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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
 Posted - 07/28/2006 : 16:51:54
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We're actually already working on a database. :P
 "No man remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself." |
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cassandra is
> Teenager of the Year <
France
4233 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2006 : 04:55:56
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another french review (quite a good one) from the very good webzine foutraque.com:
http://www.foutraque.com/chronique_disque.php?id=2514
Fast Man Raider Man
Frank Black
Cooking Vinyl / Wagram - juin 2006
POP / ROCK
"Les lucratives tournées avec les Pixies et les rumeurs - persistantes - de composition de nouveaux morceaux avec Kim, David et Joey n’empêchent pas Frank Black de poursuivre son bonhomme de chemin en solo… Dans un style radicalement différent de celui des elfes ; en effet, notre homme aime à retourner aux sources de la musique américaine en écrivant des titres country/folk, blues/rock et soul. Si cela énerve copieusement les fans exclusifs des géniaux Pixies , il faut reconnaître à Honeycomb, paru l’année dernière, et au double album dont il est question ici, Fast Man, Raider Man deux qualités : une véritable passion pour la musique interprétée (qui transparaît dans chaque note jouée) et un talent surprenant pour se mettre dans la peau d’un soul man. Exit les hurlements de putois en rut qui font la renommée de l'auteur de Gouge away ; sur ses derniers disques solo Mr. Black chante comme Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett ou Salomon Burke. C’est avec un velouté sensuel et captivant que le très doué Frank vocalise sur ses œuvres intemporelles, souvent excellentes, parfois soporifiques sur la longueur. Le nouvel album comporte en effet 27 titres, qu’il faut savoir apprivoiser calmement et sans pression, décontracté, comme leur auteur. La présence en studio de musiciens soul mythiques (comme sur le génial The Greatest de Cat Power) rajoute encore au bonheur de se prélasser en écoutant ses morceaux langoureux sans prétention, joués avec foi. Steve Cropper (guitariste, compositeur d’Otis Redding), Levon Helm (batteur de The Band), Spooner Oldham (organiste de Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin… ) et leurs acolytes chevronnés amènent leur savoir-faire incomparable pour donner à Fast Man, Raider Man la patine d’un album classique et authentique. Un album à déconseiller aux fans de rock hystérique, mais à recommander aux amoureux de country/folk/soul teinté de rock.
A lire également, le compte rendu du concert des Pixies au festival Rock en Seine 2005.
A signaler : la parution chez Castor Music d’un livre très complet d’Emmanuel Dazin sur la carrière des Elfes, de leurs débuts à aujourd’hui. L'ouvrage - chroniqué sur Foutraque.com - est sobrement intitulé Pixies (190 pages, 9 Euros)."
Sites Internet : www.frankblack.net, www.ilovepixies.com.
auteur : Pierre Andrieu - pierre@foutraque.com
chronique publiée le 30/07/2006
 www.vampires.nu/images/members/1892/razorbladekiss-vi_avatar.gif" id="left" border="0">
pas de bras pas de chocolat |
Edited by - cassandra is on 07/30/2006 04:56:37 |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 10:47:32
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http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Today/Music/2006/08/05/1720270-sun.html
Frisky frontman
Sat, August 5, 2006
By DARRYL STERDAN, SUN MEDIA NEWSPAPERS
fast man raider
man
frank black; back
porch/ emi
"I am just a weary
singer," claims
Frank Black. Don't
believe him. The
Pixies
frontman has never
sounded friskier
than he does on his
dozenth solo set.
And no wonder.
