Music Review: @SageFrancis – Copper Gone

Sage Francis is one of hip hop’s most original orators. With a career spanning over the healthier part of 15 years, Francis has evolved from a poetry slam legend to Scribble Jam winner to a mainstay in the minds of underground hip hop. Yet, he shuns many things that Western culture values (materialism, sexism, fascism) for the sake of honesty. Also, he wears his beliefs and emotions upon his sleeves and pants legs. With the hiatus ending Copper Gone, this is where Sage Francis is.

To be frank, Sage Francis is still as relentless, overbearing, ironic, and honest as ever. The album starting “Pressure Cooker” raises the roof with a rock aesthetic that you would expect from a Body Count album. “Dead Man’s Float” covers the ills of society and how it contributes to his lack of belief in a higher deity. “Thank You” is his dedication to the one that loved and raised him. Even with the feline dedication of “Make Em Purr”, Sage Francis is going to keep it abruptly authentic.

The production, however, meticulously matches the lyrics. “Grace” comes with a dark and moody production that enchants the ears into visualizing the situation Sage speaks on. The evil-lurking-crooning-with-chants-and-scratches put on “Say Uncle” makes the track works easily. “Vonnegut Busy” lets the guitar licks and horns to flex while Francis makes way with his lyrics in an efficient manner. Thus, it is always a win when the production is a reflection of the direction of the writing.

Copper Gone is not a good album; it is a great album. However, this isn’t an album for everybody. If you are a fan of gritty, honest hip hop that isn’t made for circus rhymes and radio turns, then this is for you.  It takes a lot of meticulousness to make an album like this work. After an hiatus, Sage Francis sounds as fluid and powerful as ever