| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| gotmeamovie |
Posted - 09/04/2007 : 01:44:37
hi all
got this album today. Although i found out it had been out in australia since the first!
I am blown away. I havent felt this kind of out there energy since toty, although i luv all of franks stuff. But this is more like the old self.
I have now heard all those songs that i couldnt hear on youtube and they are brilliant!
My fav atm is you cant break a heart and have it. Beautiful
Violet does a lovely job on this, great ot have female voice back
Plus the booklet has franks hand written lyrics, although hard to read
The guitar sound is just so raw yet lovely at the same time, how does he do it?
i luv black, ah i mean frank.
"If all you've seen, is violence!" |
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Pete Egress |
Posted - 10/16/2007 : 20:51:56
I REALLY love this album. It may even hit N0.1 for me with time. AT the risk of sounding evengilistic, each album prior to this seemed like an exploration of a unique musical style/form, this one feels like the sum of all preceeding albums, including the Pixies. Theres a bit of Yellow/TOTY, definitely some Catholics, and then theres hints of Honeycomb and FMRM in there too. And the raw energy is back which is what attracted me to the Pixies/Frank to begin with. |
| Ktistec.Machine |
Posted - 10/14/2007 : 18:42:26
To me every Frank Black album has those tracks that just reach out and grab you and demand to be listened to above all the others, or at least it has always been that way for me, even back when he last recorded under Black Francis I found this to be the case as well. Bluefinger is not exception. Now that I've had plenty of time to digest the brilliance that is this release, I'll share my personal breakdown of initial standouts and the ones that grew on me. Though I must admit after two days I was completely in love with the album from beginning to end!
The standouts: Threshold Apprehension, Lolita, Discotheque 36, You Can't Break A Heart and Have It, & She Took All The Money
Growth Cycle # 1: Test Pilot Blues, Angels Come To Comfort You
Growth Cycle # 2: Captain Pasty, Tight Black Rubber, Your Mouth Into Mine, & Bluefinger |
| debaserrr |
Posted - 10/13/2007 : 13:30:22
this album isnt a pixies record, and its not a frank black record. its just new music by charles so its going to have similarities to both. there isnt really any lead guitar like pixies, and its gotta a way different vibe than the frank black albums. so i doubt he thought "im going to make a new pixies album". hes just being creative
"The arc of triumph!" |
| Franks taco |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 20:43:00
Pete wrote:
"Its pure Pixies as far as I'm concerned. Listen to No. 13 baby (doolittle) and then listen to threahold apprehension. its even got the backing Violet vocals which although unique, still slightly reminiscent of Kim Deal. The nice female vocals juxtaposed with the frantic yelps of Frank's lead vocals."
DING DING DING DING! We have a winner!
|
| Franks taco |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 20:40:28
"i think mainstream pixies fans may have this fly over their heads slightly"
Hey Deathwatch, have you ever thought about doing standup? |
| dogjones |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 17:58:35
haven't been 'round these parts in a while...
love the mood of this one. so refreshing...fun, pure...a lot reminds me of Wire (threshold appreciation) and the Replacements (your mouth into mine) and a bunch of other stuff. even a bit of a classic frank black feel on the end of 'angels come to comfort you' after starting out like an early catholics-era tune.
yeah, its all subjective...i just like what im hearing and loving.
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| houstonguthrie |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 09:57:56
I have not commented on this yet because I thought for sure someone else would point it out -
But Frank said as much himself somewhere. He said that when he was writing the song he felt that it needed a Beastie Boys type vocal and that he gave them a listen at the time in order to find what he was looking for.
Only problem is - I can't remember where I heard this. It was either in one of the more recent radio interviews or he might have said it in one of the XFM radio deals. But I know I heard it straight from his mouth.
Didn't anyone else hear that? (or was it all a dream?) |
| coastline |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 07:47:38
For those who don't hear it, listen at 1:00 of the song, where Frank says, "I'm gonna be junk sick," and the backing vocals sing along with the words "junk sick." Classic Beastie Boys.
 Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| OLDMANOTY |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 01:41:16
I like Threshold Apprehension a lot but 'Beastie Boys' was the first thought that came into my head on first listen. I don't get how some can't hear the resemblence! |
| beersnob |
Posted - 10/11/2007 : 13:21:02
Definitely not the Beastie Boys. May be Lil John with that "What!!!"
Btw "Threshold Apprehension" is pretty mainstream already. Last week I heard it played as intro music on Colin Cowherd'd ESPN radio show. Either Colin or his producer must be a fan.
|
| awestruck |
Posted - 10/11/2007 : 10:00:07
I can honestly say that the Beastie Boys have never entered my mind when I listen to Threshold Apprehension. They probably will now.
I really love Violet's contribution to the albulm. She has a lovely voice, I think.
It's not you I don't like
|
| beersnob |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 19:28:52
WHAT? |
| Atheist4Catholics |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 18:53:11
It's Beastie Boys during the verses. The rhythm of the shouted words, the high pitched shouting, and the extra voices coming in on the last few words of each phrase.
Will I ever reach 1000?
For more information on rock, visit www.timfranklin.net |
| Pete Egress |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 11:57:03
I dont get where your hearing beastie boys.
Its pure Pixies as far as I'm concerned. Listen to No. 13 baby (doolittle) and then listen to threahold apprehension. its even got the backing Violet vocals which although unique, still slightly reminiscent of Kim Deal. The nice female vocals juxtaposed with the frantic yelps of Frank's lead vocals.
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| velvety |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 14:21:03
Threshold reminds me of the Pixies: simple chord progressions and how what Frank was doing with is voice was what drove the song. Well, there aren't that many Pixies songs with simple chord progressions, but most of them (mainly, the songs on Surfer and Doolittle) are simpler than most of what Frank has released as a solo artist. And one of the big differences, for me, being that Frank's solo songs revolve more around the idea present on the chord progressions, rather than what he's doing with his voice. Threshold is the opposite of this, and a good example of what a Pixies song is for me, three chords as a backdrop, and Frank's singing driving the song forward.
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| blue cadet3 |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 10:06:58
First listen it was great but, it just keeps getting better.
-Always, no sometimes, I think it’s me-
www.myspace.com/thecutoff |
| VoVat |
Posted - 10/07/2007 : 02:57:20
For what it's worth, I also heard the Beastie Boys in "Threshold" (well, not literally, but you know what I mean).
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| coastline |
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 21:08:13
The Grand Marnier line is the first one that really jumped out at me from that song. At that point, I didn't know about the Brood concept, and I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on with Frank. It seemed so uncharacteristic of him. But it all makes sense now. And the song does rock, although I'm more of a mellow-Frank fan.
By the way, welcome to the forum, backward Jeffrey.
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| yerffej |
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 20:45:11
No wrongs coastline, its pretty evident. I never heard it leaked and just picked up the album a couple weeks ago here in the US.
I think BB is pretty much what comes to mind at first.
The more I listen to the song the more I am enjoying the lyric, still can't get past "Grand Marnier and a pocket full of speed" I guess we just relate to what we draw on from our experiences. |
| coastline |
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 20:38:04
If I recall correctly, the Beastie Boys comparison was one of the first things anyone said about Threshold when the album was leaked. I agree. There's a BB influence there.
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| lonely persuader |
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 03:07:24
quote:
Originally posted by yerffej
I think Threshold definitely has a Beastie Boys sound to it.
No, you'll find that your wrong |
| yerffej |
Posted - 10/01/2007 : 22:00:09
I think Threshold definitely has a Beastie Boys sound to it.
I think its the kickin drum beat, along with Frank belting out the vocal so energetically.
Stoked I'll get to see him here in Santa Cruz next week!!
Saw Pixies Tromp Le Monde Tour
FB first solo tour
Several Catholics Tours
A solos shot here last year
I got a feeling this ones gonna be somethin special.
