Reviews (page 8 of 15)
One of the few albums where the next track is so unpredictable but still fits so perfectly. So many imitators who seem to have got hung up on the quiet-loud music and shouty vocals, only to create bland, samey grunge records, forgetting what made these guys so special. There's just so much variation in this record for what is a standard guitar band set up. Intricate, layered guitars, with melodies and counter melodies, backed by danceable, powerful bass lines, with distortion used to artistic effect rather than covering mediore abilities. Those lyrics are just insanely descriptive and utterly original too. They may have little meaning around day-to-day existence, but at least they're fascinating to listen to. Deal's backing vocals add so much as well. Both eerie and comforting. Proper innovators with proper talent and imagination, perfectly showcased in this album. In my personal top 10. And I'll never not dance to Debaser. Needs to be listened to at 11.
Just great
Great grunge
The perfect soundtrack for cruising through the rugged landscape or the North Pennines
Lite skrikig. Någon bra låt. Inte riktigt bra men inte heller dåligt
it's okay
Rock raro, alguna cancion esa guay.
Dunno what the difference is between this Pixies album and the last one, but this one hit me much better.
I still don't get what people see in Pixies. This was fine I guess, but surprisingly forgettable (especially as I think I've probably listened to this album four times now in my life, and still forget that every time I listen to it "for the first time"). I do like Debaser, but that's about it.
The soundtrack for so much of my late teens and early twenties - listened to this album almost every day while vacuuming the dining room of the camp where I worked. Iconic for me, and led me to a bunch of great music tracing back their influences.
Listening to the album in full, there wasn't anything that stood out. Not much to comment on this one, just felt like it went in one ear and out the other.
I get the hype, but it's not for me
Eh, not my favorite.
I have been a huge fan of the Pixies since the nineties. I love this album by them!!
Didn't really get my attention. Recognized a couple songs from pop culture.
Debaser // Here Comes Your Man // Monkey Gone to Heaven // Mr. Grieves // Hey //
16/1001. I was never a big Pixies fan, although their music and style was exactly what I listened to at a certain time, before and around grunge broke off. They were in my radar and I remember watching their live concert on Finnish TV (now that's revolutionary considering late 80's early 90s Finland and pop/rock music in national channels). After all these years listening to this reveals it has aged quite well, it is varied, interesting, full of energy and sprinkled humour. Melodic and harsh one after other, sometimes even simultaneously, quite an accomplishment. 15 songs totally felt much more than 38 minutes, perhaps a song or two made my mind wondering about, but focus was re-grabbed soon. A second or third listen will surely liven up those songs as well. If I would have to recommend someone an alt/rock album this might be it, although I am more of a sonic youth fan (perhaps that's post rock then?). 4/5, I'm stripping one star, since this really is not my type of music anymore, and replaying or digging deeper is not very likely.
Its doolittle.
нормалек.
Great album, just pushing the alt rock limits in all sorts of directions. Super bold, great instrumentally, and even though the singer has a distinctive voice it doesn't get annoying. The record just captures that 90s angst sound so well (even though it's from '89). Just the right mixture of energy and weirdness. Favourites: "Here Comes Your Man" is a great track, but my absolute favourite was "Hey". The album is packed with great songs. "Silver" was a bit underwhelming on the other hand.
Oooooh yeah. First, this album gets five stars on notability and influence alone. Creating the nineties alternative rock aesthetic. Now let’s talk about the music. The Pixies quiet loud quiet is in full effect here and it’s great. The quiet is anxious and ominous the loud is unhinged and energetic. It’s also all so much fun. Cool vibes throughout and you just feel like you’re a part of it. Production is super sparse allowing you to hear everything including the silence. This album retains a lot of rawness of Surfer Rosa, but it tames it a bit to make the songs a bit sweeter. Also Black Francis’s vocals are not half bad. Anyway listening back to this album is a trip. The songs are just so great, the dynamics are awesome, it’s all great. Five stars.
It's good, but something about The Pixies has always failed to captivate my interest. I can hear the influence on later music, but I'd rather be listening to that later music, you know? I'm glad this exists, but it's not going into my library.
Still so good.
Also in my personal top ten, along with Surfer Rosa. A perfect album, and certainly one of the most influential indie bands. I could gush about it all day. Top tracks: No. 13 Baby and Gouge Away
This is calmer and more tuneful than Surfer Rosa; it sounds like they're trying to apply their dissonant sound to standard pop-song structures, which works ok but I like them better when they just let loose.
A lot of people seem to like this one, but I'm not super into the cacophonic screaming.
2/5
I have listened to this album several times, and yet, everytime, it fails to stick with me, and I do not have any idea why. This album is both chaotic and calm. Songs like 'Debaser' and 'Tame' features the singer screaming and dissonant guitars while other tracks like 'He comes Your Man' or 'Hey' are more pop rock inspire. Despite the experimentation, the mix of genres and the unique personality, I always leave feeling almost nothing.
8/15 songs knock my socks off, the rest make me smile contentedly.
I’m a Pixies guy
Really enjoyed the variation on this album, not everything landed for me but overall I really liked it. Fav song: Here Comes Your Man - also liked Monkey Gone to Heaven and Silver Least fav: Tame
High energy and pep. The overdriven guitars and consistent bass really give off the classic alternative rock vibes, maybe even slightly punk influences in there. I like the duality between the male and female vocals, especially when they directly are playing off of one another. I do wish the songs were a bit longer, it feels like by the time I get familiar with the song the next begins. Some of the ideas could have been elaborated further. I think in the end though, the album felt pretty repetitive and a little uninteresting.
This album is one of the quirkiest mainstream albums from the start of what alternative would soon sound like. I can hear their influence on all kinds of bands nowadays. When I first heard debaser and wave of mutilation and tried to listen to this album I couldn't really get into it. I definitely found myself liking the album a lot more after revisiting it all these years later, now aware of how truly quirky they were for the time. No 13 baby is fucking wild. I think they have a masterful rock pacing about them, and i think this album is a fantastic cornerstone for garage rock/grunge if you could even call it that. Guitars be searing. Bass and drums be keeping score. Monkey gone to heaven is based tho im glad I heard that on this one
Just love this album. Always have
This is a great album, but I like "Tromp le Monde" better.
Lekker hoor! Leuk om eens een heel album van te horen. Niet iets wat ik perse zelf op ga zetten maar als iemand het aanzet word ik zeker niet boos!
Another meh album
Got some good stuff but pixies deep cuts are meh
I always had the impression that I didn't like Pixies but listening to this I feel they are a better band than I thought. I think the issue is that the first tracks are very stereotypical post punk and not that interesting. But once you get into Here comes your man and the tracks that succeed it you can appreciate that they are innovative.
I enjoy hearing demos and comparing them to what eventually is released but you can take it too far. I mean if the artist(s) wanted to release the 'demo' then why not?
DEBASER... good punky tune... lyrics are total nonsense... but fun... TAME... is idiotic... but has energy... WAVE OF MUTILATION... must make sense... to someone... lol... not to anyone of my generation, unfortunately... I BLEED... did that very thing... to my ears... the "message" in this record is weird... and seemingly nonsensical... HERE COMES YOUR MAN... ok, now i'm starting to get it... these guys are like The Velvet Underground... but more modern version... this had to be the hit single... i'm guessing... a bit like The Lemonheads... almost too close... hmmm... but it's EASILY the best song so far... DEAD... makes no sense... lol... i guess it's for shock value... fail... MONKEY GONE TO HEAVEN... again... Velvet Undergound-esque... and musically and lyrically not that stand out... like faux intellectuality... i guess... MR GRIEVES... second time the lyricist mentions "neptune"... i guess that makes it acceptable for college professors to like the record... i guess... CRACKITY JONES... i guess is about crack... it is so bad musically that i don't want to find out... LA LA LOVE YOU... must be a take on the dating life of young folks in 1989... no idea... and not interested... the song is kind of catchy... but not enough for a second listen... NO. 13 BABY... a take on Los Angeles chicano life... i'm guessing... horrible music... THERE GOES MY GUN... is a waste of time... HEY... another Velvet Underground impression... like hey, i'm down here in the gutter... don't you like it here with me? lol... pass... SILVER... i guess makes sense to someone... not me... pass... and finally... the last song on the record... thank GOD... GOUGE AWAY... a take on the Biblical story of Samson... they gouged his eyes out... lovely... so some chick hurt you... lol... no need for this drivel... the best thing about this album... is the ridiculous amount of songs... are, mostly... short in duration.
