Search - Michael Franti and Spearhead :: Yell Fire

I am back with Spearhead and don't know why I ever left

Salty Saltillo | from the road, USA | 06/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I used to be a Spearhead fan for a few years in the mid-90s when Michael Franti was working in a much more hip-hop feel. I always admired his talents as a songwriter, but I had other musical avenues to explore and lost track of his career. About 4 months ago I picked up a used copy of "Home" and was reminded of the old days when I used to listen to Spearhead. I decided to catch up with Michael Franti and friends by buying a few newer CDs, but I was NEVER expecting this. This record blows me away every time I listen to it. Michael Franti and friends have been growing in ways that I never imagined. Franti's songwriting is as strong as ever - the man is just so straight forward and sincere and he pours his personality and his being into every song he writes. So many songwriters don't know how to tap into that inner voice that makes their lyrics "real" and they just write meaningless, insincere cliches - but how can anyone not listen to this record and come away with a feeling like you really know Michael Franti, his likes and dislikes, his values, and where he stands in this world? And as musicians the Spearhead folks have really become very mature, talented, versatile artists. No longer the hip-hop/soul mixers, they now cover a vast musical territory, rock, funk, soul, hip hop, reggae... often all in the same song.



My only regret is all those years of Spearhead-listening that I have been missing.



This record is so good, I cannot imagine how anyone could find anything not to love about this stuff. This is what music making is all about. I am so glad I am back in the Spearhead fold. I cannot say enough about the great Michael Franti and Spearhead.

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