Francis Sage — Li(F)e
Λ Sage Francis’s fourth studio album has it’s name taken from the line “Life is just a lie with an F in it.” This album is much different than his previous works with much slower tempos and darker music.
Λ Li(F)e is a progression — Paul Wall
Λ A MASTERPIECE — D. Berry
Λ An indie rapper once on the Anticon label, Sage's layered lyrics stem from his poetry slam background.
Born: 1977 in Miami, FL
Location: Providence, RI
Album release: January 1, 2010
Record Label: Strange Famous / Anti
Duration: 48:01
Tracks:
01. Little Houdini 6:46
02. Three Sheets To The Wind 3:31
03. I Was Zero 4:18
04. Slow Man 3:38
05. Diamonds And Pearls 4:02
06. Polterzeitgeist 4:05
07. The Baby Stays 3:41
08. 16 Years 3:45
09. Worry Not 3:19
10. London Bridge 2:10
11. Love The Lie 3:13
12. The Best Of Times 5:33
♦ Produced, Mixing: Brian Deck
Written by:
♦ Sage Francis / Jason Lytle 1
♦ Sage Francis / Chris Walla 2, 10
♦ Jim Becker / Brian Deck / Sage Francis / Gordon Patriarca / Tim Rutili / Richard Terfry 3, 8
♦ Joey Burns / John Convertino / Sage Francis 4
♦ Sage Francis / Shawn Gilbert / Thomas Hagerman / Nicholas Lurata / Jeanie Schroder 5
♦ Jim Becker / Brian Deck / Sage Francis / Tim Rutili 6
♦ Sage Francis / Tim Rutili 7
♦ Tim Fite / Sage Francis 9
♦ Sage Francis / Mark Linkous 11
♦ Sage Francis / Yann Tiersen 12
AWARDS:
Billboard Albums
♦ 2010 R&B Albums #28
♦ 2010 The Billboard 200 #145
♦ 2010 Top Independent Albums #29
♦ 2010 Top Rap Albums #16
Editorial Reviews
♦ Sage — Francis — Li(f)e is a marked evolution for Sage Francis. It features Sage s confrontational lyrics set to compositions by Chris Walla, Mark Linkous, Jason Lytle, members of Calexico, DeVotchKa, Califone, and other indie icons. The celebrated agent-provocateur of hip hop brings his signature wordplay, a dazzling mix of sardonic humor and biting social commentary, to a setting 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. © Photo credit Rich Johnson
Review by David Jeffries; Score: ***½
♦ Putting his Anti label's indie rock connections to good use, Sage Francis’ Li(f)e features the alt–rapper collaborating with members of Califone, Death Cab for Cutie, Grandaddy, and other guitar–based outfits while being solely produced by Brian Deck, who had previously worked with Modest Mouse and Iron & Wine. Sonically, it’s a giant shift from his previous work as the otherworldly and often dark beats of the past are replaced by the traditional guitars, bass, and drums, but Sage is primarily the same, cynical as hell and able to knock listeners out of their comfort zone with lyrics that are as true as they are unsettling. As far as growth, his lurid and flippant lines — a good example being “I heard God was coming/And she’s a screamer” from “I Was Zero” — are complemented by more subtle blows against the empire as wisdom and restraint come into play on the album’s meatier numbers. When it all comes together, it’s magnificent, as when indie–riffing guitars, a surprisingly hooky chorus, and the whole “life equals lie” theme of the album combine on “Love the Lie.” You can bob your head and sing along as Sage covers a whirlwind of concerns on the track including God, girls, and staying together for the kids. Nearly as good is “Worry Not,” which is somewhere between a Tom Waits number and front–porch rave–up as it offers “Anxiety is a disease/You gotta learn to live with it” with banjo accompaniment. ♦ “Damned if you do/Damned if you don’t” is the closest thing to an answer here and sometimes the indie rock/alt–rap mashing seems nothing more than a well–executed exercise in genre–blending, but these are small complaints that will seem miniscule to the man’s loyal fan base. Taking on both the BS and sobering–side–of–life lessons while straddling genres would be difficult for any musician, but Sage did it and came up with a B–plus effort. More tangible proof that he’s a gifted artist. :: http://www.allmusic.com/
Bio:
♦ Sage Francis is widely considered one of our generation’s greatest lyricists. His career derives mainly from gifted wordplay which creates vivid narratives to instigate as well as inspire, but since it often derives from an accumulation of public disdain and personal turmoil, it’s more about storming the castle than about watching the throne.
