| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| a guy in a rover |
Posted - 04/05/2006 : 13:57:09
This might sound a little bit controversial but does anyone else feel like they have 'grown' out of the Pixies?
I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't listened to them in over a year even though 4 or 5 years ago I was listening to them everyday. It might sound like I'm just being 'cool' and disowning them after their recent commercial success but that isn't the case. Now I'm a little bit older I just feel like I can relate more to Franks solo material, it is more of an acquired taste, like you grow to appreciate a fine wine or an expensive whisky as you grow older. Whereas the Pixies are more like a 3 litre bottle of cider, that you binge on and rock out to when you're a teenager, but now doesn't seem to give you the same thrill.
Does anyone have any comments?
Bizarre analogy I know, and possibly a load of babble, but I'm bored. It might just be that I listened to the Pixies to death and I haven't reached that point yet with Frank solo.
A pig or a goat well, they wouldn’t let you be mistreated
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| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| glacial906 |
Posted - 05/11/2006 : 13:05:02
Well, I don't hate the Pixies or Frank Black either one, but there is a hugely distinct difference in the sounds of both musical acts, so I'd say you probably could like one and hate the other. Even many of the vocals from the Pixies are different from FB. The vocals on Trompe le Monde sound much more strong and "Frank Blackish," whereas the vocals from the Pixies albums before that sound alot more high-pitched.
But, I'm just preaching about the unconverted, because I love both bands about equally; it just depends on what kind of mood I'm in which music I listen to.
Signature censored by forum moderators. |
| s_wrenn |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 10:43:46
I personally feel that i don't listen to the Pixies as much as i used to simply because was listening to them for years before i was listen to Frank. What i mean is, it's like a progression. It doesn't mean i've stopped listening completely. You can't like Frank Black and say you hate Pixies. That's like saying you only like the cookie crisp of a Twix and not the chocolate. You have to bite through the chocolate first... Man, i'm hungry.
"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?" |
| jtjcp88 |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 10:26:37
Yes I have certainly overloaded on The Pixies. Just over a year ago I would listen to them non-stop and no other band even got so close as a look in. Nowdays however I only listen to them when in a certain mood, an undefinable mood i might add. But I still think they are the greatest band to grace our planet.
"Dance at my party." |
| Carl |
Posted - 04/24/2006 : 10:55:16
I think, in the same way that The Pixies will always be special to people, the same could be said for TOTY. No matter what he's done since and will do in future, it'll always be a favorite for a number of fans.
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| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 04/23/2006 : 12:27:38
Interesting, mcil. I could understand people picking songs like Gouge Away or Tame as favourites saying that FB post-Pixies comes in second for them, but I would think with a pop song like Dig for Fire, that Teenager would be an instant favourite. If I put Speedy Marie, for example, or Ole Mullholland, or ... (goes on to list most of TOTY) against Dig for Fire, I think I would generally find more interesting lyrics and music that was just as good or perhaps even more innovative.
You're obviously entitled, I just assumed people who like the Pixies better generally do so because they like the more rocking/edgy stuff.
 "If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
| mcil |
Posted - 04/23/2006 : 10:26:03
Teenager of the Year is an incredible album, my favourite Frank album, but to me it doesn't compare to the likes of Surfer Rosa, Doolittle or Trompe le Monde. Maybe it's better than Bossanova, I've never really thought about it, but there isn't a song on it nearly as good as Dig for Fire, so Pixies are, and probably always will be, my favourites.
"Your Bone's Got a Little Machine..." |
| ATBNG |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 20:55:04
I guess I'm not adding anything by saying that I love it all.
I listened to Honeycomb four times in one day at work last week. Tonight, I had a long drive and I was in a Bossanova/Doolittle mood. All of it fits well in my life. He's the greatest artist of all time. |
| VoVat |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 13:43:15
quote:
In ten-fifteen, people will look back on Frank Black's solo career and also wonder how they missed it back then.
1015? Yeah, they loved him back in the Holy Roman Empire! Why do you think Charlemagne's people were called the Franks?
(And yes, I know what you really meant, but I couldn't resist the bad joke.)
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 11:43:44
You bastard!