Fast Man Raider
Man doesn't just pick up where last year's outstanding roots
offering Honeycomb left off -- it ups the ante in every
conceivable way. The all-star guest list is longer -- in addition to
Memphis and Nashville session cats such as Steve Cropper,
David Hood, Carol Kaye, Jim Keltner, Al Kooper and Spooner
Oldham, VIPs such as the Band's Levon Helm, Bad Company's
Simon Kirke and Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson are along for the
ride. The set list is likewise expanded, with 27 tracks spread
across two discs. And stylistically, this is his most eclectic and
varied set, masterfully and seamlessly
encompassing everything from country and roots to rock and pop
to soul and gospel. Look no further than the first two songs -- If
Your Poison Gets You bounces along to jazzy guitars and sax,
while Johnny Barleycorn rocks out to chunky guitars and thumpy
drums topped with brash brass. Then again, do look
further than the first two songs. Because you won't want to miss
the twangy honkytonk cover of Dirty Old Town, the New Orleans
vibe of Dog Sleep, the rollicking comic country of I'm Not Dead
(I'm in Pittsburgh), the melancholy piano balladry of My Terrible
Ways, the twangy pop-rock of Elijah and pretty much every other
tune on this 94-minute set.
Reminiscent of Van Morrison in its scope and approach -- but still
distinctly Black in its quirkiness -- Fast Man Raider Man is his
least forced and most honest album. Who could grow weary of
that? |
Edited by - Carl on 08/09/2006 10:53:46 |
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velvety
= Cult of Ray =
Portugal
536 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 14:01:36
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Mark Prindle's review (Sorry if this has been posted before).
Fast Man Raider Man - Back Porch 2006
Rating = 5
Yeah, more like FAT Man REFRIGERATOR Man, if you ask me!!!!!
Leading news sources reported in early July that "Pixies frontman Frank Black had tried to write new tracks for the band since they reformed for live appearances two years ago, but he was forced to ditch his efforts when he and bassist Kim Deal quickly realised the songs were a pale imitation of their 1980s cult classics."
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you Fast Man Raider Man.
Frank Black can no longer write Pixies songs because he is no longer capable of (or interested in) coming up with musical hooks. Instead, he is comfortable churning out relaxed, rootsy country-rock with more cliches than ideas, more guest musicians than personal contribution, and more pianos and acoustic guitars than a 1975 singer-songwriter album. At twice the length of the already-weak Honeycomb, this double-CD is yet another nail in the coffin of his once-sterling reputation (see also: Paul Westerberg, Bob Mould). Its truly great songs can be counted on one 6-fingered hand, and its final 1/3rd represents the absolute nadir of Frank Black's entire 20-year career. More specifically, six of the final eight songs bring absolutely ZERO new ideas to music and have, as far as I can tell, no reason to exist other than giving the band a chance to jam on a few more standard country-folk chord sequences before going home to their fat and psychopathic wives, who thrash them within inches of their lives. Oooo-ooo-ooo. Aaah-aaa-aaa. (repeat 2x) Aaaah! Aaaa - EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
We don't need no Frank Black album
We don't need no country-folk
No light chord changes on pianos
Pixie, where'd your talent go?
HEY! PIXIE! WHERE'D YOUR TALENT GO?
All in all it's just a...
nother disc in the stall (toilet)
All in all it's just a...
nother nick on my ball, I don't know.
(*a bunch of little kids repeat the verse, followed by a guitar solo*)
NO, DO IT AGAIN! NO, DO IT AGAIN!
IF YOU DON'T WRITE ANY SONGS, YOU CAN'T MAKE ANY ALBUMS! HOW CAN YOU MAKE ANY ALBUMS IF YOU DON'T WRITE ANY SONGS?
YOU! YES, YOU! (etc)
Probably the best way to describe this album, aside from using the phrase "laidback, melodically derivative piano/electric piano-driven Americana music (with guitar solos) incorporating elements of rock, country, folk, blues, gospel, soul and jazz," is to take a closer look at the musicians who helped Frank unleash his current vision. As you'll see, it's not exactly a smorgasbord of modern "hip to the times" alternative rock visionaries. Plus, as legendary (and OLD) as some of these players are, almost all of them are musically limited by Frank's tepid, uncompelling material. I'm sorry, but the greatest saxophone solo in history is not going to save a song with no hook. So here's the list -- put all these names together in your head, and that is EXACTLY what this record sounds like:
-- Bob Babbitt (bass) - from the Funk Brothers, described by All-Music Guide as "the brilliant but anonymous studio band responsible for the instrumental backing on countless Motown records from 1959 up to the company's move to Los Angeles in 1972."
