Devil's Workshop
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: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Short, simple, and lively, a collection of rollicking, quirky road songs that recall some of the more oblique moments on Teenager of the Year and the more rock-oriented tracks on Pistolero and Dog in the Sand.
  2. Alternative Press
    60
    It feels like the afterthought it most likely was. [Oct 2002, p.77]
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  3. Stylus Magazine
    56
    Devil’s Workshop is not awful, but its steady flow of roots rock near-misses is, at the very least, disheartening.
  5. Uncut
    50
    Brisk playing compensates for some unremarkable songs. [Sep 2002, p.103]
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  6. Rolling Stone
    40
    Punky but sloppy, as if the band were denied rehearsal time before the tape started rolling.
  7. The A.V. Club
    40
    Devil's Workshop is the shorter of the two discs, and the better by virtue of brevity and energy.
  8. Q Magazine
    40
    Dominated by common-or-garden blues workouts, with few of the startling dynamics that marked his former band's finest work. [Sep 2002, p.100]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AJ
    Jul 10, 2006
    8
    Enjoyable, tight little album. It was a nice add on to "Black Letter Days" but lacks the emotional immediacy of that album. Feels a little Enjoyable, tight little album. It was a nice add on to "Black Letter Days" but lacks the emotional immediacy of that album. Feels a little like an afterthought. Even so it is better than most albums being released today.… Full Review »
  2. PeterC.
    Sep 5, 2002
    7
    Strong sounds, mediocre production, but overall the best effort of late from Frank; Lyle Workman, Moris Tepper, and Joey Santiago are welcome Strong sounds, mediocre production, but overall the best effort of late from Frank; Lyle Workman, Moris Tepper, and Joey Santiago are welcome returnees to the fold!… Full Review »
  3. FrankW.
    Aug 30, 2002
    10
    san antonio, texas and fields of marigold are worth the admission alone. the 3 older songs on this sound fresh. FB continues his solo path.
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