Reviews (page 9 of 14)
Was hoping I was going to enjoy this one more. But a solid album and a good listen. 3.5 for me.
A little better than Surfer Rosa, but Doolittle is still by far my fav from them.
Liked a lot of it to my surprise. There were some very irritating bits though. But in the end liked it enough for 4 stars.
Too much noise.
Loved this band! Can’t believe I’ve been missing out on them for so long (I have probably heard some of their hits before)
Excellent!
Pretty good consistently
Very good but lacks Kim Deal’s freshness
Decent album. A bit tired of generic rock though. Couldn't catch the lyrics all too clearly, so relied more on melody and vibes.
Cool cool not a big deal.
meh
I really really liked this album. I see how Nirvana considers them one of their biggest inspirations. The similarities are strong. There also seems to be some similarities with R.E.M. Favorite parts: From "Ana" until "Hang Wire" ...all those songs HIT. "Blown Away" will be in my constant rotation
liked songs: Rock Music, Velouria, All Over the World It's the Pixies. Not quite as good as Doolittle, but still excellent 4
Kul. Nisam slušala ovaj album, tako da me baš zanima. Prva pjesma baš ima psychobilly vibes, dosta mi dobro zvuči, osim bubnjeva koji su prilično loši. Druga stvar mi je čisti užas. Ako album nastavi u ovom smjeru, a ne u smjeru prethodne pjesme, ovo će biti dosta naporno. Uff da, izgleda da će biti tako 😅 Dosta mi ide na kurac ovaj mix žanrova, surf rock mi apsolutno ne ide uz ovaj grungey sound kojeg po defaultu ne podnosim baš. Pank pokušaji su isto dosta iritantni jer nisu pank. Ana pjesma mi je poluzanimljiva bila. Nastavak albuma mi je uglavnom dosadan, uz Down To The Wall being polukopija riffa od Nirvane, benda koji ne mogu čuti, tako da me to još dodatno izbacilo. Ne znam zašto sam očekivala puno više od ovog albuma, ali dosta razočaravajuće sve u svemu. Ah, 2/5, 3/10. Nije bilo neslušljivo, ali mi nije ni sjelo najbolje, osim donekle prve pjesme.
Mah Neda mi se ni pisati. Nije me dirnulo, ali me nije niti živcirao. Preslušao sam ga dok radim. Čista dvojka
4.5/10 Iskreno nisam nesto odusevljen s ovim albumom. Razumijem appeal za neke, ali osobno meni ne radi puno. Kasnije stvari koje su izdali su mi nesto bolje i melodicnije od ovoga. Nisam fan ovog njihovog lijenog bubnja, vokala koji je u svom filmu, te cekanja na neki zanimljivi, topliji akord na gitari, sto mi je jedina svijetla tocka u nekim stvari s albuma. Ima tu neke kompleksnosti vjerujem i znam dosta ljudi koja bas voli Pixiese, ali meni je ovo dosta repetativno, pa i dosadno, bez obzira sto nije album koji ces si pustit za spavanje. The Hapenning mi nekako prolazi, Havalina isto s tim pomalo surf prizvukom. Voljan sam cuti kasnije (ili mozda ranije?) njihove albume ali ovo mi nije buka koju trazim.
Favourite tracks: Cecilia Ann; Alison; is she weird; all over the world; ana; hang wire
Didn't like this as well as some of their other albums. It's still okay though.
Never heard any of these songs from the Pixies. Could be because they are very ok. They are not bad by any means but not great either. Kind of one of those play in the background kind of albums. 5/10
harder rock, alt than i thought
Maybe I wasn't in the right headspace, but this one really went in one ear and out the other.
This is not my favorite Pixies album, but I think all the original albums are worth 5 stars. They still sound amazing, and the songwriting is still surprising and fresh, even after I've listened to them so many times. Yes, many bands took things from The Pixes, but no one has been able to completely replicate or replace what they did, and I don't think anyone ever will, especially this far out. There were just too many things that led to the lightning in a bottle that were that band. Yes, the Pixies themselves are still around and making new music, but even they are obviously something different.
Pretty good
Still sounds great
Listening to this album is what I imagine it’s like to suffer from multiple personality disorder.
Best one yet. Gonna come back to it
Doolittle is my favorite Pixies album; this was the first time I listened to Bossa Nova multiple times in its entirety. I would definitely revisit this one; I'm not sure if it's a 5 for me (and to be fair, Doolittle is likely a 4?), but I could see this growing on me to be a 3-4. More on the grunge side of Pixies, which I like; the first track (2 tracks) are leaning heavily into that harsher sound, and the rest feels very much like a good Pixies album.
Not the best Pixies but still good Pixies. You get a 4 but only because Surfer Rosa and Doolittle deserve 5s and they're better.
I liked this more than I expected! Released in 1990, it sits right between 80s hair bands and, like, Nirvana. I would listen again. I felt like someone who goes to record stores listening to this album.
Feels like a slightly tamer version of the Pixies when compared to Doolittle / Surfer Rosa, but I kinda like that.
I get the album with the fight club song is on here and probably an early noise album of there so the creator can pretend he knew them before they were cool, but this is too much in the weeds for me. I'm done.
