Reviews (page 8 of 13)
Nothing really to say about this other than it was ok.
Non l'ho finito ma è ok
I think I would have loved this if I had owned it in my teenage years. It's a solid album, but feels a little stale for me now as an adult.
i see why kurt was inspired, weird loud indie
Makes me stomp while I walk
Really think I need to spend some time on the Pixies. I think they would grow on me.
It feels like an indie / art rock band tried to make a grunge album. This has great continuity from one track to the next and would have probably been a killer set to hear live. As an overall product though I actually like the more hooky, pop oriented sound Pixies were famous for from Doolittle and Surfer Rosa.
I saw the Pixies on the 2011 leg of their Dolittle tour and that show is actually in my bottom 3 live experiences. There was little band chemistry, stage banter was non-existent, and there was just no energy in the room. Their playing was good, but I left feeling like I was better off just staying at home and listening to Dolittle on my own. Overall, it felt like no one wanted to be there and the whole experience soured me on the band; I haven't listened to them since that show. Well, 15 years later and I'm happy to be listening to the Pixies again. Bossanova is a solid indie/alt rock album with their classic surf rock twist. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to it this morning and am finally ready to dive back into this band.
Standard Picies album- punk and alternative sounds. Overall good, but no real standouts
Pretty good - grew on me. 3.25 Best Songs: All Over the World, The Happening
This was actually pretty enjoyable for the first half but I really can't get into albums were all of the songs are under 3/4 minutes. I need some more variety. Shame because I really liked a lot of the first half of this album but it kind of fell off.
Started off so strong and just didn't quite maintain the same energy to the end. Still, I found this a good listen and might come back to some of these songs.
Doolittle is my favourite Pixies album by some way, but this is a good listen and it was nice to revisit it. However it’s only getting a 3 from me - which feels a little harsh but I gave Doolittle 4 when that came up, and Bossanova ain’t no Doolittle.
Enjoyed without anything really standing out
Starts super strong then slowly wanes. Nice moments tho
This was OK.
I think this album helped solidify how I feel about this band, disappointed. I really like some of their tracks when they are trying to be innovative but then these are interspersed with one-minute wonders where it is just brash guitars and words shouted repetitively into the void. It’s like they can’t make up their mind who they want to be.
3- not my fav pixies album, although I do love them so so so much. Fav Song: Havalina is a long time fav
...
I don't think I'm the prime Pixies audience. There's some good tracks but the rest feels like naval-gazing.
Pretty cool riffs but I don't see myself listening to it often. Favourite track: Cecilia Ann
Noisy noisy. Unfortunately I listened to this while I was locked TF in at work and only remember the last song, which was quite nice. Favorite song: Havalina.
My second Pixies album and it was fine. This should be something I'd like a lot, but it just fell a bit flat, although I could appreciate it.
eita bossanova eu amo FAVS (top 3): is she weird, down to the well, the happening mençoes honrosas: cecilia ann, rock music, alison, all over the world, dig for fire, hang wire gente achei q ia ser um album de bossanova KKKKKK sla ne mas n era! a primeira metade bem ?? mas a segunda metade MUITO BOA!! as musicas sao muito curtinhas q me assustei um pouco quando acabavam mas enfim nota final: 3.5/5
Good driving music
klingt wie alles andere auch
good
Enjoyed this, probably my favorite out of all the Pixies albums I've listened to thus far
Can definitely understand why they're influential to a lot of my favorite bands of the 90s, but I prefer their influences
Ahhhh, I don´t know, I know it´s Pixies and I should love it. I love ost music from that time. But somehow I just diodn´t click. I like it, and I believe it´s good, but it just doesn´t do it for me.
Pretty good noisy, reverb-drenched indie rock, 7.5/10.
This was ok. Not my favorite recent rock album, but not bad either.
I like it, don't quite love it
I always feel like I should like The Pixies more than I do this comes real close to working for me but something still leaves me at a distance. Like, I like it but something is preventing me from loving it
didn't like this as much as i expected to given how much i liked Kim Deal solo album
Few songs I love on here and there are a few that I don't think are that good. I'm sorry Pixies... Some of these could have used some more cooking...........
Average Pixies
really liked the happening beginning was a 3 but its getting better.
A definite step down from their classics, but a fun listen nonetheless
Prima album voor een keertje, maar niet iets wat ik nog snel een keer zou opzetten, met uitzondering van de banger 'Black Hole Sun'.
Leider nichts so catchy, dass man es sofort wieder anmachen will bis auf „Dig for Fire“. Aber auch nicht schlecht.
This is the last of the run of great/good pixies albums. Velocity possibly their best song. However the rest of the album plods rather than thuds. All of their best work done earlier in their careers possibly.
Ya like indie music?
Fun
Acabo o álbum sem nenhum destaque, o que não tem de ser necessariamente uma coisa má. São 39 minutos que se ouvem bem, não achei um grande álbum que me dê vontade de voltar a ouvir, mas ouve-se muito bem! Sinto que os Pixies podiam ser uma das melhores bandas de Shoegaze (têm essa vibe), mas seguiram pelo caminho do Rock alternativo e também o fizeram bem!
cool
Another one where I didn’t know what to expect. First two songs were a one two punch, the rest of it was just kind of meh. Might not revisit this one any time soon, maybe with more Pixies context
cool i guess, probably wont ever listen to it again but its was very ok
I don’t like rock and that type of music, but in general it was alright
Solid 90s rock
Solid album, rewards multiple listens, comfortingly familiar.
