiritual highlife of "Livin' Time" or romantic platitudes of "Fever."

Their creative ambitions are stunning at times. For example, "State of the World/Apocalypse/War" is a spiraling triptych of swinging scat-rap, dark lyricism, and unsettling speeches, leading into the passionate politics of "Resist," one of the most infectious exhortations to action since Public Enemy yelled "Fight the Power!" Lest they take themselves too seriously, though, the group also packs in the humor. Their "Thuggity Skit" takes a playful slap at the Southern-inspired rap aesthetic of all rants, no rhymes, while the catchy "Skeletons" loops up what sounds like a children's Halloween theme to score a song about all the dirty laundry we hide behind closed doors. Vursatyl lives up to his given name as his blend of complexity and cleverness keeps pace with guest MCs like Blackalicious' Gift of Gab ("Livin' Time") and New York's lyrical virtuoso J-Live ("Selector"). He's also simply blessed with one of those rough-hewn baritones that imparts a touch of menace on every syllable he slings.

No less versatile as Vursatyl is partner Jumbo the Garbageman, producing a fantastically dynamic album that reflects an ear as refined as that of more seasoned peers. He'll bounce with the bright, cheery stomps of "It's Over" then wah-wah wobble over to "What If It's True" and its chewy, elastic funk. Elsewhere, he makes excursions into the roots reggae of "Fever," mournful spaghetti western score on "Hellohihey," and underground disco sparkle of "Me." Blackalicious' Chief Xcel makes a few appearances, none more impressive or effective than on the Quannum family track, "Emerge," where a chorus of angelic voices play against the frenetic mesh of chattering drums and psychedelic strings.

Vursatyl holds up the anchor leg of the song and his whirlwind of metaphors plays off and against the chaos beneath him. Like the song title suggests, the Lifesavas emerge out of this raging sea that could be an analog for hiphop itself. Unlike Aphrodite's delicate birth from the waters, the Lifesavas instead spring forth, fully formed like Athena with shield and spear in hand, their Spirit In Stone ready to face the world in its shining debut.