-- Bobby Bare Jr. (backing vocals) - leader of roots-rock band Bare Jr. and son of '70s country music star David Lee Roth
-- Billy Block (drums) - Had a bit part as 'prom band member' in the 1991 motion picture Book Of Love. Still awaiting his second big break.
-- Marty Brown (bass, vocals) - '90s hillbilly country singer with four albums to his name
-- Violet Clark-Thompson (backing vocals) - Frank's wife
-- Jack Clement (dobro) - Legendary Nashville record producer; has worked with Johnny Cash and Charley Pride, as well as U2's top-selling Rattle And Hum novelty record.
-- Steve Cropper (guitar) - Booker T. and the MG's. Played on Frank's last album too, as I mentioned about 1500 times in my review.
-- Rick Duvall (backing vocals) - Lead vocalist of alternative rock band Ballista, unless that's some other Rick Duvall
-- Steve Ferrone (drums) - From the Average White Band. Perfect match, isn't it - the Pixies and the Average White Band? Good work on that one, Frank.
-- Rich Gilbert (pedal steel guitar) - From Human Sexual Response, Goober & The Peas, and Blackstone Valley Sinners. Perhaps the only musician alive to have played in three different bands with names as terrible as "Human Sexual Response," "Goober & The Peas" and "Blackstone Valley Sinners."
-- James Griffin (backing vocals) - This guy was in fucking BREAD. You tell me Frank Black's still a relevant songwriter, and I'll play you a little song called "Baby I'm-A Want You."
-- Levon Helm (drums) - From The Band. I'll refrain from commenting on him, other than to say that The Band is one of the worst rock groups in the history of the genre.
-- David Hood (bass) - Member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, famed session musician. Played on a few Traffic albums long after the world had ceased buying Traffic albums.
-- Ellis Hooks (backing vocals) - Modern soul singer who's apparently really good, but I haven't heard any of his records just yet. Have you? If not, are they good?
-- Wayne Jackson (trumpet, trombone, fluegelhorn) - Member of Stax Records' Memphis Horns and the Mar-Keys (Steve Cropper's first band!). No clue what he's been up to for the past 25 years.
-- Duane Jarvis (guitar) - Modern roots-rock artist, I'm told. Not a subgenre I frequent by trade.
-- Mark Jordan (keyboards) - Has worked with Van Morrison, Jackson Browne and Edgar Winter. All at the same time in a crazy Kiss The Blarney Stone Singer-Songwriter Albino Explosion!!!
-- Carol Kaye (bass, guitar) - In a career dating back to 1949, Ms. Kaye has played alongside every single musician and singer since the dawn of time.
-- Jim Keltner (drums) - Session drummer extraordinaire; member of Little Village. (*vomits three weeks' worth of caloric intake upon being reminded of the band Little Village*)
-- Simon Kirke (drums) - Bad Company. Rules.
-- Jack Kidney (harmonica, tenor saxophone) - From long-running blues-rock combo The Numbers Band. Hilariously named "Jack Kidney," like a little cartoon kidney bean running around, playing the harmonica.
-- Al Kooper (organ) - Played on Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone." Went on to The Blues Project and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
-- Ian McLagan (keyboards) - From The Small Faces, The Faces, The, and .
-- Buddy Miller (guitar, mandoguitar) - Modern country-folk-rock guy whose music probably sounds similar to this album.
-- Spooner Oldham (keyboards) - From AMG: "As an integral part of the Memphis/Muscle Shoals studio bands of the late '60s, organist Spooner Oldham made a definite mark on the sound of soul music." In other words, OLD OLD OLD AS SHIT.
-- Tom Petersson (bass) - From Cheap Trick! Their new album actually has a lot of good songs on it! Which is nice because their last album was vomitous!
-- Dave Philips (pedal steel guitar) - Former member of Frank Black and the Catholics. Remember them? They were good!
