Surfer Rosa

Really cool, fast paced and interesting. 4 stars Edit from February 2026: editing the reviews for this and Doolittle as I have become obsessed with both and feel they deserve 5s

1st listen today. Right now Gigantic is playing, thus roughly half way through the album. I'm unimpressed so far. Instrumentally they're fine, solid beat, good guitar sound. Sorta grunge, sorta REM-y but with really bad lyrics. I know it's not fair of me to judge on first listen, but I don't think I can stand it a second time.

Didn't realise I liked the Pixies :)

Cool as fuck.

I want to reserve my 5 star votes for what I consider to be bona fide classics. Surfer Rosa is a cast-iron 5 star album. It sounds raw and chaotic but they’re an absolutely tight band (they’re incredible live, even now, even without Kim Deal on bass), with a drum sound that feels like it’s coming from the corner of your room. It has the Pixies’ trademark surreal lyrics, mainly delivered by Black Francis in his one-of-a-kind vocal style, that are sometimes disturbing and often really funny. There are even some hit songs on there, eg Gigantic and Where Is My Mind. This was an album that loads of artists cite as a favourite and/or an influence. There’s an old documentary on the Pixies in which Bono says that when he first heard Surfer Rosa he told the rest of U2 (then the biggest band in the world): sorry to have to tell you guys, but we’ve just become out of date.

Not really sure how to describe this. I'd never heard any Pixies tracks before and after this I won't be seeking any out in future. Musically mostly fairly easy to listen to but also relatively simple - repeating chords and simple drums. The vocals are where I gave up. Just too weird for me. The lyrics didn't make any kind of sense and the singing style was just too strange.

This has a great sounds that holds up 40 years after release. Great job Pixies. Where is My Mind is a classic, but Bone Machine and Gigantic are also great. Some tracks feel very samey and sloppy and bring the album down (Looking at you, Broken Face) and really puts this between a 4 and 5 for me, but I'll give it to the Pixies for holding up so well.

Favorite tracks: Where Is My Mind, Gigantic, River Euphrates I struggled to rate this one because the songs I liked I really liked, but the songs I didn't like I really didn't. I'll definitely be adding a few of these songs to my library, but most of them I would be happy not to listen to again. They absolutely made the best decision in releasing Where Is My Mind as a single, it has that dirty guitar riff but is a lot more palatable than a lot of other tracks. Overall, this was a little bit too much garage rock for my liking.

This album was a mix of good songs with meh songs. It shows the beginnings of what the Pixies would end up becoming on later albums.

Wow, back to back Pixies albums, what are the odds? I think I liked this better than Doolittle...? It seemed to have more melodies that I enjoyed, and it has Where Is My Mind which is a certified classic, but also there's still a fair bit that's kinda just... tuneless and not very fun. And the vocals are... not good! Dunno, guess Pixies just aren't my cup of tea. Faves: Where Is My Mind, Tony's Theme

I love this album and think it’s their best. You can see the range of this band and how they were influenced by a variety of progressive genres. This album inspired so many bands that I love and I understand why.

There's not a single song on this album that I would not skip.

Remember yesterday when I insinuated that every song the Pixies plays sounds good? I’d like to formally withdraw that statement. It’s bold to start an album with three songs doing what I would generously describe as “fucking around.” And, to be honest, much of the rest of the album is so experimental as to be a rough listen. So much so that I wonder if I’ve ever even listened to this whole album. I saw them in concert once and remember thinking, “this is the best sounding live band I’ve ever heard.” All that said, when they’re on, I like their sound a lot. Gigantic, Surfer Rossa, Brick is Red all good alt/indie rock songs, and Where Is My Mind is a classic.

“Where is my mind” has such an iconic sound, it’s easy to see why it was used in so many movies growing up. Always curious as to why artists put stuff like a conversation about field hockey players at the beginning of a song.

I had a snobbish eschewal of Pixies having been a college DJ during their ascendancy, but one Saturday, Lara7 of this group and I picked up this tape at a yard sale and it made me a convert. It was our practice to buy a tape at the first garage sale and listen to it for the rest of the day rummaging through people's detritus, and that day we struck gold.

We already reviewed Doolittle, which stole my thunder somewhat on discussing the Pixies, yet what stands out to me about Surfer Rosa when listening to it today is how incredibly loose, playful and fun it is. The band sounds completely out of left field, like a demented cartoon prone to sudden outbursts of violence, apt to ignite in a fiery crash at any moment. It’s noisy, funny, scary and thrilling all at once.

I was never a Pixies guy, never got them, but I also hadn't listened to Surfer Rosa, and this album grabbed me.

Would be perfect without the "skit" style samples about field hockey players and touching Kim's amp.

De la bonne violence.

This alternative rock album lurches between quiet, skeletal passages and chaos, its jagged riffs and sudden eruptions giving it a deliberately unstable charm. The vocals twist from hush to howl, matching lyrics that feel like overheard fragments from feverish dreams. It’s like flipping through a torn comic book soaked in salt water—distorted, vivid, strangely electrifying and beyond saving at the same time.

Great

Alt rock/punk. One GREAT song. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #390 Best Songs Where Is My Mind?

Amazing from top to bottom.

The album that gave us "Where is my mind?" deserves five stars

Very raw and almost shrill but that’s what makes this great. It kind of makes it sound like you’re there in the recording session as a result, in some cases it’s too raw because of the dialogue they included between band members and sometimes the songs can be a bit too chaotic as the production makes each instrument kind of blare out with loudness, which again is super awesome for the most part but I felt for some songs it was a bit too chaotic. The guitar sound is so distorted in the best way, the drums sounds like it’s straight up recorded in a garage, the bass is looming in a kind of dark way and the vocals are very in your face and angry at points. It all comes together in either a culmination or clash of sound which both work very well. It also has that song that’s used everywhere. Favourites: Break my body, something against you, Broken face, Gigantic, River Euphrates and Brick is red. Overall, 8/10.

Blank Frack

good and has that one really good song

Not a bad album honestly, just not my exact style

I knew Where Is My Mind. I didn’t know, neither did I care, for the rest

аварийный выход на высоте 10 000 метров угу.. иллюзия безопасности... (барабаны четкие, погуглю как их делали)

Lovely art punk from the late 80s. Surfer Rosa was always in my early teen rotation although I didn't understand the weight it may have carried as an influential grunge and punk album. To me this is abrasive, haste, and ultimately unique sounding. Almost to a point of which it sounds brand new, but I am wise because of what age I found this album originally. The pixies always do well.

