Sage Francis - Human the Death Dance

  by Daniel Cressey

published: 7 / 6 / 2007

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Review

In a scene as over-crowded as American hip-hop, Sage Francis’s off the wall references and undoubted talent with an unexpected rhyme mark him out. They mark him both as a cut above the average and as something more-than-slightly different. Even in a scene where the ‘alternative’ artists set themselves to radical agendas his idiosyncrasies are of another level. Many rappers condemned the knee-jerk patriotism that followed 9/11 – few did a matter of weeks after. The fact that he’s white, basically straight-edge and known to rhyme about his vegan tendencies ensures him cult status. His music has always justified such a status – by turns ragged, uplifting, furiously angry and often completely unexpected. This album though sees him treading a more worn path. The beats over which Francis has chosen to set his rhymes appear childishly simplistic when set against those of some other leftfield hip-hop artists. And while he has always been willing to indulge in the hip-hop mainstay of "I’m a great MC – you’re a rubbish MC" songs, they seem especially prominent here. But even this musical nose-thumbing is done with such aplomb it is hard to grudge it. And when he moves on to more autobiographical topics 'Human the Death Dance' comes alive. Detailing his college sports career and his musical progress Francis shows a deftness of touch and a wry humour that are rare in any form of art, let alone music, certainly let alone hip-hop. Closing track ‘Going Back to Rehab’ is especially stunning. This may not be his greatest album to date; it is probably his most accessible. Anything that can bring a talent such as his to more people should be welcome.

Track Listing:-

1 Growing Pains
2 Underground For Dummies
3 Civil Obedience
4 Got Up This Morning
5 Good Fashion
6 Clickety Clack
7 Midgets and Giants
8 Broccoli Break
9 High Step
10 Keep Moving
11 Water Line
12 Black Out On White Night
13 Hell Of A Year
14 Call Me Francois
15 Hoofprints In The Sand
16 Going Back To Rehab

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