Just not that interesting of an album
Cecilia Ann - 9/10. Älskar i princip allt med låten Rock Music - 7/10. Ingenting speciellt egentligen, men jag gillar det ändå Velouria - 6,5/10. Bra, riktigt visuell för mig, men ingenting särskilt egentligen. Definitivt bättre än okej. Allison - 7,5/10. Kort och koncist, men ändå bättre än jag förväntade mig- Is She Weird - 6/10. Absolut bra, en sådan låt som kan fastna i huvudet i flera timmar, men jag vet inte om jag skulle sätta på den självmant så ofta. Ana - 9,5/10. Tror detta kan bli en favorit. Älskar rösten, trummorna, melodin, gitarren. ALLT. Men jag önskar den var längre. All Over the World - 5/10. Inte det bästa jag hört, men inte dåligt heller. Skulle inte bli arg om någon satte på den. Dig for Fire - 5,5/10. Bättre än den förra men inte lika bra som de andra låtarna på albumet. Down To The Well - 7/10. Simpel men jag gillar den. The Happening - 7/10. Jag skulle ge den 5/10 först, men bryggan höjde den. Blown Away - 5/10. Ingenting speciellt men inte dålig- Hand Wire - 7/10. Förvånansvärt bra. Repetitiv men det är okej. Stormy Weather - 6/10. Helt okej men ingen märk värt. Havalina - 7,5/10. Bra, men skulle nog inte sätta på den själv. Den första halvan var definitivt bättre än den andra. Det känns som att allt blev ganska tråkigt i slutet. Min favorit är definitivt Ana, och den jag gillar minst är All Over The World. Helhetsbetygssättning: 6.8/10
A good album also if I didn’t really like the genre it is not my favourite but in reality the songs are also different one from another they are sperimental. Liked some songs like Havalina and Cecilia Ann. The first song of the album feels like a movie soundtrack really cool.
It took me a while to get the Pixies. For a long time (besides Where Is My Mind and Debaser), their off-kilter approach to songwriting and structure turned me off. That or Frank Black's (Black Francis'?) screams terrified me then. Then one day, I kept trying and trying and it paid off when Doolittle clicked for me. Soon enough, Surfer Rosa clicked as well and now the hype for the first two Pixies albums that I had heard about through other mediums made sense. Sidenote: Surfer Rosa is name dropped on OK-GO's Here It Goes Again, Where Is My Mind is famously used in Fight Club and Paul Rudd goes on a fan-boy moment during This Is 40. Anyways, Bossanova wasn't as familiar with me, so this was a complete blind listen. My verdict after two listens is that the strongest material lands either in the singles (Velouria, Dig For Fire) or the late stages (Blown Away, The Happening). Between that, there's a lot of ehh stuff that feels either too short or too insignificant. I know this is good by Pixies standards, but compared to what I know, it's simply inferior. They sound like a band having a good time on the other albums, but on this one, I can't help but feel like they're reduced to another music industry act. Maybe that's an insult, but I don't know, it's just from what I hear (6/10, 3/5 on this scale).
Nunca había escuchado este grupo, rockerito de los 90. La canción de Velouria mola mucho.
Second Pixies Album in five days. Enjoyed in more than Surfer Rosa on average, but every song started to sound the same after about the fifth track. So the highs of Surfer Rosa are more appealing to me and the lows of Bossanova are not as discordant as those on Surfer Rosa but I still feel like I’m missing the context of what makes the Pixies so important and influential.
It was more rocky than bossanova, i’m okay with it
Not a ton to say Seems like a weird choice for a pixies album to include, but I'm not sure what the list criteria is. Surprisingly samey for such a unique band. I think this was their second last record and you can kinda hear the exhaustion. Still a fun listen and some great tracks on it. I feel like Kim deal could have gotten some songs on this thing.
Nice record that has some pretty surprisingly heavy moments. I guess I didn't realize that the Pixies got that heavy. I like how dynamic the album can get, it makes it feel pretty fresh as you listen throughout it. Overall a 3 ish for me. Cool album art, definitely very 90's. The bossanova mole in the top right is particularly interesting haha.
3.5
ну примерно этого от пискей и ожидала, может чуть меньше ора, но довольно эклектично
mag ich
I really like to Pixies, this album had some great stuff, and some less good stuff, to be generous. Not bad at all, but not worth more than a 3 in my opinion.
Fairly listenable despite not really being my thing. Would listen again.