-- P.F. Sloan (piano) - Author of some of the greatest folk-rock tunes of all time. Unfortunately, none of them appear on this record.
-- Billy Swan (backing vocals) - Apparently had a hit single in 1974, when Frank Blank was 8 years old. A proposed collaboration at the time was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
-- Planet Swan (backing vocals) - Billy's daughter.
-- Sierra Swan (backing vocals) - Planet's sister.
-- Akil Thompson (drums) - Young session musician; has played with Kelly Clarkson and Nick Carter.
-- Chester Thompson (drums) - Akil's father; has played with Frank Zappa and Genesis. Yeah, I know! "Who?" That's what I said! Heh heh, yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Bo Bice rules
-- Jon Tiven (alto saxophone, guitar, piano) - From obscure mid-70s power pop band Prix. He also produced the CD. Hey! Maybe they should have credited this album to "The Prixies"! Ha ha! YEAH! WHEEEEEE!
-- Brooks Watson (backing vocals) - I don't know. Probably some asshole. You hear that? FUCK YOU, guy I've never heard of!!! Up your ASS!!!!
-- Lyle Workman (guitar) - Fusion artist who once worked with Todd Rundgren. Probably fucked his wife too, like everybody else did, the whore.
-- Reggie Young (guitar) - Born in 1936.
Is this really the legacy that Frank Black wants? To just release album after album of rickety old men performing every mediocre song that pops into his head until he has a gigantic discography of inoffensive, middle-of-the-road CDs that nobody wants to hear? (see also: Van Morrison, John Mellencamp) Well, more power to him, I guess. Everybody has to make a living, even if it SUCKS.
Having said all that, "Johnny Barleycorn" is a great mean rocker that could easily pass for late-period Pixies, and "In The Time Of My Ruin" is a warm, melodic ball of energy that could pass for ANY-era Pixies. A few other moments of genuine inspiration shine through the soundalike din (especially the intrigue-laden jazz/folk hybrid "If Your Poison Gets You," coolly menacing "Seven Days" and strangely-arranged slow piano thing-->New Orleans slop sleaze-->creepy 5/4-time organ piece "Dog Sleep"), but most of it is background music for a lemonade-drinking old man.
Also, Frank Black is 4,000 years old now and weighs like a hundred million pounds. |
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Jontiven
= Cult of Ray =
USA
347 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 15:26:18
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Aside from the factual inaccuracies and sense of humor that only the author can fully appreciate, it supports the contention that every asshole has a musical opinion and every musical opinion has an asshole and Mark Prindle is the asshole owned by this musical opinion.
Or something like that.
bye,
Jon Tiven |
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 20:57:21
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| In reference to the Mark Prindle rant, I had to stop reading at the Levon Helm commentary. Has this guy even listened to a Band album? Does he even know what band he's talking about? He probably thinks Bob Dylan is some no talent hack that got lucky with that 'everybody must get stoned' song. Looking back at the Rich Gilbert comment, I don't know anything about what Rich Gilbert did before the Catholics, but his work with Frank is nothing short of classic. Who the hell is Mark Prindle? Supposedly he's a professional critic, but I see nothing professional about his review. I bet if I stood on a toilet hanging a clock, slipped, hit my head on the sink, came up with the idea for a flux capacitor to make time travel possible, invented a time machine, and went back in time to visit myself in the eighth grade, played Fast Man for me (at 12), and asked myself to review it, it might be comparable in articulation and insight to Mr. Prindle's remarks. I wish people would do some research before throwing down. |
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Don Eduardo
= Cult of Ray =
Australia
403 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 21:43:45
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I generally read Prindles stuff pretty often, some if it is damn funny. His Pixies reviews are great, but its his tearing apart of the likes of Tool that is pure gold. He rates Cult of Ray higher than TOTY which is bizarre.
That said I think he's a bit off the mark on FMRM but i can definitely see why a fan of Fb's earlier solo/catholics stuff would not like it. |
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2792 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 21:51:08
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| hey lets hear it for DARRYL STERDAN he heard van the man. |
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frankblackphx
= Cult of Ray =
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2006 : 23:34:59
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Man, that review really bums me out.