Ahhh, my least favorite Pixies album. I still love a good chunk of these songs and others I found a new appreciation for on a fresh listen, but, damn, I can't pinpoint what exactly doesn't work with this album. It feels off.
El indie rock tiene en los Pixies uno de sus máximos exponentes, con su mezcla de pop clásico y guitarras sucias y rugientes al estilo grunge. Este disco llegó tras el éxito estratosférico que consiguieron con Doolitlle y quizás por eso nunca ha sido de los más valorados en su discografía. Sin embargo, contiene algunas canciones magníficas, como "Velouria" y su contenido de ciencia ficción especialmente impulsado por el sonido etéreo del theremin. También la clásica del grupo, "Is She Weird", con su contendio sexi y travieso que la hace muy divertida. Me gustan bastante "Ana" y el homenaje confesado de Black Francis a los Talking Heads, "Dig for Fire". Y por supuesto el cirre del disco, el brillante divertimento de "Havalina".
I always adore Pixies, they are like one of my favorate 80s-90s alter rock band. Bossanova is a classic and I love it. It's a pleasure to revisit this album, and good to know I still enjoy it.
Pre-hiatus Pixies are all pretty beyond reproach. This one to me is probably the one that sticks with me the least. The laid back surf guitar vibes along with some super solid standout tracks make it a great album for sure, but not nearly as great as Surfer Rosa and Doolittle. Still an excellent and classic record though.
meh
The Pixies made some very good music. This isn't it. It's not bad, but it's not great either.
Some nice stuff here, some quite annoying sounds, some really lovely songs.
a bigger sound but significantly less inspired 6/10
Dit heeft me wel echt positief verrast. Echt een soort kick-off van de alternatieve jaren-90, je hoort echt wel dat dit veel invloed gehad heeft op de nineties en zeroes bands. Ik ben nu best wel benieuwd naar het album dat hiervoor kwam eigenlijk aangezien die op Spotify veel meer luisters heeft.
It is rather fitting that I get to check out my first album from the Pixies on this journey the day before they release their next album, The Night the Zombies Came. Their third album Bossanova, while not as much of a standout compared to the preceding Doolittle or Surfer Rosa, is still a fun and weird album in its own right. Continuing to blend elements of surfer rock into their spaced-out alternative sound, vocalist/guitarist Black Francis wrote and crafted songs with the band that illicit this sense of tempered chaos. From the opening instrumental "Cecilia Ann" into cuts like "Dig for Fire" and "Is She Weird", there is an otherworldly quality to the tracks that allowed the Pixies to have fun in their slightly bizarre ways, filtered through the reverb production of Gil Norton. While I look forward to checking out the new album from the Pixies along with their first two albums on this journey, I certainly enjoyed Bossanova in its own right. I can see this album growing on me. Give it a chance. Update 3/24/2025: I listened to Bossanova over a hundred albums later, especially after listening to Doolittle for this list. This album grew on me, where I picked up more jaunty hooks and riffs and my appreciation for each of these tracks improved on the revisit. I feel like I was used to the maniacal screaming of "Debaser" opening Doolittle and I looked for more of that chaotic energy going on here. Yet there is enjoyment to be found in the more quiet, surfer-esque style here that continued their songwriting success paired with Gil's production. While the lyrics are mostly nonsensical ranging from Francis Black's ex-girlfriend to aliens to the Havalina which is a wild boar, the instrumental arrangements and vocal deliveries worked wonders in the wackiness of it all I honestly didn't mind it. It's funny how that can work.
This was boring.
Didn’t love this one. Have never been a fan of the pixies. Just don’t have time to really dig into it.
It’s another ok listen, but only a few good tracks, might listen again occasionally. Best Track : Velouria
didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as Doolittle. none of the tracks stood out upon first listen
Love Pixies. Love this album. This and Trompe le Monde are definitely underrated compared to Surfer Rosa and Doolittle. But they are just as great in my opinion. Pixies are definitely in my top 5 favourite bands. I even like their new stuff. New album coming out tomorrow!
fun rock album
Not sure what to think of it. This is like grunge with ADHD. It's all over the place, both the individual songs and the album as a whole. I get why people like that, but I dunno. Harmony is important guys. The opener was fantastic and the second half of the album is much stronger than the first in general imo. 6 / 10 Best tracks: Cecilia Ann, Dig for Fire, Down to the Well, The Happening
The first track made me wonder if the album was going to be instrumental. The second track made me wish the album was instrumental. The third track made me ask where this perfectly good singer had been. The remainder made me question why they had decided on these vocal deliveries and lyrics. The instrumental was rarely interesting enough to break me out of my confusion around the vocals.
solid 3.5. cant decide between 3 and 4, so went with 4 because i liked it but it was just a bit too grunge for me. idk if thats the right word but it felt very emo. good music though, better than i expected. fun to listen to. made me feel like a teen boy lolol
Noisy rudimentary rock, not for me
I really dig Pixies. I love love love Doolittle, and I assume it's also on this list, and I will give it a 5 when I get to it. I know some of their other songs, so I was surprised I didn't recognize any of these ones. This is still a really solid album, even if I do prefer their earlier stuff more. My favorites right now are Is She Weird, Down To The Well, and The Happening.
I feel like the Pixies are a band that people think they should like and don't really know why. Like, not liking them means you don't "get it." This album feels like an encapsulation of that. That being said, some tracks did rock, but the lyrics were try-hard and a lot felt repetitive.