Eerste twee nummers vrij vreselijk, daarna ouderwetse rock en vond ik eigenlijk nog best aardig
Don’t mind this at all, especially the second half
Meh Fave track: Velouria
Doolittle better. 3/5
Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Is She Weird, Dig For Fire Second Pixies album on the List. For whatever reason, this felt less experimental than Surfer Rosa, and consequently more approachable; more refined, but still quite out there at times. The album opens with like a surfer rock song, but then the immediately next song is almost screamo rock music called... Rock Music. Three of the songs are named after women, at least. Velouria and Havalina could very well be too. On closer inspection of some of the tracks, I am left with an impression of: This reminds me a ton like the Smashing Pumpkins, both in the quality of the music, but especially because of the almost poetic quality of the lyrics. I think I gave Surfer Rosa a 4. I think that album is more likely a 3, but Where Is My Mind? elevates it to a 4. I think I like this album more than Surfer Rosa due to it being more refined, but it simply doesn't have that killer track on it.
There is a definite spaciness to this album due in large part to the bright guitar playing. Bossanova upholds the melodic qualities of Doolittle while forgoing the claustrophobia and abrasiveness. To follow such a masterpiece would be no easy feat, but I think they did a decent job here. I enjoy the overall soundscape of Pixies, so I can’t complain. Maybe it’ll grow on me with time.
Less cacophonic than 'Surfer Rosa' but still pretty gristly. While there was only one song I found keepable on the former, this album at least has a few decent tracks (all be them still slathered in more noise than is necessary). This feels like a 3 to me. Less so as a statement of neutrality, and more as a net sum of the elements I genuinely enjoy brought down by the unfortunate noise rock, which I flatly hate.
Better than Coldplay
Bossanova pixies A instrumental/20 B 15/20 C 11/20 D 13/20 E 12/20 F 10/20 G 11/20 H 11/20 I 14/20 J 10/20 K 11/20 L 11/20 M 9/20 N 8/20 Album 11,23/20 3 stars
Missed it the first go round and found it heart pumping and fun!
There may be more Pixies albums on this list than there are Bossa Nova records. I guess it’s interesting to hear how different all of their albums are from eachother, but I’m not convinced we need this many. For a band that inspired Nirvana so much, this is a decidedly non-grunge album for them to put out in 1990. I think that helps demonstrate how eclectic the Pixies catalog really is.
I haven't heard this one before, but I've listened to Surfer Rosa and Doolittle a few times. Was really hoping this was their "disco" album, but alas, it's just more of the same.
Pretty boring, nothing special. I guess I just don't get Pixies
I was familiar with the Pixies but had never really sat down and listened to one of their albums before this. It was an interesting listen, and I can hear why they were such a big influence on a lot of bands that came after them. The whole thing has this grungy, slightly weird sound that feels like it’s sitting right between alternative rock and what would later turn into full-on grunge. Some cool moments for sure, but nothing that totally hooked me.
Was alright didn't get to listen to it properly
Pixies: Bossanova On Bossanova, the Pixies trade their underground grit for a sprawling, celestial surf-rock ambition. It is a record of stark contrasts, leaning heavily into a sci-fi aesthetic that feels both extraterrestrial and sun-bleached. The album shines brightest when Black Francis leans into melody; tracks like "Velouria" and "Dig for Fire" showcase a band mastering the art of the "shimmering" alternative anthem, while the closing atmospheric drift of "Havalina" proves they can handle subtlety with grace. However, the listening experience is occasionally interrupted by the band’s penchant for sonic aggression. For those less inclined toward the abrasive side of heavy rock, tracks like "Rock Music" can feel like a jarring detour, bordering on the overwhelming. While these moments represent the band’s punk roots, they sometimes sit at odds with the "space-age" polish of the rest of the production. Despite these moments of friction, the production remains remarkably consistent, successfully anchoring the album’s eccentric themes in a cohesive, high-fidelity soundscape. It’s a solid, if occasionally turbulent, voyage through the stars.
Really like its sound, weak point is it felt repetitive after a while. Thank you for is she weird 🙏. 3.5/5
It's...fine. Nowhere near as good as their first two, but then again Surfer Rosa and Doolittle are bonafide classics. Velouria and All Over the World are my favourites.
Like it
Fun, varied, heavy- good stuff!
Well, this is different than Surfer Rosa. Sometimes I think I like it more, other times I feel it hits different but in a generally similar intensity. A little more melodic I guess. I'm glad I heard it but I might never put it on again. 3.1/5
Bättre än förra Pixies-albumet vi fick till oss. Låter ibland som en dyster version av surf-rock. FLera fina låtar och några mindre bra. Is She Weird blir nästan som ett barnrim. Dig for Fire är inte heller någon höjdare. Annars tycker jag det håller en bra nivå.
Back in the day I checked out on the Pixies after "Doolittle". Most likely due to my late twenties hipster tendencies, once they had a hit they couldn't possibly be cool anymore. Listening to this today the songs don't grab me the way those first two albums did, but now I'm quite a bit older so things hit differently these days. It's alright, still very Pixies and off-kilter at just the right moments.
okay i didn’t like it at first but then i kind of came around with the later half of the album. dig for fire is good
Not as good as dolittle
I was not maybe in the right frame to hear this today. I liked about 3 songs and found the rest pretty annoying
favorite tracks: velouria ana all over the world
Nice vibe.
Velouria, Is She Weird, Dig for Fire rest is ok but not spectacular like the rest of their albums.
