Frank Black: Honeycomb (Album Review)

Frank Black
Honeycomb

Ok, Frank Black is, in my opinion, one of the most "natural" sounding songwriters I've ever heard. I know I can't be sure but seems to me, like Paul McCartney or Townes Vans Zandt behore him, you really get the impression while listening to his songs that he doesn't have to try very hard and that for the most part the songs come pretty quick and effortlessly. Honeycomb like all FB's albums (with or without "the Catholics") sounds really natural, yet that's surprising considering he's out of his usual "alternative rock" element.

Honeycomb is recorded with some session bigwigs and the whole feel is very straight and very laid-back---bluesy, almost classic R&B meets country, at times. It's a little disconcerting at first, I mean, my first listen I kept going, "what the fuck is Frank Black doing with this Eric Clapton shit?" But then I kept listening, perhaps giving it more of an effort than I usually would permit based on his previous gifts. Anyway, I am pleasantly surprised to inform you that the album gets better and better after each listen, in fact I think it's a pretty exceptional album; better than most in general, that goes without saying, but also in the mid to upper-echelon of the FB catalogue, which amazes me considering the "R & B" genre and production.

Anyway, sounds like Frank Blacks 40 years old (which he is) but he wears it well. There is a weird duet he does with his estranged wife called "Strange Goodbye" where they admit their relationship is over but 'grin and bear it'. It's a neat part of the soap-opera aspects of FB's life that he often brings to his albums, especially if you consider the break-up album that preceded this one "Show Me Your Tears", (mind you this one has a few break-up songs too, remnants of the bust up would be my guess---heck it also has a love song to his new wifey and mother of his brand new son, after her, it's called "Violet" ---it's not very good) There is a really great cover song called "Sunday Sunny Mill Groove Day"--a super 70's California hippy feel to it but I really dig it. The strongest tracks are the opener "Selkie Bride", "Sing for Joy", "I Burn Today" the aforementioned cover and "My Life in Storage".

Anyway, Honeycomb is very relaxed and laid-back and on it FB sounds confident. I recommend it, but give it a chance to embed itself with a few listens or you'll say, "what the fuck's with the Eric Clapton shit?"

7.5/10

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