Frank Black has often looked like a sad figure since the breakup of his seminal band The Pixies, flailing through a succession of unconvincing solo albums. His latest release, however, is easily his best for some time. This may well be due to the contribution of old Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago, whose energetic contributions really lend an edge to this collection of mock-vaudevillian ballads. Yelping his vocals like an excited puppy, Black sounds like his old, crazy self and the result is a very welcome return to form from one of pop's true mavericks.

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