One of the most compulsively listenable college rock albums of the '80s, the Pixies' 1988 full-length debut Surfer Rosa fulfilled the promise of Come on Pilgrim and, thanks to Steve Albini's production, added a muscular edge that made their harshest moments seem even more menacing and perverse. On songs like "Something Against You," Black Francis' cryptic shrieks and non sequiturs are backed by David Lovering and Kim Deal's punchy rhythms, which are so visceral that they'd overwhelm any guitarist except Joey Santiago, who takes the spotlight on the epic "Vamos." Albini's high-contrast dynamics suit Surfer Rosa well, especially on the explosive opener "Bone Machine" and the kinky, T. Rex-inspired "Cactus." But, like the black-and-white photo of a flamenco dancer on its cover, Surfer Rosa is the Pixies' most polarized work. For each blazing piece of punk, there are softer, poppier moments such as "Where Is My Mind?," Francis' strangely poignant song inspired by scuba diving in the Caribbean, and the Kim Deal-penned "Gigantic," which almost outshines the rest of the album. But even Surfer Rosa's less iconic songs reflect how important the album was in the group's development. The "song about a superhero named Tony" ("Tony's Theme") was the most lighthearted song the Pixies had recorded, pointing the way to their more overtly playful, whimsical work on Doolittle. Francis' warped sense of humor is evident in lyrics like "Bone Machine"'s "He bought me a soda and tried to molest me in the parking lot/Yep yep yep!" In a year that included landmark albums from contemporaries like Throwing Muses, Sonic Youth, and My Bloody Valentine, the Pixies managed to turn in one of 1988's most striking, distinctive records. Surfer Rosa may not be the group's most accessible work, but it is one of their most compelling.
Wow!That was THE BEST festival I have EVER been to!The sound was amazing, so much better than the quality of BDO sound which kept dropping-out during Muse last year and any other festivals. All the bands sounded great even from the back I thought, but I only really watched Phoenix and PIXIES from the back coz I was front-centre for their sideshow...Mercy Arms started what was to be a great day ...
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This is really ..weird. Every time I listen to Broken Face, Sex Pistols come to mind. Does anyone think the vocals of Broken Face (the echo's and craziness..) sound like Johnny Rotten? I dunno.. just the recording and lots of cymblas etc. makes me think of them.. *STRANGE*
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Feel free to skip this one when it makes its way into the Mog-o-Sphere. It has nothing to do with music. Not even a little. Not even a thimbleful. Just taking a cue from the amazing T. Staunton and trying my hand at the wonderfully absurd humor he makes seem so effortless.I have brought a very special guest here today to speak with y'all about a product that has truly changed my life. It h...
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Gigantism Muxtape (1:12:57)1) Kronos Quartet - Marquee Moon2) David Byrne - Glass Concrete and Stone3)Tangoterje - Diamonds Dub4) Mazzy Star - Fade Into You5) Blur - This is a Low6) Boris - Farewell7) Glenn Branca - Lesson No. 18) LCD Soundsystem - Great Release9) Scott Walker - Such A Small Love10) Nina Nastasia - Ocean11) Carla Bozulich - Medley: Time Of The Preacher, Blue Rock Montana, Red H...
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If Pixies fans were holding their breaths for a new album since 1991's Trompe Le Monde, many of them would have passed out by now. Well Frank Black's asking them to hold out a little longer. In a recent with NME.com, Black mentions that a new album is not out of the question. "I have to see if the band as a whole wants to go into the recording studio for a new record," he says. "That makes sens...
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Although it had a dire lack of need for illustration, my last post sent me hunting through old photos tucked away between the cushions of the hard drive. So I find this picture of my old car, an '89 Plymoth Horizon, the "ass car." It was an old dock runner at Portland's Terminal 2. The company that ran Terminal 2, Stevedor Services of America, had placed decals on the door bearing their trad...
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Another Pixies post? Heck yes. I'd like to share one of those moments we sometimes have, like when you realize you've been singing the "wrong" lyric of a favorite song all these years and never bothered to look it up, probably because it suits ya just fine. Anyway, going to see the Pixies summer of 2005 in Boston (where else?) with my best friend of now almost 20 years was a lifetime highlig...
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Feel free to skip this one when it makes its way into the Mog-o-Sphere. It has nothing to do with music. Not even a little. Not even a thimbleful. Just taking a cue from the amazing T. Staunton and trying my hand at the wonderfully absurd humor he makes seem so effortless.I have brought a very special guest here today to speak with y'all about a product that has truly changed my life. It h...
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Tim Anstaett, publisher of The Offense fanzine, is my guest this week. He talks about The Offense and plays some great local music from back in the day. He also shares some stuff from shows he promoted in Columbus. Bands you may have heard of before, like the Pixies, the Fall, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Throwing Muse, and Cocteau Twins. Stream: http://patradio.org/blix/wimpy.php Right-cli...
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You know the ones I mean: you know the songs forwards and backwards and you've loved them forever. They instantly take you to your happy place, despite the shitty circumstances you're in.I was lucky enough to have it happen twice yesterday - both times in the car. Like many of us, I'm freaking out about money. I've been a stress case, and not very fun company at holiday gatherings (although ...
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Wow!That was THE BEST festival I have EVER been to!The sound was amazing, so much better than the quality of BDO sound which kept dropping-out during Muse last year and any other festivals. All the bands sounded great even from the back I thought, but I only really watched Phoenix and PIXIES from the back coz I was front-centre for their sideshow...Mercy Arms started what was to be a great day ...
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My mog does not seem to be updating, it hasn't for a while now and I went to my preferences (i use a mac) and it says the client is not running... Now I have not gone to help or anything smart like that, but anyone else have that happen? its makin me cranky!!!!!
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This is really ..weird. Every time I listen to Broken Face, Sex Pistols come to mind. Does anyone think the vocals of Broken Face (the echo's and craziness..) sound like Johnny Rotten? I dunno.. just the recording and lots of cymblas etc. makes me think of them.. *STRANGE*
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"...two three hey RIDE THE TIGER down RIVER EUPHRATES..."Does this song make you think of Iraq? Go ahead and listen to it again, my friends. And try to deny it.I wonder if it gets played over there, in the hummers and APCs. Riding the TIGER. On the other hand, some people think Frank is singing "RIDE THE TIRE". Yeah right. I'll check.Oh. The tire people are right. Damn.
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I watched this documentary on the pixies last night -- it was one of the best documentaries I had seen in a long while. It had soem amazing, spot-on perfromances (fullength songs!). It was also one of the saddest docs. I had ever seen. The band rarely spoke with one another, no smiles, all hand wringing and dishcord. Each member would open up to the camera, and then shut down when others were a...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Bone Machine |
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| 2 Break My Body |
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| 3 Something Against You |
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| 4 Broken Face |
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| 5 Gigantic |
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| 6 River Euphrates |
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| 7 Where Is My Mind? |
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| 8 Cactus |
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| 9 Tony's Theme |
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| 10 Oh My Golly! |
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| 11 Vamos |
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| 12 I'm Amazed |
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| 13 Brick Is Red |
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 "Surfer Rosa")