Favorite songs: Here Comes Your Man, Gouge Away, Debaser Least favorite songs: Silver, Dead, Crackity Jones, La La Love You, There Goes My Gun 2/5
banger
Truly an awesome, pioneering, belter of an album. I have listened many times now but struggle to write anything particularly erudite. I just really like it and think it’s excellent. When listening for review purposes I likened it to miners opening up a new shaft. There are untold wonders lurking within if you look closely enough, some experimental aspects and sometimes you have to come up for air before diving back in again. Not all seams are perfect, and maybe others will come back and make it their own to greater heights, but those first are the trailblazers.
Enjoyed the music but may not make it into my regular rotation at this time. First time listening but may not be the last!
- songs are quite short - love the references to songs in the cover (monkey gone to heaven + no 13 baby) - crackity jones is crazy and it kinda feels like a maneskin song - i like the drums and the guitar in la la love you but the song is kinda weird he sounds like morrissey in some parts - really good guitar in general - fav songs : here comes your man, hey, mr grieves, no 13 baby, gouge away
solid
"Doolittle" é um disco meio termo. Acho que está na lista mais pela influência que teve em outras bandas e no rock alternativo em geral do que pela sua qualidade. É um álbum inconsistente, com boas músicas como "Gouge Away" e outras menos inspiradas.
great band, still today
Good
Niet m’n style
Great listen. I liked their 3rd album more but still enjoyed this one. It has a less polished sound to me. Highlights: Dead, Silver Will definitely return to give a deeper listen.
This record seals the deal that I am not a Pixies fan. “Here Comes Your Man” and “Debaser” are my favorites, but the rest of the songs drastically drop in quality.
Didn’t enjoy this much at all on first listen. Thinking I just don’t like this style of music. Will be interesting to see if any other albums in this genre connect for me. Just noises After second listen this grew on me much more. The energy was infectious
I've listened to this album hella. The guitars and vocals kept it playing for such a long time. There's something so unique about their sound that I can't quite find from other artists. It's grungy in the best possible way while still being catchy.
certified bangerrrrrrr. had a lot of fun with this one, no skips, just head bangin at my desk
Really good songwriting and playing on this but the vocals weren’t the best on most tracks. Still really good. 4 stars Edit from February 2026: having to edit the reviews for both this and surfer Rosa as I have become obsessed with both so feel they are now worthy of 5s
You can really hear the influence this record had on many others. It's a good album, but I can't say that I was starstruck.
Im a pixies fan
J - 5/5 Best Track - "Here Comes Your Man" F - DNL
Pienellä totuttelulla tykättävissä
people said to me "oh no not the pixies, they are like the smiths but worse and more pretentious". this peaked my interest, and after listening... it made me have the realization. they were right.
Apart from Mr. Grieves, which slapped so hard for no reason, the rest of the album was so boring. Just not my style of rock at all, but whatever a lot of people like it so let it be.
so so good. always liked pixies but i have a new appreciation for monkey gone to heaven, la la love you, gouge away.
Already listened. An alright decent low 7, but the lack of the sloppiness found on Surfer Rosa took away some charm.
Poucas músicas que achei interessante mas as que são boas são realmente boas, vocais engraçadoskkkk mas achei daorinha, vibezinha massa e eh daora a mistura de estilo. Monkey gone to heaven e Mr. Grieves são as melhores músicas.
Very good album would listen again
3.8
# Album Name: Doolittle # Artist: Pixies # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Good album. First half is strong. Couple of hits but surrounded by other good tunes. Overall a good album. Ill come back t othis one. It was a much better experience than when i seen this band live i tell ya! # Top Tunes: MGH / debaser / here comes your man / hey # Would I listen to it again? yes
Some classics, pretty similar across the board not their most dynamic but definitely a strong one. La La Love you is funny.
Great album.
Good!!
Strange music. No real hits.
A collage of whatever they found interesting. Fun but a bit of a mess.
Growing up in Ohio, one of the rare joys was the occasional sighting of a Deal sister. A friend of mine has a story involving them dancing on a pool table, but me, I only caught them as they stopped in local Dayton or Cincinnati bars to catch a fledgling act or two. Kim and Kelley were both super nice, super down to Earth. Listening to the Pixies, I sometimes get frustrated at Black Francis for being such a jerk to Kim. On Surfer Rosa (the better album, in my opinion) BF even goes as far as to tell Kim she should die. Whether that’s innocent banter or not, you can tell by BF’s general energy and lyrical content that he was probably not the most stable individual to join up in a band with. Still, you can’t doubt, there is an energy to Doolittle (and Surfer Rosa). Whenever I listen to either album, I find myself wishing that all music was this cool. The early Pixies have always been a go-to for me, and they always will be. I mean, Monkey Gone to Heaven, Here Comes Your Man, Hey- there are so many underrated classics here. You hear Pixies songs everywhere, they percolate within you, then you listen to a full album and it’s like ‘hey, I know all these songs.’ If you released a greatest hits album, it would just be Doolittle and Surfer Rosa stacked together.
Comme ci comme ca. A lot of the album is too noise with less music, “Dead” was a painful listen where it didn’t feel like the notes went together well, whilst is likely to be done on purpose, it doesn’t create an album you should listen to before you die. I felt stressed the entire time listening to it for some reason. 3/10.
10/10 no duds on this record. A straight up classic.
Pretty good listen. Was a band I really didn’t pay attention to.
Multiple standout songs
meesterwerk van eerste tot laatste noot
klassiekers, moeten zeker in collectie
Better than the last Pixies, but I think the key to me not liking them is there lack of joy and general ‘downness’
Like sonic youth, I always feel like I should like the pixies more than I do and this album is cited as one of the all time greats. There are some great songs in here but I’m never excited to put it on. I’ll give it a 3 because i know it is important and paved the way for many bands I love.
Great album 3.5/5
Cerramos una semana particularísima en mi vida con éste discazo de Pixies. Lo escuché hasta el cansancio y me recuerda inevitablemente a mi primer novia, quien me los hizo conocer, además de que viajamos a verlos en 2014 a Buenos Aires, con Paz Lenchantin en el bajo. Las personas que nos recomiendan cosas que nos fascinan ocupan (o deberían ocupar) un lugar privilegiado en nuestras vidas, sin por ello volvernos nostálgicos de un pasado sino de lo que fue transformador y lo será para con nosotros el arte. Hasta el lunes, de lo que será otra semana corta.
Decent indie rock
All time favorite, love to see in this list. Best tracks: - Debaser - Tame - Wave Of Mutilation - Here Comes Your Man - Monkey Gone To Heaven - Hey - Gouge Away
Actually a banging album.
Classic, ahead of its time. Lots of great tracks, maybe isn’t the most coherent as an album, but a very fun listen.
Tame is the blueprint for "in uetro" . I have never listened to a pixies album, mind blown 🤯
It's both somehow incredibly deranged and a brilliant pop album at the same time. 5 Stars.
I like grunge/alt rock and the band in general, but this album just isn't very memorable. Even the most popular songs in the album are kinda forgettable, even though they're pretty good to listen to in the moment.
amazing throughout, all songs are great
Essential building block of the modern-day Patrick, down to the fact that the first music video I ever made was to “Debaser.”
Always loved it. Still do. Top 100 all time.