I liked the instrumental opener(s?). It's definitely a Pixies album!
mjoah, nicht so ganz meins
Nicht so meins, weiß nicht was das Album sein wollte. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine
5/10…alternative rock / indie / grunge
alright indie rock, the sound was consistent but nothing really stood out in particular
I thought I'd enjoy this a lot more than I did It was good, but I just couldn't vibe with it? Something was off and I can't place it 3 ⭐️
They are highlighting this as the album that everything fell apart. Why profile it then? Maybe into dig for fire.
Liked it.. didn’t love it.
Everything after the first two songs is 🔥
Unlike Doolittle (which got worse as it went on), this got better as it went on. Still not for me though.
I can see how some people would like this. I, do not, however.
A good overall album - Allison was a standout for me, but not their strongest .
опять альтернатива/// первые несколько песен заслухал думаю не вообще не моё. потом подрубилась is she weird и за эту вещь отдельное спасибо группе. круто. потом подрубил альбом заново, понял - вторая половина альбома - огнище. там атмосферу главное поймать.
It's fine, nothing amazing nothing bad. Solid mid, probably not to listen through again as an album
Never really got into the Pixies as much as I probably should have. Nothing wrong with this album though.
Good. 3.5
So Dave Grohl just copied them
This was pretty decent!
Abit boring, their other work is way better
okay i guess
It's alright but there are so many other albums in this genre and time period I'd rather listen to.
Pixies have some great songs, too bad none of them were on here. This one's alright but nothing stands out. The Breeders are better anyway
Meh. Bring on the other two.
Shows a diverse range from a band I was aware of but not overly familiar with. Will be listening to much more from them.
Yahooooooo!
Bossanova is the third Pixies' album, and the follow up to their breakout Dolittle. This album continues with the Pixies "loud-soft-loud" dynamic - their music often uses radical changes in volume, rhythm, and style, for the effect of the transition. Theirs is the hard, edgy side of guitar driven alt-rock, and "soft" segments do more to established melodies and narrative elements. This collection of songs is a reasonable match to - but not much of a departure from - the band's previous work. These are good tunes, but seem to lack the glimmer of brilliance that ran through Dolittle.
A little more punky and rock and rolly than I was expecting. Not sure that I would ever be pulled to listen to it again. Maybe a different album. I liked The Happening the best.
4.5 The most under-rated Pixies album
Some highlights, like the opener, but not enough songs really stood out
very mid. I think maybe 90s rock just isn't my jam.
Didn’t like it!
I’m a massive fan of Dolittle, and also enjoy surfs Rosa. But this was actually the first time listening to this album today. This one is also great but just doesn’t quiet match up to their first two albums, but it’s the pixies and they are still head and shoulders above most bands.
Bossanova was an album that came so unbelievably close to being a 5 star album but it just barely missed the mark. The majority of this album consisted of nothing but pure, full on bliss. The guitars were heavy enough to easily make it an album that you can easily rock out to while the melodies were prolific enough to make the album always move me no matter what it tried. My only issue is that some of the songs were not as great as they could be and should have either been cut or improved. If that slight blunder was fixed, then i would have easily given this album 5 stars but as it stands, it sits at a very high 4 stars Best Song: Velouria Worst Song: Is She Weird
Where are my fucking songs? 6/10
Nope.
Good rock music, I liked the instrumental intro song
While I have heard some Pixies material before, I was not previously familiar with this album. This was a fine listen, but nothing particularly stood out to me. I liked it enough to hear again however.
Very good band with a unique sound. Not as familiar with this album, but happy to have listened to it.
2.5
Not my scene
What I would describe as the typical 90s alternative album. Is She Weird All over the World
So far my third favorite Pixies album, alright.
Great album
“ From distant star to this here bar The me, the you, where are we now? Hurray the blues of everyone ALLYSON” Enough said.
Pretty dull again. Better than Surfer Rosa in that I could finish it okay. A few decent tracks but no standouts at all. 2 stars
I like the Pixies sound but could never just get full on the Pixie band wagon for some reason. This was a solid album but not great.
Meh
I don't know why I haven't listened to the Pixies before this. So good, so deserving of their reputation. There's so much variety, ups and downs, slower stuff and faster stuff, love it. The way the album starts is great love the slap in your face that "Rock Music" brings. The surfer vibes are great. This album is absolutely immaculate.
great opening track with Cecilia Ann....then Rock Music was probably the weakest on the album (screaming vocals are not my thing). apart from Rock Music, I really enjoyed this album-great driving guitar, drums, and kept the songs from dragging on. Hang Wire was great wrap to the album. 4.5 stars
Solid album. I thought the weird, sometimes nonsensical, lyrics were fun. Even without knowing beforehand that they inspired Nirvana, I could hear it here. Favorites: "Velouria", "Is She Weird", "Ana", "The Happening"
Muy monótono
Highly disappointed. Might have to listen to it again to maybe appreciate it more
4.6 2x another classic to me
It’s on
when i started listening it transported me to a rich new york moment, and really felt uplifted and inspired and had enjoyment of the instruments and his voice. by the 3rd song though it all blended together and i felt like it was all the same i couldn’t get passed song 6. great sounds and voice, but i would probably continue to enjoy his music song by song sporadically rather than listening to a full album in one sitting.
meh
I like it, but I just don’t think I’d seek it out again. I like Is She Weird the best.
