Reviews (page 7 of 14)
This one was refreshing after listening just the most popular tunes from them.
this pixies album is a fun one , the meldoy works for me . Somehow the ragged parts works... post punk has been a big miss for me so far but not here, this works
Not my favourite Pixies album
I am not very familiar with the music of the Pixies. If I decided my like or dislike of the band from this album, I would say dislike. I find it kind of odd. Not my thing.
yeah oldie for me
Cecilia Ann - Good instrumental, sounds like a spy theme. Rock Music - Retro sounding, repetitive. Velouria - Vocals match the drums, good use of the theramin, maybe too much backing vocals. Allison - Too quick, good tom fills, guitars line up nicely. Is She Weird - Vocals aren't right for this song, drums sound robotic, could use more rhythm guitar. Ana - Sounds kind of beach-y, Beach Boys inspired?, every instrument flows well together. All Over the World - Too much tapping, seamless addition and removal of guitar, guitar solo was the best part. Dig for Fire - Not a fan of the rhythm guitar, lyrics aee kind of confusing, transition from the chorus was well executed. Down to the Well - The whistle is weird but fits nicely, enjoyable overall. The Happening - Vocals dont match the rhythm guitar, good harmonization. Blown Away - Vocals can stand out more, too much reverb. Hang Wire - Good storytelling, traveles through multiples genres. Stormy Weather - Vocals match the song, lyrics don't make sense. Havalina - Right energy for a closer, more lyrics.
This reminded me of the good times in high school. Driving too fast with the windows down, sitting on the roof in the parking lot after class, and even wandering the brickyard in the middle of the night.
Pretty nice.
All around great album, my only thing about it is how similar some of the end tracks get. Past that it's worth anyone's time and then some.
What an opener to an album. This album doesn't even have most of my fave Pixies songs and its still great.
The pixies! Way ahead of their time. Rock misfits. It’s funny this album was on the docket for me, since I’ve listened to the other main Pixies albums many times and still enjoy them- but I’ve never heard this one. And I have to say- I don’t love it. The songs sound very samey. They are mostly in a minor key, which feels darker and more menacing- which is fine- it just wore on me after 7 or 8 songs with the same rhythmic ideas all in a minor key. Velouria, Digging for Fire, Havalina, were standouts. Ringo wasn’t even the best drummer in the Beatles, Bossanova isn’t even the best Pixies album. Of the 90s!
Yeah dude
Lacks the crazy energy of their previous album but still sounds great.
Its got nothing on Dolittle but they have a broader range than I expected so credit for that
Pretty strong album overall. Not the kind to have massive hits, but a must-listen for sure for anyone who likes early 90s alt rock.
Not quite to "Doolittle" level but a very good album.
Pixies move away from the punkier edges of their 80s stuff for poppier hooks on this masterpiece, while still absolutely shredding. Probably their last five star worthy record, although there's definitely a case to be made for Trompe Le Monde. Feels like the pinnacle of the sound they're now chasing with their more characterless recent output
Loud and soft, but not bossa nova
Buen disco de rock.
I don't think I like the Pixies all that much at the end of the day.
Interesting enough.
3.2
Noise. Unwellness. 1.5/5
Ok...not doolittle
I like the Pixies, but there doesn't really need to be three of their albums on here. There's not enough variation in them to make it necessary. I enjoyed the more poppy songs on this record, Velouria, Allison, Dig for Fire. They were a bit different to Doolittle and Surfer Rosa. The other songs are nice enough, but tend to be lesser versions of things that came before.
I need to stop spamming 5/5s but pixies are so peak that I have to. Therefore, 5/5
Listened at work while talking the morning work list.
Underwhelming, very early grunge/punk esk but just wasn’t anything crazy First some was a banger though, very fun vibes
This, weirdly, was my first route into the Pixies because I loved Velouria so much (and it remains a firm favourite of mine). It's not as loaded with hits as something like Doolittle, but I really love the majority of tracks on here. The music is on-point. I love the opening track so much with those driving guitars. I like their attitude. I like the harmonies. I like how short and sweet so many of the tracks are. I like their weird, quite basic, sometimes non-sensical lyrics. They're doing their own thing and they're owning it. 4.5 rounded up.
This was okay. A random mix of sounds with strange lyrics. Didn’t really keep my attention. Quite repetitive.
Love the whole thing. Surf me, Amadeus.
Not sure why this is viewed as good
No particular hits. Very garagy sound, not impressive.
not my style
Disjointed album with some enjoyable tracks. Not their best album IMO
Beyond "Where Is My Mind" and the associated album "Surfer Rosa". This is a good alt rock album, enjoyed it more than I thought. No particular song stood out, but as a whole it was mostly enjoyable.
I really don't think there needs to be three pixies albums on this list. I'm thinking 7.5 out of 10. I like this album but it's really for fans.
I did not expect this Pixies album to be present, I expect to still see Surfer Rosa and Doolittle somewhere on the list. That said, this is a great album!
Maybe the best good album I don't like. A few enjoyable tunes but mostly stuff I don't want to listen to.
Not the best pixies album but better than I remember.
Buy
Really not a fan of this album. Pixies are hit and miss. Some label them as essential but to me are mediocre.
Not bad. Very of its time, but in a good way. Can see how this album would be at least partly responsible for a lot of the "sound" of the '90s. Also, wonder if Modest Mouse was at all influenced by this album/band...
Very little cohesion here but I suppose that's the point. Will listen again
Neither Bossanova nor pixie like but this jammed hard
Overall fine album. A few songs had a repetitive high pitch tone in the background just perfect to set off my tinnitus so less enjoyable for that reason
Velouria - Mildly catchy Is she weird - Very catchy! Stormy Weather - Favourite!
Didn’t rate this, pre cursor tonsome great grunge and 90s rock but not something that grabbed me
I remember the cover from everyone's dorm or house I ever visited back in 1990, this was all over college radio. It's got really respectable listen counts and 3 songs over 25M. The first track is like an old western movie, then it rolls into "Rock Music" which is angry as hell and not something my parents could handle, ever. The next track "Velouria" is one of the popular tracks I mentioned, but I'm not entirely sure why. "Ana", also a popular track, is just bland. "Dig For Fire" was the best song I thought, it's worth a second listen. Most of the tracks just miss the mark or are so sloppy they weren't enjoyable to me. The other Pixies album on this T1001 list is a way better call, try "Doolittle" if you want to hear them at their finest. I didn't find this compelling or worthy, I could certainly die tomorrow knowing I had never listened to this in its entirety. 2.5 stars.
