Frank Black

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• Frank Black

  One almost feels sorry for Charles Thompson IV. Either as a solo artist under the name Frank Black, or Black Francis, or with his long time on again off again backing band The Catholics, the guy has been one of the past few decades’ most prolific songwriters, releasing many dozens of albums ranging from snarling punk rock to gentle Americana ever since the dissolution of the legenary Pixies back in the early 90s. And yet, there’s that ‘P’ word again - all anyone wants to talk about is the Pixies, a band with which it’s important to remember he’s only recently made just his fifth album. If anything, his solo work is the defining chunk of his career, and in it there’s a host of wonderful music that begs to be played live again. Freed from the expectation of a crowd that comes with a Pixies show, Frank Black gigs are often more playful affairs, even occasionally featuring something so un-Pixies as talking to the audience, or jokes being cracked. And though his solo work is often a gentler ride, there’s a constant menace to proceedings owing to the fact that his legendary howl is just one tiny flick of a switch from boiling the brains of all in earshot.

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  by ThomasHannan