| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Helmut
= Cult of Ray =
315 Posts |
 Posted - 11/14/2011 : 14:32:29
|
I used to follow FB career obsessively - the Pixies, the Catholics and the solo albums. The output was generally consistent up until Bluefinger (although the Bluefinger tour was half assed and the Nashville albums were a bit self indulgent). Since then output has been pretty miss - Grand Duchey is boring and everything else seems a bit, well, average. He has a crack team of musos with the Pixies and the Catholics, is it a big ask to put out some albums with these guys or does ego (i.e. having to compromise with others) get in the way?
p.s. the Pixies shows he has done over this fallow period have been nothing short of stellar - maybe being a rich rock star means you no longer need to put out good stuff anymore. I mean what musos past 40 really put out anything good anyway? |
|
|
johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2011 : 14:49:34
|
FYI - there's already an active thread on this just below.
Ayerigvlagabriga-Raraaaargh!-Rumbahl-Jumbahl! |
 |
|
|
Helmut
= Cult of Ray =
315 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2011 : 15:16:09
|
| Whoops I didn't see that. Can I delete this topic? |
|
|
|
TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2011 : 09:29:46
|
Can we delete everything after SMYT?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I want the guy who did this. I want him. I want him bad........" TJ Hooker
-bRIAN |
|
|
|
gotmeamovie
- FB Fan -
158 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 10:23:00
|
i think that he has lost his way ever since this pixies tour has kept going. too much self satisfaction i think
not being critical as he deserves this success
"I could take a walk and really wonder, really wonder" |
|
|
|
Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2011 : 02:55:14
|
I agree... it's been years since I posted here... but I have to say this thought has drawn me back to this site, though I love his Pixies and Catholics stuff (up until BLD / DW), the rest is just filler. Hmmm... hang on that's not fair, I kind of like Bluefinger (though it is very patchy), and SVN Fingers (again patchy). He just seems to release albums that contain one or two genius tunes, and the rest are throw away tracks that border on just being boring. I'll always love Frank, and will always get his albums.. I guess every long serving artist cannot always release great albums (Neil Young certainly has had his fair share of tripe and I still love him).
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
|
|
|
danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2792 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2011 : 03:17:54
|
| first Ken Goes, then Frank loses his way |
|
|
|
arthur.
- FB Fan -
19 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2011 : 03:11:19
|
It seems to me that you forget a recent MASTERPIECE : The Golem
arthur. |
|
|
|
johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2011 : 05:06:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by arthur.
It seems to me that you forget a recent MASTERPIECE : The Golem
arthur.
Here here!
Ayerigvlagabriga-Raraaaargh!-Rumbahl-Jumbahl! |
|
|
|
BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2011 : 06:58:09
|
| I agree. I seldom listen to much after BLD/DW but Golem really lights my wick. NSE ain't bad neither. |
|
|
|
pot
> Teenager of the Year <
Iceland
3910 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2011 : 13:10:18
|
How many songs can an artist write before they start to become repetitive and tiring?
For the amount of material he's produced I think it's quite impressive that he can still knock out at least a couple of good tunes of each album. And Grand Duchy is due out soon, so who knows maybe the second album will be something to rave about, let's face it though the first one was kind of disappointing. I haven't listened to it for about 2 years. |
Edited by - pot on 12/15/2011 13:15:36 |
|
|
|
fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2011 : 10:13:56
|
He has. Frank, England's over here!
quote:
Originally posted by TRANSMARINE
Can we delete everything after SMYT?
 |
|
|
|
pot
> Teenager of the Year <
Iceland
3910 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2011 : 14:47:12
|
He just tweeted the following message-
'Hey, tweeters. I'm gonna take a break from the networks for a spell; I hope to get into serious songwriting. Back here next month sometime.'
@mrblackfrancis |
|
|
|
fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2011 : 01:00:05
|
Back in the day I knew nothing about the Pixies except for the names printed in the liner notes and that they made music like I never heard before.
Now I know the contents of their stomach. |
|
|
|
TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2011 : 09:46:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by pot
He just tweeted the following message-
'Hey, tweeters. I'm gonna take a break from the networks for a spell; I hope to get into serious songwriting. Back here next month sometime.'
@mrblackfrancis
YES!!! This info popped up on my Facebook last night...got really excited. Hopefully we will get some good stuff after a LOOOOOOONG spell of mediocre.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I want the guy who did this. I want him. I want him bad........" TJ Hooker
-bRIAN |
|
|
|
velvety
= Cult of Ray =
Portugal
536 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2011 : 12:12:15
|
The Golem is a fantastic collection of songs. There's nothing mediocre about it. And it's really strange for me to see such a backlash against Bluefinger around these parts. It's not a perfect record, but it could have been, if he would have left out a couple of songs.
Even if people love the Catholics albums, or the Nashville stuff, do those albums really have a stronger starting line-up than Cap. Pasty - Threshold - TPBluues - Lolita - TBRubber - ACTCY - YMIM? Excluding Dog in the Sand, are those other records really that strong? |
|
|
|
TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2011 : 13:38:42
|
Everything from Frank Black self-titled thru SMYT ('93-'03) were worlds stronger than anything following. But that's just my opinion.
The starting line-up you mentioned from Bluefinger is possibly the best collection of songs between '04-present...but that's a sad 8 year stretch.
I do enjoy The Golem and a lot of other stuff in between. But I am far from loving that other stuff.
