The Album Review Club - *** Christmas Break Playlist (next album 7/1/26) ***

[Citizen of Legoland]

I gave it another try and found it a bit easier today, I actually thought it sounded a bit dated in places - Debaser reminds me, in places, of the theme from Friends or some other naff 90s American TV Show. Bits of it are okay but I don't think it would be something I choose to listen to, especially the latter part of the album. I can't remember which track it was but it just made me feel like I'd had enough and I reverted to skipping through those later songs. I quite like some of the lyrics and I don't mind the vocals actually, it's the drums and bass that bore me, but I think that's the genre which I never liked. At the time this type of music felt like it was for younger people than me even though I was only fresh out of Uni by then.

I think 4/10 for this one.

 

[bennyboy]

Not sure I can agree with that comparison. Dylan, Springsteen are making music that typically relies on singing. Pixies are coming off the back of a punk movement that was about expression more than singing. It is about the mood and the attitude, etc. etc. The issue with Pixies though to an extent is they don't follow through enough maybe.

Of all the things that I didn't take to on this album, I have to say the signing wasn't one of them. But then I maybe like more bands less constrained by conventional metrics.

Not a fan of Springsteen but Ryan Adams latest release is a cover of the whole Nebraska album.
First listen i struggled with it.I can see me putting it down as another recent album with Ryan that i sadly will not play.
What's the Story by Oasis rumoured to be the next on his list.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

As I said, this is my favo(u)rite Pixies record, but that doesn't mean its part of my "greatest ever" canon, because it isn't. It's nice to see this record engender so much thought and debate. Personally I think Doolittle and this band's overall influence on grunge or alternative or whatever is just a tad overhyped -- but only a tad. It's hard to contextualize in retrospect how odd and fresh this sounded in the very late 80s vs. the more definable genres of the day. But to me Sonic Youth "mattered" more to alternative via "Sister" and "Daydream Nation", hyping up the speed and twisting the tunings around in their VU 2.0 phase. But they were never as crunchy as Pixies either, and I like crunchy better. I see SY as more influential on alternative than Pixies just because they were more boundary-breaking -- I can't ever see Pixies playing their guitars with forks and spoons. Thurston Moore also let Kim Gordon have much more influence on their music than Black Francis ever did Kim Deal, so Pixies feels like Deal participates and influences, but never leads, which is too bad, since she's awesome.

In general, I agree with most of what others have said about songs they like vs. those they don't.To me the strength here is in the first seven songs. I've always loved "Debaser" and "Monkey", but how about some love for "Wave of Mutilation" -- there's a reason that's what they (or someone) named their greatest hits collection -- it's rousing, and as close to anthemic as this band has ever gotten. Rehearing "Tame" and "I Bleed" and "Dead" I realiz(s)ed I'd kind of underrated them in the past. I also used to hate "Here Comes Your Man" as some of you have said, but it's odd how its actually grown on me over the years -- normally the opposite happens to me when I hear a song repeatedly.

Beginning with "Mr. Grieves" though, there is a real de-evolution, where the band seems to be scampering about for styles to turn a trick on. They're pretty good at surf rock (as they demonstrate more forcefully on some later tunes) but they kinda suck at fast punk ("Crackity Jones" is very, very meh). They're better heavy and crunchy, but much better when they actually have hooks -- exceedingly important when your lead singer can't sing, has nothing to say but wants to experiment with octaves and lyrics anyway. The back half is less crunchy and less hooky and then there's my problem with Black Francis -- he mistakes self-indulgence for alternative novelty. Much of the back half of the record is largely sonics only, and lyrical/vocal masturbation. "No. 13 Baby" belatedly finds a groove, and but I've always found "Hey" grating. The nice thing about Pixies is that if you don't like something you don't have to wait every long til it's over. So at least we get the really great "Gouge Away" to blow the taste of the plodding "Silver" out of our mouths.

Strangely, this reminds me a lot of "The Queen Is Dead" in terms of its unevenness. 60% the record is a 9, and another 40% pretty middling. One thing this record does do -- it explains precisely why I selected the Breeders' "Last Splash" -- which I find stronger, more consistent, lighter, funnier, poppier if not slightly less innovative. Still, a very strong 7 -- very near an 8 -- but maybe you should just go get the greatest hits so you can remove a lot of Black Francis' noodling fat and just hear kick-ass chords.

 

[Coatigan]

One thing this record does do -- it explains precisely why I selected the Breeders' "Last Splash" -- which I find stronger, more consistent, lighter, funnier, poppier if not slightly less innovative. Still, a very strong 7 -- very near an 8 -- but maybe you should just go get the greatest hits so you can remove a lot of Black Francis' noodling fat and just hear kick-ass chords.

I probably found Breeders easier to listen to than this, when it was put forward. Partly because unlike with this I had no prior preconceptions. Partly because it is clearer with what it is.

But I have to admit, overall, I preferred this one. Possibly a touch of recency bias, but what I did like in this one, I liked a fair bit. There was more on the breeders album that was fine, but less that was as grabbing.

This one also had me going through a lot of their other work, something Breeders didn't, or not any more than in passing.



