Customer Reviews

Pistolero

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It took Frank Black almost a decade before he realized there's only so many songs you can write about space. That doesn't mean I know what he's going on about in "Skelton Man", but it is nice to see him moving in a different direction. Pistolero is astounding, easily his best album since The Pixies split. In fact, it's better probably than the last two Pixies albums, so what we're talking about is Frank's best album since 1989's Doolittle. The band is tight, the songs just swagger and Frank's voice is better than I ever remember it sounding. Does anyone else hear a touch of Van Morrison in his voice--Especially in "Western Star"? And when he screeches "I Think I'm Starting To Looooose It", by god, you believe him. Absolutely inspired work.

This isn't the best of Frank Black but it is up there among them. Frank's art for 1999 is a collaboration of hard, raw rock music and those always clever lyrics. It is now even harder to understand his complex avant-garde poetry, but that's part of the fun. The music is razor-sharp and his vocals are wonderfully destroyed. (Not completely though. Check out the high, surf rock tone that he takes for the ending of "So.Bay".) So, in synopse, this is a good addition to the Black collection. (Word to the confused. Frank Black comes from an alternate dimension where he is an alien rock star. He used to do duets with Ziggy Stardust.)

I think it is unique to find an artist that has real weight in his ideas (at least in the mainstream market) but FB truly does.I can't seem to find many musicians who I trust and have belief in, who seem to put words together that allow you to travel through alternative demensions, but this person does. If you've ever read good literature or look at good painting you know what I'm talking about. That's one level to his music, the other is the music which for some weird reason, I can't seem to tire of. It just goes right where you want sound to go, up the spine and out the brain. Can somebody put this man in a bottle and make sure he doesn't leave. If you want to hear other stuff that takes you there try: Snakefinger, Captain Beefheart, Television. Bye

There must be a rare gene that causes me to love Frank Black as much as I do. That might explain why more people don't. Sure, people will fall all over each other to talk about how great the Pixies were, but Frank Black's solo efforts don't receive the same attention. He's lost his edge, he's mellowed, there's no Kim Deal, or some such.

I usually find something to be fascinated by in almost every song, whether it be a seething lick, catchy riff, acoustic flourish, tight lyric or alienized harmonies. Often all of these elements are present in the same song, which could be what makes Frank Black an aquired taste.

Pistolero delivers all of these elements with a straight-to-two-track urgency. Absent of the slick production found on earlier solo albums, Pistolero sits at a lower register and pounds out a consistent blast of rawk, replete with unexpected chord changes, melancholic discourse and frequent sonic eruptions of the kind that should send all those pretty tatooed boys back to the garage.

Along with Dog in the Sand and the self-titled first Catholics album, Frank Black has finally locked into his "new" sound. With Pistolero (the best of the three), the big man has shed the ghost of Kim Deal et al and established himself as a great modern rock songwriter. The Catholics not only add consistency to newer Black offerings, they are an incredibly tight band who can manage anything Sir Francis throws at them. The album's standout track, "I Switched You", should put to rest any worries that there isn't life after the Pixies, and will long be remembered as a classic standout during Black's no-nonsense, intense live shows. All of Frank's trademark pop-surf-thrash offerings are here, void of any rules and with enough key and tempo changes to keep everyone happy. Best of all, the Catholics keep up...and keep Black on course...

Frank & the Catholics newest straight-to-two-track CD is a treasure. Much catchier and rockin' than their last release, "Pistolero" could actually have some hits on it if someone dared play it on the radio. If you thought Frank slumped with "Cult of Ray" and "Frank Black & The Catholics" didn't quite win you back, try this one. The songwriting is definitely better, and vocally the old Black Francis occasionally rears his head. Stand-out tracks include Bad Harmony, Tiny Heart, Smoke Up and Skeleton Man.

I enjoyed the Pixies but I was never a true fan of Thompson's music until the first solo album came out. Musically it seems He may have been limited to what he could do. Pistolero is a direct, no frills rock album with a unique sound. I feel it's his one album that comes closest to matching the energy of the Pixies without sounding like his old band.

Even though radio denies him airplay, Frank Black continues to write potential hit songs. In a way, I guess it's better this way. It makes him that much more special to those who can truly understand him and appreciate his genius. If you liked Frank and the Catholics, you will like this. The only difference is a switch in the lead guitar position.. which took some getting used to for me. I think Lyle Workman is Frank's musical soulmate but this new guy Rich Gilbert can definitely hold his own. It is recorded live in the studio again for that raw feel. Songs that move me the most; Western Star, Smoke Up, Billy Radcliffe, 85 Weeks, So Hard to Make Things Out. FRANK, WE LOVE YOU!!!

If you havn't already converted to Catholosism, I recommend the "holy ramage" of Frank Black. His amazing grace will transform you. How sweet the sound... A galaxy of stars would not be enough to rate this album!

I have spent half of my life listening to this music. I have to say Mr. Frank black is the most important musician to come out of the post punk movement. With thoughtful, artful, beautiful, and often distubingly insightful lyricism and often timeless musicianship. Few musicians can look back on their catalog of work and know that their albums were true masterpieces, In fifty years after fifty or so recordings frank black will. Turn on your your local "alternative" radio station and then tell me he is'nt ten years ahead of his time. "pistolero" is not a truly exceptional Frank Black record but it is a masterpice to be enjoyed by me and my family and the world until the end.