It's a good time to be a Frank Black fan. Not only is there a Pixies tour and possible new album in the works (drool) but the fine Mr. Black has just released yet another Catholics record -- his third in the last year or so -- and it's a good one.
Show Me Your Tears continues to mine Black's current fixation with country-based rock n' roll and it's a genre that's starting to fit him like an old beaten up pair of boots. He's surrounded himself with a stellar group of players including former Pixie Joey Santiago and Blackstone Valley Sinner Rich Gilbert, and if there was ever a genre suited to his "plug it in, play it loud, put it straight to tape" recording ethic, this is it.
As befits the country tinge to things, Show Me Your Tears is devoted, absolutely 100%, to drinkin', cryin', "my baby left me" songs. It's one of the most straightforward records of Black's career both musically and lyrically. Though that may disappoint fans who continue to unfairly expect Pixies-madness from a man who left behind that approach and band ten full albums ago, the simple fact is that he's got this straight up rock n' roll thing down cold.
Believe me, I'm ecstatic about the potential for a full-on Pixies reunion, but I sincerely hope that any such thing does not spell an end for the Catholics 'cause this is one damn fine band in their own right, especially live.
