A Healthy Distrust:Sage Francis

Artist:

Date Released:

Label:

Produced By:

Tracklisting:
 * 1) Song 1
 * 2) Song 2

Review:

A Healthy Distrust
Label: Epitaph

Genre: hip-hop

Rating: 7.2 of 10

I have always had trouble getting into Sage Francis. I respect his talent and understand his style, but there is just something that is unappealing to me. My initial thought is because it is so whiney, the same way Atmosphere is (another group I cannot get into), emo-rap if you will, though I don’t like the term. But then again, I am a huge Aesop Rock and Sole fan, and they are usually grouped in that same category. Maybe it’s because Sage’s lyrics is not as literate and abstract as Aesop and Sole’s are. It’s not his vocal style because he and Buck 65 have an extremely similar voice, and I like Buck 65. Maybe it’s because he is always so over hyped. His press release goes on and on about how controversial and ground-breaking he is, but I haven’t heard anything that has stirred my soul or that is breathtakingly different. I do like his beats on this album though. Producer duty is shared by DJ Danger Mouse, Alias, the Reanimator, Sixtoo and Daddy Kev. Also there is a wonderful collaboration with Will Oldham for “Sea Lion” which is without a doubt the best track on the disc. I just don’t know though, so after yet another Sage full-length I am still not sold (plus he says “De La is dead,” and we all know that is a flat out lie).