Decent, pretty normal alt/punk sounds for its time
Average
Pixies, one of my favourite bands! They were hot when I was in uni and I remember when this album came out. I have always loved their quirky mix of punk, rock and grunge. Very recognisable sound. Lyrics don't make much sense which makes them at least much better than bad lyrics. Simple but highly effective bass lines from Kin Deal, and aggressive yet musical guitar by Black Francis. Only giving it a 4 because I don't think this is their best album, a bit too poppy at times, but a great band.
just ok
Did not like
Meh!
Is She Weird -> Ana
mostly good jams
8.7/10 👍🏻
What a stunner of an album. "Rock Music" is the weakest link, but it's still a decent tune.
Excellent. Raw and gritty but also melodic and easy to listen to.
Classic album, with lots of mileage on these tracks. Not a big fan, but worth a spin now and again.
Meh.....I hope this isn't their best album.
I really enjoyed this album.
Velouria is a great song.
Wasn't a huge fan!
sweet album, didn't hear before. quite a few hits.
As a fan of the whole 90's grunge era, I know I'm supposed like the Pixies, but honestly, I don't. I never have.
Feels so ahead of it's time
This is my first Pixies record and I loved it. They've got such an influenced sound that creates something even more influential. They took the best from genre's I hate and made something not too shabby. Favorites were Velouria, Down to the Well, and Stormy Weather
While not having the heavy hitters that Surfer Rosa and Doolittle have this album is a model of consistency. No song outstays its welcome and the whole album provides a consistently good sound. I would say this album is very well paced. Needed more Kim Deal vocals. Highlights for me were Cecilia Ann, Velouria, Allison, Dig For Fire, The Happening, and Stormy Weather.
Some fun songs
Fun album! I liked a lot of the songs and loved Is She Weird.
A few good ones, a lot of rock filler imo
Dies ist ein Konzeptalbum, das man nur im Gesamten anhören kann, um die besondere Note der Alternativ Rockband zu erkennen. Einzelne Stücke wirken für sich belanglos, Mainstream. Da würde man dem Album insgesamt Unrecht tun.Sehr gut produziert. In einem Rutsch anhören, dann geht das Konzept auf.
Hang Wire should be a much popular tune from this album.
An album that feels very much like “one thing”. Enjoyed it.
I've heard much better songs from this band and unfortunately none are on this album.
Has a few great songs, but a mid one seen as a whole. Favorite track: All over the world other picks: Valouria, Cecilia Ann, dig for fire, stormy weather
I was ok
I also thought I liked the Pixies, but I really felt this album was best left to my 90s self. My 2020s self has moved on from what now seems like noise music gone to hell in the hands of musician wannabes.
I love the pixies. I've loved them since they started making music. But returning to Bossanova is a bit of an eye opener.... It's their third album. Some would say that here is where they finally came into their sound, confident in their alternative music success, refining all that had come before into a signature aurally. I remember loving this album. Playing it endlessly. Using it as cultural currency in conversations. Happy thst a band I knew already was finally becoming more mainstream and noticed.. But listening to it this week, I noticed something different. Yes, it's a refinement of pixies sounds and signatures, but it's also repetitious. The freshness of Doolittle and Surfer Rosa are recycled here....more of the same. More. Same. The best news for fans who don't want their favourite bands to change, but--from another perspective--creeping stagnancy. Or maybe more kindly...a holding pattern, a careless stasis that comes from touring fatigue and the pressures of being more visible. Energies were being siphoned off already...Kim Deal was recording Pod with her Breeders side project...a fresh and fun new collective.... Not to diminish the power and importance and sound of this album, but its less of a maturing sound than a fatigued one for this amazing band...
I’ve always really wanted to like the pixies and know I should like the pixies but after listening to this I realize I still don’t really like the pixies. All of the songs were fine but none grabbed me. Maybe one day but not now.
Didn't enjoy as much as other pixies stuff I gotta say.
To me this was totally different then the Pixies' first two albums but I still really dug it. This was harder and you can see how they grew and helped to develop the 90s rock era but still kept their own Pixie charm. The Happening really was a perfect mesh of their previous sound with those newer 90's sounds.
One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands! This one is maybe not quite as good as Doolittle or Trompe le Monde. I give it a 4.5 but they start the album with an instrumental. I love a good instrumental. so... cinco.
This album was rockin…becoming quite a Pixies fan through this project. Didn’t love this one as much as Doolittle but still super solid.
It's fine.
Had a few fun songs, rest of it was okay but not super special.
Not my favourite pixies album, but sounds good
Another one of those, I can take it or leave it albums.
3.5
This was like being back dancing the night away at Le Diapason I my teens
Tru
This album has some 4s for sure but not everything is as strong. Great listen, skillfully done, fun to listen to.
This is a fine album. Wouldn't be my first pick to put on these days but it's fun. Some good melodies in there I can hear some of the influence they had on Nirvana in here.
Not as good as Doolittle
Pro Tip: Don't listen to any album after Joni Mitchell's Blue--take a day off. This album was better for me than Doolittle and my instinct is 4, but is it on par with Blue? IDK ... it's a 3.5 and bumping to 4. Maybe Blue is really a 5 ... it's at least a 4.5 and that makes me feel better.
