release date: Oct. 12, 2004
format: 2 cd
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,66]
producer: Two Pale Boys
label: SpinART - nationality: USA
2-disc album by Frank Black released after Pixies had re-united in 2003 and was in a process of releasing new material. Disc 1 "Black Francis demos" are Black's actual demo recordings prior to the first Pixies recording session in 1987. Disc 2 "Frank Black Francis" sees Black reworking a selection of familiar Pixies songs together with Keith Moliné and Andy Diagram from David Thomas and Two Pale Boys.
This is neither a new studio album or a traditional compilation album, although, it contains material which could put the album in both categories. The first disc is 'extra material' one would expect on a deluxe edition of the Come on Pilgrim ep and disc 2 is much more in the tradition of new album releases as it contains completely new interpretations of his own songs, and then all songs have been released before... It also contains a rather unnecessary almost 15 min version of "Planet of Sound", which spins 2:07 in its original version [what?!]. These new recordings are made in subtle 'folk rock' and 'singer / songwriter' shapes, which really alienate them from the originals. They are not entirely bad, but after a while I still end up thinking "so?". It's great classic energetic outbursts tied down to sell an album and to 'milk the sacred cow', as Biafra would've put it. Fact is, Pixies re-united in 2003, played some gigs and went as far to start recording new material. First they released a bunch a live albums, then they released a couple of singles - all self-released material - to have their share. Their former label, 4AD milked its share by releasing the compilation album Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies and Frank Black released this one to get his crunchy bit while the band was on everyone's lips again. Musically, disc 1 is a bland experience. There are good reasons as to why demo recordings don't do that well. I mean, of course people want to see the sketches of Da Vinci and Picasso, but why pay a lot of attention to someone humming in his or her bedroom to lay down ideas to elaborate on and have band members fix it all to make it unique and worthwhile in a studio?! Had it been solo originals, it would equal the aforementioned comparison, but Pixies was much more than Frank Black's sketches. This is purely for documentary purpose. Or, if you happen to be one true Pixies hardcore fan, and I'm not really that.
Only disappointed.
[ allmusic.com, Mojo, Uncut 4 / 5, Q 2 / 5 stars ]
