Frank Black & the Catholics - Show Me Your Tears

The album’s title and songs called “Horrible Day,” “This Old Heartache” and “When Will Happiness Find Me Again” leave no doubt about the former Pixie’s mood here. It’s pretty bleak stuff, with plenty of pedal steel guitar to underscore the hurtin’. But like any colorful depressive, Black knows how to keep it interesting, serving up post-punk Chuck Berry on the sexy “Nadine” and Neil Young crossed with Los Lobos on the hard-rocking “Jaina Blues.” Guests like Stan Ridgway and Van Dyke Parks ensure it all stays eclectic.