Dubbed as the “forefather of indie–hop,” Francis originally earned acclaim in the early 2000’s by winning the most highly coveted titles of the emcee battle circuit. With little to no funding, Francis sustained himself by selling his innovative “Sick of” mixtapes, all made by hand on the floor of his Providence, RI apartment. These were essentially bootleg compilations full of select recordings from his 12” vinyl singles, demo sessions, live performances and radio freestyles. The popularity of these tapes birthed Strange Famous Records (SFR); a meager, one–man operation in 1999.
♦ Despite having no official distribution, Francis’ unique brand of music spread like wildfire via the advent of file sharing networks. This resulted in him attaining a massive cult–like following around the world, creating a demand for his albums and live performances at which point the bigger labels took notice. With his first studio album, Personal Journals (2002,) Francis daringly set aside the more boastful side of rap by catering to his poetic leanings and scathing socio–political commentary.
♦ In 2005 Sage Francis was the first hip–hop artist signed to Epitaph Records and soon became one of the highest selling independent artists of his genre. Rather than abandon his day–to–day grind at SFR, he channeled all of his newfound resources into it, allowing the label to expand in staff as well as roster. Having fulfilled his contract obligations with Epitaph Records, Sage Francis has returned to releasing music independently as he gears up to defeat the odds. Once again.
♦ “COPPER GONE”, Francis’ 6th studio album, dropped on June 3rd, 2014 via Strange Famous Records. This indie release managed to break Billboard’s Top 200 as well as iTunes top 5 for hip–hop in the US as well as in the UK. Upon the release of Copper Gone, Sage Francis has toured the world and he continues to tour extensively well into 2015.
LYRICS:
Little Houdini
[Intro]
Christopher Daniel Gay was arrested on a Friday
In Florida at the Daytona International Speedway
He was a fugitive on the run, Christopher made a quick escape
While being transported in a van that was picking up convicts state to state
He did it during a bathroom break, he hot-wired somebody's pickup
In fact, Christopher had a long history of theft involving trucks
He was on route to Alabama for stealing someone's travel trailer
Grand Theft Auto he was a career criminal, jailbird who also
Had three outstanding warrants in his home state of Tennessee
It was an outstanding performance that set him free
(Little Houdini)
Stole a big rig, then a tour bus that belonged to Crystal Gayle
To evade a five state manhunt that wanted to put that birdy back in jail
But they failed
[Verse 1]
Cause Christopher wasn't just running from cops
Christopher Gay was now racing a clock
His mother was dying and there was no time to be held inside of a cage with locks
So yall can turn up your nose and suck on your teeth and wag your finger like tsk-tsk
But he had to take the risk
(Little Houdini)
There wasn't a single thing sinister in his decision to break from the prison
His only motive was to go back to his childhood home while his mom was still living
It wasn't a house, more like an old mobile camper
Where she was bedridden diagnosed with colon cancer
Sometimes the only answer we're left with
When the loved one's name is on the death list
Is to head for the exits and go home
Christopher got the hell out of Texas
His abandonment was reckless
It prolonged his sentence
Y'all can forget it
He had numerous convictions and none were as strong as this
Unless you consider the other instance he went the distance
Similar situation, it was a bizarre coincidence
When he escaped from the prison the first time
Not this time, but the one before
He visited his dad cause he was dying inside of a mental ward
Suffering from Alzheimer's
He paid respects, made his peace
When he was done, he didn't run
He returned himself back to the police
That's when his mom made her plea
She said
[Hook]
"He knows what he done was wrong