Inte lika vass som Doolittle men ändå helt okej.
Now that it's been made apparent, in hindsight, that time was running out for the original iteration of the Pixies, it is clear that Bossanova is made of some peculiar material. The penultimate album from Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering, Bossanova alternates between bewildering fast paced speed runs, off-kilter tunes and genuine soon-to-be classics. Perhaps as purposefully uncompromising as it comes compared to the records that came before, Bossanova had become the signpost for what was soon to come and what will never be again. Favorites: Rock Music, Velouria, Allison, Is She Weird, All Over the World, Dig for Fire, Blown Away, Hang Wire, Stormy Weather.
I hadn't listened to this album before and honestly I liked it more than a lot of the pixies stuff that I know
Old rock with a bit of surfer.
You can see the transition from 80's alternative to the more grunge style of the 90's happening here, but this one is still a miss for me.
Not my favourite Pixies
Gorgeous
Unfortunately listened to it in the background while I worked. It was alright.
Occasionally interesting, frequently not
A pretty mediocre album. I get that a ton of great 90's bands point to them as the trailblazing band for the 90's rock sound but other than historical importance it isn't a great album to listen to.
Listened Before? N 90s alt rock. Has its moments. Also has moments of crap. There's some edgelord stuff in here that is annoying but I like the sound. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Velouria
I didn't actively listen to it (background while reading), but nothing really caught my attention anyway.
On the surface, this is a pretty standard album that hits right in that transition from 80s rock into grunge. But the more you listen, the more complex this gets. The harmonic structure is really impressive throughout the album. Definitely worthy of inclusion on this list.
Not as good as Doolittle, but it's Pixies so I like it.
Outstanding, one of the last truly great bands.
What I consider a gem of punk from the 90s. Has aged extremely well and I think its better today than it was when I was in grade school. Amazing producing, order, recording, clear sound. Just one of the greatest post punk albums ever
If you had asked me before listening to this album if I liked the Pixies, I would have said yes. After listening to this album, which I think I am hearing for the first time, I don’t know why my answer would have been yes.
This is heavier than i thought they were. I can’t speak for other albums but This album definitely screams 90’s. If I hadn’t known who The Pixies were I may have skipped them completely with Cecilia Ann being their first song on the album and it being instrumental. Stop it with that shit boys. To me, this is not a standout album at all. It’s not terrible but when you’re looking for something to hook you and don’t find it? You get no more than 3 stars Choice cut: Is She Weird
Pretty good, quite my style. Not completly there though
Feels strangely middle of the road. Not what I expected.
Zu rockig für meinen Geschmack. Stimme ist ok, aber nichts Besonderes.
One of the tracks was screaming, I did not enjoy that. Generally an alright album.
It’s fun but not a favorite. A tad repetitive.
Solid
again, Pixies has a strong first 1/2 of the album, then just fades. 3
My least favorite of the three big Pixies albums, but still a good listen.
Great album not even their best imho Standout album after some recent ropey choices been provided
I dig the guitar and the bass.
pretty solid album. i like the pixies well enough but haven't explored their music beyond listening to doolittle. i enjoyed the evolution shown here but i felt like although the songs were pretty consistent, they were a little bit of a step down from doolittle. but overall, a good album with great production.
So great, for me, better than Doolittle. There it's a kind of zhoegase or is only my perception?
Was pgood forgot to fucking write which song I liked the most and shit. Might re listen soon
There are 2 much better pixies albums. This one is alright
Love Surfer Rosa, love Doolittle...but this one has always left me a little cold. It's, fine I guess, but nothing approaching their best. I mean even Trompe le Monde has U-Mass on it.
Obligatory 5 yayy pixies yaayyyy
Plenty to really really like. To name a few, the Instrumental opener, Deal’s pounding bass lines throughout, the guitar oli on Alison, the theramin on Velouria. But it’s nothing crazy by Pixies’ standards I think As far as their post-Doolittle albums go, I’ll always prefer Trompe Le Mondo and I’m not sure why that isn’t a much more popular opinion
I would have said the Pixies were a 90s band but today I learned they are an 80s band. They seem like the transition from 80s music to 90s music which is exactly the timeline. I cannot understand a word of Rock Music through the screaming. The Pixies should have been bigger than Nirvana. They are like pre-Grunge and Nirvana in particular has borrowed from their sound. First half of the album was better than the second.
Not as good as surfer rossa or dolittle. But still decent.
The first song sounds like surf rock, the second song is practically black metal. Then the rest of the songs are just so forgettable and generic.
Pixies are a band I've been trying to get into for about a year now, but every time I try, it just doesn't do it for me. I'm glad this album in particular showed up here as it was an album I hadn't tried to listen to yet. I was pleasantly surprised. I quite liked it. Chock full of short and sweet alt rock bangers with maybe even a little Surf Punk influence on a couple of songs? Really interesting music, whilst not being super unique. Though in truth, does music really have to be unique to be enjoyable? I think not. I find the biggest strength of this album are the long songs that are explored a little more than the others, especially with tracks like Is She Weird and the Happening that stand out from the rest for their interesting ideas. Overall a really good listen, and maybe a good gateway into other albums by Pixies? Hopefully?