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
| floop |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 11:41:08
quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Teafer. Civility is important, all the moreso when we disagree.
with all due respect, i disagree with your opinion re: civility
"I don't have any money to buy new clothes and if they paid me to get some I'd probably buy more hoodies." - Mark Wainfur |
| fbc |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 11:37:37
the geeks guide to liking the black:
first play straight out of the case. second through the right channel only. third is the left. and finally, headphones on backwards.
sorted! |
| ScottP |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 11:26:33
I'm such an FB geek. Just listening to FB&TC's 1st record (on headphones) when I realized something was wrong! Something didn't sound right! Headphones on backwards.
Look what my life has become.
Oh, cheese. Wonderful cheese. I love you. |
| danjersey |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 18:14:00
from Guy in a rover: "Now I'm a little bit older I just feel like I can relate more to Franks solo material, it is more of an acquired taste, like you grow to appreciate a fine wine or an expensive whisky as you grow older. Whereas the Pixies are more like a 3 litre bottle of cider, that you binge on and rock out to when you're a teenager, but now doesn't seem to give you the same thrill".
i don't drink MAD DOG 20/20 any more not that PIXIES are not great but the present and future are something else and i sip it slowly.
4/13/05 and what followed was pretty damn cool though and i'm glad it happend.
bam thwock ? |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 17:58:27
well i think frank is a fine wine in the way his music (all of it) only gets better with age!!!!! |
| Holy Fingers |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 06:58:25
I started out listening to the Pixies long before Frank. There is no way that I could ever get burned out on either of them. It seems obvious (to me anyways), that Frank's music has matured slightly with each album. This is not an uncommon characteristic. I intentionally rotate my choice of cds in a 'not too specific' fashion, to prevent an accidental overload. As a songwriter and musician, the music that I compose contains a very healthy influence of 50% Pixies, 50% Frank, and maybe 50% Fugazi. Despite my age and refinment, there is no way that I could ever reject, neglect, nor forget my musical roots. Be it listening or writing. I'm sure that you are all well aware that The Pixies shall ALWAYS BE.
 "When you've done something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" |
| danjersey |
Posted - 04/11/2006 : 20:29:33
i would pour a sangiovese.
have a little salad or alot. |
| stymie |
Posted - 04/11/2006 : 12:22:24
Pizza? |
| Teafer |
Posted - 04/11/2006 : 02:46:05
quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Teafer. Civility is important, all the moreso when we disagree.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
well yeah, true. Taco, i sincerely apologize for the use of the fuzz box. it was quite nasty. sorry.
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| danjersey |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 21:44:48
cheese is good |
| ScottP |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 20:09:43
Sorry, dude. :)
Oh, cheese. Wonderful cheese. I love you. |
| danjersey |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 19:56:42
this is when this place (space) site gets tight
lets have a drink |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 18:29:47
If you want your account locked, you're one step away.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
| ScottP |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 17:44:44
Yes, Teafer. Although I couldn't agree with you more, we musn't chastise retards. Or stare at them either.
Oh, cheese. Wonderful cheese. I love you. |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 08:22:20
Teafer. Civility is important, all the moreso when we disagree.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
| a guy in a rover |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 03:11:51
Jeez, i opened a bit of a can of worms with this one.
I don't think my first post put across what I was trying to say, which was as excellent as the Pixies are, the older you get the more you appreciate Franks solo work because he deals with more 'adult' themes. Songs like Cold Heart of Stone or Horrible day have more resonance because you empathise with what he is talking about, you have had similar experiences in your adult life. Maybe this all sounds a bit cheesy. And maybe outgrow was the wrong word, i am not trying to imply that the Pixies are inferior in anyway. I guess the problem with this debate is that it is impossible to compare the Pixies with Franks current solo stuff, in terms of which is 'better' (not that I would want to) but it means it always results in circular and recycled arguments.
I like IceCreams point about inspirers and inspirees though, couldn't have put it better myself.
And I stand by my belief that a new Pixies album would be a bad idea.
A pig or a goat well, they wouldn’t let you be mistreated
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| Teafer |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 02:47:22
quote:
Originally posted by Franks taco
Frank's solo music is safe and predictable. Nothing wrong with that. Hey I enjoy Jack Johnson!
i'm gonna try not to be too impolite on this one, so just listen to kiss my ring or go find your saint or st francis or blast off or selkie bride before writing such fucking utter nonsense, and if you don't get it just sign up to pitchfork. i think you must know about zero about music to write things like that. i mean freedom to express oneself is just no licence to bullshit.
oh well, whatever nevermind.
