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(A friend of mine wrote this and I though it was worth a post)
Music Review: Frank Black (by Sid Bigham)
Frank Black is no Pixie: Intrepid Underground Rocker Proves He’s Still Got it With 2003 Album “Show Me Your Tears”
Sid Bigham

Since his 1990 debut as the Pixie’s front-man Frank Black has exhibited a longevity rarely seen in the alt-rock underground. Black (real name: Charles Thompson) founded the Pixies in Boston under the name Black Francis. The group developed a strong cult following but disintegrated three years later due to artistic differences between Black and bassist Kim Deal. Thompson switched his name to Frank Black after the Pixies broke up and embarked on his solo career. Determined not to be enshrined in the annals of indie-rock obscurity, he spent the next five years clawing his way back to the blissful meadow that is profitable venturehood. Not surprising it took him five years since he was clawing against the likes of Frank Zappa and Ice-T *ZING!* But as it turns out, Frank Black really is going “the distance,” as Cake put it so eloquently, as his 1998 Album “Frank Black and the Catholics” met very favorable reviews in “Rolling Stone,” which, apparently, is a magazine that some people read sometimes. Frank Black has since produced three more CDs with The Catholics including his much anticipated 2003 album “Show Me Your Tears,” which is said to be even cooler than the Fonz.
Understandably skeptical, I investigated that report myself in the standard fashion: After putting the CD on repeat, I killed a bottle of Jose Cuervo in my desk chair. Sixteen hours later after drifting in and out of drunken unconsciousness, I arose from my catatonic stupor and was satisfied that all 13 tracks had had sufficient time to filter through my subconscious. “Massif Centrale” and “This Old Heartache” were my personal favorites. The first can be described as a Metal/Blues hybrid—the song with the most obvious Pixies influence. While the second plays out more like a Doors-style lament with some interesting keyboard interludes. The songs are strikingly different, and I nearly concluded that they had been performed by assorted groups as some sort of fraudulent underground rock conspiracy. However, my spider-sense was going crazy and I soon unearthed the truth—Frank Black is just that good.
Black seems to have recaptured some of his former magic, but Pixies fans beware: his new sound is a far cry from the Pixies euro-punk. The new Frank Black exhibits a dynamic element not seen since Batman and Robin. His ever-changing voice keeps the listener guessing; sometimes evoking thoughts of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, occasionally reminiscent of Jim Morrison, this album has something for everyone. The lyrics themselves are no less satisfying. Simple hooks with clear crisp lines enhance this album with the kind of songs that don’t go where you expect them to, but that become like favored classics after they’ve been mapped out. Band members Rich Gilbert on guitar, David McCaffrey on bass, Scott Boutier on drums and new addition Eric Drew Feldman on keyboard help Black to further diversify his sound, and “Show Me Your Tears” proves that Frank Black is as energetic as his music is consistently strong. The album ranges from country rock, to acoustic pop, to roots and crunch-rock. Not that his target audience consists of leather clad redneck hipsters—most people who connect with music in any of these ranges will likely recognize Black’s talent even if he takes some getting used to.
The unique, new sound proves Black is back, and the album’s success puts he and his band at the cutting edge of alternative rock. It becomes increasingly clear that the cutting edge is indeed where Frank Black belongs, and there’s every reason to suspect that we’ll still be hearing about him in another ten years.

gSpot

thanks for the background info and the awesome review. i have been a fan for many years, and will continue to be!

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