The Pixies: what am I missing? - Page 2

How weird things are. I just two days ago downloaded Where is my mind? from iTunes, as I have the old Fight Club ST before they added (or after, if they removed it) that song.

I saw them perform in a bowling alley, of all place, about 7 years ago in Long Beach. A great show, even though I wasn't familiar with their music. I plan to remedy that now.

Sure that wasn't just Frank Black solo? They didn't get back together until 2004/05. Unless you lucked into some crazy secret show.

Good question.

I did some research, and they played at the Lava Lounge at the Java Lanes in Long Beach, CA. The Lava Lounge was a popular place for bands, and the Lanes were closed down in 2004 for some homes to be built. I remember that before the show they talked about the place being shut down, and had people outside asking for signatures for a petition, so it must've been sometime in 2004. (I guess I'm bad with my dates, and memory.)

Yeah, but that's great that you got to see them in a smallish venue (sounds like a small venue). I saw them in a big one - it was still great. I'm just happy I got to see them live.

Shit, I didn't know Wesley Willis had serious fans.

You have a point.

And yeah, generalizing is wrong...sometimes a band doesn't know what it's doing and it sucks, but sometimes there's a thread you can find in it and discover what it's expressing.

Wesley Willis only works as a satirical performance artist. Albeit unintentionally.

Something wrong with Pere Ubu?

Worked. Mr. Willis is no longer among us. (Helicopter noise) Rock on New York. Rock on Chicago. Allstate-you're in good hands.

Keeping with the whole Wesley Willis theme, The Pixies whip a llama's ass!

Seiously though, I don't think anybody could convince you to become a Pixies fan. If you were really turned off by what you heard the first time, I doubt I could point out a certain track or album that would change your mind. Its not like Dolittle is a 180 degree change from Bossanova or Troupe Le Monde. I mean, the albums are distinct but they're not THAT different.

I've got friends whose musical tastes I greatly respect but for some reason, they like Wilco. I, on the otherhand, think that Wilco is one of the most boring and uninspiring 'critical darling' bands that have emerged in the last 20 years. They are just something that I don't get; maybe that's the way some people feel about The Pixies.

They're fine if you're into the Backstreet Boys and shit. Give me something challenging, like minimalist Tuvan hip-hop.

*clutches issue of Tiger Beat from 2000 and starts to cry*

I'm more into the Kids of Widney Jr. High. Before they sold out.

Oh dear.

Last weekend, I downloaded Surfer Rosa from eMusic. I used to have a taped copy of it, but never actually bought it, and I hadn't heard it in so long, I just had a craving. Man, it's such an ethereal band. I can't explain why they're good. It's not because of the loud-quiet-loud dynamics, and it's not because of the quirky arrangements. The Pixies are great because the Pixies are great.

God, I just love Kim's haunting coos on "Where Is My Mind." And while "Broken Fist" isn't really a good example of their strengths as a band, it might be my favorite song on the album (maybe the best hardcore song recorded post-'84?). I really like the fast songs on this album, even the ones that are kinda filler-y ("Something Against You").

Good golly gosh I knew I shouldn't have looked in this thread - this has to be the wrongest thing i've read all day. First of all given that the band if anything became *more* popular after they split, and continue to gain new fans twenty years on, they can hardly classed as a band you "had to be there" to appreciate.

Secondly while Bossanova is a good album, the production is for the most part godawful, robbing their sound of its charactaristic clarity and energy. Just compare the Bossanova version of Down To The Well with pretty much any of the numerous other released version to see.

Sad to say, I only got into the Pixies a few months ago. I guess I'm part of that generation that just missed listening to them when they first came out, and so was handed down this idea that they were the greatest ever Indie band ever. That made me never want to check them out, unfortunately.

So I started out with Doolittle, and goddamn. This is the most accessible, addictive, rewarding album I've ever heard. I couldn't get tired of it no matter how many times I heard it. I then proceeded to tear through the rest of their catalog and became a HUGE fan. So I guess my point is that they can draw in fans with a first listen, and that their reputation can also be a detriment.

Besides Teenager of the year what are the best Francis solo albums?

Bump. Great thread. I love the few song that were aired when I was younger and some Thalassocracy cover I listened long time ago-

I downloaded Doolittle the other day. The album is just non-stop energy. My first Pixies album (I had the two disc best of comp, though).

Frank Black s/t and Bluefinger, which was actually released under his old Pixies moniker, are good, but it's really all about Frank Black and the Catholics. Some of the best old school kinda-southern rock in the last few years.

Doolittle is one of my favorite albums ever.

I'm a big fan of the Seven Fingers EP he put out last year under his old Black Francis moniker. Straightforward rock and roll without as much of the roots rock and country he's been playing around with recently. It doesn't get better than Teenager of the Year, which is better than Trompe le Monde and possibly Bossanova.

Yeah, I've been meaning to pick that up. But I gotta say, some of Black's best post-Pixies output that I've heard are 2 albums he made with the Catholics, Pistolero and Dog In The Sand. Anyone who is also a fan of Exile-era Rolling Stones should give these records a listen. It isn't the angular post-punk style of the Pixies, but the songwriting still shines through. Even better

I do like Dog in the Sand (I even used to have a poster of the album art hanging on my wall) but it doesn't really "sound" like "Frank Black" if that makes any sense. It's probably my favorite Catholics album though.