"i'm not impressed. you wanna impress me? take the wheel, motherfucker"
edit : deleted even more furious replies...and leave this only mild one.
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| IceCream |
Posted - 04/09/2006 : 15:37:54
quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
I don't know where to start so I'm rambling here, but how can you on one hand argue that Frank's music has lost its edge (again, whatever that means) and then go on to conclude that "Frank's sound has been constantly evolving"? Either he's constantly evolving/'on edge' or not. I agree that a new Pixies album would not likely be the same as it would have were it written 15 years ago, but that's because Frank (and the others) have continued to push their own envelopes.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
Well, I'm not trying to put words in the mouth of Frank's Taco, but I think I understand what Frank's Taco is trying to say. I completely agree with Dean on at least one point: Frank's newer music is a risk in regards to his current fanbase. Frank's current songwriting style staunchly opposes his previous songwriting style. Few musicians have exhibited this degree of bi-polarity.
However, whereas the Pixies' music was "new", Frank Black's music ever since Black Letter Days has been very "old". This isn't meant to downgrade Frank. I think Frank has admitted to embracing older music. Leonard Cohen, Dylan, The Who, and The Rolling Stones have all been known to show up in a recent Frank interviews. Frank has let these influences shine effulgently in his most recent work. Pixies, on the other hand, really didn't sound quite like anything before their time. I often hear a song that reminds me of the Pixies. Frank Black's recent work reminds me of the Stones or some other '60s rock band. Let me put it this way: Pixies were inspirers, whereas the Catholics were inspirees, if that makes any sense. |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 04/09/2006 : 14:56:23
Safe and predictable? Jack Johnson?! What have you heard of FB's solo catalog? Even the recent stuff, which might be safe and predictable with country folk was quite a risk so far as his established fan base goes. Musically, there's lots of interesting stuff that he's been doing from his first solo right on through to the album coming out this summer.
In ten-fifteen, people will look back on Frank Black's solo career and also wonder how they missed it back then. Maybe not to the extent of the Pixies, because I agree with you that they were breaking a lot of ground and developed a huge following among fellow musicians which essentially shaped the music world after them, but... well, what is this 'edge' you speak of...
I don't know where to start so I'm rambling here, but how can you on one hand argue that Frank's music has lost its edge (again, whatever that means) and then go on to conclude that "Frank's sound has been constantly evolving"? Either he's constantly evolving/'on edge' or not. I agree that a new Pixies album would not likely be the same as it would have were it written 15 years ago, but that's because Frank (and the others) have continued to push their own envelopes.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
| Franks taco |
Posted - 04/09/2006 : 13:40:54
First of all, I am a huge fan of Frank Blacks solo work.
That being said, In my opinion Franks solo work reminds me of the adult alternative category. You know,those alternative artists that have lost that "edge" in their music and now produce listener-friendly music.
With the exception of TOTY, which is INCREDIBLE, Frank's solo music is safe and predictable. Nothing wrong with that. Hey I enjoy Jack Johnson!
But his solo work will never compare to the Pixies history.
The Pixies truely gave birth to a unique sound all there own and took RISKS. Their music has inspired so many new artists, influencing so many great bands today.
Is the Pixies music now dated? Yeah, I might give you that. But make no mistake about it. Their music was WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME.
Now, will the new Pixies album be just a flash in the pan, or a new endever of sound? Im hoping for the later. Franks sound has been constantly evolving so I find it hard to believe that he's going to reproduce what he did 15 years ago.
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| VoVat |
Posted - 04/09/2006 : 12:44:53
quote:
Why is everyone so obsessed with the idea that the PIXIES would replicate the past? It doesn't make any sense.
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that the Pixies are sort of a nostalgia act now. I mean, they're not nostalgia for me, since I only started listening to them six years ago. But they only play older material, and I seem to recall Frank saying that he thinks that's what people expect of them. If expectations are so important for the Pixies, isn't it possible that they'd want to make the album that they think people would expect?
quote:
But it seems like a lot of wasted thought to me to worry about how something may not be good, therefor completely tarnishing history.