Anyone know about guitar tabs for Bluefinger. (Lolita) |
| Atheist4Catholics |
Posted - 10/01/2007 : 12:13:42
I love it. It's a great combination of early Frank, Pixies, and 2-track era Frank. He managed to make a studio album that sounds raw and energetic. Bluefinger and Grinderman give me hope that I'll be able to rock out well into my 40s. I do hear some empty spots that a nice Eric Drew keyboard would complete, but it might take away from the overall DIY feel.
I think the guitar sounds amazing. Let the Pixies have the polish. I like Frank when he's warts and all.
Does anyone else think that Threshold sounds like the Beastie Boys?
Will I ever reach 1000?
For more information on rock, visit www.timfranklin.net |
| Zsolt G. |
Posted - 09/28/2007 : 13:20:59
Interesting record. Sounds like a 90's indie-rock release, VERY bass heavy, and the guitar sounds like shit. I still feel like Frank could use a proper producer. The songs are good, but they could use a little polish. I heard a Ramones song from the 70's immediately following this record, and it sounded more produced. Also, I really think that these cuts didn't need the "extended jam" outro treatment. Discotheque 36 goes on like forever, fade it out already. Then there is the issue of if whether he's trying too hard. Lots of swearing, drug references and the obvious Pixies touchstones (girl backups, the name change, screaming). |
| Pete Egress |
Posted - 09/23/2007 : 11:08:31
Sorry this is a double post--posted in the rankings thread by mistake...
!!!!!!!!
I hadn't checked in here for a few months, and not only do I discover theres a new album--but one that celebrates everything I really love about Charles' music!
We've returned to the zany genius of Teenager of the Year. Though I've enjoyed each and every CD that he's put out thus far, I've always been more a fan of the "punky" energy of Frank/Francis/Charles' earlier work (and the Pixies of course) so this is a fantastic surprise for me. And Violet rocks too!! Love it Love Love it! Perfection. Thank you Frank!
Some of this reminds me of Franks first album (yellow-orange)
And some of it feels like Oddballs. |
| Jefrey |
Posted - 09/19/2007 : 23:12:43
quote:
Originally posted by Superabounder
A few listens today really reminded me of Trompe Le Monde sounds at times.
I thought this a weird comment at first, but I kind of agree in a way. Trompe Le Monde when it came out - the first time I listened to it it was like "oh my god awesome! after the first song, and then the second song was even better, and the third, and the fourth, and by the time you hit "Head On" you're thinking "this is a classic".
The whole thing just flows from start to finish, it's just a great, solid complete album.
I don't think it sounds anything like Trompe, but I definitely got that "this is what I was hoping for" feeling from it right away just like Trompe.
Qu'ils aillent se faire foutre <-- yeah, what he said. |
| coryokeefe |
Posted - 09/19/2007 : 16:27:04
this album is awesome. Whos goig to see him out tour?? |
| moonruler |
Posted - 09/18/2007 : 18:10:22
"angels..." is pretty darn good, though. kind of wish i had not seen the youtube videos of the leaked songs. it feels liked i opened my xmas gifts early. and i am really digging the songs "lolita"-"bluefinger"-"she took the money", which i had not heard before i bought the disc.
it is all just pretty darn good i tell ya, pretty darn good. i am trying not to play it too often.
|
| Czar |
Posted - 09/17/2007 : 08:35:07
Aha. So you're avant-garde and he's mainstream?
___________________________
Do you think the Pixies were a brouillon of Black Francis? |
| kfs |
Posted - 09/17/2007 : 08:17:18
I got the leaked version months ago and mr kfs was never interested. Now that it's been released, he's started listening a little and loves it! He especially likes "Angels.." and he listens to it over and over and over and over.
It's kind of getting on my nerves! |
| pixiestu |
Posted - 09/14/2007 : 18:45:07
quote:
Originally posted by Jason
The more I listen to this, the more it sounds like a natural follow-up to the kind of songwriting on Fast Man Raider Man, rather than a complete change from that. I haven't been following the Bluefinger discussion all of these months so maybe this has already been pointed out by 50 people here. I do love Fast Man Raider Man though, and have listened to it many, many times and I think songs like "Lolita", "Angels", "Bluefinger", and "Test Pilot Blues" would fit in nice and comfy on it. And it makes sense--it's the same guy writing the songs after all.