Cecilia Ann 3.7 Rock Music 3.8 Velouria 4 Allison 4 Is She Weird 3.9 Ana 4 All Over the World 4.1 Dig for Fire 4 Down to the Well 3.5 The Happening 4 Blown Away 4 Hang Wire 4 Stormy Weather 3.5 Havalina 3.4 Score: 3.85
I liked that there was a lot of diversity in sound on this album. Some of the songs were good, but a lot were not my cup of tea.
Nothing really set out to me. Not a big fan of the singing. Down to the Well was good.
catchy rock tunes, missing the genius of their two previous albums
I'm digging for fire and finding gold.
Incredible!
Thought it was a pretty good album. Didnt even realize it started over on me before halfway through the second play through. Everything flowed together nice
Grunge surf guitar? Surprisingly, I'm really vibing with this.
it nice
This one is without a doubt Pixies's best album.
This Is peak pixies. Frank Black is screaming like a lunatic and the guitars are ripping. Perfection.
Godt
Two or three songs that are ok from this album. Otherwise, the sound is like a lot of grunge bands. Not my cup of tea.
Satirical album title! Genuinely surprised at the grit! Realising I am not a big punk / metal / hard rock fan!
Bleh.
Great alternative rock from a band I’ve barely listened to but definitely a fan now
Loud, soft loud. Or is it the other way?
Close to a 4, but this doesn't quite hold up to their other albums Surfa Rosa and Doolittle
This one is fun, and a staple for the 80s-to-90s transition, when the alt rock genre was developing into its own. The Pixies' sound is so unique, and a lot of bands that followed were definitely influenced by them. Kind of wild they're still going today after all they've gone through, which is a testament to the quality of their music imo. I'm still a sucker for this style.
Love the Pixies. Out of the gate, mixes in some fun surf guitar. Has a lot of energy. Can easily see influence on Nirvana.
Pretty good. Had highlights like velouria, allison, and all over the world among a few others. 8/10
The last of their work on the site, and still uniquely them. Fun rock songs by a band of eccentrics with lyrics that may or may not mean something but are still "so them." Maybe it can't receive credit for being as "fresh" and brand-new as their other albums on the list, but if you like those, here's 40 minutes extra
I like it as very servicable alt rock record which still kanages to carve out its own character. The singer's voice is so distinctive and used to great effect, with the oscillation between quiet intensity and unhinged screeching making for a very diverse listen and allows the album to hit some emotional notes that might otherwise have been out of reach. Some of it is forgettable, such that the album bleeds together although it never quite gets boring.
Man, Pixies just have such a unique voice in alt-rock. Even though I don’t love this record, Black Francis’ unhinged vocals keep things so interesting all throughout the runtime. When I listen to Bossanova, I can’t help but compare it to Surfer Rosa, and Doolittle. For me, Bossanova is a far nicer sounding record thanks to the production. But the sheen here smooths over the wild unpredictable energy of Pixies’ earlier output. It’s still here in tracks like Rock Music. But the highs are fewer and far between. I do enjoy this record though. To me, Pixies’ music has always been less about the stories, and more about the striking imagery Black conjures up in tracks like Is She Weird. ✨
Whether you love or hate Frank Black, he never phones it in. But I hate him.
I feel like this was probably an inspiration for Pinkerton. Great album
this was so good!! i love the pixies but i hardly knew any of this album before today. very brilliant.
Not generic but nothing special
This is the Pixies album I've spent the least time with, excluding the post reunion stuff (which I don't really count anyway). The first two albums are the best for me, then I feel like this is more consistent than Trompe le Mobde but it also doesn't have anything that hits the heights of U-Mass or Motorway to Roswell either.
Love this record! 5 stars for the Pixies!
Not for me.
Creative but very hit and miss for me.
Have not listened to this album in years, so was a nice throwback. It's not their best though, Doolittle is way better. Highlights: The Happening, Cecilia Ann
Allison seems to be a popular girls name to sing about. Strange and a bit melancholy at times which I enjoyed, felt nostalgic despite not knowing them. They reminded me a bit of smashing pumpkins. I like the mix of gentle and rough vocals. Favourites: Velouria, is she weird, dig for fire
Enjoyable album, the actual music was great. I wished their was more instrumental songs like Celia Ann Fav songs: Celia Ann, all over the world
6/10.
I want to give this more than 3 because at its best it’s a tour de force of non-mainstream rock music creativity, but it’s just not quite consistent enough across the board for me. Instrumental opener ‘Cecilia Ann’ sets the tone for the slightly rockier direction the band takes compared to their previous efforts. For the most part, the album follows up on its promises, however its immediately undercut by the heaviest song on the album (and possibly my least favourite) ‘Rock Music’. If the track was placed elsewhere on the album, and the instrumental opener went straight into ‘Velouria’ (a standout track and obvious contender for lead single) and ‘Allison’ (another favourite of mine) perhaps it wouldn’t disrupt the albums cohesion so much, and I may like it more than I do. As it is, it stands as a strange outlier, as far as I see it, offering nothing of the melodic hooks that even the heaviest songs on previous pixies albums utilise to keep my jangle-inclined ears engaged. As I say, the next two tracks are very strong, as is the rest of the album, for the most part. ‘Dig For Fire’ is another solid choice for single due to its catchy chorus and engaging lyrics. ‘The Happening’ is probably my favourite of the lot. It’s outro works well enough on its own as ‘The Thing’ (b-side to lead single ‘Velouria’) but I think the first half of the full version warrants its existence in making it feel like a more complete song. Certain tracks on the album contain a confidence and swagger exceeding that of the previous 2, but it doesn’t have the firepower of Doolittle’s hit-filled tracklist or the coherent lyrical themes, or wider influence of Surfer Rosa. As such, I do think it’s a slightly weaker effort, but one they’ve shown no signs of topping since.
I'm not as familiar with the first couple of Pixies albums so it was delightful to experience this. I loved every second of it and hope this indicates that more of their stuff will be on this list.