I don't know that there's such a thing as "wasted thought," unless said thoughts interfere with other parts of your life. If anyone is actually losing sleep over whether a new Pixies album might suck, then yes, that's probably a waste. But I think most people are speculating about this because it's fun for them. I mean, that's the whole purpose of this forum, isn't it?
quote:
And I also believe someone had a valid point in 'outgrowing' music...it is definately possible...just as we outgrow shoes. If they've got holes, or don't fit, or simply have no more sole, you ain't gonna walk properly, and the Keds are gonna hafta leave the nest.
I don't really see that as a valid analogy, though. My main problem is that the word "outgrow" suggests that the music that you stop liking is somehow childish. So if someone liked Frank's solo work when they were a kid, and then started liking the Pixies better as an adult, would you say they were regressing? It bothers me that some people apparently can't compliment one thing without insulting another (not that I'm saying that's been happening in this thread, but the word "outgrow" suggests to me that the "outgrown" music is inferior). I'd prefer "got tired of" or "developed different tastes."
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| ScottP |
Posted - 04/08/2006 : 18:10:22
The Pixies sound comes from young, wild desire and hunger from four people who had not made it big yet. It would be impossible for them go back in time and make this so-called "Pixies" record that everybody is anticipating.
Frank would be going backwards in my opinion.
Oh, cheese. Wonderful cheese. I love you. |
| TRANSMARINE |
Posted - 04/08/2006 : 18:02:55
Why is everyone so obsessed with the idea that the PIXIES would replicate the past? It doesn't make any sense. Has Frank ever replicated the pasts of his albums? Each album sounds different, even though some may say he's been stuck in a 'country' mode since DITS...yes, there's been an ever present twang, but BLD is a far cry from DW which is a far cry from SMYT which is a far cry from HC which is a far cry from FMRM...blah blah blah it's all been said before. His stuff is always different but rooted in similarity, much like how artists often reinterpret themselves in their work, but always in a forward, altering motion. Why would PIXIES try to do an copy of something they've done, when in their original incarnation always strove for and succeeded in a different auditory vision with each album? Who cares if they make one or not...when it's obvious everyone will perk up with listening interest anyway...much like how an overwhelming percent of people frothed and seethed when they announced their reunion, blasting them with 'sell-out' vehemence, but didn't back down at the chance to see them repeatedly for two years straight. Who cares? If you are opposed, so be it...it's your opinion and it's valid. But it seems like a lot of wasted thought to me to worry about how something may not be good, therefor completely tarnishing history. But that's my opinion. It's not going to hurt anything whether they make another album or not, or if it stinks or if it's sublime. I know, I got a little off-track. But I still feel as in my original post, and along with others who have voiced it in this thread; I believe people are bored with PIXIES because they only have 5 capsuled albums whereas Frank is continuosly creating...plain and simple. And I also believe someone had a valid point in 'outgrowing' music...it is definately possible...just as we outgrow shoes. If they've got holes, or don't fit, or simply have no more sole, you ain't gonna walk properly, and the Keds are gonna hafta leave the nest. Everything is replaceable. I think there is a general 'replacement' fear of new PIXIES vs. old PIXIES...I think people are secretly fearing new material may be worlds better than the original stuff, and that's what will tarnish history...in the head.
Hank the 8th was a duplicated man
-bRIAN |
| pixiestu |
Posted - 04/08/2006 : 16:19:58
I agree about the Pixies, Vovat. If they're are going to make a new record then I'd rather they just go with whatever feels right at the time, rather than trying to replicate anything they have done in the past.
In my opinion that would just sound kinda fake coming from a band that has never had any trouble being original before.
"The arc of triumph" |
| VoVat |
Posted - 04/08/2006 : 13:55:40
I'm not sure I'm convinced that it's possible to "outgrow" music, unless it's, like, Raffi or something. I do agree that solo Frank is probably better overall than the Pixies, although there are a few Pixies songs that either meet or exceed the quality of anything Frank has come up with since then.
As far as a new Pixies album goes, I think it would be good IF the band just went ahead and did what they wanted to do with it, and didn't try too hard to duplicate their earlier sound. If that means Honeycomb-type songs played with Joey, Kim, and Dave, that would be preferable to me than some pathetic attempt at Doolittle Part 2. I don't think they'd win with the critics either way, but so what?
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| Carl |
Posted - 04/07/2006 : 22:51:32
quote:
Originally posted by fbc
He believed that the meat of the song should be piled into the first 90 seconds. Anything beyond that is the outro of the song."
I like that.
 pas de dutchie! |
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