In a darkened London hotel room, wearing a black suit and heavy shades, Charles Thompson IV appears to be in a glum mood. The man commonly known as Black Francis – when fronting influential indie-rock band Pixies – and later, Frank Black in his solo artist guise, is tired. After 35 years leading the charge in a band adored by critically acclaimed songwriters in the vein of Kurt Cobain and PJ Harvey, the idea of reflecting back upon that life is a little testing, seemingly. Pixies have established a rep as being one of the most influential bands in heavy rock, lending their loud-quiet-loud dynamic to a raft of thrashing guitar bands, from Foo Fighters to Smashing Pumpkins. When they reformed in 2004, after breaking up a decade earlier,...