A Healthy Distrust was probably Sage Francis' breakout record and, unfortunately Human the Death Dance was not much of step up for him. Fortunately, Sage gets something he really needed on his latest album: a live band.Sage collaborated with a host of indie rockers and musicians, working with different musicians on each track, to create a record that sounds different from the rest of his work, with a largely country-rock influenced sound.
Li(f)e opens with Little Houdini, a true story about a man who escapes from jail several times to visit his family. This nonfiction narrative is a refreshing turn for Sage, taking a break from his usual lyricism that often draws criticism for its over-the-top profane imagery and lack of subtlety. The music, a building country-tinged rock beat, is by Grandaddy's Jason Lytle. The lyrics and music mesh perfectly to make arguably the best track on the album.
Three Sheets to the Wind is a straight-rocker conducted by Death Cab guitarist Chris Walla. I Was Zero sees Sage return to old lyrical form over a buoyant accompaniment.
The album's first single is Slow Man. Written long before the rest of this album, the lyrics for this song didn't have a home until it found a home with this tracks bluesy groove.
The album closes with it's second single, The Best of Times. Here, Sage Francis brings back his trademark confessional style, recounting his troubled youth over a beautiful arrangement by French composer Yann Tiersen, who's most known for composing the soundtrack to the motion picture "Amelie."
While this album has a view pitfalls, overall it is very good. The music definitely steals the show and is the landmark difference between this record and the rest of Sage Francis' catalog.