Overall: 10/10 As I was relistening to this for the 5000th time this morning, I was thinking about how much this album has meant to me over the last 10+ years since I first heard it. It's quite possible that this album has shaped my taste in music more than any other and for that reason I'm pretty confident in saying it's a top 3 album of all time for me. It's rock music, but it's so original and creative and brings in influences from so many different sources. It sounds like it's trying it's best to be a 50's rock n roll album made by an inmate serving 25 to life. Black Francis is one of the most unhinged vocalists to ever exist. Kim Deal may not be the most technical bassist out there but her basslines are so hypnotic and engaging, and I love her backing vocals so much (big fan of The Breeders as well). The guitar work from Joey Santiago came from the dark recesses of his brain, it's really the only way to explain it. David Lovering....OH MY GOD he's the secret weapon, not too flashy but you find yourself air drumming some of his parts, not realizing how impactful it was to a song. I genuinely think every single musician on the planet should listen to this album. It reshaped my brain and made me able to enjoy a wider variety of music than anything I'd heard before it. Also, sometimes I find a song that makes me cry because of how good it is, and I'm pretty sure Hey was the first song that made me cry for that reason. Fav Song: Hey Least Fav Song: Silver
What's to say? It's Pixies. This album simply condenses my music taste.
Its a rare treat to have so many songs glisten as you blast through an album. Fun and enjoyable quirky rock and I love them. Interesting album as those not as typically gravitating towards their style might have been hooked in by the odd catchy jingle of songs like "here comes your man".
It was good to have an opportunity to give this album a critical listen because it's already a favourite. It's a collection of some incredibly well formed tracks where Pixies showcase their ability to produce perfect-for-radio nuggets. "Hey" is an absolute gem and my highlight of the album. I love the Pixies' sound and the recording and production are both excellent, capturing all the musical details but still sounding raw. My only criticism is that the album does feel like more of a collection of individual tracks than a fully coherent album. Sometimes the next track feels like an abrupt change of pace. I missed Pixies in my youth and now really wish I had discovered this album in the nineties instead of the twenties.
Where is my mind is a classic and gigantic is a new favourite. Not sure the unpolished parts are intentional or not which would make it better if they werent
Not a fan at all, just kinda sounded bleh, dnf
Did not finish, was not a fan
Chill slightly angsty album. Overall solid, but nothing crazy in my opinion.
Alternative punkish rock. Not bad. A few songs I had some nostalgia for because they were in games I had growing up. The rest was just okay.
These songs hold up
Another great album. Probably my least favourite of the ones we've had (preferred surfa rosa and come on pilgrim) as this one probably ventures into the slightly twee more often, but i'm being picky.
I always feel like I have to justify not liking (The) Pixies, because friends like them, and because they're ostensibly "my sort of thing" ie they fall under "indie rock". So please do scroll on by, but, meanwhile, I feel compelled to point out why I don't like them and never have. (I'll be positive first though. 1. I like the drumming. 2. I like the guitar sound. 3. I like the energy. Sort of.) Now the things I don't like. 1. Their riffs being based largely around major chords, despite the songs being alternative in style. Always bemuses me. 2.His voice. 3. Her voice. 4. Shouty, discordant, or talky, vocals in general. There are exceptions (D. Byrne for instance.) 5. People trying to play "tunes" on bass guitars. That's pretty much it. I did try this, but they're still not for me, for the reasons itemised above. M'lud.
Cool album for sure, I appreciate all the songs in general that weird vibe from the Pixies is awesome ! I particularly liked "Crackito Jones" for the song and the name.
Sick cover Singer likes screaming it seems, don't really resonate with tha Here comes your man - Earworm!!! Having a good time in general!! 3.5
Wasn't keen
Awesome. Rock at its finest.
Nice
Let's never forgot who the Pixies were when they put out Doolittle compared to the Pixies milking it today.
500 days of summer JGL karaoke scene. Boxcar waitingggggggg!!!! Great lyrics
An album that influenced so much, Pixies sound is perfect on this, loud-quiet-loud, so many great tracks and really no filler, the intensity and noise of the guitars and vocals are balanced perfectly with Kim's base and backing vocals, her licks are so clean and simple but genius. It's loud and trashy but also soft and melodic.
Definitely a lot more coherent than their first album and easier to enjoy. Although this one doesn't have any of those must-hear songs.
Älskade när Monkey gone to heaven come och när Here comes your man kom så var jag snabbt och köpte singeln. Det stannade där. Blev aldrig så att jag hörde fullängdaren. Jag hade gillat den då. Tycker den har något idag.
Not my cup of tea.
HEY, BEEN TRYING TO MEET YOU. In my top albums of all time. Absolute masterpiece.
For every stellar “Hear Comes Your Man”, “Monkey Gone To Heaven” and “Gouge Away”, there is throwaway filler like “Dead”, “Crackity Jones” and “Silver”. Also, Black Francis’s weird singing style gets old.
Some albums are so formative and disruptive to your regular listening that they set you on a new path. You remember when and where you heard it for the first time, and how it made you feel. That was Doolittle for me. I didn't know music could sound like this and from the first bass line of Debaser my mind was opened.
Fantastic album. Big fan of "Hey".
la rellet
Ah yes, the "White Light/White Heat" for indie and grunge. Launched a thousand bands and continues to pile up references, critical praise, and influences. I wonder how things might have been different for me if I'd been exposed to the Pixies during my college days instead of as an afterthought once the grunge wave hit and I wanted to know who Pearl Jam and Nirvana were all googoo over. (Of course, at the time, my favorite band was Queensryche, so take my taste with a grain of salt...)
Struggled to get on board with this one. I appreciate the creative — and varied — approaches across the board, but there wasn’t much I particularly enjoyed outside of disparate elements here and there. Vocals range from passable to downright awful. DNF. Listened to: walking to BBG. Favorite tracks: I Bleed
Massively influential for alt rock and massively influential on my music taste ever since I heard the song Debaser on skate 3. I love how unhinged it is, it’s impossible to predict how the next song will sound.
One or two good tunes on this album, but otherwise I didn't like it much. I though Bossanova was a better effort.
If you want an album where every single instrument pulls it's weight, and then some, then this right here is the answer. For an album that is as raw and unhinged as this, with almost punk leaning tendencies in some moments, it sure is beautiful too.
Great little compilation of post-punk-esque tracks, featuring a vocalist that’s unusually good for the genre and some fantastic musicianship (or a very convincing guise of it) in the guitars, bass, and drums. “Highlight moments” include some short, well-placed bass or drum breaks. The Pixies know how to utilise silence and drastic, rapid changes in musical texture, which I think is a really under-utilised element in 21st-century popular music. It makes the material a heck of a lot more engaging. Here Comes Your Man is the obvious pick for a lead single, having a memorable, catchy guitar line and a fairly strong melody. The guitar sound is thick and highly distorted in most tracks, which can get a little distracting but is used for some pretty nifty transitions (as in the final track, Gouge Away). There aren’t any bad tracks here, but there are a few questionable elements that take away from the otherwise very musical, dynamic, and professional sound. The repeated out-of-tune falsetto in Hey is done well, I think, but in other tracks like Mr Grieves and No 13 Baby (and in fact most of the songs), the singing being out of tune sounds bad – as expected. It’s an element of punk I really wish hadn’t made it into the mainstream. The late 60s and early 70s tended to showcase skill over memorable personas. And that’s what makes it such a legendary period for music, in my opinion. Once you arrive at the punk and post-punk period, a lot of the convention is thrown out the window simply because it’s the standard, and the standard is always bad, right? 4/5 Key tracks: Here Comes Your Man, Hey, Gouge Away
Brilliant.
