Black returns with third solo album

When Frank Black was forming the Pixies, he ran an ad looking for musicians that were into Hüsker Dü and Peter, Paul & Mary. So it's hardly a surprise that a man of such wide and varied musical taste has made a new album soaked in country, blues, classic R&B and southern soul. What is shocking is how good he sounds doing it. \nFull of tuneful and thoughtful songs, Honeycomb makes it seem like Black has been playing this kind of music his whole career. Unlike many other musicians who dabble outside the genre that they are known for, Black is able to pull it off by remaining true to both himself and the style of music he is playing. Recorded in Nashville in just four days, Honeycomb is greatly aided by the presence of legendary session men Steve Cropper, Spooner Oldham and David Hood, among others. These musicians give the songs real warmth as well as an authentic feel. The guitar solo that ends "My Life Is In Storage" is pure soul, and "I Burn Today," with its bittersweet guitar fills and bells, would sound right at home on a soundtrack to a Wes Anderson movie. \nThe most startling thing about Honeycomb may be Black's vocal treatments. His voice is nearly unrecognizable, as he sings many of the songs in a low-register growl, millions of miles away from his Pixies heyday. This method of singing is very effective in maintaining the sad, but comforting mood of the album. Having recently gone through a divorce, many of the lyrics touch on lost love. On "Strange Goodbye," he even duets with his ex-wife, lamenting their failed marriage. Not everything is so sentimental though. With "Another Velvet Nightmare," Black sings about puking up his heart with liquor, proving he's still the guy that was once slicing up eyeballs. By the end of the album, Black is resolute to continue on by taking solace in music, reminding us to sing for joy and to sing for laughs. \nOverall, Honeycomb is quite a departure from what many people would come to expect from Frank Black. It may not be what some Pixies fans want to hear, but taken in its own honest terms, it can be a worthwhile and moving listen.