BlackFrancis- BlueFinger
The experimenting of Frank Black aka the "iconic" Pixies front man, has reached new heights with this latest revelation- the return of alter ego Black Francis and the release of his unique new single "Captain Pasty" on the 27th August and "Bluefinger"- the bizarre new album, out 3rd September.
The "Architect of modern rock" cannot be held solely responsible for this one, with the 1960's "Dutch personification or sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" Herman Brood a significant influence. Black appears absolutely besotted by the "Subtle magic" that Brood used to create the alter ego Black Francis. Yet- I have only one favour to ask... Although not a huge Pixies fan, would he be able to use that subtle magic to perhaps turn him back?
The album starts well, the first two tracks- "Captain Pasty" and White Stripes like "Threshold apprehension"- which appears on the "Frank Black best of 93-03" collection, are a lively pairing and a pretty good start to the album, yet from here onwards- the music is not so blessed. Although ten original tracks are featured, the one cover is of a Brood track. "You can't break a heart and have it"- although mistaken for "You can't break a hard habit?!" as you would perhaps argue was intended, is one of the albums highlights.
"Angels come to comfort you" makes clear references to Brood and the Amsterdam Hilton hotel. It was good enough for Lennon and Ono in 1969, and although most will stick to their guns and maintain that the pair have "claimed" the hotel so to speak- Black Francis will state otherwise. Brood "reclaimed" the hotel for his nation in 2001 by ending his life from the roof, aged 54, with only months to live due to hard drug abuse. Kinda sums up the album really. Black Francis may be an alter ego- but it's a bloody big one trust me.
It's all a little bit old man-ish. At good points- comparisons to a middle of the road Reef track, or The Kills material (possibly only due to the female vocalist) could be defended but bar that, I wasn't all that impressed. Many of the tracks start well- "Your mouth into mine" a perfect example; yet my attentions wilts away after the well instrumented introduction. Bluefinger failed to turn me on, and although will be argued as a must have for die hard fans of both Brood and Black, for the average Jenny/Joe Bloggs- it doesn't have such a desired effect.