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Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -
United Kingdom
1733 Posts |
 Posted - 09/24/2003 : 11:40:30
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A review by Steven Mc (sic) - www.incendiarymag.com -no rating or date. Mereubu, where are you? I need you to send this guy on his merry way with Matt and Eric.
You’ve all heard the rumours, I’m sure. No, not about the Pixies reforming. What’s more surprising is that people are whispering that Frank Black is good again. Well, shiver me timbers and dangle me upside down.
The last time I saw Frank Black live was in 2001 and he had a face like a bear’s arse stuck in a beehive. Supposedly he was in a huff because PJ Harvey stole the Ribena from his rider or something. Anyway, it was obviously a harsh time for him and he begrudgingly offered up a few passionless Pixies classics amongst the dirge, to a semi-grateful festival audience hoping to hear a song they actually knew.
Since then, he has released about 26 more albums to an adoring fanbase which laps up every moment, and he also continues to play more and more Pixies songs live, helping to fuel the current rumours of reformation. It’s because of this increased adulation that I actually had higher hopes this time around. Now, I’m certainly no Frank Black hater and I have no interest in him trying to rehash his songs from the 80’s, so I’m grateful he doesn’t normally attempt this, but what I won’t tolerate is boring music, and that’s what much of Show Me Your Tears seems to be.
‘Nadine’ kicks the album off in particularly languid fashion. It’s a drowsy, blues number that’s more T.J. Hooker than John Lee Hooker. ‘Everything is New’ then manages to set off the Pixies detector in my mind, admittedly tweaking my interest. It’s pleasant, but it sounds old, slow, and to be perfectly honest, like they’re jamming with the Jools Holland Orchestra. Most of the album has this effect actually, and it leaves me feeling quite cold.
Strangely enough, ‘When Will Happiness Find Me Again’ is more like a Muppets song without the joy of puppets running around. Opening with the lines, “The country was nothing but trees / so I went to the city one day” I’d almost swear he was being possessed by Kermit, but if that was the case it would have turned out much better, I’m sure.
Still, it’s not all bad. Whilst Frankie is singing the blues away, there are plenty of toe-tapping moments. ‘Horrible Day’ is quite catchy in a twangy way, making it the easiest radio hit. ‘Goodbye Lorraine’ is also steeped in the country vibe and it’s alright, but not glorious.
Maybe everyone else is right, though, and this is his best release for ages. After all, this is only one review swimming against the tide. But why shouldn’t I demand something spectacular? In what has been a wonderful year for music, Show Me Your Tears is leaving no real impression on me at all apart from mild disappointment and the thought, “Is this it?” Then again, perhaps he’ll release another album in two months’ time that will finally do it for me.
stevenmc
No man is an island, unless he is in the bath |
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