People can be such jerks. It's one thing not to like the album but man does he slam everybody. There are a lot of people on that list that deserve a lot of respect.
I would like to see Mr. Prindle write and record a song and see what he can come up with.
Dan
Here I am for your judgement
When the paint grows darker still
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ScottP
= Cult of Ray =
USA
618 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2006 : 00:05:01
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quote:
Originally posted by velvety
Also, Frank Black is 4,000 years old now and weighs like a hundred million pounds.
Obviously written by a 10-13 year old boy who doesn't get the attention he needs.
Sometimes it's hard to love your teenage kids- but I think that's the time of their lives when they need it the most. So, if you have a young adult son, or daughter, give em a hug and tell them you love them. If you are a young adult yourself, just remember: If you can keep people from getting a good hold of your neck, you will probably grow out of this awkward stage of your life. |
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kelladwella
= Cult of Ray =
Germany
729 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2006 : 00:31:39
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| That's some good advice there, ScottP. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2006 : 01:45:18
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He just wants the name. He does this because he gets attention. That it's negative is something that he probably knows but doesn't understand. Having your name known and associated with vomit is probably not what he wants, but like the rebellious child (and yeah, "4000 years old and weighs like a hundred million pounds" is the best example of that little wide eyed child) he does this thinking any attention is attention. The best thing we can do to help him is ignore him until he stops tramping up and down.
"No man remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself." |
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fumanbru
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1462 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2006 : 03:02:50
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not sure if this has been posted yet. nice positive review from the winnipeg sun. (4 out of 5 stars)
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/27/pf-1707388.html
July 28, 2006
CD Review: Frank Black: Fastman...
Black's 'Fastman' his most honest effort
By DARRYL STERDAN -- Winnipeg Sun
"I am just a weary singer," claims Frank Black. Don't believe him. The Pixies frontman has never sounded friskier than he does on his dozenth solo set.
And no wonder. Fastman Raiderman doesn't just pick up where last year's outstanding roots offering Honeycomb left off -- it ups the ante in every conceivable way.
The all-star guest list is longer -- in addition to Memphis and Nashville session cats like Steve Cropper, David Hood, Carol Kaye, Jim Keltner, Al Kooper and Spooner Oldham, VIPs like The Band's Levon Helm, Bad Co.'s Simon Kirke and Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson are along for the ride.
The set list is likewise expanded, with 27 tracks spread across two discs. And stylistically, this is his most eclectic and varied set, masterfully and seamlessly encompassing everything from country and roots to rock and pop to soul and gospel.
Look no further than the first two songs -- If Your Poison Gets You bounces along to jazzy guitars and sax, while Johnny Barleycorn rocks out to chunky guitars and thumpy drums topped with brash brass. Then again, do look further than the first two songs. Because you won't want to miss the twangy honkytonk cover of Dirty Old Town, the New Orleans vibe of Dog Sleep, the rollicking comic country of I'm Not Dead (I'm in Pittsburgh), the melancholy piano balladry of My Terrible Way, the twangy pop-rock of Elijah and pretty much every other tune on this 94-minute set.
Reminiscent of Van Morrison in its scope and approach -- but still distinctly Black in its quirkiness -- Fastman Raiderman is Frank's least forced and most honest album.
Who could grow weary of that?
Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. If Your Poison Gets You
2. Johnny Barleycorn
3. Fast Man
4. You Can't Crucify Yourself
5. Dirty Old Town
6. Wanderlust
7. Seven Days
8. Raider Man
9. End of the Summer
10. Dog Sleep
11. When the Paint Grows Darker Still
12. I'm Not Dead (I'm in Pittsburgh)
13. Golden Shore
Disc 2:
1. In the Time of My Ruin
2. Down to You
3. Highway to Lowdown
4. Kiss My Ring
5. My Terrible Ways
6. Fitzgerald
7. Elijah
8. It's Just Not Your Moment
9. Real el Rey
10. Where the Wind Is Going
11. Holland Town
12. Sad Old World
13. Don't Cry That Way
14. Fare Thee Well
"I joined the Cult of Frank/ cause I'm a real go-getter!" |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2006 : 08:11:23
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http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/entertainment/15523880.htm
Posted on Fri, Sep. 15, 2006
Frank Black shows us what kind of
man he is
"Fast Man, Raider Man,"
Frank Black
(Back Porch/EMI,
****
)
Last year's "Honeycomb" presented Pixies singer/guitarist Frank Black in a new light.