I liked this more than I thought I would! Interesting to see this sound as a transition between 80s music and 90s rock. Is She Weird also really sounded like the theme song from Pepper Ann, so maybe the show borrowed from that song? Didn't love the album on first listen but really appreciated it more upon the second. Really liked songs Is She Weird, All Over the World, and Down to the Well.
Hidden gem, didn’t really have a terrible song, had some good ones, 7/10
I hated it
Good, but does not deserve a spot on this list. Barely influential with very few standout tracks.
It was pretty good
3.5 rounded up
Nothing exciting. Very samey. Fave : velouria
Fave = Cecilia Ann First half better than second half
Bueno, supongo que hay fans que la pasan bomba, pero no hoy
Loved this one. Maybe not as good as Doolittle. I think this one has a few skips but some insane bangers too. I think i liked the first 2 tracks the most. Very strong 4
Alternativ rock har aldri vært noe jeg har prøvd å oppsøke, men dette albumet var absolutt verdt å høre. Åpningssporet 'Cecilia Ann' serverer småtung surfrock jeg gjerne skulle hatt litt mer av, selv om det kommer noen drypp her og der videre utover skiva. Black Francis har et godt spenn av vokalstiler og jeg liker spesielt godt de mer skrikete partiene og de David Byrne-aktige linjene som dukker opp til tider. Skulle gjerne hatt mer Kim Deal-vokal. Forbi midtpunktet på plata begynner det soniske landskapet å bli litt vel ensformig, men de siste to sporene endrer retningen og gir albumet en sterk avslutning.
1. ann - 1 2. rock - 0 3. velouria - 1 4. allizon - 1 5. uueird - 1 6. ana - 1 7. uuorld - 1.5 8. fire - 1 9. uuell - 1 10. happening - 1.5 11. blouun - 1 12. uuire - 1 13. ztormy - 1 14. havalina - 1
A good Pixies record
If I was a Black Brit in my adolescence in the early 90s, I would bump Pixies. The album’s second half is so much better than the first half! Favorite Track: Stormy Weather
Meh probably not gonna return to this
I am mostly new to their music and probably need a bit more time to appreciate it. For now, I can hear why it was so influential at the time, but prefer the more developed later music from e.g. Nirvana. Or one of the other albums. Three stars.
++*: Is She Weird ++: Cecilia Ann, Rock Music, Allison, Dig for Fire, Down to the Well, The Happening, Stormy Weather, Havalina +: Ana, Blown Away, Hang Wire +-: Velouria, All Over the World 8,1/10
Right up there in my best pixies albums. Bangers from go to wo. Dig for fire is a fave
Enjoyed this album quite a bit. I think there's an alternate universe where I picked up these albums in my younger years and became a pixies fan. Listening now in 2025, I'm impressed with how this albums stands the test of time.
I liked the record but I didn't find it groundbreaking or particularly interesting, it's a nice Alt Rock album, doesn't overstay its welcome and doesn't really push too far away. It's very difficult not to compare it to Doolittle, which I liked much more as they were bolder and the music was overall more interesting. Despite this, it's not at all bad, a bit more laid back and straight forward than Doolittle. My favourite song was "Hang Wire".
Yeah, you just gave birth to grunge with Doolittle and toured relentlessly (for good or for bad) and become huge in the UK and Europe, but what have you done lately and, most importantly, how do you follow that? Pixies are, unfortunately, on the downward spiral here, its just beginning but the vibes are most definitely off. "Velouria" is a great song, perhaps my favourite Pixies song on any given day, but the rest is middling at best and tensions are rife.
5 étoiles. Ce n'est pas mon préféré des Pixies mais leurs 4 premiers albums méritent tous 5/5.
High energy, très punk. il y a aussi quelque chose de Nirvana dans Rock Music (Bleach est sorti l'année d'avant). C'est pas ce que je m'attendais, en connaissant seulement where is my mind et en pensant entendre de la bossa nova. Ana est excellent, Havalina aussi. Il y a vraiment une variété de saveurs différentes sur l'album. Plaisant dans l'ensemble pour un amateur de punk comme moi.
Bon rock des années 90, quoique un peu inégal si j’ose dire. On sent l’influence que ça a eu sur tout le reste du rock alternatif de la décennie! Je m’y retrouve pas mal Highlights: Is she weird, all over the world, dig for fire
The first two Pixies albums are so great and innovative. This album feels like a band quickly losing steam. Few standout songs, and some feel like weaker versions of one’s on the first two albums.
Fun, but somehow I was expecting more
Sure man
Meh. You can’t sing along to any of these songs they were all just kinda short and loud. Definitely very grungy but not the kinda grunge I like. I’m glad I listened to it cause I definitely wouldn’t have otherwise but as far as albums go this one ranks low for me
Not as much bossanova as I’d have expected. Still pretty dang good rock though. Lucky for pixies I don’t actually like bossanova all that much. 4 stars.
This album was refreshing from the garbage the generator has been feeding me for the last few days. So especially in comparison this album was fantastic. A wonderful listen undoubtedly. Actually I take that back, this is a great album regardless of by comparison or not, I was happy to listen to this album today multiple times. Good stuff from the Pixies.
I gotta be honest, I would have much preferred if this album were actually bossa nova. I hope there is even a single bossa nova album here instead of just more of the same white boy 80s-90s brit pop punk grunge. Because that's what this pixies album was to me - more of that fade-into-the-background spoilt rich white adolescent 90s brit grunge. Doolittle is already on this list and absolutely no more Pixies are permitted on the list.
No thoughts.
Enjoyable but not one of the 1001 you must listen to before you die
Good album. Not as good as the first couple though
Hørte på da mellom to andre jævlig gode album, så falt litt gjennom der. Men sikkert greit nok hvis man har hørt på dårlig musikk først. Litt lavt volum også
7,57
Pixies are the kings of the loud-quiet-loud song formula Fave song: Stormy Weather
c: velouria
I enjoyed this a good (kim) deal. I could see myself getting into it on repeat listens. I think at this stage of their career they were really encompassing the entire grunge sound that was about to explode.
I'm a huge pixies fan, but this isn't their best. I'm a bit surprised it's on this list to be honest.
Pretty damn good album. I like Black Francis' voice and the band is nice
Love this album. The happening is an all time favorite of mine.
