Sage Francis 'Li(f)e' Out Today, May 11th On ANTI
A defiantly original new album entitled Li(f)e by venerated wordsmith SAGE FRANCIS arrives in stores this week via Anti- Records. After notable works of powerful self examination and furious political criticism, the talented Francis now sets his sights on the rampant hypocrisy of organized religion. This timely and provocative lyrical discourse is empowered by an all star cast of artists ranging from ex Grandaddy front-man Jason Lytle, Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie, Tim Fite, members of Calexico and DeVotchKa, Mark Linkous from Sparklehorse and French composer Yann Tiersen. Each distinctive composition was subsequently reinterpreted by Francis with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) and Jim Becker and Tim Rutili of Califone. The result is a undeniably unique and timely statement from an uncompromising artist
Critical Acclaim For Li(f)e:
"Li(f)e is beautiful, sublime and epic; this ranks amongst Sage's finest work." - Theskinny.co.uk
"some of the most adventurous musical work of Francis' career ." - Providence Journal
"a watershed album in an already uncommon career." - Alarm
"Cult-status indie wordsmith Sage Francis digs deep and blows the black mold off the diary on Li(f)e (Anti-), while enlisting an impressive roster of indie-rock songwriters. Loyal followers of the veteran slam poet/spoken word maestro receive a hot dose of expert wordplay revolving around the lies and hypocrisy teeming throughout everyday life, but Li(f)e also finds Paul "Sage" Francis at the pinnacle of his vividly entertaining, often self-deprecating introspection." - Providence Phoenix
"Fleshed out with an unlikely cast, the album produces some spectacular results. On "Diamond and Pearls," DeVotchKa's elegant, antiquated folk turns ugly when Francis conflates prison imagery with jabs at organized religion. In "Slow Man," he embraces the notion of getting old atop Calexico's simmering blues. "Little Houdini" tells the saga of a real-life fugitive as ex-Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle unravels a gloomy alt-country sprawl. Even Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla makes good, powering "Three Sheets to the Wind" with a tense Les Savy Fav-style guitar line. Although scrolling through the credits is a trip, it's Francis -- not the visitors -- who makes Li(f)e meaningful. He inverts clichés and rearranges metaphors, snaking through scenarios with a brazen, vindictive sense of humanity. If he never writes again (unlikely as that is), at least his swan song will be a doozie." - Boston Phoenix
Catch SAGE FRANCIS On Tour Now: 2010-05-12 Middle East Downstairs Cambridge MA 2010-05-13 Higher Ground Burlington VT 2010-05-14 Port City Music Hall Portland ME 2010-05-18 Alvins Detroit MI 2010-05-19 Bottom Lounge Chicago IL 2010-05-20 Turner Hall Milwaukee WI 2010-05-21 First Avenue Minneapolis MN 2010-05-22 Blue Note Columbia MO 2010-05-24 Gothic Theater Englewood CO 2010-05-25 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City UT 2010-05-26 Badlander Missoula MT 2010-06-01 Showbox SoDo Seattle WA 2010-06-02 Berbatis Pan Portland OR 2010-06-04 Fillmore San Francisco CA 2010-06-05 The Catalyst Santa Cruz CA 2010-06-06 Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles CA 2010-06-07 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA 2010-06-09 Glass House Pomona CA 2010-06-10 The Clubhouse Tempe AZ 2010-06-11 Club Congress Tucson AZ 2010-06-12 Sunshine Theatre Albuquerque NM 2010-06-14 Granada Theater Dallas TX 2010-06-15 The Mohawk Austin TX 2010-06-16 House of Blues Houston TX 2010-06-18 Club at Firestone Orlando FL 2010-06-19 The Loft Atlanta GA 2010-06-21 Cats Cradle Carrboro NC 2010-06-22 Rock n Roll Washington DC 2010-06-23 Otto Bar Baltimore MD 2010-06-24 Trocadero Philadelphia PA 2010-06-25 Webster Hall New York NY