His quirky songs were played by a host of his childhood idols, including Duck Dunn
and Steve Cropper. That album was a low-key success story, and several songs were
set aside by producer Jon Tiven and Frank for another time.
In October 2004, Black found an empty date on his calendar; the sessions for this June
double disc began. These sessions continued into 2005 and involved many celebrated
players, including classic rockers Levon Helm and Simon Kirke on drums, Cheap
Trick's Tom Petersson on bass and Beach Boys/Spector bassist Carol Kaye.
I'm not sure whether the relaxed atmosphere or the all-star cast made these sessions
livelier, but something did. This recording seems more powerful, and chances are it
will continue to grow on me.
Disc one favorites include the sax-powered "Johnny Barleycorn," which adds Motown
punch to the Traffic memories. I also enjoy "Raider Man," a tragic tale played by Frank
and guitarist Duane Jarvis, who rounds out Black's touring band these days. And a wry
country number called "I'm Not Dead, I'm in Pittsburgh" is great.
I'll leave it to listeners to sort out disc two's high points. This album adds more bite to
the relaxed charm Frank Black displayed last year. Snag it locally or online at
www.backporchrecords.com.
http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Arts/Our_Critics_Picks/2006/09/28/Our_Critics_Picks/index.shtml
FRANK BLACK You could argue that Frank Black repeats himself, and that this year’s Fast Man
RaiderManstands as another two-CD set that could have been boiled down to a nifty single. And you
wouldn’t be wrong, except that Black is a fascinating, prolific artist whose post-Pixies work is rife with
hidden gems. Recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles with musicians like Carol Kaye and Reggie
Young, Fast Man and 2005’s Honeycomb might not be Americana—some of Fast Man sounds like
outtakes from an album English pub-rockers Brinsley Schwarz never made—but they have plenty of
inspired moments, from the Doug Sahm cover to his tribute to L.A. pop, “In the Time of My Ruin.” On
this leg of his tour, he’ll be joined by bassist Eric Drew Feldman, guitarist Duane Jarvis and drummer
Billy Block, who should move things along nicely. ( www.backporchrecords.com ) Mercy Lounge
—EDD HURT |
Edited by - Carl on 09/27/2006 09:46:37 |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2006 : 09:26:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Carl
I'll leave it to listeners to sort out disc two's high points.
Translation: I didn't really listen to disc two.
he's back jack smoking crack find him if you want to get found
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Shastasheen
- FB Fan -
62 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2006 : 17:36:13
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quote:
Originally posted by velvety
Mark Prindle's review (Sorry if this has been posted before).
Also, Frank Black is 4,000 years old now and weighs like a hundred million pounds.
Okay, not being biased at all (even though I am), I saw Frank Black in Olympia and he looked great. I mean really good, just to compare from past Frank sightings, he looked especially handsome, trimmed down a lot, and is playing and writing the best music in the world to date. So there "Mark Pringles" - a person that knows nothing at all. My best advice for the so-called critic: "KILL YOURSELF"
We definately could use one less asshole in the world (understatement)
All I am are my thoughts, I am all what I'm not |
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Grotesque
= Cult of Ray =
France
777 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2006 : 10:58:59
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We could turn it that way: frank is still as good, but not as poppy as he used to be.
Pop has got to be astonishing, allways original, allways show off, just like a rebel teenager.
After a while you get rid of that way.
As Frank sang it, for the first time in his life he just doesnt care!
