Review:

on 2007-05-07 sublogic Said:

In a perfect world, those with the most passion and the least concern with reaping benefits, would draw the largest crowds. Hip-hop is disgusting these days. “Bitches, Niggaz, Bling, and Guns, blah, blah, blah.” *Apologies to 50 Cent if I just stole his next album title. This is not what I signed up for. Thank God for the underground. But like those from any culture I end up having to defend Hip-Hop as a whole, while conceding that there are Cancers with-in that give my love a black eye. But mainstream is not the lone voice. They’re the most convenient to critisize, because of it’s popularity and exposure, but there’s so many aspects to Hip-Hop these days. I really feel it’s my duty, as one with access to an outlet, to feature as many of the alternative artists that I possibly can. “Ten years later, still hadn’t stopped, Won the biggest battle in a Metallica shirt, before the album dropped. A week later smashed the trophy at a show, It was taking up the space that I needed to grow.” -Sage Francis, “Underground For Dummies” Human The Death Dance is Sage Francis’ second release with Epitaph Records and his 8th all together, as far as his albums that are still fairly available. His last album,2005’s A Healthy Distrust, was underrated as usual and one of my favorites of the year. With Human The Death Dance, Sage delivers a very-good album, but compared to to his other full-length studio albums, I’d put it at the middle of the pack. Better that the 4 Sick… albums, but not as good as A Healthy Distrust, Personal Journalist, and he and Joe Beats’ beautiful, Hope. But like I said, as far as Indie/Underground hip-hop, it’s very good and I’d suggest you pick it up. I can also see this being his most successful album to date and as an intro to those new to his sound, it will definitely do the job. This is all very evident with the first track, “Underground For Dummies”. It’s pretty much a quick auto biography and his views on the state of hip-hop. “Got Up This Morning” is an eerie ballad that teams him with the haunting Jolie Holland and fellow “sub-scenester” Buck 65. On “Midgets and Giants” Sage hilariously smacks imitators and trespassers in the underground, while provoking them, singing,”You are really not all that dope, You are really not all that fresh. No-N-No, N-No-No.” “High Step” is way to short and you can’t help but hunger for more of the guitar riff they drop while Sage rhymes about his rise throughout the years. What initially threw me off was the laid back production. Healthy Distrust seemed so aggressive and it was just enough of a change for Human The Death Dance that I really wasn’t sure what to think of the album until just now. It’s a very lyrical effort, a throwback to Personal Journalist, with his roots underground production sound of the Sick.… albums. Once I was able to appreciate these aspects, I realized Francois is still on his game, and I have no doubt he’ll remain at the forefront of the underground scene.
Rating: 7/10