But he knows his father don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's not dangerous, he's our son
He ain't never hurt no one
He knows what he's done was wrong
But he knows his father don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's our son"
This ain't no country western song
[Verse 2]
Christopher wasn't just running from cops
Christopher Gay was now racing a clock
His mother was dying and there was no time to be held inside of a cage with locks
So Y'all can go on tossing rocks And talk your talk like tsk tsk
Meanwhile Chris is stealing a tractor trailer from Wal-Mart
An 18 wheeler, he's peeling rubber the bird takes flight down turnpikes
Three hundred thousand dollars worth of merchandise, but it ain't worth her life
Ran it off the road, and abandoned it
50 yards from his moms to avoid the cops
Thats half a football field from her feeble arms
After all this stuff
The tour bus, the pick up trucks
The tractor trailer, interstate chases
He put on the brakes and couldn't get close enough
The news reporters told people to lock their doors
Like there was a monster on the loose but there was no truth to those reports
His mom had weeks to live
And Chris had years to serve
They were within shouting distance
But I don't think he heard her final words
I don't think he heard her final words
She made her plea to the TV
[Hook]
"He knows what he's done was wrong
But he knows his mama don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's not dangerous, he's my son
He ain't never hurt no one
He knows what he's done was wrong
But he knows his mama don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's not dangerous, he's my son"
This ain't no country western song
[Outro]
The third time he escaped from a state cop at the Georgia pit-stop
He just slipped out of the handcuffs, he jumped ship then he took off
With no father to visit, no mom to go home to
Just a wide open sky where he could fly
With no father to visit, no mom to go home to
Just an open road where he could be free
(Little Houdini) X3
Website: http://www.sagefrancis.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SageFrancis
Label: http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/sage-francis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SageFrancis
Agent: + The Agency Group
_____________________________________________________________
Francis Sage — Li(F)e
Λ Sage Francis’s fourth studio album has it’s name taken from the line “Life is just a lie with an F in it.” This album is much different than his previous works with much slower tempos and darker music.
Λ Li(F)e is a progression — Paul Wall
Λ A MASTERPIECE — D. Berry
Λ An indie rapper once on the Anticon label, Sage's layered lyrics stem from his poetry slam background.
Born: 1977 in Miami, FL
Location: Providence, RI
Album release: January 1, 2010
Record Label: Strange Famous / Anti
Duration: 48:01
Tracks:
01. Little Houdini 6:46
02. Three Sheets To The Wind 3:31
03. I Was Zero 4:18
04. Slow Man 3:38
05. Diamonds And Pearls 4:02
06. Polterzeitgeist 4:05
07. The Baby Stays 3:41
08. 16 Years 3:45
09. Worry Not 3:19
10. London Bridge 2:10
11. Love The Lie 3:13
12. The Best Of Times 5:33
♦ Produced, Mixing: Brian Deck
Written by:
♦ Sage Francis / Jason Lytle 1
♦ Sage Francis / Chris Walla 2, 10
♦ Jim Becker / Brian Deck / Sage Francis / Gordon Patriarca / Tim Rutili / Richard Terfry 3, 8
♦ Joey Burns / John Convertino / Sage Francis 4
♦ Sage Francis / Shawn Gilbert / Thomas Hagerman / Nicholas Lurata / Jeanie Schroder 5
♦ Jim Becker / Brian Deck / Sage Francis / Tim Rutili 6
♦ Sage Francis / Tim Rutili 7
♦ Tim Fite / Sage Francis 9
♦ Sage Francis / Mark Linkous 11
♦ Sage Francis / Yann Tiersen 12
AWARDS:
Billboard Albums
♦ 2010 R&B Albums #28
♦ 2010 The Billboard 200 #145
♦ 2010 Top Independent Albums #29
♦ 2010 Top Rap Albums #16
Editorial Reviews
♦ Sage — Francis — Li(f)e is a marked evolution for Sage Francis. It features Sage s confrontational lyrics set to compositions by Chris Walla, Mark Linkous, Jason Lytle, members of Calexico, DeVotchKa, Califone, and other indie icons. The celebrated agent-provocateur of hip hop brings his signature wordplay, a dazzling mix of sardonic humor and biting social commentary, to a setting 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. © Photo credit Rich Johnson