I liked the first 2 songs more than I expected, unfortunately after that I got a little less excited. Overall it’s not bad and I can see why they were so influential in the alt/rock world. I guess I like their “harder” songs but am not as impressed with the slower and/or softer tracks. Solid 3 stars, not necessarily something I’m drawn to but also not something that actively pisses me off.
I mean, it's a Pixies album. It's going to be good. But, it's not their best album compared solely against other Pixies albums. Just put it on and enjoy it all over again. Then go listen to the rest of their albums
Not my favorites Pixies album by a long shot -- but still fine.
Got sauce
I really enjoyed Doolittle. By comparison Bossanova feels more polished and clinical and does not quite have the same energy/ joy. Still enjoyed it especially as listening at same time as Sebadoh which was a real struggle by comparison. Fav track Allison.
Bossanova I enjoyed Doolittle and its surfer alt rock, but I had heard a few songs from it previously. With Bossanova I was unaware of any of the tracks, and despite liking the album, I found it a bit underwhelming in comparison. Cecilia Ann is very good, it has some of the vibes of doolittle with a bit more wiry post punk too, reminding me a bit of Magazine. Allison is great too, as is Ana and Havalina. In fact the songs with girl’s names are probably the best tracks, they all highlight their undoubted melodic sense. I think Velouria is a girl's name too, and that fits nicely on that bucket too. And it also works well where they play a bit with rhythms and tempos and lean into the post punk vibe as on Dig for Fire and Stormy Weather. Where their proto-grunge and goth tendencies mix with their alt surfer vibes, like on Rock Show, Down to the Well or Hang Wire I find it less interesting and less memorable, putting me in mind of someone performatively wearing a big black hoody on a sunny day at the beach. Overall it’s a good listen, and similar to Doolittle you can see it’s influence on what came after with the quiet loud bit, although, aside from a few exceptions, I don’t think many of those subsequent bands can match their melodic skill. I think it’s a notch below Doolittle, although still good, so I’ll put it at a high 3. 🧚🧚🧚 Playlist submission: Allison
The more I listen, the more I love it. It's an incessant barrage of wailing to woozy bangers. Bossanova produces some of the highs of the Pixies' career. An unceasing tide of surreal alt-rock melodies, awash with the heavy reverb and delicious licks of a surf-rock guitar, set to ethereal vocal harmonies. And losing none of its unique edge. I see this as an evolution of their sound. A noirish beaut.
Standout Songs: Cecilia Ann Is She Weird Down to the Well Hang Wire Havalina The instruments on this album are so loud you can barely hear the singer’s voice half the time. After a while, it sort of all just blends together into… noise. It’s very in-your-face, with the exception of Havalina. I’m not saying it’s bad, I did enjoy it. I just don’t see myself coming back to it any time soon.
yay finally some 90s rockkk
Cecilia Ann starts the album off nicely. Is She Weird is very clearly a precursor to grunge. Did For Fire has some clear Talking Heads influence.
Awesome
I don't hate it. I just didn't think any of the songs were very good for me.
A high quality album, if less experimental and compelling than Debaser. Cop out review as I listened a few days ago, twice, but failed to take notes. Just vibes.
Totally caught off guard by how little I like this album and how much I wish I were listening to something else, lol. I'm sure there's a better mood for this or a more suited day but damn this just did not hit at all.
Pretty good, toook some time to warm up to it, but was pretty good.
4/5
erm this isnt bossanova what the freak????///?? really good but doolittle is far superior in comparison. still a very strong album tho. that second half is killer
The Pixies are a band I wish I liked more. They are that mix of alternative and punk, maybe a little touch of grunge, that I normally enjoy. Unfortunately they have never really clicked for me. The album was nice enough to listen to, but I can't imagine I'd listen to it again.
So clearly the granddaddy of so much that comes after it
I can’t quibble as it is band doing what they want to do and I like the commitment. Not their best album and for no real reason I can pinpoint, I would happily never listen to it again. It’s not bad, and while I can see no reason why it’s not my thing, after all it has all the right components, it’s just not my thing.
Not my favourite. Some songs are good but I don't like the loud blaring sounds.
I always want to call Pixies “The Pixies”. It seems there should be a “The” there right? Anyway, this is the first album of their’s that I’ve heard where I didn’t recognise any of the tracks. It sounded pretty much exactly how I’ve come to expect from their other music - very distorted, and fully of apathy. And that’s my favourite flavour of music. I enjoyed this a lot, although perhaps not as much as Doolittle or Surfer Rosa. Still a banging album though.
It's a fine album. I don't feel like it breaks any real new grounds and considering they have two other albums plus a solo album, this probably could have been left off.
Overall: 7/10 There's some really great moments on this album. Is She Weird and Velouria are two of my favourite Pixies songs. However, compared to the previous two albums they made, this one feels like a mixed bag of half finished ideas for the most part. The one thing I REALLY love about it is the surf rock feel of a lot of songs. These guys tend to use that sound a lot but it's amplified on this one. Santiago is clearly the MVP of this album as his guitar work keeps even the worst songs from going off the rails. I still think it's a great album and maybe I would like it more if it was the first album I heard from them, but it's impossible for me to not compare it to their best work. Fav Song: Is She Weird? Least Fav Song: All Over the World
Good, bad. Honestly decently vibes tho
This album was the epitome of dogshit and I never want to hear any of the songs from it again. None of it was unique, original, interesting, or just good quality in general. 0/5 terrible album. Actually gonna kms.
Idk not vibing with it Me no likey☹️👎
My group mates are smoking. This album is an absolute vibe. Rocks super hard with the instrumentation being fantastic.
Third best Pixies album, and a great listen
Solid 3.
