Sage Francis - LI(F)E SIGNED Red Vinyl 2xLP + EXTRAS

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More "LI(F)E" and Sage Francis merch is available here.

Limited quantity back in stock for the 10th anniversary of Sage's final album with Epitaph/Anti- Records!

This dark red/garnet marbled vinyl was limited to 300 copies and most of the run sold out 10 years ago when the album dropped. We unearthed the last cache of these (the regular Black Vinyl version is already out-of-print) to celebrate 10 years of LI(F)E!

"Li(f)e" dropped on May 11, 2010. This album spawned the certified underground classic "Best of Times," and Sage Francis' biting and sardonic wordplay is backed by performances from the following musicians/bands/songwriters/producers: Yann Tiersen, Califone, Jason Lytle (Grandaddy), Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), Tim Fite, Calexico, DeVotchKa, Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse), Brian Deck, Buck 65, and Kurtis SP.

Orders for this product page will receive:

• Red/Garnet Marble Double-Vinyl LP in Gatefold jacket SIGNED BY SAGE FRANCIS
  with artwork by Shepard Fairey (OBEY/Giant)!
• "LI(F)E" Promotional Poster from the original album campaign (ships folded in box with Vinyl)
• SFR Sticker

Track List:
01. Little Houdini
02. Three Sheets to the Wind
03. I Was Zero
04. Slow Man
05. Diamonds and Pearls
06. Polterzeitgeist
07. The Baby Stays
08. 16 Years
09. Worry Not
10. London Bridge
11. Love The Lie
12. The Best of Times

"Life is just a lie with an 'f' in it... and death is definite." - Sage Francis

AN UNDERGROUND STAR FROM HIS YEARS AS A BATTLE CHAMPION, POET AND FOUNDER OF INFLUENTIAL STRANGE FAMOUS RECORDS, FRANCIS GARNERED EVEN WIDER ACCLAIM WITH HIS INCENDIARY 2005 RELEASE 'A HEALTHY DISTRUST,' A TIMELY CONDEMNATION OF CORPORATE GREED, WAR-MONGERING AND AMERICAN COMPLACENCY. ON HIS ELECTRIFYING NEW ALBUM 'LI(F)E,' FRANCIS TURNS HIS KEEN OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS TO A CULTURE OF RAMPANT HYPOCRISY AND, IN PARTICULAR, ORGANIZED RELIGION.

This album is a marked evolution for Francis. His signature wordplay, a dazzling mix of sardonic humor and biting social commentary, is now complimented by a talented band consisting of producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) and cohorts Jim Becker and Tim Rutili of the acclaimed Chicago outfit Califone. It proves an effective soundtrack for Francis' riveting lyrical discourse. The record's title 'Li(f)e' is a deliberate amalgamation of the words life and lie. As Francis says, "What about life is a lie? What we're told about God is a lie. What we're told about race, gender roles, beauty, war, food, drugs, sexuality, capitalism, history, the nature of humankind...a gang of lies. I feel it in my gut, I think it in my brain, I write it with my hands and I speak it with my mouth. That's what makes 'Li(f)e' the general theme of this album."

To help convey his impassioned message Francis has enlisted a cadre of uniquely talented songwriters. The album begins with a stirring Steinbeck imbued tale of prison break entitled Little Houdini' with music written by ex Grandaddy frontman turned solo artist Jason Lytle. "We specifically sought out songwriters who had never worked with a rapper," Francis explains. "And I didn't want them to write music they thought they should for hip-hop. The music for 'Little Houdini' was a long epic instrumental piece Jason had just hanging around which I then worked my story into." Next up is a rousing and energetic anthem entitled "Three Sheets" with music written by Chris Walla of the band Death Cab for Cutie. Subsequent songs feature compositions by Tim Fite, members of Calexico, DeVotchKa, and Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse - each interpreted by Francis and the band resulting in an entirely organic and captivating vehicle for Francis' dramatic narratives.

'Li(f)e' is a thought provoking and unabashedly original album from an evolving artist with a refreshingly distinctive voice.