Reviews of Frank No. 2 (2005)
by Frank Los Angeles

When I first opened my sample I was immediately reminded of Allure Homme from its aromatic and spicy notes. I consider this is a much greener version of Allure Homme. Much more complex and interesting than Allure. Easy to wear on cooler days.

This is a mild fragrance and mellow fragrance that reminds me somewhat of Avers 2 in its subtle richness. The 80s powerhouse fragrances were known for their strong personalities. Their style was to be rich and strong, and they were not shy about making their presence known. Well, those greats have been displaced by the often sweeter and more subtle stuff of the 21st Century. Anvers 2 and Frank 2 are a combination of the richer, warner, green and brown elements of that earlier time, morphed into that subtle, and some might say, inoffensive style of today. These two No. 2s are the best of fragrances typifying today's sensibility. They are the best, in my opinion, because they are not too sweet; not really unisex; not washed out and not lacking in personality. Powerhouses they are not. But they are not weaklings either. Frank No. 2 is to the Silicon Valley type what the earlier generation fragrances were to the Wall Street types. To each his own. Good stuff.

Frank No. 2 seems to be a cross between Le Dandy and Nemo and that’s an excellent heritage as far as I’m concerned. Frank No. 2 is a definite departure from Frank No. 1: it has more strength and presence, and it is more linear than complex. Both are beautifully structured. I enjoy the smell of Frank No. 2 very much, but I see very little reason for the fragrance to exist: It’s already been done beautifully in the forms of Le Dandy and Nemo—that coffee note thrown in there really doesn’t create any astounding new product. It’s just Nemo with a coffee note. Frank No. 2 is an excellent fragrance and when I can no longer buy Nemo, I will probably purchase this, but until then, I’ve got my ‘Y’ bottle to use up.