It was ok. Pixies are one of those bands where a little goes a long way. No one track jumped out as being exceptional, and none were particularly egregious. 3/5
𝘉𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢 leans heavily into atmosphere and texture, drifting between surf-inspired guitar lines, sci-fi imagery and loud-quiet dynamics. The songs feel looser and more spacious, often prioritizing mood over sharp hooks or clear payoffs. That approach gives the album a distinctive character, but it also makes parts of it feel unfocused, with tracks blurring together rather than standing out individually. There’s plenty of style and confidence on display, yet the overall experience stays interesting without becoming fully gripping.
This album really grew on me fast. At first I wasn’t so sure about it, but by my second listen I was pretty hooked. It’s not quite as great as the last pixies album I got that had the fight club song on it, but I’d say this album had other things going for it that I liked. My only problem is that for every song I really loved like Allison, or Hang wire there were songs that I didn’t care for and didn’t find memorable at all. Definitely a solid album, but not perfect.
This was ok but I don’t think I’ll be rushing back to it.
Not my favorite Pixies album
Not my jam. I probably should like the Pixies, but I just can't find a consistency or reason to latch onto them. Pitchfork: 9.1 Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs
Some good songs, some screaming I didn’t vibe with
Seemed fine, probably will like it more on more listens. high 2.5
Did not excite.
Pretty neat. I wasn't familiar with the Pixies non-hits, but this felt right at home.
Better than their Surfa Rosa album. More focused, better production. Still hit or miss for me.
Sounds great, loved rock and roll, not as catchy or maybe distinctive as the others. Glad to have a pretty comprehensive view of The Pixies now, will prob take some time with this one.
Könnte gut sein, wird aber auf Dauer anstrengend, weil alle Songs sehr ähnlich sind. Dadurch fühlt sich das Album länger an, als es ist. Hätte aber Potential gehabt.
Decent but far from the best the Pixies have to offer. 6/10
Listenable.
I absolutely love the Pixies. I am not a big fan of this album. It sounds like a band trying to sound like the Pixies. This album was the beginning of the end.
Good but needs more listens
It’s decent but I prefer Surfer Rosa and Doolittle over this one.
I love picies but this album was not good
3.......ALISSON!!!!
I appreciate what they are doing. Surprised at how 80s it sounds. For being such an indie influence the tone is not what I expected. Know I’m supposed to like this more
Alright
Good!
didn’t get to finish it all but there were some bangers for sure
didn't listen to this at the time, would probably have nostalgia love for it if i had. it's quite good. 3.5
Good album. Nothing mind blowing but an overall solid album. 3/5 Might listen again
I wouldn't call it bad but it doesn't really click with me.
No idea what they're on about but enjoyed trying to find out.
Only knowing where is your mind, I had the wrong idea about pixies. That's definitely them at their best, but I'm glad I stuck this out. Improved as it went along and a thoroughly decent "weird rock" entry.
Meio qualquer coisa. Pixies é dessas bandas que são adoradas pelas pessoas do meio e que eu, particularmente, nunca entendi muito bem o apelo – principalmente do Doolittle. Infelizmente o caso do Bossanova é o mesmo.
about what I thought it would be
Solid
I've listened to this album several times and I liked it every time. It is a very consistent alternative record from the 90's. I liked the weird melodies, the pleasant singing, the screams that sounds like a cat, the overall catchiness. Basically, there is nothing here that I can say that I actively disliked. However, I don't see myself returning to it. For all that I liked, I am not having the rewarding feelings I should get, and that by itself is kind of disappointing, not the album, but me. I am disappointed in myself for not enjoying it as much as I should, because I think this should be right up my alley. Consider this a very high 3 stars rating.
Patchy, not their best.
Not bad
I wish the Pixies landed as hard for me as they do for so many others, including many of my best friends. Oh well.
Is it weird that I can hear Zoe?
Not bad, not exciting me though
szczerze nic nie pamiętam z tego albumu ale nie był najgorszy
Happy that I listened. Not sure if I ever will again.
A high 2.5 for me. Nothing really stood out, but I didn't hate it either. It absolutely wasn't what I expected when I saw "Bossanova" as the album name, but it was pretty much what I expected once I realized it was the Pixies.
This isn't the best Pixies album by any stretch...
Surfer Rosa is better (and so is Doolittle)
Great
a good vibe although different from stuff I already knew by them
Ehh. It's not a bad album, but unfortunately it lives in the shadow of Pixies' first two albums. Still some enjoyable alt-rock on here.
I get why it has fans but it ain't me
I like when things are named simply and accurately; therefore the track "Rock music" is great. The album "Bossanova" is a lie though.
On a pure enjoyment level I might rate it higher than this, but it definitely is not an influential or genre-defining album. Just more of the same from Pixies.
Solid rock album from 1990. I didn’t find any tracks really stood out to me. I won’t go listen to it again, but it was fine for what it was.
It’s okay just didn’t really leave a mark on me
I don’t get it
Easy listening.
Ihan ok. 2,5/5.
It was okay.
It was okay. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t my favorite
Good album and worth listening to. But not the Pixies best.
A decent guitar band, but can see why they didn’t set the world alight
Not my thing
Love the instrumentals but find myself put off by the vocals
I've never listened to this album (37). Starts great, but it gets a bit forgettable.