Finally got to hear it front to back. Magical debut, so good!

now THATS! what I’m talking about

minus one point to my personality for not liking this album :/

TBT to being 14 and edgy and listening to "Where is My Mind" after hearing the instrumental version in "It's Kind of a Funny Story".

Always enjoyable. 3.5 stars.

This is outside of my usual listening but I cannot deny the quality. Very fun album. Favorite Song: Vamos

Most was good, some songs were misses

Maybe not as consistent as Doolittle but It just hits differently. Plus is has a song that is legit in the conversation for greatest song of all time so... 9/10

The are some good songs in the album, and WIMM is definitely a TOP100 tune. But the rest is too chaotic and frantic for me. I would listen again just 4 songs of the whole album. 3,4/5.

It's odd not listening to this paired with Come On Pilgrim. Both are raw early Pixies, with a sort of grotesque or nihilistic underground sentiment, like they just wanted to do whatever they wanted without worrying about being famous. It's punk without adhering to the common punk sound or formula. Steve Albini is the producer here on Surfer Rosa, and shout out to him for capturing that raw sound. As a full album, lyrically it's a bit all over the place thematically. What sticks out to me are the themes of body horror and mutilation, like a weird atmosphere of Thomas Ligotti or surrealism of William S. Burroughs. Yet there flows a warmth in the Spanish lyrics and some upbeat percussion. Each song is like a chopped up body part, and when they are put back together, things don't quite fit right, and it's sliced up and maybe you want to look away, but it's too interesting not to look at, and after a bit you kind of recognize familiar pieces and where they belong. What doesn't work for me is the candid studio banter, e.g. "you fucking DIE" and "he was into field hockey players", which are a bit cheesy or too try-hard in my opinion. And while I respect Kim Deal, especially her work in The Breeders, "Gigantic" feels very out of place on this album-- the repeated chorus of "Gi-gan-tic" is boring and annoying to my ears-- and it disrupts the flow of Francis basically losing his mind. In fact, I think the album does have a problem with the flow of songs, though I'm not sure how to correct it, and it may be unavoidable or even intentional as a way to instill some discomfort or disorientation in the listener. The influence of the Pixies doesn't need to be stated again. It's an essential listen in alt rock, but not my favorite of theirs.

It's a favorite of many because of the Albini production, but the songs just aren't as good as they'd get on Doolittle. Plus I've never actually liked the way Albini-produced albums sound all that much, so in terms of rawness I'd rather have Come On Pilgrim.

I’ve heard of the Pixies, but I was not familiar with their music. It’s loud and rough around the edges. I guess I have heard Where Is My Mind? before, that track is pretty good. I could really do without all the screaming on this album, it makes this a very uncomfortable listen for me. I think for me this is like a 1.5.

A stunning rock record. Timeless. Influential. Eminently listenable, repeatedly. Did they know they were breaking new ground?

Don't consider myself punk but maybe just this once... very fun, very rambunctious, but not everyday listening Best songs: Tony's theme, Brick is Red

It sounds like the few band students you knew in high school got together to make an official band but they lost their lead singer and the guitarist became the vocalist. At least it has tits on the album cover, it gets +.001 stars for that.

What on earth is going on with that mix. I could barely hear the vocals half of the time. Idk it was very disjointed but the guitar, bass, and drums were pretty good. Vocals were hit or miss.

8/10

Another well known band I wasn’t that into

Not as good as the first listen

Bursting with raw, manic energy. The rough draft of a sound that would go on to influence a wave of alt-rock bands in the 90s. Rough around the edges, unfiltered, awesome.

Bloody great album, I prefer Doolittle personally but honestly who the hell cares it's great.

Really enjoyable album

Dont think I ever heard this album the whole way through before The Pixies sound never really became a fixture in my collection Pleased to hear again Where Is My Mind and Gigantic, but I'm starting to think the Death To The Pixies is all I need ffom this band

Gear: SIMGOT EA1000 Fermat Artwork: 🍉🪭✝️ Production (2007 Remaster): 📏🥩🙄 Music: ❓🧠🐠 Rating: 🏄‍♀️🏄🏄‍♂️(🌊)/5

Didnt like it very much except Where is my mind

One of the best albums ever made.

It’s crazy, it’s awesome, it’s intense and I loved it. The bass lines are unreal. Cool seeing a little bit rawer of a sound than Doolittle, which is my main Pixies reference. Certainly jarring at times with the vocals on songs like Broken Face and Oh My Golly! being particularly wild. I wouldn’t put it on at a random party. But it’s not discordant in a bad way for me. It’s abrasive music, and the singing should follow.

Where is my mind

one song i like, the killer song from fight club fame - where is my mind

every time i listen to this record i realize i like the idea of it more than I like listening to it. listened to vinyl cope

Incredible album

Pretty weird, but cool, but weird tho

The Pixies first album came out of nowhere. It's not punk, new wave, or emocore/post hardcore. It's not No, the amalgamation of influence and sound is a weirder, artsier offering; able to be poppy as hell ("Gigantic"), strange ("Broken Face"), and anthemic ("Where is My Mind?"). Frank Black/Black Francis and Kim Deal are incredible together. You can hear the band's enthusiasm through their songs and it's incredibly endearing; just a bunch of goofballs simply stoked to be making music. Veteran engineer, Steve Albini (RIP) captures the Pixies' ineffable left field energy, propelling the album to incredible heights. The whole thing's a blast. An incredible debut.

The genesis of alternative music. So many bands drew inspiration from here. It lacks polish and melody though, and so it gets monotonous and boring at times.

Great Album. Gigantic and where is my mind are the ones people will know but there's not a bad track on it and it's a beautiful way to spend 30 minutes

Innovative indie punk - those lyrics though…oooof brutal…sound has B-52s with distortion? Where is my mind onward in the album though is where this album thrives.

Where is my mind is a fantastic song. Everything else on this album sounds terrible.

I want to like the Pixies more than I do.

I enjoyed listening to it once, though will probably not revisit it. I know where is my mind from fight club and I feel that's all I need to know from them. Not a bad album, in any case not boring, and given the time it came out I understand it's significance.

Would give it a 0 if I could. Terrible songwriting and awful performances. Where is my mind is a good song but the rest is downright insulting. Actually have me a headache.

