Paley & FrancisPaley & Francis
It used to be easy to tell the musical story of Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV – he was Black Francis, leader of the acclaimed Pixies, then the Pixies broke up, and he was solo artist Frank Black. Even adding ‘& The Catholics’ to his solo moniker didn’t change things. But after The Catholics, the Pixies reunited at Coachella in 2004 (basically starting the ‘alt bands reuniting – and cashing in – trend’), though only playing the old, much-beloved material. Then Thompson returned to the ‘Black Francis’ name. He also produced the last two Art Brut (QRO spotlight on), did a score to the 1920 silent film The Golem, teamed up with his wife as Grand Duchy (QRO album review), and more, while still putting out solo records – albeit of diminishing returns. But now Frank Black Francis has done his best off-angle move so far, pairing with longtime friend & tourmate Reid Paley as Paley & Francis.
Click here for photos of Black Francis at Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA on October 22nd, 2011 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Click here for QRO’s review of Black Francis at Joe’s Pub in New York, NY on September 5th, 2010
Click here for photos of Black Francis at MFNW 2009 in Portland, OR in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
While Francis is still best known & loved for his alt-rock work in Pixies and as Frank Black, recent years have seen him trend into the alt-country lane, especially since readopting the ‘Black Francis’ name in 2007 with Bluefinger (QRO review). The more stripped-down Francis certainly had its high points, but by last year’s Nonstoperotick (QRO review), they were getting fewer and farther in between. Teaming up with the gruffer alt-country troubadour Reid Paley (who’s also known for his winning humor on stage, including opening for Francis) has brought a shot of vigor into Francis, even as his goes further into even alt-blues & -gospel.
The songs on Paley & Francis (how nice of the more famous of the two not to take first-billing; though that’s not alphabetical order…) go roughly one-two in terms of who takes the lead, with Paley a much gruffer, saloon-style voice, even ragtime on pieces such as "On the Corner", "Ugly Life", "The Last Song", and "Deconstructed", though varying from sad, near-gospel sway ("The Last Song") to saloon bombast ("Deconstructed"). Indeed, Paley’s is the more memorable voice on Paley & Francis, though Francis’ guitar work stands out on such numbers as "Curse", "Crescent Moon", and especially "Praise", as fine a song in Frank Black Francis’ discography as there is.
People looking for new Pixies or Frank Black II won’t find it on Paley & Francis, but they should know better by now (Pixies have been touring behind deluxe edition of Doolittle for over two years now – QRO live review). But the alt-country Black Francis has been revived with a heavy dose of Reid Paley.
MP3 Stream: "Praise"
