Search - Frank Black, Catholics :: Dog in the Sand

Black in the Sand

High Y | Charleston, SC United States | 04/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, about this album, DOG IN THE SAND:
After nothing short of worshiping FB's first 3 solo albums, I was kind of disappointed by the first 2 offerings from FB & the Catholics. The production was lower, the performances were done live but sloppily at times, the lack of instruments made the arrangements emptier, and while some of the songs were FB-signature compositional gems, a good bit of it seemed musically and lyrically uninspired (for Frank, I mean... not saying it still didn't blow away 99% of the mindless [stuff] out there). Well, this was the album that got me back into Mr. Black with both feet. This album is sort of laid back and definitely a bit country-western in its instrumentation (lots of acoustic guitar, plus slide, pedal steel, piano, and even banjo), but Frank just seemed to be oozing with unique musical and lyrical ideas again. Still recorded live to 2-track, but way more instruments, much better performances, and perhaps some of Frank's most crisp and dead-on singing to date. Not a dud song in the bunch really, and that is quite an improvement from Pistolero and the Catholics 1st album.Second, about this version, the one with bonus tracks:
Why this version is always cheaper than the original album, I have no idea. It is identical to the original album-- same CD, same cover art, same track listing-- EXCEPT, you get 4 acoustic demos at the end (not listed on the back cover). You get to hear "Stupid Me," "If It Takes All Night," "Robert Onion," and "Blast Off" demos, and they aren't just [crummy] sound quality dud tracks. It's like a Frank Black solo unplugged session to close out the already awesome album for you, and it's terrific. Especially "Stupid Me" and "Robert Onion"-- his voice sounds as cool if not cooler on the demo versions compared to the regular versions. To sum up, you should get this album, and there is no excuse for not getting this enhanced version of it!"

If it takes all night...

Howlinw | California, USA | 11/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last week I saw Frank Black and his band play at a club downtown. By this point in his career, the man has a huge catalog of great songs stretching back to the 80s. Frank opened the show with an acoustic set, some material from "Honeycomb" and some startling interpretations of old Pixies material. Then the band came onstage, plugged in, and lanched into some raunchy, Stonesy, bluesy raw rock. The highlights for me were the songs from this disc. This was something of a comeback album for Frank, although he hadn't really gone anywhere to speak of, but the critics did flock back in droves when this was released...and with good cause. This one is the perfect balance between two things I really like...Frank's trademark wit and weirdness on the one hand, and his newfound love for classic Exile on Main St.-style rock on the other.



I am the rare child of the 90s who enjoys Frank's solo stuff more than his work with the Pixies. Don't get me wrong, the Pixies are amazing, they put out a bunch of startlingly original and unrelentingly catchy albums while maintaining their status as a great touring band with a strong stage presence. But Frank's stuff is more personal, his vision is something that has grown even more unique over time. No matter what he's playing, you can tell it's him...not just words and music but a feeling. The man and his magic. This album is where it really gels. His best since my favorite one of his, Teenager of the Year, Black sounds relaxed and confident. He is equally at home on folky strummers (St. Francis Dam Disaster), bizarro rockers ("Hermaphroditos"), and piano-driven bluesy bar tunes (If It Takes All Night," my personal fave here). The man is not trying too hard, obviously, and is having some fun. It shows. I will never tire of this gem.



There are a lot of five star reviews on Amazon, and I may be in part responsible for that, but really this is worth it, really. Honest. Would I let you down?"