| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| dougit |
Posted - 10/07/2005 : 14:37:54
Flame away, I'm not so happy with Franks direction as of late
I have not liked anything he has done since DW, except the Austin city Limits concert.
Sorry, that is how I feel.
Seems like he is trying to be everything to everybody.....
(slap me down......can you say sell-out)
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| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Erebus |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 13:24:25
Didn't I read somewhere that with "Stupid Me" Frank was trying to write the perfect song of some type (I forget the form he was after)? Point is, with Honeycomb Frank seems in part to be foregoing the cleverness for an attempt at classic. His reputation is for clever, but his ambiition, at least for the moment, may be to write and perform simple, pure, classic little gems. Or as Vo says, "the occasional straightforward song". Frank knows there is genius in those deceptively simple songs that you just gotta love. I suspect Frank, along with the rest of the human race, finds this genius mysterious, and perhaps a challenge for the the songwriter who has done clever. Of course Honeycomb is a mixed success, for various reasons. Not my fave, and not the direction that promises the most fun for myself, but another welcome addition to the catalog. |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 12:49:32
I think I would agree with Dean that I don't find the lyrics on Honeycomb (or SMYT, for that matter) as clever as those on previous albums. Variety has always been the spice of Frank's songs, though, so I have no problem if he wants to write the occasional straightforward song.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| fbc |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 09:22:40
From what I know FB's a huge fan of 50's/60's rock and roll. I think a Nashville record with musicians from these relevant decades is something Frank has always wanted to do, for himself more than anything else. It was something that was destined to happen, considering him and Mr Tiven spoke about the concept many many moons ago.
I doubt FB wanted to break boundaries or experiment with Honeycomb, rather record an album of his songs played amongst some legends of the Nashville scene (who we now know as the Cats).
Fair play to you Frank. Ambition achieved.
All in the same boat / Rockin' on the same route
We gotta get together / Join each other |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 06:38:43
I understand what you mean... a Nashville album itself is nothing new. It's been done many times by many others. So this isn't really advancing musical theory or trying different things so much as other efforts. At least, I think this is what you mean, and I certainly don't disagree.
BUT, for Frank, it is something entirely new, so it is an experiment of sorts. I guess it's like someone "experimenting" with, well, choose your drug. Many MANY other people have done it before, but they're trying it to see how it works for them. They're not out there mixing chemicals and coming up with new mind-altering concotions or methods for destroying gray matter in a strange way, they're just trying something out.
In any case, I will conceed that I don't feel that his songs are as inventive on Honeycomb either, but if I think back I'm not sure which song was the last one that I felt was really inventive... but I've still liked all his latest including SMYT. Maybe it's that they don't feel as clever in some cases (though, again, songs like Selkie Bride I think are exceptions)...
So, even though I speak English I make no sense (your post was fine incidentally). Don't worry about it. :)
 "Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
| vilainde |
Posted - 10/18/2005 : 04:40:48
I generally agree with what you wrote, Dean, except for this bit:
quote:
If we poopoo the man trying things when they turn out in a way we don't like, then we're really asking him to stop experimenting, and that's in my mind the last thing I want.
I don't think anybody wants Frank to stop experimenting. Hey, everyone here has followed him in every direction he's taken for the last 19 years or so. But I think many regard HC as a step back, as if Frank actually had stopped experimenting. Anyway that's what you say when you talk about "inventiveness". I think they're related (experimentation and inventiveness). Or maybe they're not but people tend to mix both things.
Crap I can't speak english, why do I keep trying? Forget what you've just read.
Denis
"You know what? You know what? You know what? Shut the fuck up!" |
| gary13th |
Posted - 10/18/2005 : 04:19:55
amen to COF regarding opinions etc.
----------
I joined the Cult of the Catholics, Oh when will they return ? |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 10/18/2005 : 04:11:41
For me, Honeycomb musically is definitely not my choice in direction. That said, there are times when nice mellow stuff is what's called for in one's day or life, and then Honeycomb shines. So it's not that the record is bad, in my opinion, just that it's not my preference of listening style generally. I begrude the man not at all for recording it, no more than I did FrankBlackFrancis. If we poopoo the man trying things when they turn out in a way we don't like, then we're really asking him to stop experimenting, and that's in my mind the last thing I want. I didn't like the result as much as other experiments FB has tried (his most memorable to me being a white-album type genre-defying 22 song epic) but I hope he'll keep trying different things.
As for quality of the songs, if I start to think they've gone down, I can think back to songs throughout his career that haven't tickled me as much as others. I do especially like songs with double meanings, hidden things, inventive structure and all those other hallmarks that set FB apart from the rest, but I think that even in Honeycomb you can see things like this in songs like Selkie Bride, as one example. The straightforwardness can be okay if its heartfelt (which I think we can all agree that Honeycomb is) but I prefer inventiveness. And a little more rockiness, most of the time.
Finally, I remember when talking about SMYT before its release FB used to talk about recording with a symphony. I still am REALLY excited about this experiment (and also very interested to see how the next round in Nashville goes) and I hope that the idea hasn't been dropped. TOTY and parts of SMYT have definitely sold me on FB's instrumentational abilities.