And the pixies, just like the 60s Who, were really "the last pop band" (Lester Bangs). Now, it could become something else, but something that will certainly unplease all the pop fans like Mark. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2006 : 18:53:41
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/19/AR2006101900496.html
FRANK BLACK "Fast Man Raider Man" Back
Porch/EMI
Friday, October 20, 2006; Page WE11
FRANK BLACK"Fast Man Raider Man"Back Porch/EMI
AS ONE-QUARTER OF the Pixies, Frank Black (then Black Francis)
helped devise a hyper-dynamic musical template for his little brothers of the
grunge generation. These days, however, he prefers hanging out with the
older guys.
The guest musicians on "Fast Man Raider Man," a two-CD set of rootsy
rock, include such 1960s veterans as Steve Cropper, Levon Helm, Al
Kooper, Carol Kaye, P.F. Sloan, Ian McLagan and Spooner Oldham --
all of whom in their prime played on albums much more distinctive than this
one.
Despite the presence of these
musicians (and about 30 others),
"Fast Man Raider Man" doesn't
sound labored or fussy. Producer
Jon Tiven, a '70s power-popper
who later diversified into blues and
country, gets a clean, plain sound.
Considering that most of these 27
songs are merely serviceable, that
may not have been the ideal
approach. While both discs include
a few keepers -- notably "If Your
Poison Gets You" and "Fast Man"
on the first and "Elijah" and "It's
Just Not Your Moment" on the
second -- Black's current desire to
be some sort of musical regular guy
seems misguided. He may not want
to sing about UFOs and apocalypse anymore, but such folk standards as
"Dirty Old Town" don't really suit the author of such enduring oddities as
"Monkey Gone to Heaven."
-- Mark Jenkins
Appearing at Sunday at the 9:30 club with Reid Paley.
Frank Black: a Pixie amid the grown-ups. (By
Michael Halsband)
Frank Black: a Pixie amid the grown-ups.
Photo Credit: By Michael Halsband Photo |
Edited by - Carl on 10/20/2006 18:56:02 |
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wwgt
- FB Fan -
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 01:04:59
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I have had a few spins of the new material , and all I can say is dammit Frank has done it again !!! Another TOTY like epic collection of beauty. It's funny because as a FB fan, I have been spoiled by his
ingenious songwriting,and find myself unable to listen to the cheez whiz bands that are so predominent on commercial fm radio..... so Thank you Frank for my enlightenment. I have been there since the 80's and have never been let down by any cd he ever released. He is a songwriting machine, and as if the present material isn't enough, the NEW songs he is playing live sound really great as well, un - F***** believable
thanks to the man
Space is gonna do me good |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2006 : 14:13:51
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http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/11/21/160527.php
Music Review: Frank Black - Fast Man
Raider Man
Written by Connie Phillips
Published November 21, 2006
Part of Featured Artist
This past June, Frank Black released a
two disc follow-up to his 2005 release
Honeycomb, which had received critical
success. Fast Man Raider Man is a
diverse collection of songs from the
artist who has been continually growing
and evolving since his former band, the
Pixies fell away.
The project was recorded in phases over
span of two years. The twenty-seven
tracks came together in studios in
Nashville and Los Angeles, with a wide
range of accompanying players including
The Band's Levon Helm, Cheap Trick's
Tom Petersson, and Heartbreaker
drummer Steve Ferrone. Also included on
the recording were some of those who worked on Honeycomb including Steve Cropper,
Reggie Young, Buddy Miller, Spooner Oldman and Chester Thompson.
In a recent interview I asked him how he was
able to put together such a cohesive sounding
album, when there were so many different
variables involved. He said, "I didn't worry too
much about that. I let the producers worry
about it. I just wrote songs and showed up for
my sessions. Usually I would book the sessions,
too. I would say, 'Hey, I want to record in a
couple of months. You want to set something
up for me?' I would invite some musicians to
come and play with me and I wouldn't worry
about cohesiveness."
Though it may have not been a huge concern
to him, the end result is something consistent and interconnected. Though the
individual pieces vary, they come together to form a puzzle that creates a new image
all its own.
