Importantly, the results of my Pixies album analysis are in, following the conversation here. Remember, the following conclusions are definitive, because I reached them via the nose of my mind.
Doolittle is indeed the strongest overall, and Bossanova the weakest purely because it is too easy to listen to and Pixies are most appealing when they hurt a bit. Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim is the best for scattering your enemies, and while Trompe Le Monde sags a little fore and aft, it nonetheless contains a central sequence so awesome that it makes you laugh aloud when playing it at ear-splitting volume on the M4. The sequence starts halfway through Sad Punk, when it goes all slow, then carries on interrupted through Head On (a cover of the Jesus and Mary Chain song and a good one if the topic of Best Cover Versions comes up to make you appear painfully cool), the nasty U-Mass and then the bish-bash-bosh trio Palace of the Brine, Letter to Memphis and Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons. Not been topped yet, that lot.
It’s quite possible that this post means absolutely nothing to all but three ToE readers, but don’t worry, I’ve got a Johnsonian treat for the rest of you tomorrow. And for the three or more Pixters: rock on, please.
Amen brother, testify.
ReplyDelete"Pixies are most appealing when they hurt a bit"
ReplyDeleteSo true. A trait they share not only with Jesus and Mary Chain but many others: the Stooges, PiL, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream to name a few. I love it when it hurts.
unfortunately work pressure means not enough time to do evaluation, but will delve deeply at later date
ReplyDeleteOn a related note... The Smashing Pumpkins: valid proposition or not? One great song (1979) and otherwise a big load of nothing?
ReplyDeleteI remember Tonight Tonight as being a good song, and I've heard Siamese Dream is a great album. But I own absolutely none of their stuff.
ReplyDeleteI disagree entirely on the Pumpkins, Melancholy and the infinite sadness is a great album, although one disk is better than the other.
ReplyDeleteI could never get into that album, Kev, though the cover art alone made it worth having. Perhaps I should revisit.
ReplyDeleteI hate the pixies, honestly their sound is so predictable!
ReplyDelete