Customer Reviews

Svn Fngrs

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

 

 

I won't pretend to be some hipster who has been listening to Frank Black in all his incarnations since forever. I like the Pixies, and the Breeders, but I'm just a normal 40-something adult female; at this point in my life, I listen to what I like just because I like it, and I'm always glad to find something new. This is definitely a turn-up-the-volume set of songs, and it's a pity that it's so infernally hot here in Louisiana, because I'd love to drive along with the windows down, listening to this really loud. It still works with the windows closed and the AC on, but it's much less romantic. I particularly like The Seus, I Sent Away, Seven Fingers, and When They Come to Murder Me; the first two are beyond odd, and very compelling, and the latter two have great beats, melodies, and lyrics. Who knows - I might end up going back and listening to everything he's ever done!

I have a rule with Frank Black/Black Francis albums - don't make any final judgments until I've had it for at least one year. The reason I have this rule is that a lot of his songs are "sleepers" .. at least, they are for me. For instance, when his first solo cd came out in 93, I instantly loved "Los Angeles" and didn't care much for "Czar". Today, "Czar" is one of my favorite FB songs - it just took time for me to really get it. And I never listen to "Los Angeles" anymore - go figure.

So - I am breaking my own rule here with this online review for Svn Fngrs. Why? Because it's damn good, and at present only has 7 reviews on Amazon! I did this same rule-breaking when Bluefinger came out - just doing my own bit to support a favorite artist.

On with the review - there are plenty of insightful reviews online if you google so I'll try to be brief and not do a track-by-track. The music is - to my ears - a bit more interesting than Bluefinger was and by the same token not as immediately accessible as Bluefinger. I wasn't sure I liked it on first listen.

Now, I listen to it quite a bit. Some great tracks are "I Sent Away" - which is a lot of fun - and "When they Come to Murder Me". "The Seus" is one of those sleepers I mentioned earlier. I didn't care for it at first listen, and now it is the one I find the most interesting. The odd riffing is very catchy (is riffing the right word? let's pretend it is) and I like how the pretty chorus (which for some reason reminds me of the Beatles) keeps the listener involved in the song. The chorus is also a neat counter-balance to the more strange segments within the song. I wouldn't say it's dissonant - just kind of odd in it's rhythm-making.

Clearly, I won't be writing for Pitchfork anytime soon but you see where I'm going here .. this mini-album is good stuff. See for yourself, and if you like it Black Francis is on tour RIGHT NOW in the states through I believe late July. I just saw him perform in Santa Cruz last night, and it was killer. It helped inspire the writing of this review, actually.

Update: 3 years later, 'I Sent Away' is still in my ipod shuffle. This song is simply amazing - one of his very best, easily. Yes, it's simple - but sometimes the best songs are.

I've been a Pixies, Black Francis, Frank Black, Frank Black & The Catholics, Black Francis fan for a long time, and this is some of the best music you'll ever hear from him. I was a little disappointed in the length of the album, but every song is great. His true fans will love this.

Though I much prefer Bluefinger to this release, if only for its being a full album of consistent material, SVN FNGRS finds Black Francis still heading in the right direction. I'm glad that he's continuing in the direction of his last project, though this one seems a little more off-the-cuff, less energetic, more Pro-Toolsy. On the fantastic stand out cuts this approach works---on "Garbage Heap" (his most Pixieish song in years, sounding like it could have been cut in the Bossanova era) and "When They Come to Murder Me," which has got a bit of old-time Iggy Pop venom to it. A few of the cuts don't work for me; "The Seus" sounds a little too much like Red Hot Chili Peppers to me (yes, you read right) and "Half Man," though pretty, seems too repetitious. I think these shortcomings are understandable, though. In short, this works as a remarkably strong stopgap EP (I wouldn't say minialbum): Black Francis maintaining his momentum while his creative powers have reached another peak.

In Greek Mythology, a demi-god is a being who is half god, half man, and has qualities of both. This short concept album is about such a being, according to an online interview Black Francis gave about a year ago. What emerges is a shadowy character, marked by being "born with seven fingers and seven toes". Whether intended or not, I call him "Lonesome Fetter", from the track "The Tale of Lonesome Fetter", and what a character he is.
Every song on this disc is a standout, from the strange opening "The Seuss", to the Badfinger-like power pop of "Half Man", to the pained and violent closer "When They Come To Murder Me", this disc is quite a ride. Both horrific "Uncle said come visit me. He said please come around." but when he arrives "he forgot to hide his hound, and so I had to kill him, I had to turn him inside out." and sorrowful "Now I never want to hurt another hound." More than any album by Charles Thompson, regardless of the persona he is using at the time, this recording qualifies as a true "rock opera". GET IT.

As much as I love the man he's always inspired intense ambivalence in me. Even Teenager of the Year had songs that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me (Mulholland!).

If I could tell Mr. Francis one thing it would be to please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, don't end your songs saying one line over and over again in the whiniest, most annoying voice you can possibly conjure. This album has a few songs like this and it almost ruins them completely for me (Bluefinger was worse).

This album is pretty good. 4 songs made it to my Black Francis playlist which are: Garbage Heap, Half Man, The Tale Of Lonesome Fetter, and When They Come To Murder Me. These songs feel pretty close to Dog In The Sand to me and (that being my favorite of his albums) I really like them. The other songs I have no use for though.

Overall: If you're a big fan, get it. If not, start with Dog In The Sand, Oddballs or Teenager of the Year.

Because Frank can do little wrong in my opinion. Though I would knock half a star off if I could because the cd is expensive for only 7 tracks (that come in right at the 20 minute mark). 7 good tracks though. The best are the album's opener and closer.

A classic performance from Francis Black, only too short of an album, but how so enjoyable.
How long before a new Pixies album?
Merci Frank Black !

As a solo artist this is how I prefer him. If you like Frank Black: Teenager of the Year, there's a good chance you'll be happy you bought this album. Don't let the first song scare you.

Ok so it's just an ep but the price is right. I am glad he has returned to being poduced, and tastefully so at that. An overdub here and there. As on cult of ray, and dog in the sand, the opening track is a diagonal leap in the 9 oclock direction, something jarringly bizarre but totally rockin. Then 6 more traditional cuts mining prime indie territory. I hear a nod to gbv. I did love every catholics album, was not so sure about honeycomb and fmrm. At least my local npr station finally played him. that was good. But I am glad he has made something that all the young uns who caught the reunion tour and all those who abandoned him after toty will be interested in. And all those who never left can be happy too. Putting his old stage name on the cover was a weird move. I'm used to weird moves from this genius. I hope a full-length from these sessions follows. These seven intrigue me enough to be satisfield until whatever does next whenever he does it.