I've heard bands that I like say Pixies were an influence.....couldn't possibly be from this album.

Where the hale is my mind

Absolutely slaps, even with the weirdest deep cuts.

One of my all-time favorites. Pace, biting guitars, raggedy melodies, head-bopping rhythm section. The songs are short, sweet and full of energy. The songwriting would be more polished on Doolittle, but for bursts of manic, punk energy, nothing tops the more blistering tracks on here. The band also shows that they're versatile beyond three chords and a cloud of dust on "Where Is My Mind?" (the album's most well-known song due in large part to it's inclusion in the movie Fight Club) and the Kim Deal-fronted "Gigantic". Steve Albini's production here that makes you feel like you're in the studio with the band (including some snippets of conversation, unbeknownst to the band members). The loose energy almost makes these songs feel like demos, but in a good way. With everything in pop music so engineered within an inch of it's life nowadays and all imperfections removed, it's great to hear something that feels alive and in the moment.

Hard rock, insanity, weirdness - love where is my mind, the rest I appreciate but don't love

As I go through this list, I am constantly surprised by 1) how many songs I know 2) how much I don't care about a lot of these albums. Each one has something different to offer, and it is obvious how they have contributed to their respective genres, but I don't think I have fallen in love with anything new yet. 3/5 7.08/10

как по мне дебютник послабее дулитла. но заявление о себе неплохое. ну и конечно та самая песня епте

I really don't get the pixies, but I appreciate they exist

My fave Pixies album. I go back to this regularly, because...well, because I like it. Is it perfect...in its imperfections? Absolutely....

This sort of broke my brain in high school. I got really into the Pixies just as they were breaking up. I journeyed through their catalogue in reverse order. I thought this album was so insane at first. The Albini production, the little snippets of speech between the songs, Vamos guitar solo, all sort of changed my idea of what you could do with a record. Growing up super churchy I loved all the biblical allusions. Everyone contributes on this, Amazing Songs and Lyrics from Black Francis, Joey Santiago's guitar playing, Kim's ice queen backup vocals (and lead on Gigantic) David Lovering's weird reverse drum beats on Bone Machine. The songs are all bangers. OH MY GOLLY.

Some great tracks

Keeping abreast of this album cover was a nice way to get up in the morning. The Pixies are always a fun band to listen to because each album is a little different. This one is a more punk, more raw. Broken Faces felt like polished garage rock and made me want to pop a Coke and smell the cigarette smoke under some crappy, too hot second-hand stage lights hanging from the rafters. Gigantic was also cool hearing Kim Deal take lead, which definitely gave a taste of Breeders days to come. I liked Tony’s Theme best because if I was to who someone an example of the Pixies, this one kind of had it all: the punk, the random, the Black/Deal vocals; the sharpened edge. I even liked the random studio inclusion in Oh, My Golly! I actually really liked this whole album. …and the cover was very artistic and symmetrical. I recommend taking a closer look at the compositions and exposure quality of the photo.

Random thoughts: * I’ve listened to this before since it’s a well known “classic” influence album. * the Top songs are: Bone Machine, Gigantic, and Where is My Mind * I like this album alright but I don’t find it to be the classic that people attribute to it. Dare I say that The Pixies went from underrated to overrated for their influence on 90s grunge (specifically Nirvana) * Anyway, I appreciate the influence this band had but they will never be one of my favorites. * The use of Where Is My Mind at the end of Fight Club is great though!

Love the pixies. Easy 4 star.

This album is what it sounds like to be punched in the face by art school. It’s raw, shrill, deeply weird, and somehow completely perfect. Guitars slash and whisper, the drums sound like they were recorded in a garage with one mic (because they basically were), and Black Francis screams like someone just insulted his subconscious. It’s loud/quiet/loud before Nirvana made it cool — a mix of surf rock, horror movie energy, and Catholic guilt, duct-taped together with genius. Rating: 5/5 Short Review: Like eavesdropping on a nervous breakdown set to the best riffs of the decade. Favorite Track: “Where Is My Mind?” — cliché, yes, but it’s eternal. The sound of floating face-down in a pool while your brain politely exits the premises.

Album No. 0043 on my list. I've had a pixies album on my list before ("Bossanova") which I didn't like that much. I indeed liked "Surfer Rosa" a little more. Obviously, you have "Where is my Mind", which is worthy of a few stars on its own. My other favorite songs of this album are "Gigantic" and "Tony's Theme". Overall, I still have a hard time finding this really good, even though I somehow get why I'm supposed to - a similar feeling to what I felt with "Bossanova", but less extreme. "Surfer Rosa" is indeed the better album. To summarize: I think I would like it better, but still an okay-ish album with some great songs. I thought about giving it four stars, but narrowly decide for 3. 3/stars.

Unpolished? Perhaps. But otherwise, a compact album full of energy and vigour.

Such a fun and interesting album.

Meh

I remember giving this one a listen when I got curious about the origin album of Where Is My Mind, but I didn't remember until I got to the track. At the time I wasn't very impressed with everything else, today I really dig the direction the ideas are being flung at, though I still struggle to find it memorable. After several listens and conceptual placement in time, I can see how relevant this has been to the development of rock. I wouldn't mind having this in the collection, but for a very occasional listen. I'm surprised I don't remember the album art. Aesthetically kind of plain, dark box inside a white box. It's the details that give it any more depth and meaning and I'd say the music works about the same. 3.4/5

It had the highest highs but a lot of the lowest lows

Generally enjoy the sound and style, but wish there was another great song or two in the album

So many better tracks than I expected off one album.

I love the weirdo vibes of the Pixies. Did a full deep dive on them a year back & their post reunion stuff is some of the worst music I’ve ever heard.

I’m not the biggest Pixies fan and I know we’ve talked about influential bands being on this list for the sake of them being influential but this album rocks.

Better than Coldplay

Love the pixies music. Unique

I've vacillated between 4 and 5 again and again. This is a quintessential loud-quiet-loud album, and a great one. I think Doolittle is their masterpiece, but this isn't far behind. Gets a little uneven in the back half, but it's still a no-skip album for me.

Bone Machine is my new theme song. Where Is My Mind remains the best song on this album.

Such an amazingly live and raw album that feels like it was recorded in one take. Gets more enjoyable with every listen. Doolittle is their masterpiece but this has slowly become the one I want to revisit the most.

