Black Letter Days
by Frank Black & The Catholics
  • Record Label: Spin Art
  • Release Date: Aug 20, 2002
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Pitchfork
    69
    The problem is the production.
  2. Nude As The News
    70
    BLD is arguably Black's most straightforward rock album; his sound is becoming more and more "classic rock" with each passing record.
  3. CultureDose.net
    100
    Black Letter Days is a truly special work, and should be treated as such. Don't let the best record of the year go overlooked.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    Black Letter Days evokes an early-Seventies Stones bootleg -- a little bit country, a little bit rock & roll - minus the danger.
  6. Billboard
    80
    Dedicated fans will be pleased with the results.
  7. Splendid
    70
    As you might expect, the sheer number of tracks means there's a sizeable dollop of filler.
  8. PopMatters
    60
    Sure, there's some filler here and there but it's far from a Frank Black B-sides collection.
  9. The A.V. Club
    30
    The tossed-off quality of his recent work may be liberating to Black, but it's not likely to be so satisfying to his audience.
  10. Alternative Press
    70
    Despite being almost numbingly consistent at times, it's his most self-indulgent Catholics album, and it could easily become a favorite of Black's long-time fans. [Oct 2002, p.77]
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  11. AllMusic
    60
    Arguably, some prudent pruning might've made the album great instead of good, but even the album's uneven moments are still pretty enjoyable.
  12. Uncut
    50
    Basically, it wants to be the Stones but ends up a bit Tom Petty. [Sep 2002, p.103]
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  13. Q Magazine
    40
    The wait for the first great Frank Black solo album continues. [Sep 2002, p.100]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. AJ
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    An underappreciated masterpiece. It slowly entangles you like ivy. Music to wander to.
  2. AndrewK.
    Sep 30, 2002
    10
    Yet again another "grow on you" masterpiece!!
  3. mommypants
    Sep 11, 2002
    10
    this is the stuff that made the pixies go--pure rock and roll song writing.
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