And believe it or not, the album contains a skit called U-Ass Bank that's actually funny. I know that it's pretty hard to fathom that a skit on a hip-hop album is actually worth your time, but not only is U-Ass Bank funny, it's actually relevant to the song after it called Cold Call which is an incredible track - a phone conversation between Lyrics Born and Gift of Gab.

You need to get this album if you're looking for hip-hop that's refreshing and different from what you hear on the radio. If you're a fan of Latyrx, you this album is a requirement.

Best of 2003, so far
Underground hip-hop heads always hype their favorite albums as if they're manna passed directly from god's hands to hip-hop nerds around the world. This isn't one of those reviews but it's close. If you're into Quannum, or West Coast underground in general, this album is one of the essential releases this year. "Later That Day" is a great, infectious, lyrical but bumpin album by one of the standouts from the Quannum crew. The rimes are tight and always conscious. Lyrics Born did an amazing job producing this album, and the contributions from Joyo Velarde help make the whole thing completely off the hook. You should go to your nearest independent record store and buy it immediately. I just saw Lyrics Born with Ugly Duckling, Pigeon Joe, The Grouch and Eligh, and Abstract Rude, and he was even sicker live. He's like a giant rapping buddha. So ill.

I'm Not Mad At This
I've been following Lyrics Born since he was known as Asia Born so when his solo album dropped I copped it right away without even giving it a listen. We've all heard the single "Callin' Out" (if you haven't it was the definitive headbanger of 2003) and we all loved it, so there were a lot of expectations for this entire album to inspire rumps to shake and heads to bob.

For every bad thing I have to say about the album I have several good things to say. First off LB did this album entirely on his own with very very little help from the Quannum collective. You will notice that he produced virtually the entire album, save one effort from Cut Chemist (which isn't anything to write home about anyway). For the most part his beats are reminiscent of the Quannum style (funky, soulful, uplifting), which is never a bad thing. He spits fire on virtually every track, and the spotlight is exclusively on him: Gift of Gab's contribution is irrelevant on "Cold Call" and he outshines his Latyrx counterpart Lateef the Truthspeaker on "The Last Trumpet". I'm a huge fan of both those lyricists but there is no denying that Lyrics Born has done his homework and remains up there as one of Cali's most overlooked MCs.

If you love LB's soulful side then you will love tracks like "Bad Dreams" - a funky stomp about life's woes - and "Love Me So Bad" - a sexy reggae-inspired groove about trouble in paradise. Peep those two tracks and if you're feeling his soulful side then you'll definately appreciate his approach on the mic as a broken-hearted MC with some stuff to get off his chest.

You will not be dissapointed with LB's abilities on the mic. LB's style is very much modelled around the father of Quannum rhymesayers, Gift of Gab. Like Gab his flow is bananas and he's got lyrics for days. "Callin' Out" is quintessential Lyrics Born - fast-paced and witty. "Hott Bizzness" is, in my opinion, the stand-out track as far as his rhyming goes. You get the impression that he takes an enormous breath at the beginning of the track and doesn't let it go until the song fades out. That is skill.

Unfortunately I think this album is inconsistent. I hate to say that because there are a handful of headbanging tracks, but there are also a handful of tracks just begging to be skipped. Like I said in the title I am not mad at this album. LB worked damn hard on this and he deserves credit for taking this project all on his lonesome, unlike a lot of up-and-comers who just rely on already established artists to earn their success for them. LB is a better producer than most mainstream producers will ever be, I think he just has to come into his own. I think the underlying problem is that the beats are often too layered, which isn't really necessary with LB because his flow and style can grace a track that boasts even the simplest of beats.

Basically you should buy this album because it's an example of do-it-yourself hip hop trying to make its mark in what's become a mass-produced music industry. The truly dope beats compensate for the few stinkers, and Lyrics Born is among the illest MCs you've never heard of.

great buy
I was expecting alot out of this album, and at first, I must admit, I was kind of disappointed. LB defintitely has a unique style that might take a listen or two to get used to, but thats one of the things that makes this album great. It is innovative, clever, and overall BANGIN. After I listened to it all the way through a second time I started to realize its greatness. Like people have mentioned, its 17 tracks, and on your average 17 track hip hop album theres alot of crap filler. Not so here. Every track is unique and has something in it to make you move around. DEfnitely one of the best purchases I have made in a long time. Buy this album.

Dont listen to the haters and get this!!
So i picked up this cd today - it came heavily recommended from the crew working in the store. While im listening to it i start reading reviews that people wrote on this site, and while some are positive, some are dismissive (he could have done better...). Well i admit the cd starts slow and for a minute there i almost thought i got screwed on this cd. But as it gets to the middle, it picks up steam and just about every track is great all the way to the end.
Anyhow to the music: tracks 2 and 4 are great, then there is some so-so stuff until track 8. Stop complaining is what all these so called hip hop experts on this site should do and give the man his credit. The beats are groovy as hell, the lyrics are as good as you can expect and after you are done listening you are left feeing happy and your expectations are fullfilled.
I love tracks 10 and 11, 14 is also right on the money and 15 and 17 (bonus track) are also great. Overall its certainly worth buying and its good relative not only to crap on the radio but just about anything.
Easily one of the most creative hip-hop albums of 2003, Lyrics Born's Later That Day fulfills the potential that this Bay Area artist has been promising for years. Like Andre 3000's The Love Below, Later That Day transcends genres and sensibilities--LB embraces an aesthetic that owes at least as much to disco and new wave as it does to hip-hop and the result is an album that packs surprises through every turn. His impressive song-craft helps organize the album as a morning-to-night narrative, with LB waking to nightmares on "Bad Dreams," then sparring with telemarketers on the humorous "Cold Call," and ending his day with girl drama on "Love Me So Bad." Along the way, he picks up a few friends--especially singer Joyo Valerde, whose soaring voice helps the album indelibly gel together and skater-turned-musician Tommy Guerrero whose funk chops help spice up the beats. It's still all Lyrics Born though--this album radiates his presence like the sun and basking in his creative glow is half the fun. --Oliver Wang