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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
 Posted - 08/20/2003 : 14:49:58
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As good as DITS, BLD, DW , & SMYT are, I feel Frank's best albums are FB&C (ST) and the amazing PISTOLERO. Both of these tend to be overlooked for some reason. For one thing, the recording quality, while being his first two live to 2track, are much crisper and less muddy than those of late (they're LOUD too!). They are his most energetic and varied...both his first stab at non-concept maybe. DITS is technically probably his best recorded work, what with the extra addition of musicians and instruments, whereas BLD & DW are downright sloppy sounding. Don't get me wrong however! I think DW is much stronger than BLD, but BLD is a very good work. They just seem rushed. His vocal performances seem to diminish a bit as on the later albums. As for SMYT, it sneakingly sounds to me as if Frank is getting a bit over his head in arrangement allowed for 2-track. Any one else feel he may be headed back to a studio production on his next opus? Anyhow, I wanna hear some thoughts on the FB&C / PISTOLERO enigma.
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
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Brackish Girl
~ Soul Eater ~
Ireland
1750 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 14:59:01
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uh, pistelero and s/t are my least favourites at the moment. but they're the newest i've purchased, well, apart from smyt. i just don't like the songs off them as much as the others. but lots of people on this board love them, you're not alone transmarine. are you the one in iraq? are you still there? hows it goin?
-Jessie
"deep in ocean blues of absinthe..." |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 15:12:41
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You're thinking of TOTIPOTENT, BG.
I agree with practically everything you're saying, Brian. |
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Brackish Girl
~ Soul Eater ~
Ireland
1750 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 15:22:52
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oops, sorry. carry on.
-Jessie
"deep in ocean blues of absinthe..." |
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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 15:31:28
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Thank you Chris...however where does your practicality sway? And Brackish...just listen a few more times...then come back! I swear you will fall in total love with these two cd's (or vinyl...whatever format you have them on!).
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 15:50:50
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| The guitar solo in 'I Need Peace' is an entity in and of itself! |
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MIRV
- FB Fan -
178 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 17:09:48
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i don't know why these morons shit on pistolero either, it rocks hard.
much prefer it to the gay country shit he's doing now. |
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kotvana
- FB Fan -
Israel
99 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 18:23:30
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yep. I love Pistolero!
But the best is the one camed b4!
"gay country shit", exactly. Frank should rock hard! |
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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 18:44:15
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A little country never hurt anyone...i dig it...but it is becoming a bit too dominant. They need to put a fuzzy spacy spin on that steel pedal (if they're gonna keep it around) and they need to knock it off with the guest artists. They need to pair it down (like FB&C ST) or go overboard (like FB ST 93)! Crank it Frank! I WANT ROCK N ROL!!!
ps. I however have nothing against an artist trying new things, as long as they dont get stuck in a rut...and I have the utmost confidance in Mr. Black and his Posse. So dont beat me up.
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
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noexx
= Cult of Ray =
361 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2003 : 19:45:54
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i don't mind the country stuff. i thought it was fun at first because i thought he would stay with his usual style of making one record a certain style, then the next record a certain style and so forth, then he kept doing it and doing it. i think it started to show on pistolero to DITS then DW and BLD to SMYT as they all sound pretty similar in style. pistolero doesn't sound that similar but it started there i think. the reason i don't get mad is that they are all good songs though! i just wish he would try something else. but he writes the songs and he has every right to write whatever he likes obviously. as long as he keeps making good music i'll keep buying it.
at least he isn't writing crap. but a change would be fun and fresh.
ryan |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7441 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 02:42:08
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! We should make a special section of the forum dedicated to all the threads about why Cult Of Ray/Pistolero/FB&TC/TOTY/... is better than the others. That way I wouldn't waste my time reading these posts. Seriously, how many threads like this have there been since fb.net exists? It's pointless. People's opinions differ, get along with it.
Denis |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 03:47:52
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These do seem to appear from time to time.... like there has been countless threads about whether COR is shit or great.
Bacon....... Its not fantastic |
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MiscellaneousFiles
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
95 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 04:36:39
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It seems to me that there are three phases to Frank's music. The first was the Pixies. The second is the earlier, more experimental solo albums (notably TOTY) and the third is the "country" sound. In a way you'd be surprised to find someone who likes them all equally. To be honest, I never liked country but Frank's music has allowed me to "open my ears" to it. Don't get me wrong, I love his recent stuff, but I don't think I'll ever like songs in this style as much as I liked Pixies / EarlyFrank™ stuff. I hope he branches out again. But more than that I hope that he continues to make music that he likes.