Always and forever
Grungey post-punk with some 80s new wave and goth (a la The Cure) sensitivities. Also lots of dissonance and shouty vocals. Mr Grieves even seems to pre-empt later indie a la Libertines/Franz Ferdinand Gets better throughout! Crackity Jones has a cool frantic energy! Best track - Here Comes Your Man/ Mr Grieves/Crackity Jones/Gouge Away
Classic, good vibe setter, feels very important in the indie rock culture
This one reminds me of early Flaming Lips where it’s a little shitty and that’s what makes it really good. I think I like it a smidge less than Surfer Rosa overall, even tho this is definitely the more popular of the two.
generic
4/10 Maybe haven't given this a fair chance but I think I just don't like the Pixies. Here Comes Your Man is a great song though. Listens: 1
This is maybe the most Pixies album of all the Pixies albums. I love Kim Deal's voice. They have a sound for sure, but this is definitely them at their peak. I guess they were broken up by the time the Judgement Night soundtrack came out, but they would have been a good candidate to play while Cypress Hill rapped. Here Comes Your Man is the hit, maybe their biggest hit, but I never thought of it as one of their better songs. Monkey Gone to Heaven is much better. Hey has the second most listens on Spotify but I have no memory of it. I like it though. I think that I think I like the Pixies more than I do. A good album, not great.
Don't like this, didn't finish the album
OK, on arrête les conneries cinq minutes, car on ne parle pas d'un disque, ici. On parle d'une cicatrice, d'un putain d'accident de la route en 15 chapitres qui t'a laissé défiguré, heureux et changé à jamais. Un disque qui te rappelle pourquoi, un jour, tu as décidé que la musique était plus importante que, disons, manger à ta faim ou avoir une vie sociale équilibrée. "Doolittle", c'est pas de la musique, c'est une lobotomie au tournevis rouillé qui te fait voir Dieu et le Diable en train de jouer au strip-poker. En 1989, j'avais 19 piges, et je croyais avoir déjà tout entendu, et puis cette galette a atterri avec sa pochette representant un singe et son auréole... La première écoute fut un choc, pas un choc agréable, non. Un vrai trauma, le genre de truc qui te force à réévaluer l'intégralité de tes certitudes sur ce que peut être une chanson de trois minutes. Parce que leur fameux "loud-quiet-loud", tout le monde en parle aujourd'hui comme si c'était une formule de cours de solfège. Mas laissez-moi vous dire ce que c'est vraiment, c'est un rendez-vous galant avec une schizophrène magnifique. Elle te caresse la joue en te susurrant des insanités adorables, la basse de Kim Deal te masse les tempes, tu te sens bien, en sécurité... ET SOUDAIN, SANS PRÉVENIR, ELLE TE PLANTE UNE FOURCHETTE DANS LA CUISSE EN HURLANT DES VERSETS DE LA BIBLE ! C'est ça, "Doolittle", une agression consentie, une prise d'otage dont tu ne veux jamais être libéré. La guitare de Joey Santiago ne plaque pas des accords, elle lacère le silence avec un tesson de bouteille. Et la voix de Black Francis... Mon Dieu, cette voix. Ce type ne chante pas, il exorcise, il vomit des histoires de mutilation oculaire, de putes de Babylone et de calamars qui flottent dans l'océan, comme si sa vie en dépendait. Les textes, parlons-en. C'est pas un album, c'est le journal intime d'un prophète sous acide enfermé dans un asile de l'Ancien Testament. Tu crois écouter une chanson pop et tu te retrouves au milieu d'un bain de sang biblique. Tu penses que "Here Comes Your Man" est une petite bluette surf-rock sympa ? Écoute mieux, ça parle de clochards qui meurent dans un tremblement de terre. Chaque morceau est un petit théâtre de la cruauté, un univers miniature où le grotesque, l'horreur et une beauté totalement tordue baisent à s'en arracher la peau sur le capot d'une caisse rouillée. Et le pire dans tout ça ? C'est l'escroquerie cosmique qui a suivi. Ce disque a été la putain de pierre de Rosette pour toute la décennie 90. Pendant que ces quatre génies cabossés bouffaient de la merde sur la route, un certain Kurt Cobain, aussi blond et triste qu'un ange déchu, était dans sa chambre en train de décortiquer "Doolittle" comme un manuel d'instructions. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ? C'est "Tame" joué un peu moins vite avec un budget de production hollywoodien. C'est une photocopie, une brillante photocopie, certes, mais une photocopie quand même. Les Pixies ont inventé la recette, et Nirvana a ouvert une chaîne de fast-food qui a fait des milliards avec. Voilà la vérité car tous ces groupes qui ont suivi, de Radiohead à Weezer, ils ont tous pillé le même tombeau, celui que Black Francis et sa bande de tarés avaient eu le génie de construire. Alors aujourd'hui, 35 ans plus tard, quand on me demande pourquoi ce disque est si important, je lui dis de la fermer et d'écouter. D'écouter cette folie pure, cette liberté totale, cette énergie qui te décolle la pulpe du fond du cerveau. Ce n'est pas un album qui vieillit, c'est un artefact radioactif qui ne perd pas en puissance car il contamine chaque nouvelle génération. Mettre 5/5 à Doolittle, c'est comme filer une médaille en chocolat à un type qui vient d'arrêter une météorite avec les dents. C'est insultant de banalité car ce disque est hors-concours, hors catégorie, hors de toute logique. Et je n'ai toujours qu'une seule certitude : si le singe n'est pas monté au paradis, alors le paradis peut aller se faire enculer.
monky :)
Chef kiss
I can see it being a predecessor to a lot of grunge, and it seems to be one of the first dynamics albums. It didn’t grip me, the pixies never really have. But I like a few songs!
-i’ve been waiting to listen to this one for a while now.. probably my favorite of the Pixies albums I’ve heard so far. I really like Black Francis’ voice and that guitar…. holyshit… -very impressed by the musical variety and obvious influence on alt rock. 3.5 stars for now but could prob move up to 4 -Favorites are Debaser, Here Comes Your Man, and Gouge Away
You can hear the influence and inspiration this album spurred
Solid album with some really great tracks. I enjoyed this but maybe a little bit because of the name recognition.
The seminal Pixies album for me.
Tame is way too screamy throughout. Most of the songs had a bit of this, as well as redundancy and more sing-talking (not strong singing) - I did not enjoy this album overall.
Pure serotonin.
Debaser is great but i wasn't so keen on most of the others?
I know that I say this about a lot of albums, but this album was, seriously, mind-blowing to me when I first heard it. It was my first dive into this type of music - the artsier, more colourful side of alternative rock. Wacky experimentation fused with genuinely solid alternative and predictive grunge and '90s alternative rock (insert Nirvana forefather statement here) is the name of the game here. And let me just say, I've listened to a lot of music since I first heard this years back, and still, nothing quite balances those two things as well as Doolittle. I mean, to start, there are so many cool little moments here, and almost every song has some defining little mark. The straining screams of 'Tame', the campy '60s pop-chorus and bouncy bassline of 'Here Comes Your Man', the dramatic strings on 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', the cheesy yet charming interjections of 'La La Love You', the blood-pumping guitar in that second half of 'Mr. Grieves' that comes out of nowhere, or the western throwback of the Kim Deal led 'Silver' - all these moments, I'd say, define their respective tracks, and the album as a whole. But that aside, it's still all so well done. Black Francis is a perfect vocalist, not too awkward and clunky like a lot of his contemporaries, yet dynamic enough to make each song sound unique. The guy's range is insane, and he's capable of being quite emotive, like on 'Hey', and especially on my favorite song here, 'Gouge Away' - an absolute monster of a closer that really nails the quiet and loud dynamics that are so heavily associated with this style of music. Joe Santiago shines too on many of the surf tracks here; his guitar lead on 'Wave Of Mutilation' just gives the entire thing such a jovial, day-on-the-beach feel, despite the song's pretty morbid lyrics. And Kim Deal was one of my defining bassists, and one of the reasons I picked up a bass in the first place - I mean just listen to that bassline on 'Debaser'. Her basslines tend to be simple, yet so effective and memorable, she's one of the greatest in the genre. With all that said, there were always a couple of songs here that I'd want to skip, like 'I Bleed', 'Dead', and 'No 13 Baby' (a blusier track that I now see clearly influenced the likes of Jack White/White Stripes). I enjoyed them a bit more this time around, but they're just not as incredible as many of the other songs here. They don't bog down the experience, though - this album still remains tight, vicious, and ambitious - and still has its bite so many years later. An absolute classic!
