It’s been a long time since Pixies front man
Black Francis has appeared on a new album. “But
wait,” you say. “Frank Black has been
making amazing solo albums, and has a prolific output!”
Right you are, but “Bluefinger” is not
a Frank Black album. Within moments of spinning this
disc it becomes clear that Black’s dark altar
ego has been given full control on this release. Is
it the second coming of the Pixies? Not quite. It
may just be better.
“Bluefinger” is a concept album of sorts,
with all songs referring to Dutch painter and musician
Herman Brood to some extent. These songs are amazing,
and one is left to wonder if Brood affected a young
Black Francis the way Black Francis would later influence
a young Kurt Cobain. “Captain Pasty” opens
"Bluefinger" with a ferocity that was missing
from most of Frank Black’s solo albums. “Threshold
Apprehension” continues this trend, thrilling
the listener with yells, whoops and general mayhem,
sounding a bit like AC/DC forced into submission by
a maniacal punk rock evil genius.
Does this mean Black has turned his back on fans
of his solo work? Not in the least. While many of
these songs espouse the eccentric originality that
punctuated his work with the Pixies, songs like “Lolita”
would fit well on a Frank Black album. “Angels
Come to Comfort You” has a rolling country swagger
that will be familiar to fans of Frank Black and the
Catholics. Perhaps a bit more like David Bowie covering
Hank Williams than anything else, this track mixes
Black Francis’ rabid experimental madness with
Frank Black’s perfect pop sensibilities.
There are too many highlights on this album to name
them all. A cover of Herman Brood’s “You
Can’t Break A Heart and Have It” rocks
along like a 70’s punk locomotive. “Tight
Black Rubber” eases the listener in, only to
slam you in the gut with an aggressive chorus. With
“Bluefinger” Black Francis has shown us
what became of the insane musical genius when he grew
up. Black Francis blurs the line between pirate king
and court jester. “Bluefinger” is a musical
treat that needs to be heard to be believed.
Key Tracks: “Captain Pasty”, “Tight
Black Rubber”, “You Can’t Break
a Heart and Have It”
Reviewed by Jim McDonald |