I like the Pixies a lot. Surfer Rosa and Dolittle are two of my favorite albums. This, as a follow-up, is a little bit of a let down. It is an average album that followed two stellar albums. Clearly there was issues within the band at the time, with Charles and Kim not getting along. But it is still better than Trompe Le Monde, which was the clear sign the band needed to pack it up.
This is my second pixies album and I'm still not onboard. The singles that got significant airplay have an undeniable hook. But I've yet to find anything that lifts this beyond some fairly generic early 90's rock. I think that maybe a have a personal blind spot for music that was popular just before I came of age musically. This sounds like the music that people 4 years older than me lived and my contrariness means I unconsciously reject it
Another great album by Pixies. Another great album to listen at maximum volume. Another great album to remember the first time I heard it. A few days later I played "Rock Music" for my roommate who was in a band and loved hard rock and heavy metal, and his face absolutely melted. His respect for my twee indie tastes grew three sizes that day. Another memory of getting this on a vinyl repress after my divorce and absolutely rattling the plaster off the walls with it. And to think this is commonly regarded as only the third best Pixies album.
Like, it's decent! It didn't blow my mind though! It just sounds like 90's rock music.
Sounds like the Pixies. I’ll round up from 3.5.
Not usually the kind of rock I’m into but I actually really enjoyed the album. Songs were repetitive but fun to listen to
Great album by the Pixies
3 flat
The Pixies set the stage for so much of 90s alt-rock, particularly the loud-quiet-loud song structure. You can hear a bit of what they do in so many other bands. Bossanova doesn’t have any hugely well known songs, but maybe that’s for the best. 4⭐️
An effortless cool Layered in wild chants and riffs Beauty and madness
They kind of went off the rails
Listened to it twice, back to back.
First half of this is great but then it runs out of steam. The sound of a band writing songs in the studio and dusting down a couple of early cast offs. I'm surprised it is on her when there are no Breeders albums.
I have enjoyed the other Pixies albums on this list. This one needs another listen as it didn't quite quite land for me.
So so. I think the unclear guitar didn't aged well. I also have that with other bands. Personally I am enjoying more clear and crisp sounds. Nothing stuck from the album but I wouldn't turn it off .
Only knowing Pixies from "Where Is My Mind?" and "Waves of Mutilation" (shoutout Rock Band on PS2), I was expecting a more alt-rock, indie vibe from this album. However, this 1990 release proved to have more grunge and punk intermixed, which was a pleasant surprise. This band has been on my list to delve into for awhile and this record just makes me more excited to do so since they wade in more of the waters that some of my favorite bands are in. Notable Tracks: - Cecilia Ann - a rare instrumental album opener - Ana - All Over the World - The Happening - Hang Wire - Havalina 7/10
Great.
Ahhhhhh shoot. I love Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, they’re some of my favorite albums ever. I’ve never listened to this one before and ugh it’s just missing something, or rather it’s been tainted by too much. It’s over produced, it just doesn’t sound as raw, but worse it doesn’t sound as fun. The drum machine makes everything feel hollow. Imagining a song like Bone Machine with it really shows just how important it is. Some of the songs on here really are good, which shows they still have that it factor.
Not at all what I expected from an album titled “Bossanova.” I think the first instrumental track set a high bar that the rest never quite reached; nothing here was a definitive standout or an instant favorite, but I liked the overall sound. There’s just enough darkness and variation to keep things interesting. (Actually, yeah - by the end, I was pretty much sold.) Favorite tracks: Hang Wire, Javelina
There have been a handful of artists who, after getting exposed to their music through this project, have had their discographies become a regular part of my musical rotation. The Pixies are one of these artists. This record is super good. I love the industrial sort of off-rythym sound they have, coupled with the signature '90s alt and grunge vibe. If this is what all surf rock sounds like (I have no idea, honestly), then I'm a fan of the genre. Standouts are Allison, Is She Weird, Down to the Well, and The Happening.
I've never really gotten into the Pixies and this album doesn't help. I will confess they are a good band, just not my style. But fercryinoutloud, why this album? They've done so much great music and this is the choice? 3/5
Just not my thing but yeah it was solid
Overall good album, but most of the lyrics didn't make any sense. My favourite songs were: Is She Weird All Of The World Dig For Fire The Happening
a couple decent songs…some were way not my taste wouldn’t listen again though
confusionario: a tratti molto bello, a tratti volevo strapparmi le cuffie. un tre politico.
ma da dove arriva tutto l'amore per sto album? Totalmente infondato
Wasn't really compelling, didn't actively dislike it either.
Great album but my 3rd favorite of the 1987-1990 trifecta of Pixies albums. Still a smash hit album with great quacky references and wonderful pop punkish melodies way before the genre would have a name.
Some fun here, but not the Pixies best by any means.
My 3rd Pixies album from the all mighty generator. While they've all been mostly enjoyable, Kim Deal is standout for me. But I think their 2nd album is better.
Pretty good punk/grunge whatever. Not as good as Surfer Rosa.
