Pixies were a group that inspired that inspired the early 90's alternative rock explosion, indeed it could be argued that the Boston foursome were the worlds first alternative rock band.
Surfer Rosa is the groups first album, released in 1987 and later packaged in its most well known format with earlier EP
Come On Pilgrim.
First things first, I really don't like this album much.
Doolittle was a much better album than this, and the following 3 releases would show some interesting moments of songwriting but quality cuts are few and far between here on
Surfer Rosa/Come On Pilgrim. Of course, there is the groups most popular song
Where Is My Mind? (and only because of its use in the last scene of Fight Club), which is a pretty decent little ditty that has a kind of timeless quality to its guitar tones, but there is something about that just doesn't wash with me. Many of the more "grungy" cuts here (characterised by filthy guitars and the like), such as
Bone Machine are passable but kind of dull. I hate how the singer sometimes uses a high pitched voice, although Kim Deal's female backing vocals are nice. The drums are pretty consistent, guitar tones are nice and filthy yet melodic, and mostly its the basslines which make the music although they aren't as good here as on
Doolittle.
Surfer Rosa doesn't have a lot going for it to me, most of the songs sound the same (sort of upbeat, jaunty lame rock music) and I don't understand the appeal and status it holds for a lot of people.
Come On Pilgrim isn't much better, and two "mostly" wrongs don't make a right. Still, there are good moments to be had and it's worth a listen if you are into this sort of stuff.