Ikke den beste fra Pixies. "Velouria" er en favoritt dog.
It was ok
common pixies w
This is the third Pixies album I’ve gotten, and unfortunately I just don’t get the hype. I just can’t get myself in the mindset of the people whole love this band. It was fine
Interesting listen. In the end I had to rate each song and average them to decide how to rate it. Track 1 - Cecelia Ann - I dig this instrumental 4/5 Track 2 - Rock Music - “your mouth’s a mile away” shouted 30 times. 1/5 Track 3 - Velouria - melodic. I Like the spelling melody 4/5 Track 4 - Allison - a lot of name songs. 3/5 Track 5 - is She Weird? - great opening guitar tones. The rest Meh. 3/5 Track 6 - Ana - another girl name song! Guitar opening great again. 3/5 Track 7 - All Over the World - catchy. 4/5 Track 8 - Dig for Fire - talky start - I like his whiny voice and the driving drums and her harmonizing - to me this is classic Pixies - 4/5 Track 9 - Down to the Well - Betty. Fine. - 3/5 Track 10 - The Happening - like this opening, bopping beat - about aliens! Best song on here 4.5/5 Track 11 - Blown Away - it’s fine 3/5 Track 12 - Hang Wire - haiku! 3/5 Track 13 - Stormy Weather - repetition - pretty melody 3/5 Track 14 - Havalina - repetition - a band who got them stoned in Texas. Pretty melody. 3/5 Overall: 3.25/5
i can see myself going back to it probably, quite a vibe
3.4/okay so this is what the cool alt girls at NYU are listening to
Does this band have any good songs?
This ok
not bad!
I'm digging for fire!
Another pixies? Maybe is should be calmed 'indecisive critics argue over their favourite bands'. Pixies is a great band. But like most acts one is enough.
me cuestan un poco ls pixies aunque entiendo su relevancia
This was pretty fun! I liked Velouria and Stormy weather a lot. Everything else kinda bled together.
Good blend of rock and atmospheric sound. It's nice to have a short album in the mix with many of the epic 2-disc anthologies on lists like this.
Never got into the Pixes, but I appreciated them much more on this listen. I think it's a little too late for me to really get into them, but I've added this to my library. Will plan to revisit.
It overall was a good album. Very grunge-alt tempo and feel to the album.
Shoulda picked Surfer Rosa. This album is fine and has more than a few Pixies twists and derangements. Just not enough. The songs have a real samey chugga chugga sound. Feels like they’re not fully into it? Still a notch above standard indie rock.
I like the Pixies, but this isn't their best album. It's fine, just, there's better.
Just ok. Nothing great here. Loved the way it started but this album doesn't carry the energy from the start through to the end. An uneven album for sure.
3/5
Not something I would seek out on my own, but it was cool!
Not their worst. It's just a Pixies album, they all sound broadly the same. Less punky and unpleasant to listen to than their early stuff, at least.
I like the Pixies but not so much this album. Has some good tracks and you can see their influences, and yhe influence they would have. But its no master piece from them
Here we have the Pixies doing their usual thing, but with less of the fun and that weird charm they nailed on Surfer Rosa and Doolittle. The riffs are familiar, but the energy's muted. There are some standouts, though—“Velouria” has a cool surf guitar vibe, “Allison” is a sprightly piece of new wave with some sweet bass work, and “Dig for Fire” is a bit of a funky surprise, with the verses carrying a groove that’s almost Talking Heads-esque, before it bursts into a catchy pop chorus. But for all its sci-fi surf-rock aspirations and space-age polish, Bossanova often feels like it's coasting on past momentum. Black Francis still yelps and screams with conviction, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squiggles and snarls, but the spontaneity feels calculated, the weirdness more aesthetic than essential. It’s as if they’re aiming for atmosphere over impact, which makes for a record that sounds good in theory but rarely grabs you by the collar. You don’t mind it while it’s on—but when it’s over, you’re not sure it ever really landed.
Some good tracks but Doolittle is still my favourite album
This album kicks off strong with “Cecilia Ann,” a track that had me hoping the rest would ride that same wave. Unfortunately, the second song derailed it for me. The vocals just didn’t land and pulled me out of it. “Velouria” managed to bring the energy back, but after that things started to blur together. It’s fun, and there are definite highs, but too much of it fades into the background. Solid, not stellar. 7.5/10.
Not their best
Rather than a concept album, this felt like an album of concepts. Half-finished song ideas weaved among a few complete thoughts. Very basic lyrics suggesting that not much time was invested in their polishing. It's a great vibe overall: I felt like I was listening to snippets of transmissions from a cosmic radio station. I just wish they had leaned harder into that concept (add static, channel changes, etc.) to pull the album together. Interested to hear their canonical best (which this was not because it barely included Kim Deal's contributions and was allegedly a rushed product). Sleeper keeper: Down to the Well
I wanted to like this more than I did. They know how to put out great beats and licks on this album, but I can never twig to their lyrical style. Great for those that like that sort of thing, but just not my style. I give them credit for producing a very tight and cogent album, however.