The songs have an alt rock, as well as a bit of a country rock, feel and the lyrics can
be dark and obscure or uncomplicated and amusing. In all instances they are
enjoyable. Fast Man Raider Man doesn't stray too far from what you might expect from
Black, which admittedly encompasses quite a range.
Disc One contains some stand outs; one being "Johnny Barleycorn." With its rhythmic
classic roots rock sound, it delivers some of those obscure lyrics, which call forth
images of a sacrifice or at the very least something darker than the up-tempo beat
would imply. In contrast, "Fast Man," the song representing half the title, is a moody
ballad but such word play is just what you expect from Black. "Raider Man," the
second song credited in the title, is a continuation of that. Another favorite is "I'm Not
Dead (I'm in Pittsburg)," which takes the dismal emotion and puts just a bit of a
sardonic spin on it.
The tones and moods shift and chase like a blowing breeze, but the overall style
follows a steady course that takes you through the many shades that this personality
of Charles Thompson encompasses. No, it is not the same style of Black Francis of the
Pixies and it is different still from what he produced under the monkier Frank Black and
the Catholics.
Disc two opens with the up-tempo "In the Time of My
Ruin," and from there the ride of changing moods and
feels continue. From the highs of the classic sounding
"Kiss My Ring" to the lows of the brooding jazzy ballad
"My Terrible Ways" he follows through with one vast
selection after the other.
It's hard to sum up Fast Man Raider Man. It isn't
simple and cannot be wrapped up in an uncomplicated
or neat package. It's complex, diverse and includes so
many influences and genres. At the end of the day,
however, it is good alternative rock, delivered by a
main-stay who still has plenty to say, even if it's
convoluted and not exactly what it might seem to be
on the surface.
This CD was also reviewed by Zach Hoskins of Modern Pea Pod, shortly after its
release. More information can be found about Frank Black and Fast Man Raider Man at
the album's Myspace Profile. The fan-based website is also a great source of
information on Frank Black, this month's featured artist.
http://www.regnyouth.com/?p=3704
Frank Black - Fast Man Raider Man
Whereas a lot of rock musicians lose luster
as they age, others develop like fine wine:
Frank Black is one of the latter. The
intensity and surreal, fractured sensibility
that characterized his best work with the
Pixies has eased with time, but Black
hasn’t lost his knack for inventive,
memorable songwriting, as 2006’s ‘Fast Man Raider Man’, a sprawling
double-album of genre-blending music, attests. Like 2005’s
‘Honeycomb’, ‘Fast Man Raider Man’ traffics deeply in rootsy
Americana, but mixes in healthy doses of rock, jazz, and R&B. There is
a subtle, sophisticated warmth here, to which an all-star roster–
including Spooner Oldham, Chester Thompson, Buddy Miller, Al Kooper,
and Levon Helm, among others–lends an unassailable authenticity. There
are 27 songs, and the set is stylistically all over the map, but the whole
coheres remarkably well, making for one of the artist’s most
adventurous and ultimately satisfying solo releases.
DISC 1:
1. If Your Poison Gets You
2. Johnny Barleycorn
3. Fast Man
4. You Can’t Crucify Yourself
5. Dirty Old Town
6. Wanderlust
7. Seven Days
8. Raider Man
9. End Of The Summer, The
10. Dog Sleep
11. When The Paint Grows Darker Still
12. I’m Not Dead (I’m In Pittsburgh)
13. Golden Shore
DISC 2:
1. In The Time Of My Ruin
2. Down To You
3. Highway To Lowdown
4. Kiss My Ring
5. My Terrible Ways
6. Fitzgerald
7. Elijah
8. It’s Just Not Your Moment
9. Real El Rey, The
10. Where The Wind Is Going
11. Holland Town
12. Sad Old World
13. Don’t Cry That Way
14. Fare Thee Well
- Frank Black - Fast Man Raider Man
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 at 3:29
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Edited by - Carl on 12/03/2006 11:47:04 |
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Fast Man Raider Man reviews
