Musician Michael Franti knew something was missing from the war coverage he saw on the nightly news.

The numbers reminded him of football scores: two car bombs, seven killed, 12 wounded. They were too simple, he thought, to convey the real human cost of the conflicts.

So Franti, 40, traveled to Iraq and Israel to see for himself. He spent a month exploring Baghdad and Gaza, meeting the locals, chatting with soldiers and jamming with musicians. He wrote a slew of songs, 14 of which are included on his new album "Yellfire."

But the experience inspired Franti beyond his usual medium of music. The singer-guitarist also expressed himself visually, directing, shooting and starring in a documentary film called "I Know I'm Not Alone." Both the album and film were released over the summer.