Description
Conquest Slaughter is an album by the American singer, songwriter, and session drummer Frank Lenz, released on Velvet Blue Music in 2004. Mixed by Eli Thompson.
There was a time in Christian music circles that it seemed like Frank Lenz was the drummer on every “cool” album. To list the band and artists he has performed with would take more space than I have been allotted. It is even more difficult a task to name drummers who have also done a credible job as vocalists. Does Lenz belong in the same league as drummer/vocalists such as Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish) or Jerry Gaskill (King’s X)?
Given the difference in styles, that probably isn’t a fair question. Lenz’s efforts on ‘Conquest Slaughter’ are much more in the do it yourself spirit of the indies, more Beck than bombast, more lo-fi than most.
«The Man With the Curse on His Head» has overtones of ’90’s grunge, as if Nirvana had been fronted by Neil Young. «Circus Cat» is similar in tone to the recently deceased Elliott Smith. «Jesus, Take Care of Your Body» gets me back to the Jellyfish analogy, and is almost like listening to a Beach Boys rough cut. «Tree Swinging Hippies» features the vocals of Lenz’s uber-publicist wife, Lori.
Fans of math rock, indie rock, and experimentalists should find a lot to like here. The casual listener should give this a little extra time to catch the subtleties in tone. Lenz at times is a lot like Half Handed Cloud – vocally, he ranges from Paul Simon to Brian Wilson to a style all his own. And musically, he mixes it up, employing unconventional methods and tunings, yet somehow it all works. One of the more interesting discs I’ve heard in a while. [Brian A. Smith, The Phantom Tollbooth, 30 January 2005]
Frank Lenz needs no introduction, especially if you’ve been listening to independent music for a good amount of time. His amazing drumming, arranging, and producing talents have been lent to musical efforts such as Starflyer 59, The Lassie Foundation, Charity Empressa, Cush, Richard Swift, Kat Jones, The Dingees, Pony Express, Fold Zandura, as well as many more. Lenz’s music has been played on TV, and he has crisscrossed the continent touring in support of the many projects he’s been involved with. It comes as a shock that a musician held in such high regard by so many other bands actually has the time and creativity to come up with his own music, but Lenz has found a way to do just that. Lenz has impressed with his sporadic solo efforts, such as his neo-soul The Hot Stuff released on Northern Records, and his self-released stoner-folk full-length The Last Temptation of Frank Lenz. However, with his latest release for California label Velvet Blue Music, psych-folk-pop full-length Conquest Slaughter, Frank Lenz truly comes into his own. The CD finds Lenz writing his most memorable songs and infusing them with the near-rampant experimentalism that marked his previous solo releases.
Conquest Slaughter begins with the campy «The Man With The Curse On His Head». Singing his usually peculiar lyrics over a smart melody and chord structure, Lenz’s voice sounds oddly like a younger Neil Young. «The Man With The Curse On His Head» is supported by layers of disparate instruments such as acoustic guitar, a quick and dirty electric guitar solo, stellar drumming, keys, and sweet harmonies for background vocals. But, unlike The Last Temptation of Frank Lenz, in which Lenz’s imaginative use of musical sounds overwhelmed the listener at the expense of the songs, the wide variety of sounds on «The Man With The Curse On His Head» only support the song. The song bleeds into the quieter «Race Observer», with its folky but slightly ethereal feel. Lenz’s vocals again remind one of Young in an endearing way, as Lenz croons over acoustic guitars, a harmonica, and accordion-like sounds. A remade version of the stand out «Lonely, Handy Chap» from The Last Temptation of Frank Lenz follows. Lenz allows the sweet melodies of this pop song to shine through more overtly. Featuring dissonant acoustic guitar lines, elaborate background vocal arrangements, and another tantalizingly dirty electric guitar solo, «Lonely, Handy Chap» somehow outdoes its smoother previous incarnation. The remarkable «Isoflurane» next portrays Lenz as a piano-balladeer, as a solitary piano and light guitar line cradles Lenz’s delicate vocals. With such lines as “the needle slips into your wrist, it’s almost time for one last kiss, before you go under the knife; a stranger tries to save your life”, «Isoflurane» is also a lyrical highlight of Conquest Slaughter. Lenz’s words about modern-day surgery and the fragility of life are both chilling and thought-provoking. After a peaceful musical interlude that leaves the listener pondering weighty issues of life, «Circus Cat» blends in. Perhaps the musical highlight of Conquest Slaughter, «Circus Cat» is a wonder of a song, with a delicious melody, smartly executed music, and gravity-defying background vocals. As Lenz sings, “I’m getting old, I’ll never be a rock star, young girls are told, their talent comes from God…”, the song builds to a powerful climax, complete with a double tracked guitar solo and generous background vocal harmonies. It may be more of a coincidence that Lenz’s vocals most resemble Young’s on the dark folk song, «I Feel Canadian». The song has an almost psychedelic 70’s vibe to it, with its sparse acoustic and electric guitar work and foreboding mood. «Trevin Family Overdrive» is another pop/folk song, a la «The Man With the Curse on His Head», with full instrumentation, and a clever lyrical approach to the seedier side of life. The title song is a lush and warm sounding song, sung entirely in Lenz’s outstanding falsetto, before descending into a psychedelic freak-out with random noise and frantic drumming. The short «Tree Swinging Hippies» continues with the similar kind of sweet 60’s mellow pop homage that marked the first half of ‘Conquest Slaughter’, with its sweet harmonies and an overall softer mood. Finally, the rather snide «Jesus Take Care Of Your Body» rounds out the CD with its Beach Boys-esque melody and wickedly funny (and powerful) lyrics blasting the use of Jesus’ name as a selling tool. The song is pure lyrical genius, and drives home its point convincingly.
