Well it arrived yesterday. Importing from Japan meant I got some bonus tracks and a one-day head start on the official release (although this obviously doesn't compare to downloading a leaked copy or nabbing a promo).

This album really just did not grab me on the first listen. It felt very hit and miss. A few listens later and I'm loving it. I'm finding it almost takes another state of mind to enjoy Black Francis releases compared to Frank Black releases.

O My Tidy Sum and Cinema Star especially seem destined to be considered classic FBF. The bonus cover tracks are also rather enjoyable, especially 'Taint No Use. I've also warmed up to the lullaby rendition of Rabbits even if I still prefer the Demo #1 version.

The folks at FB.net released a NonStopErotik-based podcast today which contains a slew of interesting things - never before heard tracks and interviews with EDF and FBF. I suggest checking it out.

It contains five NSE tracks - two of which have already been "leaked," NonStopErotik and Six-Legged Man. The other three are Deadman's Curve, Rabbits, and Cinema Star. Deadman's Curve and Rabbits should already be familiar to fans who regularly keep up with FBF's material. It's definitely exciting to hear them finally put down properly in the studio.

The only really big change in Deadman's Curve you'll notice is the use of keyboards. It adds quite a bit of texture to the song. While this doesn't make the song drastically different from say the version off 93-03, it sounds great.

This will probably seem irrelevant given the recent Golem excitement, but I can't help but wonder why this track was left off Petit Fours. I think it's become my favorite Grand Duchy song. I'm hoping the next album goes for more of this sound. Or even something Virginia Reelish. Keyboards, FBF, and Violet are a good mix!

...Sounds like it could have been on Pistolero.

I mean that in a good way.

Those lucky enough to receive advance NSE tracks have been kind enough to share them. I've heard the title track and Wheels. Supposedly Six-Legged Man is out there too.

I like NonStopErotik, but I honestly think it will work better in the context of the album. By itself, it didn't do much to excite me. Wheels is a different story though. It has all the energy of SVN FNGRS with the polish of TOTY - a great combination. I can't wait to hear Rabbits and Deadman's Curve in all their glory.

The album is also a semi-Catholics reunion with both Dave Philips and Eric Drew Feldman on board. All in all, NSE seems to be taking a lot of the best components of Frank's past output and bringing them together. I just hope Dave got to play his pedal steel on a few tracks.

I hate to be a complainer, but this Doolittle Live recording thing has been a fiasco. I bought the CDs for the 11/21/09 show that I went to. I waited two months to get the CDs and I find out they're from the 11/12/09 show. They're mislabeled to look like they're from 11/21/09, but they're not.

I hope the Pixies pick a better company to do these recordings next time.

I would have loved to see all three Aragon Pixies shows, but seeing as that's insanely cost-prohibitive, I settled for the last one. Judging by the reviews of the other shows (which were still good), it sounds like I picked the best night (aside from missing out on Dig for Fire and Planet of Sound).

Setlist:

Dancing the Manta Ray