Frank Black and The Catholics
Dog In The Sand
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There's always been a pretty big difference between Frank Black and, his alter-ego, Black Francis who fronted the now legendary Boston band, The Pixies. Many fans found Black's early work as a solo artist to be just off of his work with The Pixies; that they didn't follow his trials as a solo artist. In what could only be assumed to be an attempted departure from the surf rock style that the Pixies revitalized, Black's early work seemed to be less exacted and more self serving. The hook filled sounds that had been the Pixies trademark had been replaced with distorted "rock" rhythms and while the lyrics stayed in the same vein as the ambiguities Black had become known for, the music fell short.

Dog In The Sand, if nothing else, dispels the notion that Frank Black will never be as good as The Pixies. The sound is different still, but Dog In The Sand shows that Black's compositions have again come around. In short, Frank Black, as a solo artist, has found his voice as a musician.

"Blast Off", the opening number, greets us with stripped down moaning vocals singing over a distorted guitar. Soon the vocals are accompanied by a slow paced rim shot and bass line and just as your relaxing and starting to get the mellow feel, a piano kicks in, the beat stirs up and suddenly you're immersed in Black's style of rock n' roll. Mid-70's Rolling Stones references come to mind upon listening to the music of "Blast Off."

The detected influence of the Grandfather's of rock doesn't end there, as Black's vocals sound eerily like Mick Jagger's on the next track, "I've Seen Your Picture." The chorus on "I've Seen Your Picture" takes the easy going feel of the song and climaxes it into a beautiful mish mash of guitars, drums and organs. The song is basically one verse and one chorus, lasting at 2 minutes and 51 seconds, it leaves you wanting more of the same. Dog In The Sand doesn't disappoint, as you will get your fix before the album comes to a close.

"St. Francis Dam Disaster" sounds like it easily could've been on REM's Murmur album, as it's a smooth country chord progression played out with acoustic guitars and banjos with a steady drumbeat mixed low in the background. Even though this is certainly more country than rock, it finds a home on Dog In The Sand, fitting in nicely with the downplayed frustration and sometimes aggressive nature on this album. The next track, "Robert Onion", is much faster and much more powerful packed than "St. Francis...", but the commonalties in the songwriting and use of acoustic guitar and piano display consistent songwriting on Dog In The Sand.

To mention stand out tracks like, "Stupid Me" and "Hermaphroditos" as the best this album has to offer seems unjustified. Every song on Dog In The Sand could be released as a single and they would easily find their audiences. Through and through, every track is instantly accessible and they only get better with repeated listens. Black and The Catholics are sure to recapture the once strayed Pixies audience as well as capture new fans. This album is a must for anyone who thought they'd seen all of Black's tricks.

-Tyler Jacobson

Track Listing:

1. Blast Off
2. I've Seen Your Picture
3. St. Francis Dam Disaster
4. Robert Onion
5. Stupid Me
6. Bullet
7. The Swimmer
8. Hermaphroditos
9. I'll Be Blue
10. Llano Del Rio
11. If It Takes All Night
12. Dog In The Sand