Even in such a review where each song is written about, the totality of the quality of music found in Conquest Slaughter hasn’t been done justice. Releases like these are the ones that make me want to pull my hair out, because there is simply no way I can adequately describe the music on this release. Writing every song, penning every lyric, and playing every note, the visionary Frank Lenz truly proves his genius and outdoes himself on Conquest Slaughter. [Brent, Somewherecold, December 14, 2004]
Without a doubt, this is the crowning achievement of Francis Albert Lenz. Over the last few years, Lenz has somehow managed to release 3 solo recordings (The Hot Stuff; Northern Records, 2001 / The Last Temptation of Frank Lenz; Self-Release, 2002 / Conquest Slaughter; VBM, 2004) while contributing and producing numerous projects along the way. His current full-time gig is recording with Starflyer 59 and is the touring drummer for Pedro the Lion. His production skills speak for themselves when you throw in Wayne Everett’s Kingsqueens or Map’s Secrets By The Highway. The list could go on and on and get quite exhausting. In his genre and circle, it’s hard to find an album that doesn’t have his name on it. While a drummer by definition, Frank surprised everyone with the funky soul of The Hot Stuff. His debut record introduced us to Frank Lenz – the songwriter, musician, vocalist, and arranger. The whole drum persona is more or less to throw everyone off and dismiss him as a talented, but pigeonholed musician in his craft. The Hot Stuff was a stunning musical expression, and Frank even indicated at the time that he didn’t really care if he recorded another album as a solo artist. You can’t blame him. It was a stellar debut, and he has many artistic opportunities recording with other bands/artists. However, in 2002, Lenz released a batch of songs entitled The Last Temptation of Frank Lenz. These recordings were straight from his living room. Gorgeous Pet Sounds-esque lo-fi. Frank had redefined himself. Enter February 2005. I am playing his new Conquest Slaughter full-length. Frank Lenz is the current king of indie-rock. How could you be in your right mind and deny him? This 10-song album is a slick yet dirty mix of neo-folk, animated and grooving indie-rock. That description isn’t very definitive, but you’re hard pressed to pinpoint Frank on this modern day masterpiece. The opening «The Man With the Curse on His Head» is gentle and unbelievably infectious. His tenor soars, and at first I was unsure if I put in the right CD. It’s almost like he recreated himself especially for this recording. I’ve read many references to Neil Young, and that name nod is quite fitting. The song slowly blends into «Race Observer», an acoustic guitar is strummed slow to mid tempo, and Frank’s fragile voice shakes in the chorus. If nothing else, this is a charming picture of the mighty Lenz. He is both king of macho and king of sensitivity. The re-recording of «Lonely, Handy Chap» is less Elephant 6 and more folk-pop. This is picture perfect pop in all its glory. And the lyrics only add to the rollicking fun. The piano driven, melancholy narrative of «Isoflurane» reminds me of scaled down Winner’s Never Quit-era Pedro the Lion track. The climactic peek of the record is «Circus Cat». It beautifully flows from «Isoflurane» and slowly builds into a gigantic chorus. Lenz adds a perfect amount of organ and gospel choir effects to inflate the song to perfect size. The melody of «I Feel Canadian» is the weakest on the album, and much to my disappointment as I had high hopes for the song the second I saw the title on the back of the CD (being from Canada and all). The strongest hooks follow right behind in the tongue-in-cheek «Trevin Family Overdrive». Lenz proves once again that he can blow up a song whenever he wants to. The smooth vocals on “Conquest Slaughter” bare a vague resemblance of the sound heard on Hot Stuff. You can hear the grin on Lenz’s face. He knows he still is The Hot Stuff. He knows he owns indie-rock. Then comes a subtle nod to Motown and barbershop pop in the incredibly executed «Tree Swinging Hippies». The keys are graceful, and the vocals are sunglasses cool. The album finale is «Jesus take care of Your Body». It’s no secret that Lenz has had his fill of CCM, and this song pays tribute to his thoughts on the subject. I’m sure many of his contemporaries love singing along to this one. Great pianos and chug-a-chug instrumentation. The album has plenty of “hip” guitar solos and animated drumming (think scaled down Flaming Lips), making Conquest Slaughter the perfect blend of current music. Simultaneously simple and stunning. For fans of Elliott Smith, Denison Witmer, The Flaming Lips, Wayne Everett, Richard Swift, etc. Frank, I freaking love you, man… [gtj, The Black & White Magazine, 2005]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/conquest-slaughter/258301500)
CD tracklist:
01. The Man With The Curse On His Head
02. Race Observer
03. Lonely, Handy Chap
04. Isoflurane
05. Circus Cat
06. I Feel Canadian
07. Trevin Family Overdrive
08. Conquest Slaughter
09. Tree Swinging Hippies
10. Jesus Take Care Of Your Body
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