Fantastic album. It fell just short of a 5-star rating from me due to the last few songs feeling a little duller. 4.5/5
Doolittle is a solid album and you can definitely hear how much it influenced Nirvana and a ton of other '90s alternative bands. It's chaotic in the best way—loud, weird, catchy, and full of energy. The quiet-loud-quiet dynamic the Pixies leaned into helped define a generation of rock music. Songs like “Debaser” and “Monkey Gone to Heaven” are standouts, but even the deeper cuts have their charm. Not every track is a hit, but the album’s raw edge and offbeat personality keep it interesting all the way through. Favorite song: Wave of Mutilation
7.5/10. This has an interesting an nostalgic sound to it.
I really like the sound and energy of this album and every song is a banger. Favorite Song: "Hey"
Solid album.
This is why we music
My kind of thing. 04/04/25
The only track I heard from The Pixies was “Where is my Mind” so it was cool to explore an album from them. Found it to be a really cool rock album. Felt punky, angsty, and a bit grungy too. I read that Kurt Cobain was heavily inspired by them so it was cool to hear some of the inspiration. Favourites included “Here Comes Your Man”, “Monkey Goes to Heaven”, “Wave of Mutilation”, “La La Love You”, and “Hey”
Not my genre, however I enjoyed listening to it. Hard but not to screamy. 3.5.
Really dug this! Made me think of some of my more modern favourites like Canadian band Mother Mother and sadly defunct Australian band Yves Klein Blue. Favourite tracks were probably Debaser and Monkey Gone to Heaven. Will be checking out more! (4.5 stars)
3/5 Ihan kivaa kuunneltavaa.
I love the Pixies. While I may prefer the sound of their first album, there is no denying that the songs of Doolittle are insanely well crafted.
Did not like at all
bruh boring
Another great album from the Pixies. Definitely like them as a band.
Some of the greatest indie music.
4.5
9 43
Good sounding alt rock, not my absolute favourie sound, but highly enjoyable. 4 stars
first became familiar with this band when I was about 14. I was just starting to get into music that was outside the mainstream -- I knew bands like R.E.M. and the Cure, who were sort of "alternative", but still got played on the radio, but not much else. One night while watching 120 Minutes on MTV, I saw the video for "Here Comes Your Man" and instantly thought it was one of the most perfect songs I'd ever heard. It wasn't until a few years later I actually bought the album, but it quickly became a staple of my listening. Throughout my 20s I turned a few people on to this album who'd never heard it and their minds were instantly blown. More than any other band, I think this album really encapsulates my taste. It's catchy, but also abrasive. Black Francis/Frank Black/Charles Thompson famously recruited Kim Deal by posting an ad looking for a bass player who liked both Husker Du and Peter, Paul, and Mary. That's the essence of Pixies. Abrasive, yet pretty and tuneful. Even the songs that seem abrasive and noisy have this hidden beauty that shines though -- the incredible bridge on "I Bleed", the cool surf rock breakdown on "Dead". But of course, there's plenty of songs that are just simply catchy too. Highlights for me are "Debaser", "Wave of Mutilation", "Here Comes Your Man", "Monkey Gone to Heaven", "Hey", and "Gouge Away", but all the others are perfect too. 5 stars.
4.5
Has some truly classic iconic cuts like Debaser, Wave Of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man and Monkey Gone To Heaven. Also for an album under 40 minutes it got a lot of jokey, uninspired crap tracks too. At its very best it is a perfect blend of surf-rock, power-pop and noise onslaught. Whilst Frank Black’s screeches are super effective on some songs, it is annoying for the most part and he does sound like Iago the Parrot with cowboys, hissing cats and chainsaws fighting it out in his throat. More like a patchy 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 because the very best songs definitely make this worthy of the 1001 list.
Oh god noooo, this is more of the same late-80s early-90s alt grunge again! Someone please tell me what is so unique and amazing about this album. Okay so it was the first of its kind and inspired like, every alt album since. I just think Pavement and Mitski did it better :) Four stars because I see and respect the influence of it all. That said, some great tracks where the style and/or tempo switch up fluidly bar to bar in a really pleasant way: Monkey's Gone to Heaven, Dead, Tame, Mr. Grieves, There Goes My Gun. The end of the album was not for me. I've decided whenever I get some 90s grunge esque repeat albums on this list that I'm going to look up "albums that should have been on the 1001 list" and listen to one of those instead. Today's is The Shaggs Philosophy of the World. Perfect mix of musical insanity and cult adoration plus zany backstory that I want to hear before I die.
One of the best of the 1980's
I didn’t finish this one. I liked one song but the rest was not to my taste. I have a hard time understanding its appeal beyond the one song.
WANNA GROW UP TO BE A DEBSASER DEBASERRRRR DEBAAAASERRRR This album rocks front to back, no skips. Also influenced so much.
The music itself wasn’t bad, just not particularly my style. Only three good songs out of the whole album I’d relisten too.
I (shamefully) have to admit that before listening to this, I only knew a handful of singles by the Pixies... that being said - there was not a single moment that was even slightly boring on this album. I felt it was flawless after the first spin already and made me want to listen to it again right away. All killer, no filler.
Folk, indie, hints of grunge: this album has a lot going for it. Not only was it good to listen to all the way through, but each individual song is one I could see myself listening to an enjoying. I went from only knowing one song on the album to greatly enjoying the rest, really enjoyed this one.
One of my favorite albums!
classic… debaser on ncaa football
A classic in alternative rock.
“Doolittle” is a flawless blend of raw energy, captivating melodies, and inventive lyrics. The album seamlessly shifts between quiet, haunting moments and explosive noise, creating an unforgettable, genre-defining sound. It's a masterclass in alternative rock, earning a perfect 5/5 for its innovative approach and lasting influence. Favourite tracks - Debaser, Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven, No 13 Baby. Least favourite track - Silver.
Groundbreaking and influential album.
Hadde bare hørt Wave of Mutilation før, som eg egentlig ikkje like så godt, men ikkje så dårlig heller forsåvidt
Excellent Album.
I'm not the biggest fan of this album. The instruments rarely stick out to me and the vocals are okay. The lyrics are also either really repetitive or they don't really make much sense.
Not my cup of tea
Группа клевая, но этот альбом не сильно понравился
Взрыв пост-панка с первых нот, пре-гранжевая эра, классные хиты Here Comes Your Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven. Кажется, Pixies никогда особо альбомами и не слушал, но этот динамически интересен, разброс интересный.
Great live band.
1989? I had no idea this was pre-90s so I have to give Pixies a lot of credit for being obviously pioneers. Pixies is another band I feel like I "should" like, but they just don't do anything for me, unfortunately - including when I saw them live - so this is another album I basically rate as "eh.. it's fine". Don't come for me.
i did kinda like this actually, most songs were really unique and memorable imo
Ok but a bit shouty
Decent enough, love here comes your man but some of the songs sounded like Adam sandler was singing them. The lead singer didn’t need to scream like that on debased. Fav song - here comes your man Least fav - Silver Specific rating - 3.9
I liked it! would definitely listen again
Some proper bangers but the overall listening experience was very much disrupted by the times they just screamed at me Favourite: Here Comes Your Man
pov: 15 year old Katie singing Monkey Gone to Heaven on the way home from school with dad and brother
***An ok album
Fuck yes. One of my favorite rock albums ever. It sounds so good, I'd believe you if you told me it was made yesterday. This is a perfect album, practically a greatest hits from start to finish. When you unintentionally hip-check the furniture you can whisper to yourself "Hips like Cinderalla" but if it hurt really bad you can take it up a notch and shout "Slicing up eyeballs, AWH HAW HAW HO" and I swear it helps.
