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Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -
United Kingdom
1733 Posts |
 Posted - 08/31/2003 : 13:04:30
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A review by Troy Carpenter:
Modern-day troubadour Frank Black is still trudging up the old highway of classic rock songcraft, and "Show Me Your Tears" -- his sixth album with his band the Catholics -- takes listeners several miles further down that road. The 13-track disc is populated with high, lonesome soundscapes that condense the Americana epics of last year's "Black Letter Days" into concentrated studies of tears-in-the-whiskey depression.
"Show Me Your Tears" isn't quite as expansive or thematically coherent as other recent efforts like 2001's "Dog in the Sand" and 2002's "Devil's Workshop," but it does exude a certain savoir faire, in that Black's raw rock'n'roll abilities are still flourishing. He's got the hard-rockin' band, the hooky riff supply and the one-of-a-kind howling voice all working in top shape.
But the album's signature is its exploration of the sadder moments of life, exemplified by a host of downtrodden characters: "Hiram said to John 'have you met my wife? / one day she'll be yours, when I lose my life,'" Black croons on "Everything Is New." The prophecy comes true, and worse: "Seven years later after that same gig / John took the wheel but when he got to the bridge / Billy Jean was alone for the second time."
The album was recorded live, and Black's crack band proves itself adept at cranking out all-out rockers like "Jaina Blues," the barroom blues of "New House of the Pope" and cathartic pop like closer "Manitoba." Few would have anticipated this career path a decade ago -- when Black released his first solo album -- but at this late date, the artist continues to grow musically and wend his way across the grand landscape of rock.
No man is an island, unless he is in the bath |
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2003 : 13:32:12
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| God bless Troy Carpenter!! |
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d3niz3n
- FB Fan -
Canada
75 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2003 : 14:49:58
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| nice. i like that smyt is getting some great feedback. it is a great album. now i just need another tour back in canada... |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2003 : 18:50:10
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.... and China. This has to be the best reviewed FB&C album hasn't it?
Bacon....... Its not fantastic |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6213 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2003 : 23:49:19
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I guess so
''it's not a box, it's a submarine'' |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7442 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2003 : 01:29:13
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Weird... I don't see "Pixies" written anywhere in this review...
Denis |
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d3niz3n
- FB Fan -
Canada
75 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2003 : 09:47:07
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quote:
Originally posted by vilainde
Weird... I don't see "Pixies" written anywhere in this review...
Denis
Enfin, merci. |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2003 : 12:40:40
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This guy has defied all laws of science and pop culture by not mentioning FB's former self. Amazing, this may be a first.
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FRANK BLACK SATAN WORKSHIP BLACK MASS |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2003 : 00:40:55
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Mentionning the Pixies is not that bad as long as it is only making reference to Frank Black as an Ex Pixie.... it is when they start comparing to the Pixies that becomes annoying,
But, it is good that there is not even a namedrop.
Bacon....... Its not fantastic |
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Crispy Water
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
819 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2003 : 01:02:30
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Sure it seems weird and perhaps like a pleasant change not to see "Pixies" anywhere in a Frank Black review, but the general public doesn't tend to read heaps upon heaps of articles and reviews on someone in whom they don't take much interest. These things aren't just written for superfans - how much attention would they pay anyhow? The point is to give the majority of readers a reason to keep paying attention. The more names and references an article has in its exposition or whatever, the greater the range of readers nudged into finishing the story will grow. I find these references very useful when I'm reading unfamiliar material, and many others probably feel the same way. It's probably hard to keep this frame of mind on a fansite's forum, but humans are made comfortable when offered a little association with which to wash down the unfamiliar.
(pondering whether to come up with an analogy to trick you into thinking I'm right........nah, I guess that's kind of proving an assertion with an example thereof)
Okay, maybe it's just me.
Nothing is ever something. |
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