This past June, Frank Black released a two disc follow-up to his 2005 release Honeycomb, which had received critical success. Fast Man Raider Man is a diverse collection of songs from the artist who has been continually growing and evolving since his former band, the Pixies fell away.
The project was recorded in phases over span of two years. The twenty-seven tracks came together in studios in Nashville and Los Angeles, with a wide range of accompanying players including The Band's Levon Helm, Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson, and Heartbreaker drummer Steve Ferrone. Also included on the recording were some of those who worked on Honeycomb including Steve Cropper, Reggie Young, Buddy Miller, Spooner Oldman and Chester Thompson.
In a recent interview I asked him how he was able to put together such a cohesive sounding album, when there were so many different variables involved. He said, "I didn't worry too much about that. I let the producers worry about it. I just wrote songs and showed up for my sessions. Usually I would book the sessions, too. I would say, 'Hey, I want to record in a couple of months. You want to set something up for me?' I would invite some musicians to come and play with me and I wouldn't worry about cohesiveness."
Though it may have not been a huge concern to him, the end result is something consistent and interconnected. Though the individual pieces vary, they come together to form a puzzle that creates a new image all its own.
The songs have an alt rock, as well as a bit of a country rock, feel and the lyrics can be dark and obscure or uncomplicated and amusing. In all instances they are enjoyable. Fast Man Raider Man doesn't stray too far from what you might expect from Black, which admittedly encompasses quite a range.
Disc One contains some stand outs; one being "Johnny Barleycorn." With its rhythmic classic roots rock sound, it delivers some of those obscure lyrics, which call forth images of a sacrifice or at the very least something darker than the up-tempo beat would imply. In contrast, "Fast Man," the song representing half the title, is a moody ballad but such word play is just what you expect from Black. "Raider Man," the second song credited in the title, is a continuation of that. Another favorite is "I'm Not Dead (I'm in Pittsburg)," which takes the dismal emotion and puts just a bit of a sardonic spin on it.
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