Love love love. This is a favorite.
I read that a couple tracks were used as inspiration by Kurt Cobain to make “Smells like Teen Spirit”. It makes sense, Doolittle covers similar imagery that 90s grunge is centered around. Lots of guitar, drums, bass. Very standard alt-rock. Reminds me of Irish punk rock a little, maybe that makes sense since I read that these guys did better in Europe than America throughout the late 80s and 90s.
A masterpiece
Before there was Alternative Rock, there was the Pixies. While the college music snobs all loved their Surfer Rosa album (and played Gigantic over and over), it was Doolittle that made their blend of punk and pop cross over to more mainstream radio and the masses. Ok, not the masses. The masses never got the Pixies, but certainly more people beyond the college radio crowd heard the screaming Debaser, or the unsettling Wave of Mutilation, or the WTF is Gouge Away. The Pixies were unique then and now, but helped launched the transition from college radio to Alt-Rock, which exploded in the 90s. It not for the faint of heart, but greate nonetheless.
So many good songs
Not much for this kind of alternative rock.
Great variety in songs. This album seems to have kicked off the 90s setting the flavor and taste of what’s to come. Favorite track: here comes your man other picks: hey, monkey gone to heaven, debaser
Didn't like it. Not a fan of punk rock or surf rock.
It's okay, but I'm not really feeling it. I don't think I would listen again.
Something didn't hit right for this album its almost as if the the mids were mixed a little too peaky for me and I had a hard time listening to it.
One of the greatest albums of all time. Just an unbelievable mix of nasty experimental noise, funky riffs, beautiful poppy tunes. At times it’s terrifying, other times playful and inviting. And at all times it’s engaging, exciting, interesting. I really can’t heap enough praise on it. It really takes their previous work and hones and perfects it. If Surfer Rosa is a 10/10, Doolittle might as well be 11
Heard it before. I have a complicated relationship with Pixies because in theory it should be something I like. But I just don't. I think something about Black Francis' vocals pisses me off? The music is quality tho so I will still give it a good score 3/5
So solid. Loud, quiet, abrasive yet has some subtlety as well. The more I hear the Pixies, the more I like them.
Does little for me but an interesting listen regardless
It was aliriiight
Pixies are always hit or miss for me, this is not my favorite from them. There are some good tracks though and I do really like the way the vocals play off each other perfectly.
Yeah I totally adore this record. Probably my favorite Pixies, but that 4-album run of Surfer Rosa to Trompe le Monde is all incredible.
My third favorite Pixies album after Surfer Rosa and Trompe L' Monde, only by narrow and situational margins. It took me a while to fully come around to the Pixies bc I was a snooty college DJ at the time of their ascendancy and suspicious of anything that other people liked. This group's lara7 and I picked up a tape of Surfer Rosa at a yard sale and driving around to that won me over. Years later I took a road trip with a friend who only brought two tapes - Trompe L'Monde and Blondie's Greatest Hits which cemented that one. But Doolittle is the right entry point, their catchiest, their most aliens-recreate-rock'n'roll-in-their-language.
I remember my initial impressions of the Pixies when I first heard them in 1989, how their songs carried this incredible catchiness balanced by so much weirdness. There’s Kim Deal’s bouncy bass and sexy breathy vocals, Joey Santiago’s ferocious guitar lines and then this lead singer named Black Francis who sounds crazy as fuck, with childlike yelps and growls and lyrics that mask something terrifying. Songs like “I Bleed” legitimately frightened me, while “Here Comes Your Man,” “Mr. Grieves” and “Dead” evoked in me skewed cinematic western vibes. While “Doolittle” had nowhere near the (immediate) cultural impact of Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” it felt like a satisfying way to slam the lid shut on hair metal and all the other tired ‘80s music trends of the day and usher in an exciting new musical decade.
I always wondered if, in my older age, that I'd start liking the Pixies. I'm glad this project gave me the chance to figure that out. For an album that hits my sweet spot on song length (all but three songs take less than 3 minutes) I... don't like it. And I like dark and noisy minor-chord rock. I get this band is important and that's fine but nope.
This one's my favorite Pixies record. Surfer Rosa is, like, objectively cooler? But this one is a better vibe.
One of my biggest regrets when this lp came out was assuming that the Pixies were like the Sundays or the Blake Babies because I'd only heard Here comes your man and Monkey gone to heaven. So I ignored this band for way too long and I should have seen them when they played my crappy college town in 1990. Ah well. HEY may be the best minimal ballad ever to repeatedly use the word whores.
History is going to look back on the early part of the 21st century and there will be a list of the biggest fuck-ups of the century. On that list will be: • Blockbuster not getting their shit together and laughing at an offer to buy Netflix • America not getting their shit together and electing Donald Trump • America not getting their shit together and electing Donald Trump. Again. and, of course • Black Francis not getting his shit together and running Kim out of the band. This band was SOOO good with Kim.
absolute quality album, love the vibe, good energy, good structure, good songs, hits hit, will definitely listen to this again
🌟
Fantastic album!!
Bit annoying vocals some good roffs
It hits the 5 threshold for sure. Bangers all over.
10/10 own it on vinyl
Last time I listened to this album (when I was 16) I kinda forced myself to like it, but now it awoke something within me. I adored it from start to finish. 8/10 Fave track: Debaser
Really cool album that channels the bubbling discontent with 1980s American society very effectively. I happen to prefer Surfer Rosa, but the Pixies kick ass.
Steve Lamacqy, quite a lot on 6 music. I guess I can hear some influencing of later music but overall I wasn't a huge fan
i mean just a classic punk classic certified punk rock indie punk post punk neo proto punk classic certified classic
Das Album ist zweifellos ein gutes Beispiel der alternativen (Indi) Rockmusik, aber es ist nicht jedermanns Sache. Mit seiner Mischung aus surrealen Texten, abrupten Dynamikwechseln und einer Prise Indie-Charme hat es Kultstatus erlangt, doch nicht alle Stücke sind gleichermaßen überzeugend. Die Highlights des Albums – wie „Debaser“, „Wave of Mutilation“ und „Monkey Gone to Heaven“ – zeigen die kreative und chaotische Energie, die die Pixies auszeichnet. Frank Blacks eindringliche Schreie gepaart mit Kim Deals sanften Backing-Vocals schaffen eine einzigartige Dynamik. Die Mischung aus Surf-Rock, Punk und experimentellen Elementen gibt dem Album eine unverkennbare Note. Jedoch gibt es Momente auf *Doolittle*, die an Zugänglichkeit einbüßen und etwas repetitiv wirken können. Einige Tracks fühlen sich weniger inspiriert an und scheinen hinter den stärkeren Songs zurückzubleiben. Dies lies den Eindruck erwecken, dass das Album als Gesamtwerk nicht durchgehend überzeugt.
Most mainstream-accessible Pixies. Even some hits! There were still some songs that drowned into the background, but always something that made me perk back up. SoCal vibe detectable throughout. Not sure where that influence on the guitars came from, but I like it!
Indierock is not really my cup of tea, but it had it's moments. Didn't like the screaming and weird parts, but the melodic calm parts of the songs were actually quite enjoyable.