Bossanova ist kein Album, das man "im Hintergrund" laufen lässt, es sei denn, man möchte beim Abwasch ständig das Gefühl haben, dass die Waschmaschine gerade den Geist aufgibt. Es ist definitiv ein Beweis dafür, dass intelligente Frauen fluchen (ich habe innerlich ein paar neue Wörter gelernt), denn es ist intelligenter Lärm. Ich verstehe, warum Musiker es lieben, aber für mich war es eine Reise, die am besten mit dem Satz "wenigstens ist es jetzt vorbei" endet. P.S. Ich freue mich schon auf das nächste Mal, wenn mich jemand zwingt, eine Stunde lang Free Jazz zu hören... hihihihi...
Today I came to the sad realization that the Pixies is not a band made up of lesbians
7/10
some bops but mostly meh
like a deez nuts joke
I was a bit surprised that this was the first Pixies album to turn up, mostly because I'm no Pixies expert, but the songs I know and love are from their debut album. I liked this but possibly less than I thought I might. The Pixies influence on the music that came later cannot be underestimated, but that genre has never really been my favourite, so I don't have quite the reverence for it than many grunge fans likely would. An album I certainly wouldn't turn off if it started playing, but one I may not return to on purpose. 3/5
Good, but nothing special. 3.5 stars
Pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty good Pixies album. You don’t have the all-timer, iconic, essential Pixies songs like Where Is My Mind?, Monkey Gone To Heaven or Gigantic but a couple o nice ones maybe with Velouria and Dig For Fire. Opener Cecelia Ann is pretty boss actually and a cover of a fake Surf instrumental cowritten by Steve Hoffman of Steve Hoffman Forums fame. Rock Music a bit of a severe stinky ear-stabby shrieker in the second hole and the tracks towards the end are very forgettable. It’s not the best inclusion for the 1001 list but at least it isn’t Teenager Of The Year.
This one is somewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me. I enjoyed it but didn't love it.
Wasn't really for me. I liked a few songs but couldn't really get into it.
This isn't the Pixies album I'd expect to see here. But maybe that is why it is on the list: to shed light on an otherwise overlooked album. It's good but there are others I'd gravitate to for repeat listens.
Not a very memorable Rock album, clearly has some good songs but underwhelming overall 3/5
Eh, I'm hit or miss with the pixies. Overall not bad! Good album to hear start to finish, but not like, genre defining great to me.
Fine. Nothing bad but nothing super impressive, either. I still like The Breeders better.
Meh
i really like the pixies sound and although i don’t think this is their strongest album it was still fun to listen to
Decent. Few good songs and a few not so good
I'm not a big Oixies fan. I find it too low energy.
Overall, not a bad album, a bit rock-y 90s sounding, it was alright having it in the background. I was wondering what the popular Pixie song was, that I knew, but that is not in this album (Where Is My Mind?). There are moments when things are a bit harsh, but nothing too bad, as it was overal pretty chill and relatively enjoyable even, I would say.
Not the biggest Pixies fan myself. but I liked this album. Had some great songs Decent 7
OK
Light punk rock. Almost vruge. Fun to listen to, but not a mainstay.
Serviceable.
I appreciate the cranked up and out surf rock vibe and none of the songs are bad by any means. Just so boring compared to their 80s records which I'm even a little bit unsure of how I will rate them upon a long overdue revisit. Would certainly rather have an entry for the Breeders before this album. "Dig for Fire" is the standout track. Sadly, I think every song they released before this album is better than that one. Track ratings average out at about 3.5 but the sum of the parts is not greater...
Pretty heavy for a band called Pixies
Day 3 - Was pleasantly surprised with this one, I never hear this album discussed when it comes to Pixies discography, the spotlight is typically given to Doolittle and Surfer Rosa, because of that I didn't have the highest expectations going into this one. I enjoyed my first listen of this album, it perfectly balanced sounding like Pixies earlier works, and trying something new. It's clear to see that this album would help become a major inspiration of the grunge sound of the 90's.
- Bwa, zeer matig. - 0 nummers toegevoegd aan MMMM
Not quite as interesting or dynamic as Doolittle, but still solid
I've never heard a Pixies album in full before. I only knew a few songs here and there (the famous ones). They were OK, but not really my kind of music. However, they are still a lot closer to what I actually like than some of the previous entries of this project. The album started out worryingly for me: I had to wait a full three songs to hear something I associated with Pixies. That hair metal opening song was a real doozy and the thundering 80s drums in the second one were also a major turn-off. That drum sound is something I actually had to force myself to tolerate in order to start getting into 80s music (The Cure, R.E.M., later albums of Blondie, etc.) and it still keeps me from enjoying most of the 80s albums that otherwise contain good music. Having said that, in the end this album actually grew on me. I liked it more and more as it went along. It's definitely not "have to have on vinyl" category, but I hear a ton of later bands I like in there that were clearly influenced by Pixies and I'll probably listen to it more. And I'll DEFINITELY go back to check out their other albums. Also, I 100% agree with Jon on Kim/Breeders > Frank/Pixies :)
I want to like this more but, for the Pixies, it's just fine. It isn't quite able to recapture the magic. (3.5)
Not a big fan but I liked a few songs and will listen to a few of their other albums b4 I make a decision on them !