Not interesting to me
I have a liking for Pixies. And I can’t quite put my finger on it. They just work. Terrible live though; which was hella disappointing
ayy
Good album. There are a lot of great elements to this album. The tracks are pretty tight, which works well for the whole. There are some fun influences and guitar work/arrangements (e.g., surf rock). Vocals are a little indistinguishable on some songs. I like it. ****
I have never really liked the Pixies before, but I loved this album. It has some great songs on like Alison and Is she weird. Its a solid begining to 90s rock, yet slightly repetative after 6-7 songs. You can see Ash, Feeder and other bands like that being really inspired by the Pixies and this album. Its very close to their sound. Favourite song: Alison Least favourite: Hang wire and stormy weather. Album artwork: I love the artwork
Mediocre.
Was shit
There are elements of the album that I really like - the drumming, the melodies. But there are elements that I really dislike - the shrieking and discordant elements. So I'll take some and leave some.
This is not my favorite Pixies album, but Bossanova is still an amazing album with so many gems: Dig For Fire, Is She Weird, Velouria, Allison. It’s not a 5-star to me but it’s quality is undeniable.
Meh.
A great album showcasing what feels like a more mature version of the Pixies. My favorite song on the album, Dig for Fire has all the hallmarks of what I love about them. Brash and loud swinging to quiet and melodic, with lyrics that just barely make sense.
Great album
Mucha potencia musical. La voz del cantante me cuesta en el primer tema, pero se recupera muy bien en el segundo. Original Is she weird, me gustó. El de la marciAna es una muy linda canción también. El resto transcurre entretenido, sin grandes sobresaltos. Hasta esos grandes temas que son Happening y Havalina.
A very strong album
Pretty solid!
Not for me.
I don’t like this as much as Surfer Rosa or Doolittle. Their sound is incredibly clean on this one - which distracts as it loses the rawness of the previous two albums. I will say it sounds like the 1990s. You can hear snippets of all the different sounds that will come in the decade. Velouria and Digging for Fire slap.
Not my bag 2.5/5
Pretty good. 3.5
This was just ok. Mildly entertaining. This band has two legendary records, so are there three on the list? If so, too much Pixies, if not, just another waste of time
Not what I was expecting, given the name. The first song had promise. After that, it was just shouting. Not for me.
I'd love to say that I loved this, but it's left me remarkably un-grippered.
forgettable
Alternative indie type rock with some weird stuff thrown in. Mostly fine but nothing in particular stood out.
Another Pixies album! Just had one 4 days ago. This first track was dope!! Cecilia Ann. It's a shame I have not heard more of these guys. So it's been nice to be introduced to their albums lately. I like this sound. You know I never really listened to The Pixies a whole lot, and only ever really knew Where Is My Mind? thanks to Fight Club. But just in the last week I've had 2 of their albums for the album of the day thing. I think I have a new found appreciation for them. They're pretty awesome. IMO. 4 stars.
It’s a cool listen. Very fun guitar and vocals. It’s good!
4.5/5. Never listened to any tracks from this album before and it only took the first three songs to get me hooked.
norm
Good album, not much to say. #99
Not really my jam, but I get the appeal for the era.
I don't listen to the Pixies much. This album explains to me why I'm wrong.
It's a good album! But, like, this is maybe one of the issues with the 1001 albums list: looking at the overall album list (you can find a spreadsheet online) there are ... three Pixies albums? And this one, which is GOOD but not, like, an album you need to listen to before you die if you've already listened to Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, was chosen over a bunch of artists that aren't represented but probably should be. anyway... four stars.
The Pixies were so good the first time around.
Pleasantly surprised about this one
Album almost completely passed me by without realising. Jangly opening not what I was expecting and then suddenly Spotify has queued up something else. Probably not a good thing
Cecilia Ann - 4 Best Pixie song so far. Rock Music - 1 Worst Pixie song so far. Velouria - 3 Allison - 2.5 Is She Weird - 2.75 obnoxiously repetitive Ana - 3 All Over the World - 3 Dig for Fire - 3.5 Down to the Wall - 4 The Happening - 3.5 Blown Away - 3.5 Hang Wire - 3 Stormy Weather - 3 Havalina - 2
Average Pixies
Bossanova by Pixies Tuesday 6/25/24 2:47 S Tier————————— Cecilia Ann A Tier————————— Down To The Well B Tier————————— Dig For Fire Blown Away Havalina Ana Allison Stormy Weather Velouria Is She Weird The Happening Rock Music All Over the World Hang Wire
Pretty ok, actually. I’m not sure what else to say. There were moments where I could really hear the influence they had on Nirvana, so that’s good.
✅Pixies are great, but I don't think this is their best. I'll come back to the band, but probably not this album.
2.75 can't really get into them
A definite unique sound. But a lot of their songs sounded similar to each other. But a rather enjoyable album.
I love the Pixies. But this is their last really good record. That’s why it’s even more important!