Better he churns out a "country" album a year than not give us anything! He's an incredible songwriter and whatever genre he picks, he shows himself to be a seemingly effortless master of it. |
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This Is It
- FB Fan -
141 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 10:40:01
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I say there's 4 phases: early pixies - Come on Pilgrim through Doolittle then after that was a sort of sci-fi production rock phase from Bossanova, well Bossanova might belong in the first phase, but definitely Trompe Le Monde, and that extends through Teenage of the year. Then there's the anti-production phase; the 2 track punky stuff from Cult of Ray through Pistolero. Then there's what can simply be known as the Pedal Steel/Western Star phase which are the albums that have the pedal steel throughout and that's Dog in the Sand to current. Seems like 3-4 albums tops for each phase. At this rate; and judging by the current album; the next one will be the Leonard Cohen phase with lots of pianos and brass and stuff like that.
Bushism of the day:
"Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric in nature because it's a product that we can find in our neighborhoods."
-Austin, TX 12/20/00
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noexx
= Cult of Ray =
361 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 11:09:32
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quote:
Originally posted by vilainde
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! We should make a special section of the forum dedicated to all the threads about why Cult Of Ray/Pistolero/FB&TC/TOTY/... is better than the others. That way I wouldn't waste my time reading these posts. Seriously, how many threads like this have there been since fb.net exists? It's pointless. People's opinions differ, get along with it.
Denis
it's always funny when people post stuff like this, as if every new member has been here to do 500 something posts like he has or read through the every single thread that has ever been posted. i guess i would say get along with the fact that not everyone has been here for years or even months posting and/or reading.....so they say their opinions and what they feel not knowing it has been said before or caring. they're just getting something of their chests. you're not entitled to read it or care. i am sure the 20 seconds it takes to read someones post don't keep you from losing too much of your valuable time. as you can see i keep typing and saying stuff just to see when you'll stop reading this post or realize it is a waste of time. maybe you'll read this sentence too....who knows. i wouldn't read that one though. by now i would see that this post sucks, which it does......so i agree with you there. but to call that guys opinion pointless really is silly. then again, so is my opinion...which i really don't feel that strongly about but i thought it would be fun to respond. i am not angry or anything, i just thought, "what can i do to be a dork today?" and this is what the winning idea was. okay, i am going now. i still agree with my earlier post in this thread. and i do agree that maybe a "album debates" area could be made for people who don't want to read about this here subject. carry on.
ryan |
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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 11:16:34
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quote:
Originally posted by vilainde
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! We should make a special section of the forum dedicated to all the threads about why Cult Of Ray/Pistolero/FB&TC/TOTY/... is better than the others. That way I wouldn't waste my time reading these posts. Seriously, how many threads like this have there been since fb.net exists? It's pointless. People's opinions differ, get along with it.
Denis
Vilainde, I have no doubt that threads like this have existed in the past. And the creation (or re-creation) of this topic was not exhumed to pointlessly or maliciously debase (ha!) anyone's opinion. Plus, there is validity to reflect on previous work as new work is born. Where the harm lies, you tell me and I will n'er respond to a Frank Black thread again! I'm not saying that my love for these two albums in any respects diminishes my joy for all things Frank Black. I cannot think of a bad album he has put out! It's simply a topic (albiet a repeated one, but nevertheless) for me as a newer member to this site to touch upon and recieve feedback...now, also mind you, if the feedback is negative, my feelings aint gonna crumble! But I would hope, as I've yet to meet an unintelligent FB fan, that the negativity would be fueled with contructive spirit. Besides, Vilainde...maybe you should grace us with some momentous and illustrious threads so us lesser fans could flock to them and learn the meaning of importance of differeing opinions...and then you would have no need wasting your 'time reading these posts' as your own groundbreaking one's would no doubt keep yourself and everyone else wholly occupied.
Just a thought.
Anyhow, for those sharing so far your opinions with heart and interest (which has been all, save one), I thank you!
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7441 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 14:20:44
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Uh-oh... Now I look like an asshole.
Denis |
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noexx
= Cult of Ray =
361 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 15:37:07
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naw....you're doing fine. i just think brian is newer here and he didn't mean to offend anyone with his topic...
ryan |
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DaveWahl
- FB Fan -
11 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 20:20:17
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i thought blonde on blonde was pretty cool
KNOW YOUR ENEMY |
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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2003 : 23:23:20
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Come on peoples! Maybe this is just a dumb thread I've created. Now I'm all confused! 
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
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bad melody
- FB Fan -
11 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2003 : 00:52:38
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Well, just for the sake of responding, right now I feel "Pistolero" is the weakest of Mr. Black's albums. However, you never know when that opinion will change when you take into account that most of his material just has a way of growing on you after a certain amount of listens. Today, I've decided that I really, really like more than 3/4 of "Black Letter Days", which is up from "only half the songs on here are decent" attitude I had months ago. Another thing, people on here either seem to absolutely love Pistolero or say it's the worst of FB's music. I never see it mentioned as being average very often. But guess that's not anything that no one else hasn't already mentioned. It's so late...
