He is not, nor has he ever been particularly interested in how that quest affects his audience. My Chapel Hill show is evidence of that. He has something to prove to himself. My guess is that, in his own mind, he is coming nearer his goal, each of these albums more virtuous in execution last. Dog in the Sand shows Frank Black challenging himself and his band in ways that the last two albums have not.
Tracks are longer and more jam-oriented.
Hooks are sparser and more deeply buried than in either of the last two. Dog in the Sand boasts slightly more sparse vocals and more focus on improvised-sounding, but likely, very practiced textures and interplay between band members. These live albums seem to get righter and righter each time, but I get the feeling that no matter how perfect they might sound to me, they don t to Frank Black. Still, it would be disingenuous of me to say that I cared nearly as much about Charles Thompson s mental health as I do about the promise getting of another album next year.