Review by David Jeffries; Score: ***½
♦ Putting his Anti label's indie rock connections to good use, Sage Francis’ Li(f)e features the alt–rapper collaborating with members of Califone, Death Cab for Cutie, Grandaddy, and other guitar–based outfits while being solely produced by Brian Deck, who had previously worked with Modest Mouse and Iron & Wine. Sonically, it’s a giant shift from his previous work as the otherworldly and often dark beats of the past are replaced by the traditional guitars, bass, and drums, but Sage is primarily the same, cynical as hell and able to knock listeners out of their comfort zone with lyrics that are as true as they are unsettling. As far as growth, his lurid and flippant lines — a good example being “I heard God was coming/And she’s a screamer” from “I Was Zero” — are complemented by more subtle blows against the empire as wisdom and restraint come into play on the album’s meatier numbers. When it all comes together, it’s magnificent, as when indie–riffing guitars, a surprisingly hooky chorus, and the whole “life equals lie” theme of the album combine on “Love the Lie.” You can bob your head and sing along as Sage covers a whirlwind of concerns on the track including God, girls, and staying together for the kids. Nearly as good is “Worry Not,” which is somewhere between a Tom Waits number and front–porch rave–up as it offers “Anxiety is a disease/You gotta learn to live with it” with banjo accompaniment. ♦ “Damned if you do/Damned if you don’t” is the closest thing to an answer here and sometimes the indie rock/alt–rap mashing seems nothing more than a well–executed exercise in genre–blending, but these are small complaints that will seem miniscule to the man’s loyal fan base. Taking on both the BS and sobering–side–of–life lessons while straddling genres would be difficult for any musician, but Sage did it and came up with a B–plus effort. More tangible proof that he’s a gifted artist. :: http://www.allmusic.com/
Bio:
♦ Sage Francis is widely considered one of our generation’s greatest lyricists. His career derives mainly from gifted wordplay which creates vivid narratives to instigate as well as inspire, but since it often derives from an accumulation of public disdain and personal turmoil, it’s more about storming the castle than about watching the throne.
Dubbed as the “forefather of indie–hop,” Francis originally earned acclaim in the early 2000’s by winning the most highly coveted titles of the emcee battle circuit. With little to no funding, Francis sustained himself by selling his innovative “Sick of” mixtapes, all made by hand on the floor of his Providence, RI apartment. These were essentially bootleg compilations full of select recordings from his 12” vinyl singles, demo sessions, live performances and radio freestyles. The popularity of these tapes birthed Strange Famous Records (SFR); a meager, one–man operation in 1999.
♦ Despite having no official distribution, Francis’ unique brand of music spread like wildfire via the advent of file sharing networks. This resulted in him attaining a massive cult–like following around the world, creating a demand for his albums and live performances at which point the bigger labels took notice. With his first studio album, Personal Journals (2002,) Francis daringly set aside the more boastful side of rap by catering to his poetic leanings and scathing socio–political commentary.
♦ In 2005 Sage Francis was the first hip–hop artist signed to Epitaph Records and soon became one of the highest selling independent artists of his genre. Rather than abandon his day–to–day grind at SFR, he channeled all of his newfound resources into it, allowing the label to expand in staff as well as roster. Having fulfilled his contract obligations with Epitaph Records, Sage Francis has returned to releasing music independently as he gears up to defeat the odds. Once again.
