Customer Reviews

Frank Black and the Catholics

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this is Frank Black in bar rock mode. after his first few solo albums, he adapted a more stripped down basic sound and started recording direct to 2 channels which gives it all a very live feeling. this is good at times, but i personally miss some of the more arranged and well thought out moments of music from his past albums. nonetheless, this album delivers some fine dusty rock and roll with that quirky Frank Black twist. the cd starts off fine with the rolicking "All My Ghosts" and keeps up the feelings on "Back to Rome" and "Dog Gone." somewhere in the middle of this album i start to get the feeling that i'm hearing the same song over and over. and the lyrics begin to grate on me a bit. they're not really bad lyrics, in themselves, but they are missing something. they feel sort of lazily written. perhaps it goes along with the general laid back rockin' feel of the album. overall, this is nothing essential. but it is a good time.

I've heard some people call this record a "half-baked effort" and the only reason I'm writing this review is to tell anyone who likes their rock tight, raw and just plain excellent to GET THIS RECORD! Probably the best rock record I've heard in five years. The live to two track recording really strips it down and shows this band for what it really is, WONDERFUL! Thank you, that is all.

First I'd like to say that I love the pixies just as much as any other good old boy, but they never rocked like this. Live recording onto a two-track recorder is truly the way of the future. Every song on this album kind of meshes together into a wall of power chords, interstellar guitar solos, and Frank Black's gruff crooning styles. There is tremendous continuity in this album, but "I Need Peace" stands out as the high point for me. If you're looking for genuine Frank Black eccentricity you'll probably want to buy one of his solo albums, particularly teenager of the year. However if you are interested in hearing some of the purest rock and roll recorded live on two tracks, buy a Catholics album, this one being the superior of the two.

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed when I listened to Frank Black and the Catholics the first time. It seemed sloppy and a bit flaccid. But that is the way I have initially responded to every Frank Black release. It is not immediately gratifying like a Beastie Boys or even a Pixies album. But a second listen left me hooked. While Frank's voice certainly is showing marked signs of wear, his delivery is compelling. "Doggone" sounds compellingly weary. "All of my Ghosts" sounds compellingly strident. And "Suffering" is a quite compelling ripoff/tip of the hat of/to The Who. Frank even does a gravelly impression of Roger Daltry. Most compelling in retrospect is the fact that Frank Black chose no gimmicks. This is straight ahead rock played live. Judging by Black's voice, it almost sounds like they played the songs consecutively. In any case, this is a must have for any Frank Black fan, though it won't likely win new converts. I do, however, have a sneaking suspicion somewhere in deep recesses of my cerebral cortex that Frank Black will have a collossal hit before he's through with pop...I just can't imagine what that would entail.

Along with 'Black Letter Days', this is by far my favorite Frank Black album, and is crammed to the brim with absolute classics. Buy it now.

There's not a bad, or even a mediocre song on here. While I found 'Pistolero'for instance to be more plodding, and FB's earlier (self titled, Teenager of the year) to be more poppy, this album strikes the absolute perfect balance. The fact that it was recorded live only makes it all the more amazing.

Don't buy this CD expecting anything like the Pixies. There is not any randomly off-key guitar outbursts, but instead the raw power of a band recording live.

It is reminiscent of The Beatles' "Let it Be" because of the fact that it was recorded with no overdubbing, just four guys rocking out.

The guitar riffs rock and really give the listener a swift kick to the head reminding everyone how rock should be played...vocals, guitars, bass, and drums. No turntables, no drum machine, no crazy distortion, and no rap-like lyrics.

Overall, a great buy if you're lookin' for a great Rock Album.

After "The Cult of Ray" left me somewhat flat (though I still liked most of it), I was cautiously optimistic about this one but after I listened to it a few times, this CD has grown on me. Unlke TOTY or "Frank Black", this is stripped down rock 'n' roll, powerfully played but not without the usual quirkiness in the songwriting that Black has. "I Need Peace" and "Solid Gold" are standout tracks. The CD as a whole is very consistent and my only minor comlaint is that the style and tempo of the songs don't vary much.

The first time I listened to this album I was taken aback. I had not expected anything like this at all. Recorded directly without mastering, overdubbing and overplaying gives this album a really rough edge. But like an uncut diamond, it is very charismatic and full of hidden surprises. For 2 weeks straight now I've been listening to this at least once a day. Almost each time I listen to it, I find new little gems stashed away in the background. This thing will grow on you like nothing ever before! The songs "King & Queen Of Siam", "Solid Gold" and "Steak and Sable" especially stand out. And "The Man Who Was Too Loud" reminded me very much of "Brackish Boy" off of the Frank Black album. Get it!

Dionysius eat your heart out. Frank Black is God

Frank Black applies his versatility - successfully - to this greatly underrated, raw collection of bare-knuckled rock n' roll.

The Catholics' chemistry shines through on two-track. Lyle Workman veers off into wankery a little too much for my tastes, but all-in-all his guitar provides a strong, soulful foundation for Frank's melody and lyrics.

Crankable!