Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
Published February 15, 2005
In terms of his more personal writing, I particularly like the song "Agony In Her Body." It is dark and melancholic, dwelling on violence and misogyny. It deals with the ties, too often found, between sex and violence and how it can come to consume a relationship. As is often the case, the music fits the lyrics and the mood, leaving the listener disturbed and uneasy. The song begins with, "Day one, I played with her blood. / Day two left her face bruised and we called it making love. / Day three her blood played with me. / Dirty talk caught me off guard. She had the nerve to ask if I thought she was crazy." Sage veritably whispers these opening lines, suggesting pain and danger. We know from the start, from the words and the tone, that this will not be a happy story but the tale of a relationship drenched in misery and dysfunction. Every word, then, is compelling and haunting.
There are better, more quotable lyrics throughout the album. While Sage dwells on a variety of subjects, he often works in metaphors and partakes in quite a bit of word play. His meanings aren't always clear, at least not on initial listenings. At times, you're left more intuiting what he means - by tone and context - rather than determining. It's just one more of the album's strengths that lends it a depth and will leave you playing it over and over to better grasp the songs. It also gives the album a longevity, distancing it from too many cultural references that grow stale over time.
I could go on. There is so much happening in this album that I could listen to it a hundred times and still be gaining new thoughts and insights, new possible meanings from the complicated and extensive lyrics. There is some talk that Sage is overly indulgent and self-obsessed and there may be some truth to that. But it doesn't matter, because this is art. This is great music. If this is indulgence, then indulge me, because I'm impressed and fascinated. It often takes smart, screwed up, pissed off and obsessed people to create truly great art. That's what we have in A Healthy Distrust.
- Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
- Published: February 15, 2005
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Hip-hop, Music: Rap
- Writer: Joel Caris
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Thanks, Temple. I'm going to see him in concert on Friday, which I'll also be writing a review of, and am really looking forward to it. I'm still listening to the CD and it's just gotten better and better. I'm definitely going to have to pick up his first album, Personal Journals.
yeah man, i really agree with the stuff you said. after being hugely into personal journals i really didnt know what to expect, but a healthy distrust is SO much more inaccesible in terms of lyrics. on p-journals you know what he's talking about all the time, but on HD you'll get it, and then he'll suddenly talk about like, cowboys and his childhood bedroom. but this album is really growing on me. everytime i listen to it i feel like i'm hearing a new album, its like i can hear lyrics i didnt hear before.
this cd is pretty sweet.
> I had no idea this guy was white. I've heard him once talking about how to write the perfect political poem.
"How to Write a Political Poem" is a track on Sage Francis' "Known Unsoldier". But you're wrong, it's not Sage Francis speaking.
Great track though.
Yes, Sage is definitely one of a kind. I've listened to that album countless times and it still gives me chilly bumps!! It's nice to see a hip hop artist out there whose lyrics contain actual substance. 5 stars. *****
this album is very innovative and just adds to the myriad of underground rap albums that have historically and continue to add consciousness to hip-hop music. i think people ought to check out Immortal Technique if they are seeking raw political and social commentary
I heard about Sage through a friend who lived in Providence, RI back in 98. I've been a fan of his since his first official album came out (personal journals). If you like his music, you should check out the other underground artists of the day: sole, aesop rock, atmosphere, etc. A couple of good labels to get started with are: camobear records, definitive jux, rhymesayers entertainment, heiro imperium, peanuts and corn.
Glad you found his music, and hope it has the same impact on your expectations of what hip hop is supposed to be as it did for me. I haven't listened to a non-indie radio station in over 10 years now, because I get so disturbed by what I hear on the Clear Channel stations.
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Joel,
I had no idea this guy was white. I've heard him once talking about how to write the perfect political poem.
Anyhoo - I moved this too up and over to Advance.net, which includes these places.
Potentially read by hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Thank you for the post. - Temple Stark