♦ “COPPER GONE”, Francis’ 6th studio album, dropped on June 3rd, 2014 via Strange Famous Records. This indie release managed to break Billboard’s Top 200 as well as iTunes top 5 for hip–hop in the US as well as in the UK. Upon the release of Copper Gone, Sage Francis has toured the world and he continues to tour extensively well into 2015.
LYRICS:
Little Houdini
[Intro]
Christopher Daniel Gay was arrested on a Friday
In Florida at the Daytona International Speedway
He was a fugitive on the run, Christopher made a quick escape
While being transported in a van that was picking up convicts state to state
He did it during a bathroom break, he hot-wired somebody's pickup
In fact, Christopher had a long history of theft involving trucks
He was on route to Alabama for stealing someone's travel trailer
Grand Theft Auto he was a career criminal, jailbird who also
Had three outstanding warrants in his home state of Tennessee
It was an outstanding performance that set him free
(Little Houdini)
Stole a big rig, then a tour bus that belonged to Crystal Gayle
To evade a five state manhunt that wanted to put that birdy back in jail
But they failed
[Verse 1]
Cause Christopher wasn't just running from cops
Christopher Gay was now racing a clock
His mother was dying and there was no time to be held inside of a cage with locks
So yall can turn up your nose and suck on your teeth and wag your finger like tsk-tsk
But he had to take the risk
(Little Houdini)
There wasn't a single thing sinister in his decision to break from the prison
His only motive was to go back to his childhood home while his mom was still living
It wasn't a house, more like an old mobile camper
Where she was bedridden diagnosed with colon cancer
Sometimes the only answer we're left with
When the loved one's name is on the death list
Is to head for the exits and go home
Christopher got the hell out of Texas
His abandonment was reckless
It prolonged his sentence
Y'all can forget it
He had numerous convictions and none were as strong as this
Unless you consider the other instance he went the distance
Similar situation, it was a bizarre coincidence
When he escaped from the prison the first time
Not this time, but the one before
He visited his dad cause he was dying inside of a mental ward
Suffering from Alzheimer's
He paid respects, made his peace
When he was done, he didn't run
He returned himself back to the police
That's when his mom made her plea
She said
[Hook]
"He knows what he done was wrong
But he knows his father don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's not dangerous, he's our son
He ain't never hurt no one
He knows what he's done was wrong
But he knows his father don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's our son"
This ain't no country western song
[Verse 2]
Christopher wasn't just running from cops
Christopher Gay was now racing a clock
His mother was dying and there was no time to be held inside of a cage with locks
So Y'all can go on tossing rocks And talk your talk like tsk tsk
Meanwhile Chris is stealing a tractor trailer from Wal-Mart
An 18 wheeler, he's peeling rubber the bird takes flight down turnpikes
Three hundred thousand dollars worth of merchandise, but it ain't worth her life
Ran it off the road, and abandoned it
50 yards from his moms to avoid the cops
Thats half a football field from her feeble arms
After all this stuff
The tour bus, the pick up trucks
The tractor trailer, interstate chases
He put on the brakes and couldn't get close enough
The news reporters told people to lock their doors
Like there was a monster on the loose but there was no truth to those reports
His mom had weeks to live
And Chris had years to serve
They were within shouting distance
But I don't think he heard her final words
I don't think he heard her final words
She made her plea to the TV
[Hook]
"He knows what he's done was wrong
But he knows his mama don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's not dangerous, he's my son
He ain't never hurt no one
He knows what he's done was wrong
But he knows his mama don't got long
He's not a fugitive on the run
He's not dangerous, he's my son"
This ain't no country western song
[Outro]
The third time he escaped from a state cop at the Georgia pit-stop
He just slipped out of the handcuffs, he jumped ship then he took off
With no father to visit, no mom to go home to
Just a wide open sky where he could fly
With no father to visit, no mom to go home to
Just an open road where he could be free
(Little Houdini) X3
Website: http://www.sagefrancis.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SageFrancis
Label: http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/sage-francis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SageFrancis
Agent: + The Agency Group
_____________________________________________________________