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Friday, April 28, 2017

Frank Black - "Hang On To Your Ego" Vinyl, 12", 45 rpm, 1993 (4AD)


One of my all time favorite 12" singles ever.  I like it so much that I have it both on vinyl and on the CD format.  First of all, Frank Black couldn't do wrong in this time period of the early 1990s.  I feel that his early solo work is now overlooked, especially compared to the Pixies years.   Black was making art-pop songs that were beautifully written and sonically superb.  His cover of a Beach Boys Pet Sounds classic is full of energy and bounce.  He's a guy who gets it.

The main reason to buy this long playing single is the b-side.   "Surf Epic."   The title says it all.  It's a surf instrumental that lasts for ten minutes.  It's a beautiful melody that keeps on building in layers of intensity and melody. It's a classic piece of music by Black, and it's a shame that it's not more well-known to the world.  There is something very Jack Nietzsche about the work as well.  Probably due to its forceful arrangement.   One doesn't lose interest due to the length.  In fact, when the song is over, I just put the needle at the beginning of the song.   Excellent. 

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