"here I am with my hand" |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2003 : 05:03:00
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Maybe I'm wrong or off-topic, but... it seems to me that FB's recent country-inspired albums, especially BLD, are much (?) more appreciated in Europe than in the US, where fans often seem to prefer FB&TC and Pistolero. Though most of US fans obviously have no problem with country music, at least when combined with FB's talent and inspiration, I suppose that the banjo / pedal steel / traditional stuff sounds quite ordinary, even a bit old-fashioned maybe, to (young) American ears. I also assume that this stuff generally sounds "exotic", original, lush, generous, to most European ears. Am I wrong ?
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PsychicTwin
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1772 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2003 : 18:59:37
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Frog-
interesting suggestion. I'll ponder it.
~Our children are all released, since the river flushed them clean~ ---> http://psychictwin.tripod.com |
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Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =
Australia
345 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2003 : 09:49:50
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| So who likes the new Mars Volta album? |
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Hermaphroditos
- FB Fan -
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2003 : 15:41:48
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i do find myself reaching for the first 2 FB&C albums more often than not. and those are the first two tours that i saw as well, so they just left this awesome impression in my head ever since. it's good to see Frank write some road-trippin tunes, but i sure do miss those old dayz when Rich Gilbert, Lyle Workman, and Frank would rock that stage with no apologies. or maybe i just miss my youth, heh. 
"Oh pity me Garuda, and turn my hands into wings" |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2003 : 02:01:17
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Sheamus, i've been meaning to get hold of the Mars Volta album! How is it? |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2003 : 03:56:57
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Does anyone find that they don't like a song on an album, but then they hear it live and suddenly they have a new love for that song. I never really liked Crackity Jones, or Brackish Boy before I heard them live, but no I love them because of the gig at the Garage in 2001.
Bacon....... Its not fantastic |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2003 : 03:58:56
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Who are Mars Volta?
Bacon....... Its not fantastic |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2003 : 04:57:20
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Mars Volta are a band that contains some (one?) of the members of the now defunct 'At The Drive-In' - it's quite heavy music, they have (had) great lyircs and were pushing along on their own path quite happily.
A band that had to be seen to be believed (i saw one of their performances on Jools Holland's show)...Iggy Pop makes a brief appearance on one 'at the drive-in's songs.
I'e not heard Mars Volta yet but they sound interesting... |
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noexx
= Cult of Ray =
361 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2003 : 17:37:50
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i can't stand either band...hehe.
ryan |
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green_will
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2003 : 04:25:42
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How come 'Hardcore' now means 'Nu-Metal' anyway? I mean, what's the deal with that? Hmmm, all sounds a bit suspicious to me
IGGY POP is amazing though |
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Mr.AD
- FB Fan -
Spain
19 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2003 : 04:03:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Sheamus
So who likes the new Mars Volta album?
The new Mars Volta album? Hmmm... well, yeah! I fucking love it!
By far, De-Loused... is one of the best albums released this year.
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blarg007
= Cult of Ray =
USA
493 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2003 : 05:12:58
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the first catholics lp is the best sounding of the bunch for some reason
-frankly they all have a lot of good songs so i don't get the 'one better than the other'
thing -i really like pistolero and i must say i probably prefer that catholics mode
opposed to the latest but i really enjoy BLD and DW for what they both offer and
overall the so-called 'sloppyness' in the recording process isn't that obvious
unless your a real nitpicker with a chip on your shoulder.
BLD has some stuff done mono it says in the notes -who cares?
-if you buy re-issues from dusty groove and get one that you think is mono but it
says stereo on the sleeve and then call them to complain/find out
-their policy is that it is not an issue as they can't most of the time
go back and find out if it is true stereo or what
-and they listen to music all day that is mono and or stereo in their store.
the point is that if you enjoy the music -it becomes less of an issue.
i know mono/stereo is not the issue here (i think the issue is ...?)
but being a former sound quality nut has taught me what does sound good for sure
...but back to basics -i just enjoy the tunes and for the most part
these guys (FB&C's) offer the best in town.
R |
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2003 : 06:57:30
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| I actually prefer the DITS and beyond stuff more, despite the fact I'm not a huge fan of country. The first two FBC's albums are probably my least fav era in Frank's discography. They have great energy and sound, and Frank is truly impassioned on lots of the vocals, but there isn't that usual stylistic variation that makes Frank one of my favorites (well, there's a good deal more on Pistolero than FBC). However, his vocals are a little too phlegmy or truck-drivery on some of the songs..at the time i was nervous Frank's voice was undergoing another huge change akin to the one it did between Doolittle and Bossanova/Trompe. Now, despite the vocals being more laid back, I think he sings much better. I always liked Frank's pretty singing voice just as much as his ferocious one, and it's nice to see the pretty one back for a bit, when I thought it might be gone. |
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blarg007
= Cult of Ray =
USA
493 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2003 : 06:35:47
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i scored a copy of pistolero on vinyl yesterday!
-didn't even know spinart had done that!!
R |
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