Give it follows Doolittle, I think one of the more under rated Pixies records.. It has a different vibe than the first couple. I think Frank shines and you can tell he took control of the songwriting on this one, which for me is a good thing. What makes this special are the tracks like Allison, Dig For Fire and Havalina, which are so different than anything they’d previously done
This album is good, but not great. It never quite reaches the heights of their earlier records. The opener hooked me instantly with its repurposed surf-rock vibe, followed by a track that channels the intensity of ’90s alt classics, and then my personal favorite: the song that captures Frank and Kim interacting at their best here. Beyond that strong start, there are still enjoyable moments, especially in some of Frank’s guitar work scattered throughout, but overall the quality drops a notch for me. A look at the song credits makes the reason clear: Kim has no writing credits here, and her reduced vocal presence compared to earlier albums is hard to miss. Whether that absence stemmed from the well-documented tensions on the previous tour or simply because Kim was busy writing and co-writing every track on the Breeders first album released the same year, this record is very much a Frank project. Frank and Kim are both musical geniuses, but for me Kim > Frank. Kim’s contributions and presence are what could have elevated this album from good to great, but her impact is unfortunately missing.
This is quite a short album and I was able to listen to it more than once. It got more enjoyable with each listen. Will likely come back to this one.
Nice album to zone out to (in a good way!) All over the world is a stand out
Pretty cool album gets the Cobra seal of approval
Not my piece of cake. Although I enjoyed some songs, I find them pretty unpolished in a bad way.
IS SHE WEIRD? IS SHE WHITE? IS SHE PROMISED TO THE NIGHT
Fine for the pixies.
2.5 stars
25/08/2025 Much of a muchness here. Boring in places, good in others. Spotify listeners: 9.8 million
Definitivt bra men inte peak Pixies
Överlag rätt najs, börjar riktigt starkt men tappar lite mot slutet. Hade kunnat vara högre betyg annars, men jag fattar verkligen deras inflytande.
Blandad påse. Överlag rätt nice sound, men lite "stökigt" för att vara det hela vägen igenom.
so bored
Fun album
Ще один альбом з цікавими піснями, які мене не чіпляють
People love the Pixies. I like them.
I thought I was going to like this more than I did. :\
Die Pixies aus Boston veröffentlichten 1990 ihr drittes Studioalbum Bossanova. Aufgenommen wurde es überwiegend in den Master Control Studios in Burbank, Kalifornien. Im Vergleich zu den Vorgängern rückt das Album stärker in Richtung Surf- und Space-Rock, ohne die kantige Indie-Note der Band aufzugeben. Auffällig ist die klare, teilweise glatte Produktion, die den rauen Charakter von Surfer Rosa oder Doolittle zurücknimmt und mehr atmosphärische Weite schafft. Die Texte von Black Francis bewegen sich zwischen surrealen Fragmenten, Science-Fiction-Anspielungen und Alltagsbeobachtungen. Kim Deal steuert wie gewohnt Bass und Gesang bei, David Lovering und Joey Santiago runden das Bild rhythmisch und klanglich ab. Trotz dieser Geschlossenheit wirkte Bossanova auf manche Hörer weniger explosiv als die frühen Werke, fand aber schnell Anerkennung im britischen und amerikanischen Musikjournalismus. Insgesamt markiert das Album eine Phase der stilistischen Neuorientierung: weniger Punk-Energie, dafür ein dichter, schwebender Sound. Für die Entwicklung des Alternative Rock bleibt es ein wichtiger, wenn auch nicht unumstrittener Baustein.
The Pixies just don’t do it for me
different fun their last, but still fun
idk man the pixies just dont do it for me.
nothing caught my attention quite much, probably not revisiting
I had never heard this one, which is odd, but I can see why. There is nothing that this one does that the earlier albums don't do better. Now I really wish I'd given Surfer Rosa a 5, as Doolittle is a solid 4 and this is a 3.
Cecilia Ann, what an opener. Feels like the intro to a western movie, but put it in space. Its a fast album, with short songs. Velouria is great, i love how it goes between heaviness and quiet throughout. Used to listen to a good bit of Muse, and I feel like a lot of their influences came from this album. Ending of the happening is exactly the same as "I love you" by Fontanes DC.
Good(ish) Best Song: Velouria Rating: 5.5/10 Stars: 3/5
Not as good as surfer Rosa or Doolittle but still good
Pretty fun just not a pixies fan
I don’t think I’ve actually heard this before… some of the tracks, but not in full! Didn’t like it as much as the first two!
I had high expectations after surfer rosa :(
Sure was a Pixies album. If I had been given this before Trompe Le Monde and Doolittle, I would probably like it more, but it really felt like "songs in the style of the Pixies"
none of their true hits but still the best pixies album. weird and interesting throughout
forgot to rate this one when i listened — 2.5
This was a great Iron Maiden Album! What?! It’s not Iron Maiden in the first song? Yep, but that was definitely Steve Harris bass gallop! The second song was a snap-in-the-face punk anthem, and then the album seemed like it find its groove. It’s a good album, and for Pixie lovers, this album sits in the pocket. Honestly, I don’t know if this album offered me anything that other Pixies albums haven’t. Key tracks for me were Hang Wire and Havalina, a little fast and a little slow. My world wasn’t changed, but I wouldn’t burn it down listening to this again either.