Oh, and as I've said elsewhere, sniping members of the forum, even indirectly, will result in your account being locked. This is the second thread in particular that your name has come to my attention, mr. ghost. This is a warning to you in particular and others in general because I'd rather not lock accounts if I don't have to.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
| spaceghost11 |
Posted - 10/17/2005 : 20:51:55
You need to get a little older, a little wiser, a little more heartbroken to appreciate it. It's a very mature album,--JT
Mature=boring? Personally, it breaks my heart to know FB is back in the studio with this loony |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 13:07:07
quote:
so you're against us
No, I'm merely against one particular action you take (or, more accurately, refuse to take).
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
| PixieSteve |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 10:15:59
quote:
Originally posted by gauth
I've personally separated from my wife recently, and it was tough... then I met someone else, who is absolutely wonderful. And while all this happened, I was listening to Honeycomb and I must say I feel like all the songs are talking to me personally.
that's because you wrote it, frank.
 |
| gauth |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 10:10:13
I've personally separated from my wife recently, and it was tough... then I met someone else, who is absolutely wonderful. And while all this happened, I was listening to Honeycomb and I must say I feel like all the songs are talking to me personally. |
| floop |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 09:59:16
so you're against us |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 09:57:48
Put it down, I guess. I usually don't pay that much attention, but I'm pretty much wired not to want to leave the toilet bowl exposed any more than is necessary.
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
| floop |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 09:47:31
quote:
Originally posted by VoVat
quote:
you're either with us or against us VoVat.
Well, YOU'RE with the terrorists. The toilet terrorists, that is.
just tell me honestly (i'm only going to ask you once), do you put the toilet seat back down or leave it up? |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 09:42:15
quote:
you're either with us or against us VoVat.
Well, YOU'RE with the terrorists. The toilet terrorists, that is.
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
| Stevio10 |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 18:52:58
quote:
Originally posted by Carl
Who dos'nt miss UFO sounds? (Exept someone who's been abducted and given an anal probe?) ;)
Brandon Flowers srpings to mind ;) |
| jtanner |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 15:15:04
quote:
Originally posted by Jontiven
As for you Mr. jtanner, why don't you step into my office for a consultation. I think we have to adjust your meds.
Hahaha. I wish! |
| floop |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 09:53:37
you're either with us or against us VoVat. which is it? |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 09:51:12
quote:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by VoVat
Honestly, I find this complaint somewhat valid, since I don't see why anyone would want to leave the lid up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dude? Who's side are you on?
I try not to take sides. That would mean pretending that one side or the other isn't stupid.
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
| Carl |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 09:48:44
Who dos'nt miss UFO sounds? (Exept someone who's been abducted and given an anal probe?) ;) |
| ScottP |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 09:11:00
I love Honeycomb. It's a beautiful record. Maybe too good?.....
That said, there are times I miss the UFO sounds.
|
| floop |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 17:07:34
quote:
Originally posted by BLT
Putting the seat back down is a small price to pay for pussy.
the man speaks the truth.
respect |
| PixieSteve |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 16:38:53
i have my own toilet. woot.
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| Stevio10 |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 16:21:32
*Translation*
My dear fellow, 'tis rather wrong, for I reside with mother dearest.
I forget my own heritage sometimes. |
| Stevio10 |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 16:19:37
dude, that's sick, i live with my mom! |
| BLT |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 15:56:27
Putting the seat back down is a small price to pay for pussy. |
| darwin |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 15:07:26
quote:
Originally posted by VoVat
Honestly, I find this complaint somewhat valid, since I don't see why anyone would want to leave the lid up.
Dude? Who's side are you on? |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 14:20:29
quote:
i guess it depends on who's complaining and what they're complaining about. for instance, i don't think girls should complain about leaving the toilet seat up
They have the RIGHT to, but you also have the right not to listen.
Honestly, I find this complaint somewhat valid, since I don't see why anyone would want to leave the lid up. Among other things, it increases the probability that something will fall into the bowl. On the other hand, if someone forgets, it's a matter of two seconds to correct it.
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
| fbc |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 13:29:10
Nice sig! |
| chief |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 12:55:56
i personally think that the problem is frank's recording ethic. while i generally love the stuff he does, i think he is limiting himself with the straight to 2 track ethos with the catholics. sure, many songs can be recorded that way, but it shouldn't be an "all or nothing" stance.
imho
kevin
The more I read from this site, the more I believe I'm one of a few who are happy the Catholics are no more. I loved their work, and as a band, they were one of the best I've ever seen play live. But their direction was getting a little predictable, too comfortable and contented for me. Frank knew what he was doing when he called a halt to it. They'd run their course.
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| floop |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 11:39:49
quote:
Originally posted by Stevio10
Exactly...I mean they leave it down...
amen brother. amen |
| Stevio10 |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 11:38:46
Exactly...I mean they leave it down... |
| floop |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 11:17:35
quote:
Originally posted by VoVat
Isn't the right to complain part of that whole free speech thing? I know they don't have that in some countries, but it's my opinion that they SHOULD.
i guess it depends on who's complaining and what they're complaining about. for instance, i don't think girls should complain about leaving the toilet seat up |
| Carl |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 08:25:38
Dave Noisy should ban anyone who criticises Frank. It's only fair. :) |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 06:07:56
Isn't the right to complain part of that whole free speech thing? I know they don't have that in some countries, but it's my opinion that they SHOULD.
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
