I suppose it doesn't flatter Frank Black's solo career to say that his best album is the one where he radically revisits his old Pixies classics. Sorry, but that's Songblague's position on the matter. Be honest all you Black Francis lovers, don't you think the weird Pixies magic just seemed to abandon him when he turned his name around? He's been prolific alright, but there's just something very workaday, lunch pail about it.That's what's so nice about the Frank Black Francis record, and I don't know why everyone didn't adore it when it came out. Think about the risks involved in re-imagining songs that are gospel to your dedicated multitudes. I think he pulls it off beautifully, with a surrealism that's totally different from the madcap variety of his youth. If it's 'mature,' then it's a pleasingly warped adult we're dealing with.
"Monkey Gone to Heaven" was the first Pixies song I ever heard, which puts it on the Top 5 list by default. This version sounds like a psychedelic funeral, all twisted sadness and garbled warnings.
Frank Black Francis - Monkey Gone To Heaven
this record actually sold less than any other frank black album i worked in the spinART years. i think it just got swamped amidst way too much Pixies reunion overload and by the time it came out, no one wanted to hear about it.
ReplyDeleteor maybe i was just really bad at my job.
I had no idea this existed!
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