1001 Albums Summary

Despite so many years of being a rock girlie, all I know about Pixies is "Where is My Mind." Sooooo... this is a solid way to kick off this album listening project. (And hey, TIL they're from Boston. Also Black Francis graduated from Westport High and won a "Teenager of the Year" award? lol) So I'm coming in extremely blind, only knowing the name and the influence. This is not what I expected them to sound like. I think I expected something heavier. But I was really happily surprised by all the genre bending -- surf pop, punk, and oh wait is that reggae/ska? I don't know how often I'll return to it, but I'm hearing how foundational they are to the 90s alternative scene and a lot of other bands I've loved. Some Related TBLs: - Nirvana - Nevermind (finally? because they cite this as an influence and I have never listened to it. I was just a little too young for the grunge movement.) - The Breeders - Last Splash (bassist Kim Deal's follow up all female alt band. I do love it when the girls make rock music) Standout Tracks + First Impressions: - Debaser - the sound grabbed me out the of the gate - Wave of Mutilation - the jauntiest surf bop about overworked Japanese businessmen dying by suicide, geez. - Here Comes Your Man - oh, this is a fun vibe. I won't look up the lyrics to find out if it's super dark yet ha. I like the vocal interplay between the two lead singers. - La La Love You - mostly instrumental, groovy vibe, nice bass line and guitar noodling, and maybe even a touch of new wave? - Silver - is just a little bit weird and feels like a spaghetti western? I'm into it.

Somewhat out of my wheelhouse, but kind of feel like I should listen to R&B / soul / funk more often? Reminds me of the kind of music I'd listen to growing up on oldies. Standouts: - This cover art. - So in Love - such a smooth vibe - Jesus - kind of want to look closer at the lyrics - Hard Times - Love to the People

Stream of consciousness first impressions: So I didn't actually finish this one, because I got sidetracked. But I listened to about the first half while making dinner. I have never heard of this band and I never would have picked it up based on this cover. But dang, this was fun. I will always have a little soft spot in my heart for youthful pop punk, for the energy and freedom. In 1995 I was listening to my mom's music -- oldies and grown up CCM. I didn't start exploring alt music until a couple years later, and even then I was staying in the Christian music fence. So of course I wouldn't have heard this. But that's the fun thing. I am in my 40s, there is always something to discover in 90s music, and somehow it still taps into nostalgia for a life I didn't exactly live. Anyway, I'll go back and revisit this one in full later. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Day 4 of the challenge. Is this the greatest album ever? idk. Is it my favorite of the ones I listened to so far, so much I put it on loop while I did my silly little work tasks? Yes, yes it is. Reminds me of the brief time I was super into Morning Phase and forgot about Beck. I have a weakness for sad singer songwriter folkiness with interesting production. Then followed up with Guero for the first time, so this was Beck day. Saving in my library.