Gigantic! Where is My Mind! Banger of an album. Rock heavy, great listen.

Didn't do much for me personally, but I appreciate how influential they were on other grunge-rock groups, and "Where Is My Mind?" is a classic.

feel fairly neutral about this album, i don’t necessarily enjoy the vocals but i do enjoy the instruments and how they’re played, lots of good guitar rifts and beats. bunch of hootin and hollerin on this and maybe i just don’t understand garage rock enough to appreciate it but i’m not upset about hearing it. Where Is My Mind? stands out in a crazy way from the rest of the album, it makes sense why it’s the one off of this album that i know and enjoy. wouldn’t seek the album out again but wouldn’t be upset if i heard it.

Decent listen. I forgot I was familiar with “Where is My Mind?” This was a quick listen, but good length for this band/album

Good garage rock

1 star for the fight club song, 2 for boobies

I've always found Surfer Rosa to be really but just not Doolittle...

i wanted to like it, but I really did not. the guys voice is annoying

glazba dosta dobra, ženski glas dobar, al muški je očajan... pretkraj kreću neki neduhoviti skitovi? ne znam... šteta

Meh, a bit of a letdown from the Pixies to be honest.

Gigantic and Where Is My Mind? are the standout tracks on this one, but the rest of the album is pretty good. My second favorite Pixies album.

First listen. I did listen to Doolittle a couple of times before this one, and Surfer Rosa definitely sounds a bit rougher and less fleshed out. It's still good, though. I'm now also realizing, only three albums in, that my rating scale is a bit messed up, because I definitely enjoyed this one more than the Electric Prunes record, and I do like Either/Or a bit better than Surfer Rosa, at least on a first listen. I'm gonna set it up like this for now, just so I have some general guidelines for myself: 5: Outstanding, about as close to as good as it gets 4: Really enjoyed it, excited to revisit it 3: I liked it, but I'm not in a rush to replay it; might need more listens, or might just not be my thing 2: A bit underwhelming 1: Just bad In retrospect, that might lead me to want to change the first record to a 2, but there's gonna be a bit of range with a 5-star system, so I'll just say it's like a low 3 or something. Surfer Rosa would be a high 3. I enjoyed it overall, but with a couple more listens, it could turn into a 4. Who knows. Fav. Track: Where Is My Mind? (duh) Reaction: 🙂

The Pixies used to be better than this.

Uuhhhhh, i enjoyed the track "Where is my mind?" But the rest was take it or leave it.

*1998. *33 minute album. *Mix of hardcore punk and pop punk. *I much prefer the songs with Kim Deal as the lead singer - Gigantic. *Where is My Mind buried in the middle of the album at Track #6 is wild. *This might take a few listens to appreciate. It grew on me as the album progressed. RATING - 7/10

They wrote a song about me, perfection!

Never heard the pixies before I like em👍🏿👍🏿

Instant classic.

Absolutely astounding, #1 best cool guy so far. My best guy in the list, top lad. This is a song about a superhero named Tony, it’s called Tony’s theme. Yes Kim.

Loved it. Timeless classic.

top 3: - where is my mind? - brick is red - cactus

I’ve been meaning to listen to this for a long time, I love where is my mind so I was pretty excited. And it was good, I’m excited for Doolittle. Favorites: Bone Machine, Gigantic, Where is my Mind?

The amazing thing about Pixies is how they were the genesis point for both grunge and slacker rock in the 90s. Somehow they’re one of the most influential rock bands, ever. I think it’s just because their music bursts with energy and creativity and fun and passion and urgency and noise. This album absolutely rules. Must-listen #233.

Frenetic psychotic idiosyncratic crazy five star experience ( ✪ワ✪)ノʸᵉᵃʰᵎ

🖤🧚‍♀️

Kinda not good at all but there were a few decent tracks sprinkled in

Familiar with the band but was only familiar with one song off this album. Half the album was great the other half bordered on unlistenable. I can totally see why it was so influential at the time, though.

4.5

Some cool guitar tones, but hate the singing. 3 stars

I don't think this is quite the achievement Doolittle is, but but it's pretty close and certainly one of my favorite debut albums ever. The band really took a diverse set of influences and created a special sound here that changed the trajectory of rock music forever. It's punky and abrasive, but also super catchy. Listening to it now, there's a timeless quality to it that didn't seem apparent in 1987. I don't think there's a weak track here, but the highlights for me are "Bone Machine", "Gigantic", "River Euphrates", "Cactus", and of course "Where is My Mind?" 5 stars.

4.5

Easily the best Pixies albums. Killer Albini production/engineering. Some of their most beloved songs. Pretty zippy at 33 minutes unlike most other Pixies albums which are often drag at 39 minutes. Also nice rack. Probably the nice rack factor that lifts it up to 4.

I've been hearing about the brilliance of the Pixies forever. Love the speed drums and guitars and the tempo change ups, the massive energy. Not wild at all about the first half of this album, like it's serious side A, and fun side B. I'm a big fan of side B. Looking forward to checking out their other albums.

Highlights: Something Against You, River Euphrates, Where Is My Mind, Brick Is Red. In a nutshell: building up. Surfer Rosa is the album which laid the foundation for the band and added some bricks to the 80s alternative rock shrine. Guitar and drums are fantastic. As for the lyrics, well, Surfer Rosa is more about the music than the lyrics. And oh boy there are some doozies here. There are questionable lyrics "his teeth are as white as snow" (Gigantic), kinky (maybe Lynch-ian?) lyrics such as "Bloody your hands on a cactus tree, wipe it on your dress and send it to me" (Cactus) and downright odd lyrics "you're so pretty when you're unfaithful to me!" (Bone Machine). My go to Pixies album is Doolittle, but it's nice to return to Surfer Rosa, their (full length) debut studio album. Overall: 5/10

i love

fav songs: gigantic and where is my mind

I recognized one song, "Where Is My Mind?" Other than that, this album didn't leave much if an impression on me. I struggle to really enjoy music like this, which seems to be much more about the "energy" and delivery of lyrics than making musical decisions to get the point across. Also wondering how they got Mickey Mouse as the guest vocalist for Broken Face. My picks are Gigantic, Where Is My Mind? and Vamos.

