Editorial Reviews

The Limited Edition Version of the "Yell Fire!" Album Will Include a Bonus Dvd (Pal) that features Selection of Music and Images from Michael Franti's First Feature Film "i Know I'm Not Alone" which He Made During his Travels to the War Zones of Iraq, Israel and Palestine. Includes a Two Minute Trailer of the Film Along with Photo Gallery, Interviews (Including the Planning of the Trip), Live Street Performances, Acoustic Performance and "Colors in the Box" Music Video.

Product details

Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 4.97 x 0.54 inches; 2.83 ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Liberation
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2006
Label ‏ : ‎ Liberation
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FIHJQA
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ United Kingdom
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2

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4.7 out of 5

158 global ratings

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David Keymer

THE BEST

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2013

Verified Purchase

FRANTI, Michael, with SPEARHEAD. Yellfire. Anti. 2006. $14.85.
MF, voc, guit, comp; others

My two favorite rappers are MC Solaar and Michael Franti. The one raps in French, the other in San Franciscanese. Both favor much more than the barebones in their musical to their songs, employing highly melodious riffs and chordal backgrounds to add color and drama to their songs. They both write (or someone writes for them -I don`t know if MC Solaar composes all his own songs but I think Franti does write all his own) highly sophisticated rhyming lines that, in the case of both men, contain frequently charged social commentary.

Since 1994, when he first recorded with Spearhead, his hip hop-reggae-jazz-funk-rock group (its composition is changeable -Pink recorded with the group once), he has turned out a series of always interesting, always challenging albums -seven in all, Yell Fire is the fifth--that are usually as satisfying musically as they are interesting in intellectual content. Yell Fire, recorded after a tour of Iraq, is mostly about that war, the loss of soldiers' lives and the death of their hopes, and the ease with which we hate people who are different than we are. Franti's albums have gotten progressively bolder in musical style. While his voice isn't great, it suffices for his music, and can be, at times, almost lyrical. Several songs are done reggae-style. Others feature a blistering guitar accompaniment. (Guitar by Franti himself?) Still others are more like conventional hip hop. All of it is good. The lyrics are well worth listening to. No! They`re worth thinking about because Franti is the Real Thing.

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Salty Saltillo

I am back with Spearhead and don't know why I ever left

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2009

Verified Purchase

I used to be a Spearhead fan for a few years in the mid-90s when Michael Franti was working in a much more hip-hop feel. I always admired his talents as a songwriter, but I had other musical avenues to explore and lost track of his career. About 4 months ago I picked up a used copy of "Home" and was reminded of the old days when I used to listen to Spearhead. I decided to catch up with Michael Franti and friends by buying a few newer CDs, but I was NEVER expecting this. This record blows me away every time I listen to it. Michael Franti and friends have been growing in ways that I never imagined. Franti's songwriting is as strong as ever - the man is just so straight forward and sincere and he pours his personality and his being into every song he writes. So many songwriters don't know how to tap into that inner voice that makes their lyrics "real" and they just write meaningless, insincere cliches - but how can anyone not listen to this record and come away with a feeling like you really know Michael Franti, his likes and dislikes, his values, and where he stands in this world? And as musicians the Spearhead folks have really become very mature, talented, versatile artists. No longer the hip-hop/soul mixers, they now cover a vast musical territory, rock, funk, soul, hip hop, reggae... often all in the same song.

My only regret is all those years of Spearhead-listening that I have been missing.

This record is so good, I cannot imagine how anyone could find anything not to love about this stuff. This is what music making is all about. I am so glad I am back in the Spearhead fold. I cannot say enough about the great Michael Franti and Spearhead.

One person found this helpful

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W. M. Greenwood

No one will replace Bob Marley, but Franti comes close

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2007

Verified Purchase

i purchased the Yell Fire album about 3months ago i find i keep going back to listen to it again and again as it has the certain magic of a charismatic communicator that can give you both so much spirituality and outrage in a riveting mix.
The voice, the intensity, the knowing you are listening to the real thing, and nothing phony, knowing that love and outrage can co-exist, which brings immediately to mind the last word of the album "Co-Existence".
Michael Franti has been just below the radar for some years now but i feel his "Yell Fire" album will make more and more aware the gift this man has.
i have never seen him perform, but i can imagine him at 6'6" and ean and with dred-locks makes for a fine stage persona as he moves to the beat.
One wanting fine writing and beat from a man with a message that needs be heard, this is THE ALBUM, it is a must.
For those of neo-conservative bent or merely think they be good citizens of good country that is bringing democracy to the world, don't buy this album, you would despise it as you are what he is OUTRAGED at.
As Franti sings "The revolution, it will come without warning", i simply think "yes".
i am glad we have at a superb talent such as Franti to stand up and sing out his heart, a great album is this "Yell Fire". Max90

One person found this helpful

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CSVernon

Can't get enough of this album

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2007

Verified Purchase

Here I am, a 41 yr old suburban stay at home mom whose musical preferences would list: Sting, Natalie Merchant, Jack Johnson, Van Morrison and so on. I heard "One Step Closer to You" on the music channel and became curious. After reading the reviews, I went ahead and purchased this CD even though it is very different from what I consider my genre. I LOVE this CD! I love the music and I love the message. Michael Franti is an amazingly talented individual with a powerful message. I will share my enthusiasm with anyone who will listen (yes, other suburban stay at home mothers!). Even my four and six year olds like to listen to it. Buy it, you really won't be disappointed.

One person found this helpful

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Orflaw

Best music to emerge fromt he Iraq War

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2007

Verified Purchase

Michael Franti is a dedicated musician and person. If you get a chance to see him live, don't miss him. Yell Fire! does not quite capture the power of his live concerts, but comes very close. The songs on Yell Fire! capture his love of humanity and sardonic commentary on the war. A few of his songs sound like covers of U2 songs, but if you are going to cover a band, you could do worse than U2. Franti's music is based in reggae, but offers a broad variety of music that is quite good.

3 people found this helpful

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Lorien Johnson

Great album

Reviewed in Canada on June 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

Love Franti

Anne-Olga Marquelet

Cd

Reviewed in France on March 29, 2016

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Un cd de reggae californien. Très sympa, agréable à écouter. Avec des messages de paix. M. Franti est très engagé. C'est beau !

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De Angelis Giovanni

x chi ama i suoni vivii degli strumenti e i vari generi musicali interpretati dalla magnifica voce di Michael Franti

Reviewed in Italy on January 16, 2016

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Ottime condizioni un buon prodotto grazie mille al venditore lo consiglio x chi ama la buona musica non esitate anzi approfondite su altri album

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Ruthine Burton

Fantastic album

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2014

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I love Spearhead's music, but this album with Michael Franti is just amazing. Addictive music. Every song is well written and fabulous to listen to...

G. Marleau

Excellent sound and rythm

Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2016

Verified Purchase

Excellent sound and rythum

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