To me, this is a very good thing. The big fear I had with this record--even in the face of all the positive things said about it here since the beginning--is that it would be a transparent attempt at sounding "like the Pixies" and, as a result, be kind of dumbed-down compared to what Frank is capable of. Not that the Pixies music is "dumb", but that making an obvious attempt at reaching out to the large Pixies audience might turn out pandering and annoying. Thankfully, Frank is way too smart to fall into that trap--or maybe just incapable of making dumbed-down music--and the record is great and totally HIM.
I sort of agree that some songs sound like a natural progression from 'Fast Man/ Raider Man' and even sound like they would fit on that album. There are only a few songs I feel this about though. I mean, I can't imagine a song like Threshold Apprehension ever having anything to do with FMRM.
I do agree fully about it not sounding like he's making obvious attempts at reaching out to Pixies fans. Although this will definitely grab Pixies fans' attention more than most of his other solo albums I feel that those who have heard how FB's music has progressed through the years will benefit most. This is apparent from your references to FMRM. Just think how many Pixies fans gave that album a miss. I find it enjoyable picking up on these little comparisons and influences from his previous solo work in Bluefinger.
"The arc of triumph" |
| VoVat |
Posted - 09/14/2007 : 06:54:01
Frank's (or Francis', if you prefer) albums generally take some time to grow on me, and this isn't an exception, although I do quite enjoy some of the songs ("Angels Come To Comfort You" and "She Took All The Money" are my two favorites). And Violet's vocal contributions are great (and I'm not just saying this because I know she reads the forum sometimes). Overall, I'd say the album gets better after the first four songs, but I'm already starting to like those early ones better. I'm not sure I'll ever be that keen on "Tight Black Rubber," though.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| pixie punk |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 11:49:34
quote:
Originally posted by Erebus
Good job pixie punk. I think it's cool, but not surprising, that he has fans down your way. Are you the only Puerto Rican poster we've ever had? You don't post that often but you've definitely been here from the beginning.
Hi Erebus.There's a great rock band scene down here and there are certainly more Pixies and Charles fans like me down here but I'm the only poster from here that's for shure.Some bands have made covers and there has been talk of forming a tribute recently.Everybody feel free to add request me at www.myspace.com/pixiehugs  Some of you already knew me from my collaboration in aleceiffel.net(Spanish Section,Lyrics translations and Puertorrican References).As soon as Bluefinger arrives down here I'll post again my impressions!!!
PUERTO RICO PIXIE |
| Jason |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 09:05:14
The more I listen to this, the more it sounds like a natural follow-up to the kind of songwriting on Fast Man Raider Man, rather than a complete change from that. I haven't been following the Bluefinger discussion all of these months so maybe this has already been pointed out by 50 people here. I do love Fast Man Raider Man though, and have listened to it many, many times and I think songs like "Lolita", "Angels", "Bluefinger", and "Test Pilot Blues" would fit in nice and comfy on it. And it makes sense--it's the same guy writing the songs after all.
To me, this is a very good thing. The big fear I had with this record--even in the face of all the positive things said about it here since the beginning--is that it would be a transparent attempt at sounding "like the Pixies" and, as a result, be kind of dumbed-down compared to what Frank is capable of. Not that the Pixies music is "dumb", but that making an obvious attempt at reaching out to the large Pixies audience might turn out pandering and annoying. Thankfully, Frank is way too smart to fall into that trap--or maybe just incapable of making dumbed-down music--and the record is great and totally HIM. |
| Idalgo Clandestino |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 04:32:37
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
This might help, Idalgo:
There was a thread about this song when the album was leaked earlier this year that you might also find interesting.
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs.
thnx coastline!
bradbury vonnegut robinson |