This is a cool album. It's pretty grungy and unpolished with really interesting drumming. The themes seem to be a bit dark and twisted. I prefer the slower, more ballad-like songs on the album like Where Is My Mind? That song must be having a moment because I've heard it before and it has like 400x as many plays as the other songs on the album. I also like Brick Is Red. The faster songs are a bit too relentless and noisy for me to want to listen again. 7/10 for this one.

Back in university one of my coworkers in the kitchen tried to sell me his tickets to the Pixies show in Winnipeg. He claimed it was the last tour they were going to play to try and drive value in his tickets. I didn’t fall for his tricks seeing as they are still touring today. Maybe I was just too poor to justify going to live shows for bands I’d never heard of. Listening to this album today, I wish I went to that show. The Pixies are definitely a style of music that I’ve been to many other similar artists shows live. So I’m sure I would have had a blast rocking out with them in ~2009. The track Where Is My Mind? Is the only song I’m aware of listening too. This album is very nostalgic for me of an era of time in my life. Despite not following the pixies closely I’m sure much of the music I listened to may have been inspired by them to some degree.

Other than where's my mind, I'm not the biggest fan of the yell/sing vibe of this album

I enjoyed this one to my surprise. This one is definitely mood dependent, was not feeling it while working from home, but played it later while I was driving and doing other shit and it sounded better... Didn't realize they had written 'Where is My Mind?' already knew this one. Solid album even though I'm only giving it a 3, I feel like I've been tossing out 4s left and right... and I don't think this album as a whole hits that level for me.

7,7/10

everything after where is my mind is pretty okay, the rest though is not very good

Silly goofy fun, this album is so quick and a complete blast all the way thru 4.5/5

Ihan ok. Ilman Where's my mindia ois aika paljon pienempi arvio. 3/5.

Surfer Rosa et Doolittle sont mes 2 préférés des Pixies. Ensuite Trompe le Monde vraiment pas loin. Ensuite Bossa Nova. Tous des albums 10 étoiles sur 5 pour moi. Je pourrais avoir un tatouage de Frank Black sur le bras.

Meilleur album de surf depuis Surfin' USA. Steve Albini, un autre génie. Proto-grunge?

Classique, quoique son écoute me fait réaliser que je pense préférer bossanova, qui avait peut-être plus de « hooks » pop. J’avais donné 4 étoiles à cet album mais je le regrette.

Great album. Pixies rule.

I've heard plenty of Doolittle before, but never ventured too far into other Pixies albums besides more known songs like Where Is My Mind. This album was pretty enjoyable. Frequently rides the line between alt and punk.

One of the blueprints for American indie rock. Catchy, quirky, visceral...the album art rocks with loads of off kilter melodies, jagged guitar, punchy bass, and those booming drums driving it all full force. Plus, nobody can scream like Black Francis. Pixies never sounded like this again, just built from there - and tons of other acts have been hard pressed to properly glean their sound.

i really feel like i should've liked this more. it's not my first time listening to it - i had surfer rosa and doolittle on frequent rotation in my teen years. but this album in particular is just *so* noisy and discordant -- which i know is the point -- that it's a chore to listen to. where is my mind, gigantic, tony's theme are all great, but i spent the rest of this album gritting my teeth and trying to hang on. i'm sorry! thankfully it has plenty of glowing reviews already so i won't feel bad being honest.

this was... not what i expected. i've listened to doolittle a decent amount and heard most of pixies' singles, but this was pretty out there and experimental. i didn't hate it and i can see where bands like nirvana and smashing pumpkins drew their inspiration, but this isn't exactly a comfort album or one that gets the party started. i think i had pretty much heard all the good cuts before today. favorites: bone machine, gigantic, where is my mind, vamos (surfer rosa)

"Where's My Mind?" was my favorite track. Listened to most of it doing chores. Upbeat, sophisticated punk album. Well done.

2.5 - Meh

Terrible. 1/5.

Didn’t hate this. I would say that a lot of the gushing about this album, and The Pixies in general is unfounded. I guess it’s about at what point in our lives we discover bands and albums. This was ok. Doubt I’d revisit it again. Personally, it’s not essential to experience before you die.

YOUR BONES GOT A LITTLE MACHINE. Man, I love the Pixies, they are like the exact perfect level of chaotic noisy rock. Not my favorite of theirs, but definitely still a great album in my personal onion.

This is another one of those albums where I am surprised a hit is surrounded by songs not on the same level. Great album for the garage band feels.

Looking back at the Pixies albums I've listened to before, and I seem to prefer their earlier stuff, clichéd as that may sound. This is good, short and punchy like all good punk.

Interesting listen. I wouldn't listen to this again. Fuck this album.

This was really good. I have heard of Pixies, but never listened to them other than Where Is My Mind. I was very pleasantly surprised. This music is right up my alley. I like the shorter and more playful tracks and the longer and sometimes emotional tracks. I'll absolutely come back to this album.

It was okay. I can see how this album was influential to bands that came after it but just barely. “Chaotic” is how I would describe some the later tracks but some of the earlier ones had a nice jam.

neh

Bien dans l'ensemble, même si j'adhère pas trop au style de certaines chansons

Where it began for me

Nunca fui fã. Tirando a música tema de clube da luta. Wheres my mind. O álbum é bagunçado, mas não é ruim.

Not the biggest indie rock guy but I enjoyed this it goes without saying that the standout track was Where Is My Mind? but everything here was still solid and executed on its vibe perfectly. Other standouts were Gigantic, River Euphrates, Tony's Theme, Oh My Golly!, Vamos, and I'm Amazed. 8/10.

Didn't love it but didn't hate it. There's a few standout songs here and there

Spoilt a little in the UK cos we got it with Come On Pilgrim on the same CD - definitely think having Caribou and ending it on Levitate Me hides that the last few songs of the album proper are bit weak. But I can't rate this anything less than 5 stars, the highs outweigh the lows.

Not my type. didn't enjoy first few songs but then it kind of grows on you... loved the drums in some of the songs. but not totally my type

Not my favorite

Bunch of weirdos absolutely rockin out. So good to listen to the sound of a four piece band just fucking nailing it. Some massive songs on here and some properly strange shit. A classic.

I've listened to this album twice before and thought it was bad both times. They kinda sold me this time. But not all the way. There are still moments when they sound like the shitty basement band at a college house party. But I've also been randomly saying "Your bone's got a little machiiiiiiine" all day. Good album.

