Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: It's somewhat surprising to hear that this is Kim Deal's debut solo album, what with fellow college rock and grunge legends of the late 80s and 90s - such as her former Pixies bandmate Black Francis, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. members - putting out solo albums like there's no tomorrow; Deal, who is a member of The Breeders, has held her band mentality for the most part. The arrival of this album with her as the star on the cover, however, is even more intriguing because of the wait. And the resulting material is as assured in its slacker cool feel and as anything she has put her name to in her career so far and full of weird and scuzzy sounds that make it a feast for the ears. Deal's great taste in production is part of her winning formula, with the likes of Josh Klinghoffer (former Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Raymond McGinley of Teenage Fanclub, Slint's Britt Walford and the late Steve Albini all credited on this astounding record.