Wesley Willis was great. A genre of one, and while nobody's comparing him to Zappa in terms of musical composition, I liked listening to the man talk about what was on his mind over that synth preset. Wesley really opened up to his listeners in a direct fashion. If you were curious about his stance on a particular issue there was probably a song that covered it. He was truly driven to do what he did both in his music and in his graphic art. He might not have been the greatest, but he did his thing, his way. Wesley Willis gets respect from me. No irony, satire, snark, etc. Real respect. Rest In Peace.

Rock over London, rock on, Chicago.
CHUD Forums. It's Everywhere You Want To Be.

He's a hard solo artist to categorize. Not really staying still creatively, never quite living up to his first big band. I love the early Frank Black solo records (even some Cult Of Ray) but he didn't make that many of them before he hooked with the Catholics. I'm kinda glad that he dropped that MIDI digital prog rock aesthetic of "Frank Black" and eventually went live to 2-track. That shit takes balls.

I do wonder what Lyle Workman is doing now though, that guy can fucking play.

To sorta bring this back to topic.... I'm probably alone in this, but I think some of his post-Pixies stuff really lives up to that part of his catalog. Bullet sounds like it would be a good fit on the b-side of Surfer Rosa, minus the pedal steel and piano.

One of the best threads around here. Here a great video from Francis.
Could you recommend me some Husker Du? I read about them at the comments below a video and it reminded me I only listened to them when I was a teen. Thanks!

Zen Arcade if you're basically just getting started.

Favorite band ever. I'm torn between Surfer and Doolittle for best album.

Of course, I'd back Jake's Zen Arcade tip. 1986's Candy Apple Grey is also worth a punt ("Dead Set On Destruction" and "All This I've Done For You" are great.) Apologies in advance, if you're already familiar with the following. If you like Hüsker Dü (especially, the more radio-friendly choices), Sugar's Copper Blue will likely earn your love; it's phenomenal.

Thanks, I will get it as soon as I can.

I guess that I'm in the minority that thinks New Day Rising is the best Husker Du record.

Also, The Breeders put out a new ep recently; its your standard Breeders album, so that's a good thing.

Zen Arcade is gorgeous! Thank you, chewers, as usual.

Totally missed this. I love Zen Arcade, and it's the first Husker Du album, I heard, but I'd think Flip Your Wig would be the ideal entry point. The second side is a little heavy on filler, but the first side (that would be the title track through "Games") is probably the greatest run of songs in their whole discography. So maybe get that one next.

For many years, I considered Warehouse my favorite album by them (and one of my favorite albums, period), but, in retrospect, it's not as consistent as it could be. I turned a friend on to Husker Du using it, though. He liked it so much that he asked if it was some sort of HD greatest hits compilation.

And since the Sugar recommendations's out there already, I'll also toss in Bob Mould's Workbook, his first solo album, which throws out the Husker Du formula completely for acoustic guitars, cello, and strategically placed electric solos. Absolutely amazing. And the follow-up, Black Sheets of Rain maintains that slow, contemplative mood, but adds thick layers of Crazy Horse-style distortion.

On the general topic, if you can get Husker Du on vinyl, do it. The albums were never properly mastered for digital media. My old cassettes probably sound better than the CDs and MP3s.

Warehouse isn't very consistent, but when it's on, it is ON. I freaking love that album. It's the one Husker Du I could actually find a vinyl copy of (probably bc it was distro'd through WB, but still).

Oddly enough, I think that one's tougher to find on vinyl these days. You can pick up most of the SST stuff via Amazon (pretty cheaply, too!). Hint for anyone who hadn't figured it out, but if you use amazon's advanced search when you get to music, you can search by medium and vinyl's an option.

Not alone. "Celebrated Summer" is one of my all-time favorite rock songs ever.

Happy to be of assistance.

Both were removed, but here's a working link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW5dZaA-_Y4


This is reeeeeeeeeally awkward, and I love both TDK and the Pixies. Huh.

A look at the upcoming Pixies box set. Wow!

$495 for the limited? Jesus christ.

Holy crap! Spare $500 for a fellow American who's down on his luck? I so covet that vinyl, and will never have it.

Yeah, I love the Pixies and I entered the contest to when the box set for free, but I can't see forking over that much cash for songs I've owned for more than a decade...I don't care how snazzy they're presented.

500 dollars? Where is their mind?

And to round out the jokes:

That price tag is Gigantic.

So it's just the studio albums and...and no other music? Oh, The Brixton gig. But that's it? No treasure trove of b-sides or alternate takes? Just the same songs in about 37 different formats? And it's $500? Even if you price each vinyl at $25 and each Blu Ray at $30, that's, what, like $300. For the other $200 (plus shipping, of course) you get CDs (that you presumably already own) and a picture book?

Don't get me wrong, I fucking LOVE the pixies. All of it. Everytime I hear Deal sing I get a huge rodney, but I'd sooner pay $500 for the new Pixies album that we'll never see.

They keep releasing live stuff, re-releasing old stuff. Where's the new shit, Frank?!

It's not like Santiago and Lovering are busy. They're pretty much free whenever. What's the deal?!


edit:
... Ho! Look at this! No. 13 Baby just showed itself on my iPod ...

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