I've heard Doolittle before and j enjoyed it. But I found this pretty boring 5/10
Yes please
The bit in 'Velouria' where Black Fancis starts screaming "MY VELOURIA" and the music mostly cuts out from underneath him is maybe my favourite section of music ever.
i was legiterally just listening to this album last week :O i was having such a moment with ‘the happening’ in particular. i LOVE kim’s bass and that swirly guitar that blends into her vocals during the chorus so they’re briefly indistinguishable (what is this phenomenon called?), it’s just so satisfying. and then the explosive percussion! in general i like the surf rock revival + grunge combination—when it works it REALLY works. i love the floppy-sounding bass. sometimes black francis’ voice is too screechy which is a shame…bring it down a notch frank… i listen to this record and i’m driving through the desert in my beat-up station wagon in the evening when the heat hasn’t yet receded into the night…the sky half on fire and half purple as a bruise… we will wade!! in the shine!! of the ever…!! we will wade!! in the tides!! of the summer…!! fav tracks: cecilia ann; velouria; ana; all over the world; dig for fire; down to the well; the happening; havalina
I enjoyed that a lot! really interesting sound and held my attention the whole time. the sound is strong but also beautiful a lot of the time and I appreciate that they achieved that balance. Fav tracks: Velouria, Dig for Fire, Down to the Well, Havalina
Good album. Diverse vocals and a cool musical style
Good
Innovative and "alternative" from back when the term still meant something. Beautiful music with just enough chaos to keep it interesting.
Generic boring 90s rock. Had a feeling that the album title was too good to be true, and it was.
Did really like this one and felt very fun, wasn’t my absolute favourite but still very nice. 4 stars
My favourite Pixies album. Brings back memories of university for me.
nice enough
Not in the mood for this
First day back after week off.
better than the last one. has some great songs. they are a bit loud for my taste but i liked some of them. velouria, ana, all over the world, dig for fire, stormy weather, havalina are ones i liked. others weren’t memorable for me. that is a good amount of songs there. i don’t know if i’d put them on to listen again but they are good songs.
Lots of great songs and same variation in crashing sounds. Does seem more mellow than typical mind. Love the album still and part of their appeal still exists in this. Even if more chilled.
Another good Pixies album. It has a simpler and a more mainstream pop/rock sound than Doolittle. More like Pixies just doing the basics really well. The recording is also really good, mixed so you can hear all the detail but still manages to retain a raw feel.
Stu I am laughing at your rating for Yes : ) this Pixies album .. uhhh.. not my fave I give them a 3 just for being them
It's the Pixies, and I could listen to them forever, and on this album, I'm particularly drawn to "Is She Weird". I hit repeat several times. Their voices, the lyrics, and the guitar sounds... It's a cacophony of bliss.
Has more good songs than I remember. I think at the time it was a bit of a letdown from the lofty heights of the firsr two albums. Not sure it covers any new terrain. Or if it covers any already covered terrain any better. It is 14 songs - new at the time - many of which are quite good. But here's the question - does it need to be on the list. There's already two on the list. They're not exactly evolving. They just recorded some new (at the time) songs and sent them out into the world. People listened and here we are. Does this album have anything to do with why people know who the Pixies in 2025. Perhaps a victim of their own success - it's a better album than most people will ever make but it doesn't really add to the legacy - other than adding color to the cover art. Maybe that's progress.
This band out of Boston has been around a long time, yet I don’t think I know them. Maybe because they are alternative rock. This album started out annoying but improved as it progressed. There are a few good songs here which boosted the rating from two to three stars.
Yay, a second Pixies album. Surely Doolittle has got to be on here too, then? I guess we'll see. Anyway, the fact that these songs are so short makes the frequent loudness (which would otherwise bother me immensely) palatable. I like that they have so many songs with girls' names. Just some good ol' 90s nostalgia. Highlights: 'Velouria', 'Is She Weird', 'Ana', 'All Over the World', 'Stormy Weather', 'Havalina'
Chill asf
Overall, a good middle-of-the-road Pixies record. Every individual track (except Rock Music) is strong but not anywhere near a masterpiece. The vocals are easily the limiting factor. The whole sound is produced a bit messily, but the vocals are done especially poorly, not doing the already-bad singer any favours. And the singer... well, he's bad. Untrained, often subtly out of tune, even a little whiny at times. And this was the 90s, when the fad of "unprofessional music sounds good" had started to phase out. As an example, try listening to Stormy Weather and pretending the vocals aren't there. It's a pretty good sound, right? Now add the vocals back in, and suddenly the whole ensemble sounds messy, unprofessional, unorganised. But other than the singing, it's really good. The instrumental is up there with pre-grunge legends from around the same time. I like the guitar and bass sounds; unlike the vocals, they're distorted in a tasteful manner. I want to give this album a 2-star rating but it's not quite bad enough. Is the song Rock Music meant to poke fun at rock music, or is it a serious, faithful rendition? It sounds terrible. And rock music (usually) doesn't. 3/5 Key tracks: Cecilia Ann, Is She Weird, Down To The Well
I like the more mellow songs
Solid. Not my absolute favorite by them but a really good album nonetheless.
The Pixies have some great songs. But they've never been for me. Not this album anyway.
Another one with Scorpio Energy, proper noun, but not necessarily my favorite
Not for me
This feels very situational for me. Like I probably would like it more in the car or in the background at a house party. ETA: I did in fact listen to the back half of this in the car and I did like it more!
Is she weird? Is she white? Is she promised to the night?
Couldn't get into it
Enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would. Enjoyed both the sound and singer on this one. Highlights: Cecilia Ann, Is She Weird, Ana, All Over the World Will return.
The floor for the Pixies' albums is at least above average. Great songs to start with, Rock Music might be my favourite in their discography yet. Very solid effort, this band is easily a significant milestone in music.
I don't want to sound too much like Grandpa Simpson yelling at clouds, but this just sounds like generic noise with variably melodic yelling.
Listened 3 times to figure out what I thought of this. Only really liked the final songs, the rest was just okay.
Good psychedelicrock vibes despite not being a peace of that genre
Good album. Last song was mad cool. Not many songs stuck out but overall as an album I enjoyed. Would re-listen
2 star, not memorable
Odd mix of beautiful and weird, usually simultaneously
The Pixies definitely have a loud sound and strange lyrics that make them interesting to listen to. In their bio it said they influenced bands like Radiohead and Weezer, which checks out. I liked the sound of it but also not my exact cup of tea. Very screechy and grating at times.
Cecilia Ann - yes. Rock Music - ew, no. Some of the songs have good energy, some don't really do much for me.
Awesome!
The Pixies' sound has always been a bit too busy for my taste. So much happening.
Was SO into the first song, I think because I don’t like the singer’s voice :/
I liked it. Some pretty good alternative rock to start the day.
