Human The Death Dance
by Sage Francis
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: May 8, 2007
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Alternative Press
    90
    He rhymes like a champ. [Jun 2007, p.160]
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  2. RapReviews.com
    90
    Francis is on a level where even next shit is two steps behind.
  3. Filter
    82
    You can call it emo or you can call it hip-hop, but you have to call it some kind of wonderful. [#25, p.94]
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  5. Urb
    80
    Its tracks work together to form a cohesive, incredibly personal whole. [May 2007, p.91]
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  6. NOW Magazine
    80
    The weird, nuanced Rhode Island-based MC burns his references, punchlines and cold truths through a batch of X-acto-sharp beats, focusing his strong opinions, sense of imagery and lyrical abstraction inward.
  7. AllMusic
    80
    Human the Death Dance may be his most personal effort, but it's also an incredibly well-built full-length -- even when it borrows from a handful of genres -- and it's arguably his best lyrical effort, undoubtedly his best production-wise.
  8. Playlouder
    80
    Lyrically, it's astounding as ever.
  9. Pitchfork
    79
    The old Francis, the quirky, quipping storyteller, triumphantly returns on Human the Death Dance... to his unique blend of diaristic, down-to-earth meditations, eerie soundscapes, and loopy abstraction.
  10. Billboard
    70
    Much of "Human the Death Dance" goes for something deeper—the sound of an artist afraid of what he almost became. [12 May 2007]
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  11. Sputnikmusic
    70
    Human the Death Dance may not be perfect and perhaps not even an improvement for fans, but regardless, it's full of wonderful moments that should satisfy fans and serve as a great introduction for newcomers.
  12. Boston Globe
    70
    He's still one of the most enjoyable lyricists in hip-hop, and he successfully communicates what he's feeling in a dark and enlightening fashion.
  13. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Human The Death Dance is a little too boastful, a little too obvious; the subtleties that made Francis’ previous offering so enjoyable and provided it with plenty of longevity have dissipated somewhat.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. KennyM.
    Aug 1, 2007
    3
    horrid. the prduction is absolutely horrible, not to mention the messy delivery by sage as he stumbles over cheap metaphors and cloudy horrid. the prduction is absolutely horrible, not to mention the messy delivery by sage as he stumbles over cheap metaphors and cloudy imagery. I gave this album a three because there are only about that number that i can even stand to listen to. sage francis is a cheap imitator of other mc's like aesop rock and el-p who are LEGIONS above him. sage francis is a hack.… Full Review »
  2. Bill
    Jul 31, 2007
    6
    This is a pretty decent album by Sage, but he has lost all the fun in his music. Instead of being a hip-hop artist with an alternative bent, This is a pretty decent album by Sage, but he has lost all the fun in his music. Instead of being a hip-hop artist with an alternative bent, he approaches the music like an emo artist trying to rap. For better HIP HOP albums, check out his indie releases like the "Sick of..." series or "Hope" by Non-Prophets. Bring back some of the clever fun, Sage!… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    May 14, 2007
    10
    great album by Sage. No one does it better than him!
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