Mark Twain once said that a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. On the epic new record Li(f)e, Sage Francis attempts to speak truth to the lies that pervade all facets of existence. Backed by an unusual consortium of indie rockers, Rhode Island's finest dissects the human condition with brutal honesty and unparalleled wit. From organized religion to interpersonal relationships and beyond, Sage examines the omnipresent impact of the myths many come to mistake as axioms. Sage's sonic experimentation speaks to his genre's legacy of shattering barriers and forging new styles. While his past two Anti-/Epitaph releases showed a heavy punk influence, Li(f)e is a groundbreaking amalgamation of folk, indie rock and hip hop. Brian Deck, acclaimed for his work with Iron & Wine and Modest Mouse, produced the entire record and incorporated live instrumentation from members of DeVotchKa, Sparklehorse, Calexico and Death Cab For Cutie, many of whom had never worked on a hip hop project before. It may sound gimmicky on paper, but the result is a rap album unlike any you've ever heard before.