Big lad

Pixies have confidently cemented there place as arguably the most important alt rock band I’d say, I mean without them you most likely don’t get the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Weezer, I could go on. Whilst I don’t think this album is as consistent as Doolittle, Come on Pilgrim or Bossanova, it still has some of there best individual songs on it, Bone Machine is a roaring opening track and really optimises the sound they pioneered, its raw, stripped down and in your face. Kims vocals in Gigantic are beautifully arranged, and I love how the guitar kicks in and out of the song giving it the presence the song title promises. Where is my mind obviously needs no explanation as to why it’s such a great song, it just fucking is. Enjoyed re listening to this as it reminded me how utterly utterly flawless of a catalogue this amazing band has, they truly have created some of the best rock music of the late 80s and 90s and there sound has proven to be of inspiration of so many bands past and present. Proper rockstars 🤟 4.1/5 FTW

Fun. Sounds much more modern than the release date would otherwise indicate.

Ugh, Pixies again? I should only have to listen to them once. Yet I hated this album less.

Again the pixies not my thing but better than the other.

Post punk average rock

Somehow the album is almost as good as that pair of tits. 5 Stars.

Pixies are on my never ending list of bands that I keep meaning to delve into. Any tracks I’ve heard down the years I’ve always liked but today was the first time listening to an album in full. I did really enjoy it overall without it absolutely blowing me away. In saying that it didn’t help that I kept having to stop and start listening to it Top Track - Where Is My Mind

Easy 5. More familiar with Doolittle but already knew and loved "Where is My Mind?" and "Gigantic." Now having listened to the whole album can add "Bone Machine" "River Euphrates" "Cactus" and "Tony's Theme" to the list.

Oh my golly Tony just broke my face now I can’t find my mind! Anyways this shit went incredibly hard. Love the punk rock/ noise rock influences.

Paar goeie nummers maar ook paar kut

I didnt realize where is my mind was on their debut album. I could clearly hear how they influenced later 90s grunge. Need to listen again more actively

One great song, but did not like the album at all.

Enjoyed this for what it was, just not the biggest Pixies guy

This was really good. Some weird but interesting stuff alongside the other type music I've heard from them.

...and just like that, the world contracted a serious Pixies infection.

5/5 bare for Where is my mind!

Punky

If you've ever wondered what the difference between punk rock, and indy rock is, it's this: Alt Rock. And this LP, Surfer Rosa by the Pixies is a prime example. A banger of a debut LP, "Doolittle" would follow a year later, it's an influential debut album. It combines raw, abrasive noise with unexpected moments of pop melody and quirky, surreal lyrics. It's unique in that it combines , spacious production and the dynamic interplay between Black Francis's intense vocals, avant-garde guitar work, and melodic bass, it has inspired generations of musicians. 4/5 for me.

Now I understand why everybody say this is the band that influenced Nirvana. I have listened to Bossanova before and I found a good, heterogeneous rock album, but this one has THE sound that I expected. Lo-fi, sometimes poppy, sometimes punk, but always pre-grungy. Really liked it and gonna listen to it a looooot.

Nirvana wouldn’t be shit without the pixies

Raw and unfiltered, they would improve with their follow-up.

I was hyped to check this out because I knew about The Pixies, but never really listened to them. I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest. I didn’t come away hating or loving it

Did not like at all

Solid punk rock album, nothing absolutely blew me away.

Love this album!

The Pixies... when you are like me and for a long time only knew them from the banger end song from Fightclub, discovering their roughness when finally deciding to listen to a whole album was a fantastic experience. Thanks to this list, I relieved that moment a little. They have such an unique sound and I really wanted to give their solid debut a five star rating for rawness alone. It is just so rough around the edges that I can't, but I love them. When an album has a great cover, I normally say it so euh... yeah this is a great cover and it's not only because it features an awesome rack.

Amazing

A great album with really enjoyable harsh sounds. I wonder why not more songs are better known! I truly enjoyed it from start to finnish! I would give it a 4/5 or a strong 8 to a feint 9 out of 10

An album I don't even hesitate to give a 5, I've listened to it so many times. Still can't pick a favorite between this and Doolittle, they both reign supreme in my ears. 5/5

Was obsessed with Pixies back when I listened to them in my early 20s. I spent a lot of time with this album and it still completely holds up. I love basically everything here. 5/5

Круто!!! Но Bossanova мне понравился больше!

I’m gonna be curt when I say this, but this album stinks. I thought it was gonna be a good one because of Where is My Mind (Fight Club baby!), but everything else is just nothing short of a snooze fest. While this album was inspired the big grunge bands of the 90s, I just feel that it was too bland for me and wasn’t that great. I just don’t think this works as a whole album, it had one big hit and the rest of very obvious filler. Favorite Tracks: Where Is My Mind Rating: 2.5/5

7/10

Nothing but love for this album

I've always wondered if this album doesn't get the credit it's received if Kurt Cobain doesn't become an unofficial A&R rep after Nirvana blew up. If Cobain doesn't cite this album and the Pixies as influences, does anyone care about this? Does "Where Is My Mind?" land at the end of Fight Club and become the song that makes everyone go, "Oh, I love the Pixies!" I've tried listening to it before and I just don't get it. Some of it's pretty cool...glad I listened to it again but probably wouldn't return to it.

Comenzamos la última semana de septiembre (la próxima se corta el martes con la llegada de octubre) con éste debut increíble de una banda que amo y a la que tanto vuelvo: ya tenían a esta altura algún que otro demo y EP dando vueltas pero éste es su primer álbum oficial. Crudo, disonante, hermoso: esos los primeros adjetivos que se me aparecen con éste disco y esta banda. El álbum que toma lo violento de una época y de lo humano, se hace cargo y lo transforma en música directa. Imposible diseccionar el disco: es entendible como obra completa, llena de tracks tremendísimos. Gracias por el recordatorio. Hasta mañana.

Difficult to listen through. Felt very non-emotive and boringly simple? Obviously Pixies are legends in the music world and I can see how this would be foundational to later music which all seems much more engaging and interesting than this, but if it is indeed foundational, then that is all it seems like to me, a base layer to more polished and energetic music. Seems like “Where Is My Mind?” was an influence to Nirvana/grunge music?

