Frank Black

With next to no frills, Frank Black’s wondrous and prolific discography is distilled onto one album and the funny thing is, it really, really works. Black’s post-Pixies output hasn’t yielded many "hits” per se but his sly meat’n’potatoes songs have left an indelible imprint on underground music, and his impact is recognisable over this comp’s ten-year album arc. Though it casts its net chronologically, 93-03 reveals the minute shifts in Black’s consistently satisfying approach. From the quiet-loud dynamics to the live to two-track tape obsession, Black’s "if it ain’t broke” ethos is refreshing. "Los Angeles” is still cutting and "Old Black Dawning” and "Headache” are as infectious as ever. "Men in Black” demonstrates that Black renders poppy paranoia better than anyone, and his band the Catholics give him a gangland edge on "All My Ghosts.” Rounded out by a disc of live material from a 2006 tour, 93-03 is an excellent glimpse at Frank Black and his ageless songs.