Solid
Solid
6/10
Debaser: 4.6/5 - strong start of an album, guitar background make this song so powerful Tame: 3.8/5 - vocals don’t convince me at first, but I like this song more every time I listen to it Wave of Mutilation: 4.4/5 - the lyrics corespond with the music tempo, even tho I prefer UK Surf version I Bleed: 4/5 - brilliant transfer of emotions Here Comes Your Man: 4.4/5 - classic, simple but genius Dead: 3.7/5 - different than the other songs in the album, it sounds bland compared to them, but it has it’s good moments Monkey Gone to Heaven: 4.4/5 - references to the Bible, catchy chorus and great instrumental work Mr. Grieves: 4.3/5 - at first I was sure I wouldn’t like it, after all it remains to be one of my favs Crackity Jones: 3.9/5 - what can I say, it was.. fast La La Love You: 4/5 - I like the guitar solo at the begging, in some moments it reminds me of The Smiths No. 13 Baby: 3.9/5 - a mix of calm and powerful vocals, what I like the most was the guitar riffs at the second part There Goes My Gun: 3.8/5 - less catchy than others imo, but again guitar saves this Hey: 4.5/5 - my favourite part are the verses, but chorus make this song come together, it’s just a perfect harmony Silver: 3.5/5 - I wouldn’t guess it’s Pixies song if I have to tbh, the vibes are nothing alike Gouge Away: 4.5/5 - I like the bass at the background and the chorus ofc Overall rating: 4.11/5
I have to admit it, but I was really hesitant to listen to this album since i HATE "Here comes your man" I DESPISE that song. To my surprise I really enjoyed it, especially towards the end. The first two or three songs were very repetitive but very good overall. My favorite ones were "Monkey gone to Heaven" y "Gouge Away"
Couple of songs I liked, decent over all sound.
Didn’t finish tbh, didn’t call out to me. Wasn’t bad, maybe I’d be feeling it another day
It was an ok grunge rock album with maybe 1 song that stuck out
the most commercially successful pixies album with a host of songs that were successful on college radio and even traditional radio. Far too many notable songs for me to not give at a solid 5. I do need to own the physical album of this at some point
inherently a bit exhausting lol but its hard to find a more whole and satisfying record in the rock idiom, surely. songs are strung together first from Sounds...basslines, yelps, and releases of euphoria. theres something v transparent and comforting about the whole process while also allowing for incredible diversity (i cant imagine even Hypothetically getting any two of these songs confused for one another), AND just being gut-level exciting! one of the tracks being an Answer to a track on VU&nico feels fitting in ways i dont even rly know how to articulate, other than theyre both records that are inspiring because of how much space they reveal exists inside of perceived limitations. i'd kill for a nick cave-esque all tommorows parties cover by this era of pixies
This rips. So many good tracks. A couple of clunkers for me (when they're too noisy or a bit dull), but the accumulation of songs here is quite a feat.
Rating: 2.75/5 (Rounded to 2) Favorite Track: Here Comes Your Man, La La Love You Honorable Mentions: Hey This album is an acquired taste for me, as I'm not a huge fan of Black Frank's shrill, shrieky vocals. I do love the stripped-down approach, surf-rock guitar work, and the sharp drumming. The album's influence on alternative rock is undeniable even if it's not completely to my taste. An entertaining listen for sure though :)
While I understand it being influential (duh it's the pixies) punk really is not my thing.
Mid. Wouldn't relisten
Favourite Song: Monkey Gone to Heaven
it's a stunning album that makes my pants tingle
Another great album by Pixies. Previously, I only knew them for one song, you know what it was. The songs were a decent length for their genre. One unusual thing I noticed about "Doolittle" is that the other tracks are better than the singles. The album concludes with the banger "Gouge Away". 4 stars for "Doolittle".
I love this energy it has to it. It is chaotic, raw, violently wild and all that with a rich sound. Francis and Deal played off really nice with one another. The subject matter is daring, delightfully strange and unafraid of its own bizarreness. Maybe not everyone can stand this madness, but you should find out if you dig it before you kick the bucket
The Pixies aren’t for everyone, and Doolittle is a perfect example of why. It’s screamy, unpredictable, and takes some getting used to, but once you tune into its weird, off-kilter wavelength, you can start to see why it’s considered so influential. There’s a rawness to it that feels deliberately abrasive—one minute you’re in a sweet surf-rock melody, the next Black Francis is howling like a man possessed. Tracks like Debaser and Wave of Mutilation hit with manic energy, while Here Comes Your Man offers a rare moment of breezy, radio-friendly relief. It’s chaotic, messy, and at times downright bizarre, but there’s no denying that it paved the way for countless alternative bands that followed. That said, Doolittle isn’t the best Pixies album, and it’s not quite a classic in the sense of being something you instinctively return to over and over again. It’s fascinating in its contrasts—loud-quiet-loud dynamics, absurdist lyrics, and that signature mix of beauty and aggression—but it’s not always an easy listen. Some songs hit hard, others feel like experiments that work more in theory than in practice, but you can’t say it lacks innovation. The way it bridges punk, surf rock, and something completely unhinged is what makes it important. For what it is, Doolittle is a bold and influential record, and you can hear echoes of it in everything from Nirvana to Radiohead to the entire ‘90s alt-rock explosion. But is it the kind of album you put on constantly? Probably not. It’s more of a landmark than a go-to, but as far as alternative rock touchstones go, it’s still a solid 4/5.
This is the stuff.
An enjoyable, well-paced alt-rock album
in some ways, this is THE rock album, as far as the genre's evolution from 1990 to the present day. the DNA for the modern alternative rock sound, in all the many shapes and sizes we can find it in today, is present in every song on Doolittle. the Pixies can go fast or slow, catchy or chaotic, loud or soft, and often do all of that in just two or three minutes, like on "Mr. Grieves." songs like "I Bleed" or "Debaser" are purpose-built for singing along. "Monkey Gone to Heaven" and "Hey" are tender moments perfectly placed. Kim Deal's basslines and backing vocals are everything. it's all so much fun! if this album has no fans, it means I'm dead, along with millions of others. 10/10.
Es un disco que he escuchado cientos, o miles de veces, y jamás me canso de él. Tuvo in impacto enorme cuando fue publicado, no por el éxito (muy limitado) que logró en cuanto a ventas, pero sí en cuanto influencia. Vendió poco (ha logrado apenas un millón de ventas en pongamos veinticinco años), la crítica lo recibió con ambivalencia, pero para algunos fue una aparación. Digámoslo claro: lo que hacían Pixies no lo hacía nadie. Eran de otro planeta. Este es en mi opinión su mejor disco, en durísima pugna con Surfer Rosa (y Trompe le monde, un disco muy infavalorado). Aquí la producción de Gil Norton (que había tocado el cielo con ellos en Gigantic), ya no está Albini, le otorga una pátina pop (hasta donde pueda ser) que hace de esta obra una absoluta joya. El inicio es arrollador: loud-quiet-lud marca de la casa, gritos, referencias hispanas, la banda funcionando como un todo, guitarras sorprendentes como Joey solo era capaz, coros inimitables (con Kim a pleno rendimiento)... la cosa no baja ni un milímetro a lo largo de los muy escasos minutos que dure el álbum. Tame es una bofetada, Wave of mutilation es otra joya que jamás deja de sonar gloriosa, I bleed hace a flombra roja a Here comes your man, y Dead es otra marcianada y Monkey gone to heaven es un cierre absolutamente celestial. La cara B, con Mr Grieves y Crackity Jones ye hace volar la cabeza, La La Love you juega al despiste con la voz de Lovering, Nº 13 baby, Silver, There goes muy gun... imposible elegir, aunque Hey y Gouge away tiene brillo propio. 5/5, 10/10, lo que sea, es una disco y un grupo esencial.
always fun
Debaser Tame Wave of Mutilation Here Comes Your Man Monkey Gone to Heaven Hey
Builds on the highs of Surfer and enters the stratosphere. A top-to-bottom classic.
Such a fun listen.
Not mad into them but there are some total classics
Great album. I was born in ‘88 and can tell that this was heavily influential for a lot of the 90s grunge and rock music. I can also tell that this was way ahead of its time.