3.5 stars. Pretty weird and the heavy guitar distortion and choppy rhythms and some experimental twists on the singing give it a much more raw and muddled feeling than most alt rock. Some absolute standout songs ("Where Is My Mind?" and "Gigantic") that are a nice melodic break from the rest of the heavier tracks. Wish Kim Deal sang lead vocals more. Liked when they dip into a more surfer rock sound ("Tony's Theme"). They didn't master the quiet-loud dynamic as well as they do in their next album Doolittle. Grating vocal filter in "Something Against You" makes it a skip.

At first I really wasn't sure, but boy did it grow on me. I feel as though with this album, I finally understand what exactly alt-rock, and punk rock are, as well as why they appeal. It gives voice to the fringe, unapologetic in its anthems of The Weird. You don't care about the world, and this music doesn't care about you. And there's a strange comfort in that. Basically liked the whole album, maybe not Bone Machine or River Euphrates.

Not a fan

Pixies are so god damn good!

good

Really disappointing. Only one good song, “Where Is My Mind?” and the rest are not good. 4/10

I love this record, but sometimes it's so slapdash it prevents me adoring it

I’ve heard so much about Surfer Rosa and always felt like I was missing out. I was glad to finally listen to it. The musicianship on the album is excellent. The lyrics are a bit too repetitive at some times and weird at other times for my taste, which is a shame considering the instrumentation is so good. However, I think Deal’s and Francis’s vocals (especially the latter) really outshine the lyrics and make every track truly unique; their voices sync so quirkily well. Overall, it was enjoyable, but I would probably listen to my favorite few tracks going forward and not the entire album.

Fight Club

Classic

good record, some tunes, i like pixies, they have a good sound

Proto-Grunge, I guess (though I never really thought of it that way until I embarked on this mind-broadening 1001-Albums project). “Gigantic” is pretty wonderful. Other songs (e.g., “Where Is My Mind?”) have their moments, too. I lived through this era, and this actually sounds to me now like the 80s were giving way to something new. I’m not sure the album is quite a four-star outing (in this project, where nearly everything is remarkable), but it’s darn close.

I expected to like this more than I did. Similar to the last one, maybe I’m just not a fan of the Pixies.

While I prefer Doolittle, this album lays the blueprint. You can hear their massively influential 'loud-quiet-loud' dynamic taking shape beneath the punk noise and pop hooks, and Kim Deal nearly steals the show with 'Gigantic'.

I would probably enjoy a live show, I can see the crowd adding to the experience- I did not like listening to this album. It was a lot going on, not relaxing at all.

I would probably enjoy a live show, I can see the crowd adding to the experience- I did not like listening to this album. It was a lot going on, not relaxing at all.

Fantastic

I only really tolerated this album. It felt like 3/4 of the time, someone was screaming directly in my ear drum.

Seminal

I’ll be seeing Pixies tomorrow at Bourbon & Beyond, so let’s close tonight out with Surfa Rosa. It’s not my favorite Pixies album (that’s Bossanova) and it doesn’t even have my favorite Pixies song (that’s Monkey Gone To Heaven), but Surfa Rosa is just undeniable. The opening drums of Bone Machine that set the entire foundation, and it never really let's up. Rambling verses that shouldn’t be possible to sing along to, but we all try. Weird-as-catchy bursts like Broken Face. Radio staples in Gigantic and Where Is My Mind (over-covered, sure, but c’mon, Fight Club made it eternal). The pure fun of Tony’s Theme. The relentless drive of Vamos. No skips all the way through, though by the time Brick Is Red rolls in, I’m properly worn out. Pixies didn’t just influence a generation, they made chaos sound like order, and order sound like chaos.

YES.

This is a pretty great album from Pixies. I don't think it captured lightning in a bottle in the same way doolittle did it has some stellar moments and I'm sure some people would call this album their favorite. This is a strong 4

(. ) (. )

This was enjoyable but maybe I’m missing something about why it’s so highly regarded. Maybe it’s the timing of its release being earlier than similar music, but hadn’t Dinosaur Jr been doing similar stuff for years? In any case, I enjoy the double singers, the upbeat sound despite the sometimes nonsensical lyrics, the interludes, etc. It’s a great indie rock album that is better than just Gigantic and Where is My Mind.

This list is showing me that I dig the Pixies. Knew the hits, loved the b-sides. I'm a Pixies fan now. It's a good thing I'm already insufferable.

Love the Pixies, love this album.

Cool ! Entre les Clashs et Nirvana, de la colère et de grands classiques. Le son parait parfois étrange, avec une voix étouffée.

Not my favorite Pixies album, but still great. Where is my mind is a fantastic song.

This album has some definite nonsense, but it also gave us two truly iconic alternative rock songs, so I can’t be that hard on it. Best Track: Where is My Mind?

Pretty mid for a pixies album. Some sonically irritating lines and "hooks". Prefer bossa nova

Why did they choose that as the cover? 3/5

Brilliant album. My favorite of theirs. I love Frank Black's solo stuff as well but this one is in a class of its own.

solid

A classic. Pixies rule and so does this album.

Never knew The Pixies other than “Here Comes Your Man” that’s on a different album. Not sure what to say about this one?

Vet album! Kende de pixies helemaal niet, maar best wel tof!

Surprisingly OK.

Like the title: It is a mixture of Surfer-Rock and Grunge. A very interesting mix which is not typical for the Pixies as you know in the newer Songs.

Love the pixies. classic punk and rock and from my home town. they have a roughness that's hard to emulate since any attempts at imitation become your own voice.

OOOOOuuuu…stop. ✋ why does black francis kinda sound like mickey mouse on some of these songs? well i like it anyway. but it’s not my favorite… fav tracks: gigantic; where is my mind?; oh my golly!

This was awesome. The epitome of the kind of 90s alt rock that everyone has been trying to replicate for the last thirty years. It's visceral and emotional and they just sound cool.

Heilt på da jevne

Not for me

I usually enjoy, or at least don't mind, noisy alt rock. But, surprisingly I didn't really care for this too much, it feels noisy without purpose. The hits are expectedly still good.