Solid effort
Like an assault on my eardrums. Truly awful.
hazy and dope
Since I love Nirvana and Kurt often raved about these guys I expected a bit more. Good, but also a bit underwhelming.
good
Super fucking garbage
Can't believe I've never heard this before, and like that it clearly has 60s influences... but that is only a part of the sonic cornucopia, not the whole thing.
Very enjoyable - nothing crazy stand out it seemed on first listen, but definitely deserves another listen through with full attention to pick them out. I did love the sweetness of Havalina.
Every song has a uniqueness over the rest that keeps things fresh throughout but still keeps an overall vibe. I found a lot of the songs to be very chill besides a few, but I like a variety like that.
Fav: Velouria Least Fav: Is She Weird Believe this is the 3rd and final Pixies album on the list, and my conclusion is that they made a few great songs on otherwise ok albums. Most of the songs were pleasant enough but not memorable
Surprised me! I had heard Surfer Rosa and Doolittle and I remembered them being a bit noisy-like, caothic and raw records. I didn't quite like the songs apart from the hits (and probably that's why I gave up on The Pixies). Now, this album sounds way more mature, well-structured, and detail-worked. I really liked It! I think i'll stick to It for a while. It reminds me of so many bands i really enjoy: arctic monkeys, The Strokes, Muse... Come to my head repeatedly.
I prefer the last two albums, but this one is still great. 4.5
I'd better not like this bc they're playing in Leeds next month and I'm breaking the bank paying for gigs lately. Fucking good intro tho. Oh its a bit screamy. Oh no its good. Not really my usual bag but it's not so grungy as to be offputting. Is this pre-grunge actually. Okay I'm back from Wikipedia yeah that's probably why youre preferring it to most grunge mate it isn't grunge. Stop saying grunge. It is starting to fade into the background a bit ngl. Is it actually petering out or am I just losing interest idk. Hm a well organised album I'll say that. Not 100% my bag but i enjoyed it more than I thought I would, will probably listen again but won't go see them in Leeds in may which is the best outcome from this experience actually
Just not very interesting.
Not my favorite Pixies album but still a fun listen.
Beginning of the quash of Kim Deal's contributions, but still a solid album
This has some gooduns like “Dig for Fire” and “Velouria” but I was pretty bored with this album. Doolittle is one of my favorite albums of all time, I love Pixies, but this one feels lethargic. Maybe I’m missing some nuance, maybe this is why I realized I never listened to this album all the way through.
I really enjoyed about half of the tracks! I loved how silly and unserious parts of it felt and appreciated seeing their creativity throughout. I loved the weird instrumentation, I think my favorite was Ana or The Happening!
Is She Weird? Is She White? Is She Promised To The Night? 1001 Albums Generator 10 (04/16/2025) Made it to double digits, almost 1% done ;) Bossanova is the third studio album by Pixies, best known for their hit Where Is My Mind off their debut Surfer Rosa, famously featured in Fight Club, as well as their second album Doolittle, which is one of the most acclaimed indie and alt rock albums of the 90's. Bossanova, following these two critically acclaimed projects, had a lot to live up to. I had never heard this album, but I am familiar with Pixies' earlier work. In a lot of ways, this album is more of what I have come to love about this band: a grunge-y take on alternative indie rock, huge inter-song dynamic shifts, esoteric vocals and lyrics, and a touch of surfer rock. There are also some touches of psychedelia on songs like Ana and closer Havalina. Lead songwriter Frank Black AKA Black Francis shows some of his strangest songwriting I've heard from him on this album. 3-bar and 6-bar phrases abound, and chord progressions need not be functional here. The opening trio of songs is extremely strong. The first song, Cecilia Ann, is an instrumental surf punk song with great energy and guitar work. Rock Music is the most aggressive song on the album and features the first example on this album of something Pixies do a lot that I call "I can't believe it's not 4/4!". Normally the drums are playing as though the piece is in a standard 4/4, but the harmonic rhythm reveals that either we are actually in 6/4 or 10/4 or 14/4 or something. The chorus of Rock Music is in 6/4, but a passive listener might miss it; Black Francis just decided to have a three chord loop instead of a 4 chord loop. Velouria, the lead single, is an even more extreme example of this, as the chorus switches between 6/4 and 4/4, all while the drums stay relatively stagnant. It also has a theremin btw. Rock on. All Over The World and Dig For Fire feature really abstract lyricism, even for the band that wrote Monkey Gone To Heaven. Side note - I can't help but hear Daft Punk's Around The World during the chorus of All Over The World. I know they are drastically different, but the similar lyric and repetition just gets me. Anyway, both of these songs are quite good, with the former being the longest on the album and featuring the band's signature quiet-loud-quiet dynamic shifting. The latter is, by Black Franics' admission, their Talking Heads imitation (although it really doesn't sound like Talking Heads at all, except maybe in the second verse), and has one of my favorite examples of "I can't believe it's not 4/4!" on the album in the explosive chorus. After this, the album does falter in quality a bit for me. In spite of this album's short length, I did find myself checking my proverbial watch a bit by the time I got to Down To The Well on my first listen. On subsequent listens, it was easier, but there is some noticeable shift in quality in the second half. The Happening, the slower Stormy Weather, and Havalina (shout out to my home state Arizona) are all cool songs, so this isn't as egregious as yesterday's album, Fisherman's Blues, in this regard. Bossanova, Pixies' last really critically acclaimed record, is great, although not quite on the level as the two preceding it. I am happy that I listened to it and can say that I've completed the trifecta, but it really just made me want to go relisten to Doolittle. Gonna go do that rn. Overall, not bad at all, 4/5 Favs: Rock Music Velouria Is She Weird Least Fav: Hang Wire
Meh
Music to watch the X-Files go by. Probably not quite as good as Doolittle, but it’s a little less dark so I think I prefer it. The second half is slightly weaker, but it’s still got The Happening, my favourite song’s All Over The World
Absolutely fine.
