Review: It's hard to imagine the rock music of the last quarter-century without Pixies, and in particular without the Doolittle album. Lest we forget, Kurt Cobain was at one point concerned that Smells Like Teen Spirit might be too much of a Pixies ripoff, which is testimony to the innovative qualities of the band's meld of surrealism and pop hooks; quiet and loud, sweet and sour. This triple-album set offers an opportunity to bear witness to the gestation of this near-perfect opus, collecting demos and radio sessions to map out the means by which four weirdos united the underground and the mainstream, seemingly by some serendipitous car crash of happy accident and raw talent.
Review: When the dust settled, it would be fair to say that 'Indie Cindy', Pixies 2014 recording comeback, was not a roaring success, from its unfortunate title down. Paradoxically, what appears to have made the difference for the vastly superior 'Head Carrier' is the arrival of talented journeywoman bassist Paz Lenchantin, who makes her presence felt throughout and perhaps shakes up the chemistry of the band just enough to make them comfortable taking chances. The spiky pop hooks, humour and off-kilter raunch are here in spades, yet more importantly 'Head Carrier' sounds like the work of a band comfortable in its own skin once again.
Review: When the dust settled, it would be fair to say that 'Indie Cindy', Pixies 2014 recording comeback, was not a roaring success, from its unfortunate title down. Paradoxically, what appears to have made the difference for the vastly superior 'Head Carrier' is the arrival of talented journeywoman bassist Paz Lenchantin, who makes her presence felt throughout and perhaps shakes up the chemistry of the band just enough to make them comfortable taking chances. The spiky pop hooks, humour and off-kilter raunch are here in spades, yet more importantly 'Head Carrier' sounds like the work of a band comfortable in its own skin once again.
Review: Pixies return with The Night The Zombies Came, their tenth album, marking 35 years since Doolittle cemented their place in alternative rock history. Building on the momentum of their 2022 album Doggerel, the band deliver 13 new tracks that prove to be among the most cinematic soundscapes of their career. The album weaves together eclectic themes like Druidism, apocalyptic shopping malls and medieval-themed restaurants. Black Francis, the band's primary songwriter, describes the album as a series of fragmented narratives that come together to form a kind of movie. The Pixies' trademark blend of surreal lyrics and dynamic "loud-quiet-loud" song structures remain intact, yet the new material explores fresh, imaginative territories. Having influenced iconic bands like Nirvana, Radiohead and Weezer, Pixies have long been a cornerstone of alternative rock and now, with Emma Richardson (formerly of Band of Skulls) joining as bassist after Paz Lenchantin's departure, they continue to evolve while maintaining their distinctive edge.
Review: Some 35 years after their platinum-certified album Doolittle launched them into the UK Top Ten, and 20 years since their acclaimed Coachella reunion, Pixies are thriving in their second act. Their tenth album, The Night The Zombies Came following the 1987 mini-LP Come On Pilgrim marks their first new release since 2022's Doggerel. The album features thirteen new tracks that showcase a cinematic direction and draw on themes such as druidism, apocalyptic shopping malls, medieval restaurants, 12th-century poetry, surf rock, gargoyles, and bog people. It also incorporates the distinctive dry drum sound reminiscent of 1970s Fleetwood Mac.
Levitate Me (John Peel Session 3rd May 1988) (2:17)
Hey (3:18)
In Heaven (Lady In The Radiator Song) (1:40)
Wild Honey Pie (1:51)
Caribou (3:19)
Dead (John Peel Session 9th October 1988) (1:32)
Tame (1:58)
There Goes My Gun (1:27)
Manta Ray (2:16)
Down To The Well (John Peel Session 16th April 1989) (2:32)
Into The White (4:11)
Wave Of Mutilation (2:23)
Allison (John Peel Session 11th June 1990) (1:21)
Velouria (3:24)
Hang On To Your Ego (3:19)
Is She Weird (2:54)
Monkey Gone To Heaven (Mark Goodier Session 18th August 1990) (2:59)
Ana (2:14)
Allison (1:14)
Wave Of Mutilation (2:10)
Palace Of The Brine (John Peel Session 23rd June 1991) (1:39)
Letter To Memphis (2:34)
Motorway To Roswell (3:38)
Subbacultcha (2:11)
Review: This is the first official vinyl release of the previously CD only collection of Pixies live performances on the BBC. Fans of the band know what a mythical live band the Pixies are. And what better way to experience that emotion then these recordings collected from their earlier years of the late 80s and early 90s? Included are many of the early hits like 'Monkey Gone To Heaven', 'Wave of Mutilation' and 'Allison', mainly from BBC studio sessions and the occasional live recording. 4AD have done an amazing job with this release spreading it across three pieces of vinyl too.
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