I’ve heard this album a billion times already. One of my favorites and of course it gets the big F I VE
One of my favorite albums ever! So so good. Shout out to Maya's mom for suggesting it to me. Debaser: Those first few seconds are so electric -- such a good start to an album. Such a strong sound. I often relisten to debaser just for that delicious beginning riff. And then you listen more and it continues being great. Black Francis's silly, stupid lyrics, the line "I am un chein ! Andalusia," the way he pronounces "Andalusia," his crazed, deranged, discombobulated delivery contrasting with the lovely feminine "debaaaser!" Tame: Another favorite that I loved immediately the first time I listened to the album. The restrained drum beat and offputting vocals followed by the completely untethered, insane screaming of "TAME!" Ironic. Funny. Weird. And sometimes, I need to listen to screams. Wave of Mutilation: A song that I didn't love the first few times, and it's still not my favorite, but it's definitely grown on me a lot. It's got gentler vocals and overall sound than some of the other tracks, which is pleasant. The lyrics are interesting, because even though "mutilation" is inherently gory and aggressive, "wave" is like you're in Hawaii or something! And the vocals are like that too! It's kinda funny and very nice to listen to. Mutilation, so romantic. I Bleed: It's alright, but this is one of those that I usually skip. It's not catchy or interesting enough and the vocals become a little too eerie for me. It has grown on me, though, so I do listen through it on occasion. Here Comes Your Man: Love this, just like everyone else does. Very cute and upbeat and romantic and I love Kim Deal, as always. The kind of thing I'd listen to on Valentine's day. Makes me wanna dance. It's just so good. Dead: One of the songs I go back to again and again. I like the muffled sort of thing and the yelping of "Dead!" being the entire chorus is always funny. Black Francis is just so funny and expressive. Monkey Gone to Heaven: This one is special to me because it was one my dad would play on the guitar all the time when I was a kid (which is the way I know lots of songs, especially anything by Radiohead) and I'd get upset at the notion of anything not-human going to heaven. "Monkeys can't go to heaven!" But now, I love this song. It's got that wacky storyline and the "GOD is seven!" stuff is so wacky. So good. Mr. Grieves: My favorite song for quite some time -- not just off this album, my favorite song of the Pixies, my favorite song in general. Short and sweet, super catchy, has that cryptic lyricism and animated delivery we all know and love, plus some texture in terms of the pace. SO good. Crackity Jones: Another wacky, story-type song. I like his voice, I like the weird microphone quality, I like that he speaks a little Spanish. I like how quick it is. Never a dull moment. La La Love You: Love this one, too, and upon looking up the lyrics on genius, have just found out that it's sung by David Lovering, the drummer, rather than Black Francis. Which is cool! And he certainly has a smoother, suaver voice that is appropriate for a song like this. That "shake your butt!" lead-in is pretty cheeky (ha-ha, get it?) and the "first base, second base, third base, home run" also earns a good chuckle. Such a good listen. No. 13 Baby: This just might be my favorite. It's so great. It starts off weird (in a good way), but it really rocks the more you listen. "Tattooed tit". It's funny. And the "I'm in a state" chant is also great. His weird, whiny voice as he starts that third verse. There's too much to talk about. Every second is incredible. But the main bit isn't the best part -- the best part is the end. The minute-something at the end with the layered instruments is SO good. It cannot be overstated. It's orgasmic. It's jammy. It's the best. There Goes My Gun: Perfect, sharp guitar at the beginning with those "Yoo hoo!"s. Iconic. Super repetitive song, but so good. I always forget about this one until I listen to the whole album, but it's really awesome. Hey: Very jarring "HEY!" at the start, but it's the name of the song. "... or whores in my head, whores at the door, whore in my bed" is a great line. "If you go, I will surely die" is, too. Then the chai-a-ained bit is also incredible. What's not to love? Great guitar. God, it's like a night on an island. Then, I think the most remarkable part is the ridiculous "UH!" dialogue part? It's like, if you actually listen to it, I'm sure it has a real storyline which I ought to consider, but the way he says them is just so funny. "Whores like a choir." Silver: This is another song I didn't like at all when I first listened, but after some time I've grown to almost love it? Kinda? I certainly am willing to listen to it. It's got a weird, gold-rush-y vibe to it that I've actually started to appreciate despite the really freaky vocals. Gouge Away: SO good. The contrast in the vocals from the first and second verse is always interesting, and the "some marijuana, if you got some" is always a fun line and kinda reminds me of the line in Hair where he's like "can ya spare some marijuanaaaa?" I love this song. Just really solid. I do wish No. 13 Baby would come last so that my last taste of the album would be that luscious ending minute, but Gouge Away is completely worthy anyways. Overall, one of the best albums I've ever listened to. I'd say it's almost perfect. So creative and lively and each song is a little different, but there's just so much awesome sound and it's so so so so very great.
I have listened to this before, but coming back to it, it is still fantastic. Doolittle is packed with some of the most well written and catchy melodys of any alternative record of its time. Tracks like Here Comes Your Man and especially Monkey Gone to Heaven are spellbinding. I think with hindsight Surfer Rosa is a better album purely because of it production and soundscapes, but that should not take away from the fact that The Pixies Doolittle is one of the definitive Alternative Rock records of the 80s
Buoni musicisti ma canzoni che non capisco cosa debbano comunicare.
I forgot how good this album was. Thanks I needed that.
Meh/5, album próbujący na siłę być głęboki i oryginalny. Murakami wśród muzyki - w pewnym wieku wydaje się to głębokie i słuchanie tego to coś, co nobilituje nastolatków w ich własnych oczach. Ale poznanie tego w późniejszym wieku to już nie jest najlepszy pomysł.
I thought it was produced in 21st century. I would love to give it a 5 but there is a great swing in quality of the songs. Some are fabulous, especially 'Silver' stole my heart some are just avarage. Almost 5.
Pierwsze kawałki dużo lepsze, niż się spodziewałem. Potem dokładnie to czego się spodziewałem. Bardzo srednie 2
Was cool already know it
First album
"this monkey gone to heaven" said the woman to the man she adoooores
If man is 5, then the devil is 6, and if the devil is 6, then God is 7
Sounded good musically. But not for me, screaming got on my nerves.
aaaaahh értem már hogy a nirvana mit szeretett ezen :D
I'm obsessed with this album. These musicians are geniuses.
Omg this quite possibly one of my favorite albums, so many good songs! I can't tell you how much I love this album!! It's just a fun catchy depressing album! I always think of the pixies and this album when I think of them, it's such an iconic one!
++*: Debaser ++: Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man, Dead, La La Love You, No. 13 Baby +: Tame, I Bleed, Monkey Gone to Heaven, Hey, Silver, Gouge Away +-: Mr. Grieves, Crackity Jones, There Goes My Gun 7,7/10
Will revisit. Pre punkish
This reminds me of the Breeders.
So many of these songs feel like the same line again and again, repeated for 2 minutes.
A great album … can’t get better than opening with Debaser (maybe they should have put that last 😆)
big fan
Wirklich nicht
It was much better than I thought it would be. This is why I like this project, you hear new artist and albums you never knew about.
Nice
Can't believe I've never listened to the Pixies before in any real sense! I loved this album. My favorite track was the opener - Debaser.
I've never listened to a Pixies album before, but I enjoyed this. I kinda liked how short each song was.
On this album there is the very catchy "Here Comes Your Man". But overall I like the music much more than the vocals/screaming! worst: "I Bleed"
Standouts: Tame
Idealna muzyka na czasy, gdy człowiek jest zbuntowany i zły na cały świat, ale też na tyle stabilny emocjonalnie, że nie planuje przy okazji rozwalać mebli. Jest coś mroczno-otulającego w tej lekkiej deformacji dźwiękowej. Mocne 7/10
How can an album be the most popular album from the band and the least pixies sounding album? I just can't get into this. The music is trying to be abrasive while they also seem to be trying to be marketable. It just ends up being annoying.
To be fair, the 2nd half was more tolerable, so should get a 2.5, but here we are...
Not really my kind of music or singing
More my style as I'm a 90s kid. Some great tracks I think I would've eaten this up as a teenager.
Not bad.