Eh 2 screamy 4 me
I like the Pixies. Maybe not an inordinate amount, but enough to feel comfortable making that statement. I really appreciate what they're doing here. It's like if you put on waterproof eyeliner before your wetsuit. Problem is, I don't surf. 7.4/10 Favorite Song: Hang Wire
7/10 It is pretty good. Not generational or life changing. Nevertheless, a good album from a good band. Favorite song: Havalina
A Black Francis proto-solo album. I like Pixies, and I always have, but my favorite version of Pixies is one where the weirdness is still catchy. On Bossanova, it almost feels like Pixies are actively suppressing the catchy elements of these songs. In many ways, it’s my least favorite elements of Surfer Rosa (i.e. the white boi-ified Latin-inspired tracks) turned up to 11 and made to be as anti-commercial as possible while still being suitable to release under a major label. It’s good still, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not my favorite version of them. There are a lot of great moments here– some of the best in the band’s discography, even; “Velouria,” “Allison,” “Dig For Fire,” and “Hang Wire” all are a treat. But there’s just as many overblown moments that seem to be too engulfed in the spirit of post-punk for my taste. It’s no shock this is also a 4AD release, and that’s where I start to sign off, like on “Rock Music” or “The Happening.” What actually brings it down a notch, though, is how repetitive it sounds. So many of these songs just drone over the same riffs, the same lyrical line, the same idea. For how short many of these tracks are, they feel like they circle the drain for an eternity, and the longer cuts are even worse. Even songs I’m okay with like “Stormy Weather” just feel tired. And ultimately, that’s my main issue with Bossanova; it feels like a band on the brink of burning out. That drained energy takes what honestly might have been a soft 4-stars for me down a notch, because honestly, who on earth wants to listen to a band who’s bored with themselves? Overall, though, I think Bossanova is a less exhausting listen than Frank Black’s actual solo material, and what the rest of the band does add elevates Francis’ material from good to great in a lot of instances. My love for this band wants to win out here, and I do like a good portion of this record, but there’s just not enough for me to praise it in full, or even revisit it much after this.
Really dug this one, especially loved the goth surf rock vibe of Cecilia Ann. Rock Music is the only miss, the singer was a little too growly for me there.
falta una gran canción. No es su mejor lp
Sounds like the Pixies. They set the (excellent) template with Surfer Rosa, and it feels like they kept making the same album since, just with a little less energy.
Blimey. That kicked the shit out of Monday morning. I often overlook Bossanova in favour of Doolittle - clearly a mistake. They work well together as a pair. Velouria is a beast of a song, sweeping up and down the scale. But it's all about the bass for Pixies. BOOM.
I like the hits by the Pixies, but I can't say I'm too familiar with their other material. This one didn't leave much of an impression on me, other than the confirmation that there's significant similarities between some songs by Pixies and some by The Pillows, a band I really like. Which is to be expected, the Pillows has a song dedicated to Kim Deal, a member of Pixies.
Just a really good album from a great band that defined alt-rock. The three-song run Velouria, Allison and Is She Weird? is one of my favourite sections of just about any album ever and Dig for Fire has a great hook that lives in my head for days anytime I hear it. Maybe just shy of greatness.
Great album. Not as high on the list as Doolittle or Surfer Rosa, but they are a great band.
my first listen fsr lol, ig i just never felt the urgency with this one? but man its rly good huh FHJSHJFS. far less on the manic Attack than the previous two LPs, i thought maybe this was something like Mellower Pixies but its more like Dreamier Pixies...a bit more impressionist, a bit more unsure, fewer layers of abstraction inbetween u and the beauty at the heart of many of their tracks. a v interesting penultimate swing for their initial run all things considered and honestly just as loaded with front to back great Ideas For Songs as ive ever heard from them! some v enchanting cuts on here
83/1089 - I liked this one the best so far out of the Pixies albums on the list. Still not a fan of the main singer's voice and some chord changes seemed weird for the sake of being weird (lots of parallel shifts from major to minor that work fine theoretically but sound off-putting in execution) but I think I understand what they're about a bit better (granted this is the most mainstream sounding of their albums). I might re-listen to the other Pixies albums with this in mind at the end of this project.
Quite decent 4/5
Pixies, schmixies. I didn’t care for this. Annoying and noisy.
I'm writing this review a couple of days after I listened to the album, I remember thinking at the time that this album was like a Double Decker chocolate bar. A rocky bottom topped by a punky chewy top layer. But the tracks were a bit samey. And now a couple of days have passed I can't really remember a lot of the tracks.. so ...forgettable. On listening I thought I'd rate it a 4 but downgrading to a 3 because of... I've forgotten
Some guitar. Some quiet/LOUD dynamics. Some screaming. Of its time, and influential I suppose just not for me.
Much weirder than Doolittle but still pretty great. It can rock, it can funk, and it can hook, Black Francis can write a fun song. My favorite is probably Is She Weird, with other standouts being Allison, and Dig for Fire. Not quite the highs of some other albums but pretty great overall.
It was okay. Pixies just don't hit for me but it was not horrible.
I’ve never got the fuss about Pixies - I was into rock and metal at the birth of grunge and before, but out of all the early grunge bands and influences it was only Pearl Jam that I liked, although I have since discovered Bob Mould. This is ok, but absolutely inconsequential for me. I doubt I’ll ever spin it again.
not really my typical vibe but i enjoyed it enough
For me it borders between rock and punk in a way that feels a little lost at times. There were a couple glimpses of sound I liked but the rest just kind of existed to me. I guess this time (1990) would make sense to be on that edge of rock vs alternative in sound?
Luke warm first half but this is a builder. Registered to it straight after and it improved. Down to the well, the Happening, Havalima all fab
This album was what I wanted Psychocandy by the Jesus and Mary Chain to be, but that one sadly disappointed me. This one was enjoyable. I have loved “Havalina” for many years now and it was nice to finally listen to the whole album. I think I would rate this a high 3 or low 4, but I will give it the 4-star rating regardless
Lots of different sounds in one album, I like the musical themes they have going on.
I think you had to be there. What edge there may have been has smoothed over time and it just sounds samey now
Pixies are always a good time. This is fun! Not their best, but still solid.
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 5/5 Favs: The Happening, Ana, Rock Music
Four stars because of "Ana" :)
2,5/5 Tasaista taustamusaa.
Again a hard decision between two and three stars for me. Less screaming then on the two other Pixies-albums and therefore in total more listenable but I'm missing the hits. 2,5
Songs going in many different directions, and so do the vocals. Not keen..
