made famous by the song " Where Is My Mind? "in the soundtrack for Fight Club (the famous final scene where everything explodes while Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter are side by side) is unfortunately often just what the novice knows this great band. Let us give to Caesar what belongs to him and Let 's talk in context.
The Pixies can claim to act as figurehead of alternative rock. Their formation in 1986, in years often regarded as sterile, with a rock that looks after the punk seems to be a timing error. Certainly, the decade has its share of artists who are worth the detour ( INXS, Sonic Youth , REM, Violent Femmes , Gang of Four , Mudhoney, The Fall , Orange Juice ...). But how many can claim an influence comparable to that of the Pixies?
This fascination was perhaps matched only by the improbability of their meeting, tangle of unlikely son of fate. Charles Thompson IV, aka Black Francis (lead singer) first meets Joey Santiago (future guitarist) with whom he shares a room at the university. A friendship develops between these two music lovers who decide later to form a rock band. They then pass an advertisement in a newspaper to find a bassist, Kim Deal and arrives at their door. The lady in question can not play the bass too bad we will not stop at this little detail. Perhaps because his spirit is visible, and his strong character. Or because it is the only one to have given Following their announcement (it must be said that "a bassist who liked both folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary and the group Hüsker Dü," it does not necessarily short street). No longer lack a drummer and a name. For the first stroke of luck, Kim remembers across someone at a wedding: it will be David Lovering. For the latter, consulting a dictionary will do. After a few rehearsals in the garage of David, the new line-up released a good debut EP Come On Pilgrim in 1987. " Caribou " Black Francis erected as a master in his discipline, as capable of a voice that calmed a falsetto tone angry and bitter. "Nimrod's Son " illustrates his obsession for unfailing biblical themes, while "The Holiday Song " discusses masturbation.
In 1988, a bomb detonates in a rock desolate landscape. Surfer Rosa is
, the Pixies' first album, which will give them eternal gratitude. Not content to enjoy the rare talent of its singer, he also owed much of its success to its synergy with Kim, not so much for his bass playing (for also a marked improvement), as his voice used in addition to Black, establishing an electric atmosphere, as on " River Euphrates." It is also she who writes and sings " Gigantic " piece praised by the crowds, a sort of alter-ego " Where Is My Mind? , "written and sung by Black. Let's talk again " Something Against You " full of rage as instrumental voice in a style that pretty hardcore, "Oh My Golly! "which shows the indomitable spirit of the drummer, or the joyous" Vamos "sung in English. What emerges above all Surfer Rosa is the alternation between quiet verses and choruses unbridled style little or not operated at the time that we recognize their paternity, and who will become the trademark group.
But the band of elves do not stop there, and released the following year Doolittle, who, along with Surfer Rosa , argues generally first place in the heart of the fans of the Pixies. Whereas with the first, we were in a style quite dirty and gross, the second is much cleaner as a result of a change of producer, and an increase in budget. Although adept of lo-fi, my preference is still to Doolittle, full of unexpected wonders. "Debaser " introduces the album in between the aggressiveness of Black to the gentle songs of Kim-cons. "Wave of Mutilation " is full of charm elusive, and conveys an almost palpable emotion. This theme of suffering, often operated by Black, also appears in "I Bleed . Very danceable pop nugget taking the refrain, "Here Comes Your Man " is the opposite. " Dead" plays on the sudden change of pace, " Monkey Gone To Heaven ", another well known piece of the Pixies, speaks of world destruction by man. More than Surfer Rosa everything is well done and well constructed in this album, and songs like "There Goes My Gun " attest. It concludes with "Silver " moving duet between Black and Kim, and "Gouge Away " fine example of genius rebel group.
Everything seems to be going well, but tensions arise between Francis and Kim. The first is quite methodical and serious, while the second is beset with problems of drugs and alcohol. For some concerts, she arrives late, for others it is no longer standing. Pixies Announce logically pause, during which each will go about their business. Kim then will reconnect with his childhood band, the Breeders (which includes a member of Throwing Muses), to release a debut album, Pod .
After this break, the group meets for a new album in 1990, Bossanova . Accordingly
pranks Kim, he will this time much more in person before the Black, author and singer of all songs. If his presence as a counterpoint to that of Kim is sometimes regrettable, this does not affect the quality of the whole, which, despite all these tensions, remains an excellent bill. Main Evolution: the songs that characterized bestial Surfer Rosa and Doolittle here are virtually absent, except for "Rock Music "And his words incomprehensible (" Your Mouth's A Mile Away ). But the group took the opportunity to concoct melodies and funky riffs, like on " Ana" and her haunting guitar line. The bass did a great job on " Is She Weird , and the battery gives full plume" Down to the Well . " The Happening" is blowing: the voltage air never seems to stop, but it is suddenly broken when Black changed his tone (but how is it?) to pronounce "Beneath the sky ... . Let's talk again " Hang Wire" successful alternating between rage and lull in the song Black and " Havalina " which concludes Bossanova very melodious.
With the tour that followed, tensions between Kim and Black remain. There is even talk of an impending separation of the group. It was not counting the production, which, for better or for worse, managed to convince them to work together one last time. One might have feared that this was the famous album too, which confirms the death of the inspiration of a group. Yet beneath their pointed hats, our elves hid a few surprises. Rumors claimed that the musical style of the Pixies had evolved into heavy metal. If
were quickly reversed with the release of Trompe Le Monde in 1991, some titles are nonetheless marked by its violence. This in rabies Surfer Rosa resurfaced, as in "Planet of Sound . The title track from the album explores a little every direction, and placing on the effects of removal guitars and reverb to make an effective seduction. "Alec Eiffel " is a successful tribute to the famous tower in Paris, which has always fascinated Black, while "Head On " is a cover of The dynamic Jesus and Mary Chain. "The etter to Memphis" is one of the few love songs (with "La La Love You ") composed by the Pixies. The festival continues with " Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons ", which is characterized by disturbing sounds almost imperceptible back plan. " Motorway to Roswell " is a great pop song and "The Navajo Know " is a slick rich atmosphere and uninhibited, which sounds sadly the end of the album ... The influence of Pixies will resonate with many musicians, first and foremost there is Kurt Cobain, an admirer of Surfer Rosa and admits readily that his "
Smells Like Teen Spirit " would never have without them. In this regard David Bowie says elsewhere: "I was very disappointed the day I learned that the Pixies were separating. What a mess ... I already imagined conquer the world. When I heard Nevermind Nirvana for the first time I was very angry. The dynamics of the pieces was a raid total Pixies. I so enjoyed seeing the Pixies and Sonic Youth at the top. "If we still give a name, for example, include Damon Albarn, who admits he wanted to sound like the Pixies in the early days of Blur. 
With the separation of the Pixies, so this is the end of a legend. Well, almost. In First, because members will be reformed for concerts from time to time. On the other hand, because they continue to express their talent in solo projects. Black Francis began a successful career under the pseudonym Frank Black, listen for example, " You Is not Me" or " Headache. Kim Deal will continue on her adventure she had begun with the Breeders, notably in 1993 and released the hit album Last Splash , which contains the songs " Cannonball" and "Divine Hammer . To date, she still officiates.
The prospect of a new Pixies album is currently not on the agenda. However, Kim and Charles never lost the desire to make music. The Pixies have many beautiful things, and they have never been as much as when these two were able to agree. We would have liked to see this synergy work again for one last wonder ...
Frank A.
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