Ok…. Love the first half and I love punk. I seee violent femmes in here but back half droned on

heard this quite a few times before, love Pixies Bone Machine - 5/5 Break My Body - 5/5 Something Against You - 3/5 Broken Face - 5/5 Gigantic - 5/5 River Euphrates - 5/5 Where Is My Mind? - 5/5 Cactus - 5/5 Tony's Theme - 3/5 Oh My Golly! - 5/5 Vamos - 4/5 I'm Amazed - 3/5 Brick Is Red - 4/5 Average score: 4.4/5 (rounding up) it's as good as i remember, maybe even better! like others have mentioned here, i think Doolittle is still their best album. i think the only tracks i didn't care for here were the few short filler tracks, and even those have their own charm in my opinion overall, Surfer Rosa is damn good (top 3 contender for sure)

Excellent album, varied, fun, and, interesting. When the album finished Spotify went right into a song from the Lonesome Crowded West. Modest Mouse were obviously inspired by the Pixies and then went on to inspire many other indie bands. I don't understand how there are two albums by Super Furry Animals on this list and none by Modest Mouse

Good

La base del rock, lo amé de principio a fin

Quiet / loud. Soft verses / explosive choruses. Raw, abrasive, unusually structured tracks. A few more accessible moments amongst the chaotically jagged guitar riffs and the screaming vocals. All this together makes for a fantastic listening experience. Kicking off the album with bone machine sets the mood and tempo - those drums followed by that guitar riff are elite. The erratic almost spoken vocals followed by screams and a wall of guitar. Oh oh oh oh oh oh ohhhh. I think Kim Deal's backing vocals are integral and her lead vocals on gigantic are not to be overlooked either. In fact she is one of my favourite things about the album. Favourite track has to be Where is My Mind, its popular for good reason. Also love Broken Face and Gigantic. 8.5/10

dogshit

Nice album

Very interesting and original album. Not quite my thing (and I think I prefer Doolittle), but would definitely recommend.

Energetic.

Hard to find anything wrong with this album. One of my favorites

Lively, with a few great songs. 3/5

Not bad. Not great.

Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Whereeeeeeeeeeee is my mind? Timeless.

Grunge well before grunge was a thing.

I don't get it man. I was expecting this album to be peak. You go on the Wikipedia page under "Critical Reception" and "Legacy" it's almost as if it's the greatest album ever made. But in my opinion, it's kinda a mess. Maybe for it's time it was something, it is one of Kurt Cobain's favorite albums and a huge inspiration to Nirvana for him, so it is highly influential in music and to many, and I can respect that. But aside from Where Is My Mind, Gigantic, and maybe one other song, I'm disappointed.

This is such a quirky album in a super charming way. It gets a little better with each listen. I used to find the sound of the Pixies abrasive, but the more I listen to them that changes. Kim Deal really stands out to me in both her voice and bass sound. Anyway, great album.

Disturbing, demented, masterpiece. A little surprised to see all the negative reviews on this one. Did you all really start this list thinking it'd be a thousand easy listening albums that wouldn't be at all challenging? Even with the abrasive guitars and fucked up lyrics. The pop sensibilities shine through. Catchy as hell. Only criticism is it kinda fizzles out towards the end

4.9 3x one of my favorites and amazing debut

One of the best live bands!

One good song

A little undecided on this one - some parts I really loved, some I really hated 🫠

First time listening to the pixies. Not since I listened to rumors by Fleetwood Mac have I been so challenged to figure out what a bands sound is because each song is so different from the one before it. You can also hear so many of the bands that came after them in each riff. This definitely got me to listen to more pixies! 5/5

It's impossible to fairly rate albums that I listened to on repeat in my teens. This is one of those albums that I already had every song liked.

Ehhh

I like this album, a few bangers on there I'm already familiar with - Gigantic and Where is my mind - from my indie teens.

There are a few moments where I want to love it but overall most of the album is basic noise. It's kind of like a school band where most people can't play their instruments, in a way thats charming but in another way its annoying.

Did enjoy listening to it but not a great album for me with some tracks that just passed by without any real note to take from it. Nice to have the memories from our younger days of George bouncing energetically and somewhat violently into me whilst shouting "Hey Paul, Hey Paul, Hey Paul. Let's have a ball" flood back to me when listening to Gigantic.

Runs out of fizz towards the end but when its on form it's tangfasticly good. If anyone tells me Where is My Mind has been overplayed or has lost it's punch i will simply say 'oooooooooooooooooooooooh STOP!' its one the greatest songs of all time.

what a fucking slog, the last 5 songs killed me. It was even more depressing to see how the number of listens dropped off.

I've always loved this album.

'Where Is My Mind?' is probably one of the best songs I've ever heard.

I mean, it’s the absolute opus by one of the best bands of the late 80s/90s alt rock boom? Listening to this with a more critical ear really brings out just how many people these guys influenced. Hard to hear the opening of cactus with that dirty guitar and not go ‘oh, it’s ‘roll with it’’. Brilliant album.

A lot of impact from not a lot of music - scratchy, weird, obtuse, big. Always respected bands who are this wilfully difficult to engage with! Favourite tracks: Bone Machine, Break My Body, Oh My Golly

A long time ago I used to love noisy music. Not anymore.

Pretty cool

LOVE

Highly influential on the alternative music scene. Several classics but lots of filler in between

This album could probably have had a bigger impact on me if I paid more attention to it. Not great with lyrics at the best of times unless really focused. Listening during the dishes after a day with the baby wasn't ideal conditions. Loved "where is my mind" ofc - the only song I knew.

This is the best Pixies album. It has to be hard to come out with a great album on your first try. Living up to that must drive some bands crazy. Grunge owes a lot to these guys. Gigantic...tremendous song. River Euphrates is just yelling noises. Where Is My Mind? is an all-time great song. I can't not think about Fight Club when I hear it though. Perfect song for a perfect movie. I bet these guys love Lou Reed. Kind of a mixed bag of an album. I can do without the studio banter. The discussion of banging field hockey players is completely unnecessary. Everything on this album really is dwarfed by Gigantic and Where Is My Mind? but there are more good songs than bad.

Ah, Where's my mind? È quella canzone! La produzione è abbastanza tremenda, sembra registrato in un cesso chimico. Apprezzo l'animo punk del disco, ma spesso è un po' troppo "unhinged" per me. Nel complesso alcuni bei pezzi, alcuni brutti, alcuni veramente strani

Never goes away. Timeless and crazy genius that makes you feel better every listen.

Honestly a bit anxiety inducing, and I love rock and all the screaming that comes with it, but this album is a bit chaotic. The cover is amazing, the quality of photography and lighting is impeccable. I love Where is My Mind, but that is their most mainstream song, everyone loves it. Cactus, Oh My Golly!, Brick is Red and Gigantic are my revelation and pretty good too. 10/10 to have wild sex to <3