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Album Details
- Artist: Sage Francis
- Album: A Healthy Distrust
- Label: Epitaph
- Year of Release: 2005
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2005-05-19
RecommendSage Francis is a grassroots success story. He has been putting out tapes and music on his own forever. When Epitaph came along and signed him some people were left scratching their heads but I think those head scratchers will understand with one brief listen to A Healthy Distrust. He's one of those artists that have problems with almost every political issue. Fine but it leads to a bit of a scattered topic album. Lucky for fans, Sage has a really smooth flow that allows you to tolerate the politick. Uh, did I just hear Will Oldham on a hip-hop album? Yes you did on "Sea Lion", a clever duet (or battle if you will) between the Americana artist and Sage. It comes of a very fresh breath of air in the hip hop world. I actually like the lighter fare on the album like the beginning of "Crumble", which then builds up to quite an interesting array of samples. "Voice Mail Bomb Threat" proves to be quite entertaining but after a couple times through you may get sick of hearing someone ranting on an answering machine. The samples also make it somewhat enjoyable. "Dance Monkey" is a total Beastie Boys track. It's got the feel of the B-Boys with Sage rapping. My favorite track is yet to come. "Lie Detector Test" reminds me of something Arrested Development would have done. It's the light samples and Francis' flow that give it this easy going feel. Sage Francis has brought us a very diverse hip hop album in an underground world. A Healthy Distrust comes highly recommended.
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on 2011-06-05 CharlesMartel Said:
LONDON, Press Wire Report CHARLESMARTEL IN POSITIVE HIP HOP REVIEW SHOCK
In a shock development, reclusive newbie and frequenter of Musicemissions, CharlesMartel, has given a positive review to a hip-hop album.
The act has stunned many amongst his hip-hop loving friends for whom he is perhaps best known for his scathing attacks on what are regarded as some of the best albums the genre has to offer.
Sage Francis' "A Healthy Distrust" gained seven stars in a startling development midday Saturday, a feat hitherto regarded as near on impossible by many.
This came at the same time as a re-review of another hip-hop album had resulted in it being given another belting.
Some of his friends and associates were stunned. One, who wished to remain anonymous, was quoted as saying "its about time. He's gone for the throat of so many hip hop albums, I'm surprised there was one he would like".
A few others just laughed. One said he'd check it out for himself. Another just carried on with a line of ridiculous comments made earlier in relation to musical origin and taste. A few said that they could see why it would appeal but declined to withdraw previous stinging attacks.
Contacted by your reporter shortly after the review was finished, CharlesMartel said, "this album is different from the other hip-hop dross I have listened to in recent weeks. It deals with real themes, real politics, real issues. It does not pull any punches and it delivers the message free of the negativities which so often bedevil hip hop. There is a message here and it gets that message across squarely and without the need to resort to unnecessary shock tactics. There might be plenty of swearing, but there is none of the misogyny, homophobia and negative image associated with so much gangsta hip-hop ".
The review cites the smooth and unforced flow of language, sometimes mirroring the reggae crossover style, as well as the lyrical content and the beats which, while described as interesting do not come across as repetitive as other albums of the genre. The album's message is broadly political without being overly partisan.
CharlesMartel added, " I was put onto this by a couple of wise and patient people and I'd like to thank them for that. It took a long time to find a hip-hop album I could actually enjoy. I always suspected it was out there, but it has been like looking for a needle in a field of haystacks."
Eminem and 50 Cent were unavailable for comment.
Rating: 7/10
Review:
on 2007-04-02 sublogic Said:
If ANYONE gets a chance to see this man live , take the oppertunity. "Dance Monkey" is a sight to behold and his interaction with a crowd of 20 to 2000 is the same each time. I've seen both. "Slow Down Ghandi" was my favorite track with the line, "Republicrat, Demicran, it's a one party system." A true performer.
Rating: 9/10