I'm not saying or even hanging on to the hope the Catholics will ever reunite, but we need Frank back. Now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I want the guy who did this. I want him. I want him bad........" TJ Hooker
-bRIAN |
|
|
|
The Maharal
= Cult of Ray =
996 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2011 : 18:58:29
|
Can't say I agree with that first sentence. For me, Bluefinger and The Golem are far superior to CoR, for example. I like CoR but I think it lacks the consistency of the former two albums.
I still have to treat myself to two Catholics albums, not sure why I've never gone near them after three or four years of FB obsession.
In summary then (to make up for the verbosity of this post), I don't think I ever creamed myself over the Catholics as much as other fans do so I don't consider the recent output to be a major deterioration in quality. I love DitS, BLD and certain songs off SMYT (I'm adamant that listening to the best of beforehand ruined my enjoyment of this album) yet I wouldn't be too fond of the self-titled Catholics album at all. It's grown on me like all FB records but I felt the lyrics and creativity were a bit lacking, if I'm honest (obviously there are still some gems on it, this being Frank). Think what BF needs now is a regular backing band with a lead guitarist - 70% of his recent songs probably haven't been performed live which might tie in with why people find it hard to absorb the new stuff.
At the same time I can't begrudge the man his happiness. If he were to live out his days releasing the likes of say Svn Fngrs and Paley & Francis (works of good but not brilliant quality) then I'd be happy. No one can maintain a golden stretch forever - and I contend that Frank's ended long before the end of the Catholics - except maybe Nick Cave.
The summary ended up being longer than the segment being summarised, I really ought to go to bed.
|
|
|
|
fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 01:28:18
|
It's that b-side thing again. This past 48 hours I've listened to Rocket USA, Virginia Reel, Alabaster, Polly's Into Me and all of them get my juices flowing when the guitars plugged in.
Santa gave me some new plectrums and headphones so I had to test them out. Threshold Apprehension is the most fun song to play and is up there in my non existent favourite tracks list of this millenium. Fort Wayne and Don't Get Me Wrong, too. Bluefinger got a spin and now I'm eager to hear Let The People Speak. Whether they got there with Petit Fours I'm not sure, but Frank and Violet have something. Got my fingers crossed for some killer riff pop.
I am so damn cynical. I read fB's twit as sarcasm.
[ed: listening to PF now. They did get there IMO!] |
Edited by - fbc on 12/28/2011 02:19:31 |
|
|
|
Mac E. Doobage
= Cult of Ray =
503 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 01:56:58
|
| What's Rocket USA? |
Edited by - Mac E. Doobage on 12/29/2011 16:19:31 |
|
|
|
Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2463 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 02:33:15
|
| Yeah, 'Petits Fours' had some really nice songs on it. |
Edited by - Ziggy on 12/29/2011 02:37:10 |
|
|
|
fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 04:35:40
|
Yesterday was the first time I've played it since I don't know when.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mLi2lwLzao = Rocket USA
Just listen to that riff bF plays around 40 seconds in. How rhythm sections keep up with him at times is beyond me. The adrenaline rush the song creates when played is awesome. |
|
|
|
Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2463 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 12:47:32
|
'Threshold Apprehension' sounds richer than any of the other Bluefinger tracks. It's still a brutal, raw and brilliant song, but that extra layering of guitars and vox (and even the synths) really lifts it up.
|
|
|
|
Mac E. Doobage
= Cult of Ray =
503 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 16:18:27
|
| Wow. Hadn't heard that one before. Was that the only bonus rack on NSE? |
Edited by - Mac E. Doobage on 12/29/2011 16:20:32 |
|
|
|
Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2463 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 22:00:34
|
| No, there were a couple more. 'The Grindsman' and 'T'aint No Use'. All covers, I think. |
|
|
|
pot
> Teenager of the Year <
Iceland
3910 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2011 : 02:50:24
|
The riff from Rocket USA reminds me of some other non-FB song, can't think what it is. Anyone?
Edit-
Come on somebody help me out here! It's doing my head in, I know this riff from somewhere else. Not saying it's a riff off because it's a fairly simple standard riff, but there's a song- maybe an 80's song or something else I don't know that's really similar! |
Edited by - pot on 12/31/2011 04:31:13 |
|
|
|
fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2011 : 05:16:06
|
| heh |
|
|
|
pot
> Teenager of the Year <
Iceland
3910 Posts |
|
|
treetime
- FB Fan -
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2011 : 12:06:53
|
| I think Frank comes in waves. Covering different genres that he's created. Not every scene strikes a chord with every listener but it's always quality. |
|
|
|
treetime
- FB Fan -
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 06:20:26
|
| I hope this doesn't look like I am exagerating and saying Frank creates genres all by himself, but at the very least he has a big influence. |
|
|
|
Mac E. Doobage
= Cult of Ray =
503 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2012 : 17:11:15
|
| He's the Orson Welles of Rock n Roll. |
|
|
|
DruggedBunny
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
395 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 01:16:28
|
| He certainly is. |
|
|
|
DruggedBunny
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
395 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 01:16:58
|
| He certainly is. |
|
|
|
darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 07:41:45
|
quote:
Originally posted by Mac E. Doobage
He's the Orson Welles of Rock n Roll.
I think Frank's weight should be off limits on this board. |
|
|
|
Mac E. Doobage
= Cult of Ray =
503 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 10:12:07
|
I wasn't referring to that. He could also be considered the Francois Truffaut or Fassbinder of R & R...
quote:
Originally posted by darwin
quote:
Originally posted by Mac E. Doobage
He's the Orson Welles of Rock n Roll.
I think Frank's weight should be off limits on this board.
|
|
|
|
darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 12:11:54
|
| It was a joke. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Has Frank Black lost his way?
