Black Francis - Svn Fngrs
[Cooking Vinyl]

What happens when you send Black Francis (AKA Frank Black) into the studio to record a couple of b-sides? He comes back with a whole mini-album of new material that's what, released here as Svn Fngrs. The ever-prolific Pixies front man is never short of releasing new material (fifteen solo albums in as many years makes a mockery of most bands), yet this little gem couldn't be host to a wider source of surprises if it tried.

Starting with forthcoming single The Seus, Francis gets all swamp-blues on us with a hefty chunk of Captain Beefheart in there; wonky guitars, harmonicas, sluggish bassline, manic riot yelps and the strangest lyrics you'll hear all year. Elsewhere we find Mr Black taking a shine to fm rock and Neil Young on Half Man, particular in the high-pitched vocal squeel and heartbreak undertones, while the fast-driven chugging guitars of I Sent Away is a brief take on garage-punk.

The title track, complete with horse hoof percussion and duelling acoustic guitars is so spaghetti-Western you can picture Francis in the studio wearing a cowboy hat, but tailing-off a great run of songs, the closing two moments are sadly forgettable - tame, lightweight M.O.R. rock, almost taped-on at the end to fill-out an EP into a mini album.

Quite a mixed bag of results, Svn Fngrs may not be quite you're expecting from this influential musician, but it is recommended to any type of fan; whether old or new.

Svn Fngrs Track Listing:

1. The Seus
2. Garbage Heap
3. Half Man
4. I Sent Away
5. Seven Fingers
6. The Tale of Lonesome Fetter
7. When They Come To Murder Me