Yo I used to love this album, I think at one point it was even my favorite Pixies album. Now that I've relistened to it I can definitively say that it isn't as good as "Doolittle" or "Surfer Rosa" but its still pretty damn good. "Velouria" is one of my favorite Pixies songs and has been since I first discovered the band back in high school. "Is She Weird" is another personal favorite. This is simply good music. As much as I enjoy "Trompe le monde" , this was the last great Pixies album which is too bad, but man what an insane run they had... Favorite track: Velouria
Like most Pixies albums, I can find some things I like. Here it's "Velouria" and the opener. But then I lose interest.
I think this was the first Pixies album I heard in full. At the time I thought it was only ok, I'd heard Dig for Fire and was hoping for more like that. I like the Pixies more now than I did then.
God damn Pixies rule
Not my cup of tea
Loved!
Great example of a complete album where the sum of it is better than the individual songs. Solid 4.5 for me but I'm going 4 since it isn't my favorite Pixies album.
Kannte bewusst nur "Where is my mind" und das ist nicht drauf :( Insg rockiger als ich dachte, aber nicht sooo meins
Odd, ugly and weird in the Best possible sense.. reminds of Mr. Bungles ‘California’. Kind of gives this Vibe between happyness and paranoia. Solid listen.
Once again, what is it about the Pixies? Mostly midtempo songs, basslines in eight notes, the melody sticking to the chord progression, the singing turning into aggressive shouting. Predictable and boring. Truely dreadful.
All day long this album is a 5 for me. Absolutely faultless from start to finish. Easily my favourite Pixies album too.
çok iyi rockandroll baby rock musicdeki metal dokunuşuda çok iyiydi nedense pixie diyince aklıma peri geliyor
Another fantastic Pixies album
great listen
A gap in my music knowledge. ROCK
Wasn't really a fan of this. Everything sounds just a little below average, especially the vocals. I know the Pixies were a huge founding influence in the punk/alt-rock scene and I've found some of their songs to be great but nothing found on this album. 4/10 (2/5)
Yeah I love this album. Probably Pixies at their most garage rocky. It's maybe my least favorite of their Surfer Rosa to Trompe le Monde run, but I think all four of those records are basically masterpieces. So I gotta go 5
This is my 1st time listening to a full Album of Pixies music (i know, I know, what took me so long?) I'm a fan of their music that made it on several influential Soundtracks (The Crow?)! _But a full album of their 'Sound' is a little much at times and sets off my tinnitus in my ear...I'm too old for this Punk Music..
This is the Pixies record that never really grabbed me. All the brio and egregious reverb usage of the Cult, the lyrical inscrutability of extreme metal band and the no-eye-contact of a band that might open for Kraftwerk. There are some great hooky numbers like "Hang Wire" and "Dig for Fire" and "Is She Weird" - the best Violent Femes song they never wrote - but I find myself skipping a lot of the rest.
The history of popular music is vast enough that there are few acts deserving of multiple entries in a list of 1,001 albums to listen to before you die. So it goes for the Beastie Boys, and so it goes with this album by the Pixies. Hadn't listened to this one in many years. It's a fine album, but it lacks some of the spontaneity and playfulness of previous albums like Doolittle or Surfer Rosa. And perhaps most importantly, it lacks Kim Deal, who was a key ingredient in this band.
This spoke to me in a way Doolittle just didn't. The noise felt more purposeful, not that noise has to be purposeful, it just felt like the noise had something to say. Also, Stormy Weather is silly-great, and now I want to figure out how to make a collection of all songs that are only six words long.
This one's pretty meh for me. I wish they subbed this with the Breeders on the 1,001 albums list. It's not a BAD early 90s indie record.
I played this so much back in the day. Is there even a filler track on here besides Stormy weather?
WTF? Not a single bossa nova tune on here. I feel a bit robbed. But what is on here is great, of course. Odd to have a second Pixies album already. 14 song is a lot. But in under 40 minutes, they're nice and short. Weird Wikipedia trivia about the recording of this album: "The three band members (while Kim stayed in the UK to record The Breeders album) lived in the Oakwood apartments (In LA), along with comic Garrett Morris and members of the band White Lion."
It’s not that good 1001 album worthy - no - 61/113
All time great
Solid enough work. Although it makes me uncool - I have never loved the Pixies. But I don’t dislike them either.
I appreciate that they were a huge influence on some of the biggest bands of the ’90s — interesting to hear, but not something I’ll put on intentionally. The Happening.
This is a good album. For the Pixies, I would call it "accesible".
Positively mediocre. 3/5
Overall a great alt rock album, with a bit of grunge and weirdness mixed in. Starts with a fun intro, before transitioning into a bunch of Catchy 90s alt rock like Velouria (which Weezer has a good cover of, even though I’m not usually a fan of covers), Allison, and All Over the World, with a couple of goth-tinged songs mixed in. The second half of the album wasn’t as memorable for me, but I think that’s just because there aren’t any weird/different songs to break things up. Most of the songs are great but not amazing on their own, so I think listening to them all together (with stuff like Is She Weird mixed in) made the experience better.
I loved the heavy metal surf rock instrumental opener and had high hopes for the rest. The next track 'Rock Music' also didn't disappoint, the singer screaming into the mic, heavy guitars. I didn't find this album as good overall as Surfer Rosa though. It's not as harsh and heavy, slightly more boring, straightforward and almost radio friendly. Much more of an indie sound. Though a quick flick through Surfer Rosa and actually they're more similar than I remember, and perhaps a full five stars for that album seems a little high. It's a mostly traditional rock record with noise and aggression sprinkled throughout.
was definitely good but not much stood out to me
i told my dad i would listen to the pixies for years and i don't think him or i thought it would be at this time or this record. like it though! funny i really like all the songs on here with women's names i like the production on this. very spacy :)
6.5 enjoyed it
Yeah fine, glad I can say I’ve listened to another Pixies album
Too much screaming and noise
Was disappointed by most of this album when it came out. Still a 4 but nowhere near as good as the first two albums.
My favourite Pixies album, the one that got me interested in their music
Decent. I dig the pixies.
Historically, this is not my brand of rock music but the genre has grown on me and this album may have something to do with that sentiment. Their songwriting has an undeniable individuality with some of the riffs just feel so instinctual. I enjoyed it and I feel like my score is low...