Frank Black - NonStopErotik

Frank’s sex album. Gulp…

The Pixies are everywhere again nowadays, thanks to the whole reformation tour thing, and even the classic-album-in-full thing (last year’s Doolittle mini-tour). But they, and singer Frank Black (Francis) particularly, have never been, well, obvious. Until now…

The premise is that this is his “sex album”, and the promo material even includes a selfpenned penile/vaginal eulogy that’s difficult stomach. But, hey ho, if approached with an open mind, there’s some great work here. Lake Of Sin rattles away at the start like a secondary something off Bossanova, before the fabulous melody of O My Tidy Sum reminds you that this man can write a song. Six Legged Man gets even Pixier still, but the more sultry numbers let the side down.

Whether or not you need to hear When I Go Down On You, sung in Black’s now increasingly screechy voice, is a decision for yourself and yourself only. The title track seems forced, nowhere near as deftly played as material on 2005’s Honeycomb. And a Flying Burrito Brothers cover (Wheels) is inessential, if earnest. So does this hit the spot? Only like an average lover.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Cooking Vinyl | COOKCD 513

Reviewed by Jake Kennedy
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