First, about this album, DOG IN THE SAND:
After nothing short of worshiping FB's first 3 solo albums, I was kind of disappointed by the first 2 offerings from FB & the Catholics. The production was lower, the performances were done live but sloppily at times, the lack of instruments made the arrangements emptier, and while some of the songs were FB-signature compositional gems, a good bit of it seemed musically and lyrically uninspired (for Frank, I mean... not saying it still didn't blow away 99% of the mindless [stuff] out there). Well, this was the album that got me back into Mr. Black with both feet. This album is sort of laid back and definitely a bit country-western in its instrumentation (lots of acoustic guitar, plus slide, pedal steel, piano, and even banjo), but Frank just seemed to be oozing with unique musical and lyrical ideas again. Still recorded live to 2-track, but way more instruments, much better performances, and perhaps some of Frank's most crisp and dead-on singing to date. Not a dud song in the bunch really, and that is quite an improvement from Pistolero and the Catholics 1st album.

Second, about this version, the one with bonus tracks:
Why this version is always cheaper than the original album, I have no idea. It is identical to the original album-- same CD, same cover art, same track listing-- EXCEPT, you get 4 acoustic demos at the end (not listed on the back cover). You get to hear "Stupid Me," "If It Takes All Night," "Robert Onion," and "Blast Off" demos, and they aren't just [crummy] sound quality dud tracks. It's like a Frank Black solo unplugged session to close out the already awesome album for you, and it's terrific. Especially "Stupid Me" and "Robert Onion"-- his voice sounds as cool if not cooler on the demo versions compared to the regular versions. To sum up, you should get this album, and there is no excuse for not getting this enhanced version of it!

"If it Takes All Night" and "Hermaphroditos" are two classic examples of why this album clearly establishes Frank Black as one of the greatest America music icons of all-time! All Hail Frank Black!