Originally released in 2002, Personal Journals blindsided the music industry with the deeply revealing, confessional lyricism of DIY stalwart Sage Francis. One of the best-selling indie hip-hop records of all time, Personal Journals led the charge into a fresh new era for the underground music world. Since the release of PJ, Sage has released three LPs on Anti-/Epitaph Records, sold over 100,000 albums, started his own independent label, Strange Famous Records, and dropped two projects with his group Epic Beard Men. SFR is proud to present the 20th anniversary limited edition reissue of this genre-defining classic on 2xLP ‘galaxy splatter’ red-black-and-silver colored vinyl, including a full-size 16-page booklet, featuring the full album lyrics reprinted for the first time, plus never-before-seen photos and the behind-the-scenes journal entries from the original CD version of the album.

Turns self-examination into poetry and then, harder still, turns the poems into great rap. And as dark as he gets, Francis makes sure we have a great time. – Pitchfork, 8.7/10

Bluntly put, the album is a masterpiece. – Dusted Magazine

Instead of leaving you devastated, Personal Journals is strangely comforting. Sage Francis is our exorcist. Lyrically, nothing short of brilliant. – Stylus Magazine

Personal Journals, is regarded as a benchmark in the growing indie rap field and effectively relates Sage’s misgivings about himself and the world around him over non-traditional beats. – Synthesis

There is something that makes this record sound simple and perfect at the same time. Personal Journals might be the best rap-record in my book for 2002. – Monochrom

In the end, the album’s journey has been circular, but we have learned why it must be. Ferociously demanding much of his listeners, Sage Francis rewards us with the revelations of despair, and they are impossible to ignore. Above all else, Personal Journals is foreground music, rightfully asserting its own necessity. – Brown Daily Herald