Random thoughts: * I was surprised to see this album on 1001. Not at all surprised by the other 2 choices. * I'd never listened to this Pixies album before. * The bass just rocks on all Pixies songs! Kim Deal is a rock badass! * I dug some of the more chill tracks like "Ana". * The quiet/loud dynamic was in full display here, like on "All Over The World". * The singles from this album were just okay. * The whole album was alright. I'd listen again but nothing that people really need to hear.
3.0 - Ok
I don't care for the Pixies
The Good: We get a bossanova! The Bad: It’s not that kind of bossanova.. The Ugly: rinsing the other bossanova out of my mind… If there is one thing that I believe most participants to this 1001 journey can agree on is that nobody would like to listen to a full album of bossanova, it becomes tedious after a while… Maybe that is why this album is called just that? Because it becomes tedious after a while? And I really want to like it, but I can’t… sorry… Guess I don’t like tedious? Or I just don’t understand what the big deal is with the Pixies? Anyway, as I was away for almost 2 weeks I am playing serious catch up on the list and will leave this album with a 3* rating as it was neither here, nor there, for me...
Low/mid 3? Where is the bossanova? Is She Weird is the standout to me
Interesting. Well produced and performed. Definitely a Nirvana influencer.
Better than I remembered. Still my cup of tea.
It’s not so much that I disliked most of the album in a bland, idc kinda way, but maybe that this genre of music is just so dated and aged. I’m glad I listened but I won’t be back.
Was ok. Prefer their other albums
Bleh mostly
Velouria
The strangest thing about this thousand and one albums challenge is, they keep giving me albums by groups. I’ve listened to, but not the album that they’ve sent. I had never heard bossa nova before and I’m not sure that it’s better than Surfer Rosa or Doolittles. With that being said, I listened to it three times and tried to get a unique vibe from it, but it just didn’t sound special to me.
Side note on today’s album. If you aren’t a big pixies fan then this isn’t really the album to start with. It’s solid but Surfer Rosa and Doolittle are flawless albums. This one has some jamz and continues down the same path as Doolittle but they don’t quite reach that high water mark left by the earlier stuff. Also way less Kim deal on this. It was the start of the falling out. Pixies aren’t the pixies without Kim deal Bossanova is a great album. Just being a grump
ONLY LISTENED ONCE I NEED MORE TIME.
It was a decent album
There were some good songs
Surf rock for goths
I'm running out of patience for Pixies
3.5
A collection of songs that I really liked, but I didn't love listening in one go from start to finish.
Not my flavour
melkein nelonen!
Not bad
Fun rock/punk. It feels like a good rock album to have on in the background as you do other things. Nothing stands out hugely, but the vibes of the album are very good.
Right in my wheelhouse really, but after a while I found all the songs were structured the same and I tired of Frank Blacks vocal style. Still a fan of the band but didn't enjoy this as much as I though I would.
Expected to like this more than I actually did
Much better than the other Pixies album on here
I'm not sure I would agree there are multiple Pixies albums you need to hear "before you die" and if I were choosing ONE Pixies album for this project, it would have been Surfer Rosa. But that being said, I do like this album and consider myself a Pixies fan. I like the Breeders more though.
I’ve always had a bit of a strange relationship with Bossanova. It’s one of those albums I want to love more than I actually do, mostly because I really like the idea of surf-rock Pixies blended with outer space weirdness. There’s a lot here that works — I dig the spacey vibe and that kind of woozy, sunburnt feel that runs through it. But for me, the songwriting just doesn’t hit as hard or feel as urgent as Doolittle. It’s more of a hazy cruise than a rollercoaster. That said, I do still enjoy spinning it now and again. "Velouria" is a solid tune, all chuggy and mysterious, and I actually quite like "Ana" even though it barely gets going before it’s done. There’s a laid-back charm to it, and I can see why some people might prefer this to the more manic Pixies stuff. But for me, it's a decent album rather than a great one
Levyllä ei ole montaa biisiä, jolla ei olisi omaa muotoaan/luonnettaan. Keskivaiheilla tempo tasaantuu. Mutta Rock Music on totaalista neroutta. Ei ihme, että se esitetään levyn alkuun mukamas kuriositeettina. 3,5
I’ve always thought that Pixies were sort of the evil goblin godfathers of grunge and hard to get into, but this album actually turns out to feel more like a 60s garage/surf guitar record and is quite a lot of fun. I mostly enjoyed listening to this, but I was slightly disappointed that they didn’t include at least one proper bossanova track.
This isn’t why the Pixies are great. It’s a fine album but it sounds like ‘Doolittle’ B-sides. After the third song it starts to sound same-y.
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.
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.
Pretty nice.
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!
Interesting enough.
3.2
Ok...not doolittle
Disjointed album with some enjoyable tracks. Not their best album IMO
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...
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!
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.
Close to a 4, but this doesn't quite hold up to their other albums Surfa Rosa and Doolittle
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. ✨
Not generic but nothing special