Brilliant
Another pixies album. Give me a break
tämä ei todellakaan ole bossa novaa joten siitä jo valmiiksi huono maku suuhun. ei kyllä rokkialbuminakaan omaan genreensä kummemmin nautintoa tuota.. noh parempi ku eka ''pixies'' albumi sentään.. porukka tykkää, porukka fiilailee.. onneks en oo porukassa.. te olette lampaat... meikä on susi... rrrrrrRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWRRRRRRRrrrrrrr grrrrrrrrr grrrrr... perkele tsiile.... prkl tsiiile ÄRH... RÄYH.... tsiile... ehkä joku kaukainen päivä musiikkimakuni on devolvoinut niin tämä bändi kuulostaa hyvälle kun sen verran ifnlunelntial + suosittu bändi niin ehkä mutta tällä hetkellä tämä ei ole kiinnostavaa eikä kuulosta kovin miellyttävältä musiikilta minulle is she weird
J'y vois un album qui aura influencé Arcade Fire. Les Pixies ne ressemblent à personne et sont difficiles à décrire; toujours au bord du précipice, dans l’énergie de la dernière chance, une expérience cathartique
Rating: 8.5/10 Great album overall. Incredibly catchy while also being unique to the Pixies' trademark sound. The riffs are mostly fantastic, the instrumentation and vocal melodies are great, as well as the production. Some songs are a bit underwhelming but the highlights are amazing. Favorite songs: Cecilia Ann, Velouria, Allison, Is She Weird, Ana, All Over the World, Dig for Fire, Down To The Well, The Happening, Hang Wire, Stormy Weather. Worst song: Rock Music.
I think Stormy Weather is a decent song, but the rest does not bring this album above 2 stars or D+.
Fine but not crazy about
3/5
Not the greatest Pixies album, but not bad album. In retrospective, the music is good.
An average album at best by this usually top-notch group.
I do not love this.
This is my least favorite of the first four Pixies albums. That would put it behind Dolittle, Surfer Rosa, and Come on Pilgram, respectively.
It was okay
they felt a little off their game? few tracks i enjoyed. doolittle still prob the fav
Pixies. 4
Pretty soft 4, only criticism is that it's pretty same-same all the way through. But enjoyable
I don’t like this one very much. Big pixies fan, I thought, but this one is scratchy and lacks some of that surreal charm that I love from earlier albums. I think there’s a reason I missed it.
Te veel geluid. Vond dat het vaak onduidelijk waswat ik hoorde
Solid album, not really my jam but I can see the influence the Pixies and this album have had for years after.
Much as I loved the first three Pixies albums, I always thought Bossanova was a bit of a disappointment. Apart from 'Is she weird' and 'Dig for fire' (with its surreal lyrics being in the same mould as Doolittle's 'Monkey gone to heaven'), most of the tracks are Pixies by numbers, IMHO. Still worth delving into though, particularly for the two aforementioned tunes which remain fantastic.
More screaming... Another album that I won't finish listening to.
Bossanova is more garage/grunge music that is presented with more consistent song production and writing than their previous albums and yet they still never compromise their core sound. It is easily the most consistently enjoyable album of The Pixies on a track by track basis. Having said that it does not have a generational single on it on the level of "Where Is My Mind?" from SURFER ROSA or "Wave of Mutiliation" or "Here Comes Your Man" from DOOLITTLE, but ultimately I enjoy Bossanova more as an album, and the previous albums as a collection of songs that I can cherry pick songs I can bear. I enjoyed the lovely surf rock nods in "Ana" and the instrumental "Cecilia Ann" (which is a cover of a Surftones track), the post punk of "Dig for Fire" and "Hang Wire"; and the beautiful "Havana".
p642. 1990. 3 stars. Average rock band with some decent tunes, but lyrically inept. You can hear the influence on Nirvana, it's just that Kurt Cobain did it better :)
Potentially controversial inclusion this. Will review this on the basis that Doolittle is yet to come…..if not then hell has surely frozen over. So, Bossanova is probably the Pixies 2nd best album. Polished sound, great blend of thrash and melody. Stand out songs include Velouria, Ana and Dig for Fire, but it’s all good. Lacks some of the raw quality of the first two albums which some will dislike. Great to hear this again.
Well let’s start by saying that I’d give any of the first few Pixies albums a 5, so thats got that out of the way pretty easily. Just such a unique band, so sinister and brutal yet beautiful and kinda euphoric. While they’ve been a massive influence on others, nobody ever has or likely will sound like them. Anyway, listening to this again (for the thousandth time) got me on the age old question of what’s your favourite Pixies album. I don’t think it’s the most common view but this always comes out as mine. Which might seem odd given Kim Deal had a massive back seat on this one (start of the fall-outs I think). I think for me the thing I most like about the Pixies is the rhythm guitar and those chugging odd chord progressions that drive everything. This album of all of them I think has that more to the forefront. Plus as an album it just builds from start to finish (every song just seems to get better) and by Hang Wire and Stormy Weather you’ve got just the most fantastic crescendo. I suspect this would be in my Top 10 on this list as a whole (and we’ve still got 3.5yrs of it left to go!).
This was my gateway drug to the world of US rock on the bus to school and it stills sounds amazing today. Who knows what nonsense he's screaming about but it made sense to me at the time. Plus as a geographer, there was the bonus of a song about the weather. Just awesome.
This one didn’t strike me nearly as much as the other Pixies album I just had (Doolittle). In fact, I think having that one so recently made this one fall a little flatter.
Recognised a few tracks off this but for the most it was new for me. What can I say, it’s the Pixies, you know what to expect and it’s largely great.
Preferred Doolittle to this album, there were a few tracks that didn't do it for me (including the cowboy intro) but when it's good it's great. Still sounds loads like Les Savy Fav but there's more Weezer and Ash in this too. Velouria, Allison and dig for fire are great.