Sage Francis Li(F)E Li(f)e is the new album by celebrated agent-provocateur of hip hop, Sage Francis. An underground star from his years as a battle champion, poet and founder of influential Strange Famous Records. This album is a marked evol... more »ution for Francis. His signature wordplay, a dazzling mix of sardonic humor and biting social commentary, is now complimented by a talented band consisting of producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) and cohorts Jim Becker and Tim Rutili of the acclaimed Chicago outfit Califone. It proves an effective soundtrack for Francis' riveting lyrical discourse. The record's title Li(f)e is a deliberate amalgamation of the words life and lie. The album begins with a stirring Steinbeck imbued tale of prison break entitled Little Houdini' with music written by ex Grandaddy frontman turned solo artist Jason Lytle. The rousing and energetic anthem entitled "Three Sheets" was co-written by Chris Walla of the band Death Cab for Cutie. Subsequent songs feature compositions b« less
All Artists:Sage Francis Title:Li(F)E Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Release Date: 5/11/2010 Album Type: Import Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 Other Editions:Li(F)E UPC:8714092701128
Synopsis
Album Description
Li(f)e is the new album by celebrated agent-provocateur of hip hop, Sage Francis. An underground star from his years as a battle champion, poet and founder of influential Strange Famous Records. This album is a marked evolution for Francis. His signature wordplay, a dazzling mix of sardonic humor and biting social commentary, is now complimented by a talented band consisting of producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) and cohorts Jim Becker and Tim Rutili of the acclaimed Chicago outfit Califone. It proves an effective soundtrack for Francis' riveting lyrical discourse. The record's title Li(f)e is a deliberate amalgamation of the words life and lie. The album begins with a stirring Steinbeck imbued tale of prison break entitled Little Houdini' with music written by ex Grandaddy frontman turned solo artist Jason Lytle. The rousing and energetic anthem entitled "Three Sheets" was co-written by Chris Walla of the band Death Cab for Cutie. Subsequent songs feature compositions b
CD Reviews
(C)rap
abarat | St. Paul, MN | 05/18/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Being a huge Sage Francis fan, I was quite disappointed with this one. The use of an actual band was an interesting direction for Sage to take, but the music was so unbelievably uninteresting that it was difficult to sit through. The man remains a poet and a true lyrical genius, but his words were hard to pay attention to with the annoying distraction of bad and boring music. This record came out of left field and will, hopefully, be forgotten quickly."
Li(F)E is a progression
Paul Wall | Denver, CO, USA | 08/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a fan looking for another "hip-hop" album from Sage this is not it. If you are a fan of Sage with an open mind and a love for music in general this is a great album. At first listen being in the mind state of looking for hip-hop beats, I did not like the album. But several listens later lyrics and songs stayed with me. Sage again sparks thought and reflection. The man is a poet/lyrical genius. There is no change or disappointment to that here. Songs like "three sheets to the wind" and "the best of times" are the standouts on this album. I applaud the chance he took on this album and for continuing to express himself outside of the norm of "hip-hop" artist."
Interesting... to say the most.
Billy Schulz | Duluth, MN USA | 07/09/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"It is not what I was expecting at all. Sage Francis is one of my favorite rappers, I own all of his other CDs and they are on heavy rotaation off and on in my house. But this album let me down. It was not what I was expecting, which could have been a very good thing. This album is very different than his other albums, and I prefer the old Sage. The live band, although a interesting idea... does not hold water for me. It drowns out the most important part of Sages' work, the lyrics. Sage Francis started on the slam poetry scene, which is focused almost entirely on the poem and the passion within the poets voice. This album, I do not hear that passion. Some songs are ok, but no songs to me even compare to his other releases. I hope he returns closer to his roots. I do give him props for trying something different, every artist has to do it. Now, hopefully, when his next album comes out I will be sated."
Excellent refreshing creative new approach, and pulls it off
C. shibiya | OH | 05/21/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sage has the ability to really push the lyrical envelope. He does not fall short for this album at all. Some of the songs in here are equal to or greater than some of his thickest lyrics to date. The approach to the musical side of the album is very different from all of his prior approaches. This different angle is refreshing and he succeeds at what he was trying to do. The slow jams that the band produce do nothing more than emphasize sages lyrics despite what some think.
I love this album, I really dig all of his albums, and for him to take such a new angle to this one and pulls it off just shows that there is nothing to fear with whatever his direction he takes with his future albums.
As a side note I would be interested in a remix album, where he uses more of a trip hop/downtempo/jazz approach to back his lyrics. Not that this album leaves me wanting more, but I would like to have somehting to "bump" to while im cruzing."
Different in a good way
Ruben M. Verduzco Jr. | CA, USA | 05/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Personally I don't agree with the other reviews. The addition to the live band is different musically but it fits well. It doesn't have the same feel as personal journals but change is good in music. This cd shows that sage Franis is growing as an artist and wont stick to the same thing which almost always gets old when bands 2nd and 3rd cds sound just like the previous releases."