As an aside, if it means anything at all, when the album finishes, my spotify moves on to autoplay the cure, joy division, the smiths, etc. Perhaps reaffirming my earlier point that this album is more of a post 70s pop-rock than the pre-90s scene.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I probably found Breeders easier to listen to than this, when it was put forward. Partly because unlike with this I had no prior preconceptions. Partly because it is clearer with what it is.

But I have to admit, overall, I preferred this one. Possibly a touch of recency bias, but what I did like in this one, I liked a fair bit. There was more on the breeders album that was fine, but less that was as grabbing.

This one also had me going through a lot of their other work, something Breeders didn't, or not any more than in passing.



As an aside, if it means anything at all, when the album finishes, my spotify moves on to autoplay the cure, joy division, the smiths, etc. Perhaps reaffirming my earlier point that this album is more of a post 70s pop-rock than the pre-90s scene.

All fair. Black Francis is both a blessing and a curse, whereas Kim is more often just a blessing, as I see it :) And I probably also figured Breeders would appeal to this crowd more than Pixies. I've tried to focus on records I think a broad swath of folks might like but maybe hadn't heard, even if they aren't perfect.

When I go next, I'm still torn among doing something I know everyone will love, doing something I love but that I'm guessing won't appeal (or even be hated), or finding something that splits the difference.

I will say I am exceedingly heartened by the love for "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables" that I've seen on the @BlueHammer85 top 1,100 thread. I had no idea how many bluemooners loved the Dead Kennedys.

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Yeah true, but so are many big genres. Including Americana. That's what keeps music evolving, establishing and then breaking norms. It is a good thing.

Incidentally punk, or pure punk as it came, is one that has had less effect on me than other genres that came as a consequence. But I fully appreciate its role in shaking up the scene that was getting quite stagnant.

I loved all the music that punk and contemporaries on the fringes of punk were rebelling against and didn’t give it much credence at the time, but in retrospect perhaps, I have an appreciation for what it spawned in Indie music.
Punk had a point. It was right about the establishment and the air of superiority amongst certain genres and the pomposity that had more than crept in and was overtaking live shows.
However, and I have definitely said this in here at some point before. The biggest criticism I have of the punk movement is that they endeavoured to throw the baby out with the bath water. It was like ground zero and anything that went before was condemned by a generation at the time.

Many great artists who were very true and real musicians were condemned along with all others.
This in my view was every bit as arrogant as those they were targeting with their accusatory sneers.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I loved all the music that punk and contemporaries on the fringes of punk were rebelling against and didn’t give it much credence at the time, but in retrospect perhaps, I have an appreciation for what it spawned in Indie music.
Punk had a point. It was right about the establishment and the air of superiority amongst certain genres and the pomposity that had more than crept in and was overtaking live shows.
However, and I have definitely said this in here at some point before. The biggest criticism I have of the punk movement is that they endeavoured to throw the baby out with the bath water. It was like ground zero and anything that went before was condemned by a generation at the time.

Many great artists who were very true and real musicians were condemned along with all others.
This in my view was every bit as arrogant as those they were targeting with their accusatory sneers.

This is an extremely thoughtful post.

 

[RobMCFC]

A lot of votes in before the weekend for this one.

Is everybody super keen because we’ve had a couple of weeks off, or is it an easy album to make your mind up on?

Or maybe it’s that a few voters are already familiar with it.

As for “grit” - I’d say that despite some shouting, this album is way more playful than gritty.

 

[RobMCFC]

I loved all the music that punk and contemporaries on the fringes of punk were rebelling against and didn’t give it much credence at the time, but in retrospect perhaps, I have an appreciation for what it spawned in Indie music.
Punk had a point. It was right about the establishment and the air of superiority amongst certain genres and the pomposity that had more than crept in and was overtaking live shows.
However, and I have definitely said this in here at some point before. The biggest criticism I have of the punk movement is that they endeavoured to throw the baby out with the bath water. It was like ground zero and anything that went before was condemned by a generation at the time.

Many great artists who were very true and real musicians were condemned along with all others.
This in my view was every bit as arrogant as those they were targeting with their accusatory sneers.

It wasn’t so much ground zero, it was more like year zero.

(That’s speaking from a historical perspective as I was too young at the time).

I struggle to have any respect for punk - I’d rather reserve my praise and credit for proper musicians.

 

[GornikDaze]

As a slight aside (and apologies for not finding the original post) thanks Fog for your Going For The One reminder. Just played the album in the car for the first time in many years…. Magnificent!!

 

[Coatigan]

I loved all the music that punk and contemporaries on the fringes of punk were rebelling against and didn’t give it much credence at the time, but in retrospect perhaps, I have an appreciation for what it spawned in Indie music.
Punk had a point. It was right about the establishment and the air of superiority amongst certain genres and the pomposity that had more than crept in and was overtaking live shows.
However, and I have definitely said this in here at some point before. The biggest criticism I have of the punk movement is that they endeavoured to throw the baby out with the bath water. It was like ground zero and anything that went before was condemned by a generation at the time.

Many great artists who were very true and real musicians were condemned along with all others.
This in my view was every bit as arrogant as those they were targeting with their accusatory sneers.

Nail, head. Throughout.

 

[Coatigan]

I've tried to focus on records I think a broad swath of folks might like but maybe hadn't heard, even if they aren't perfect.

Kinda the same, and in hindsight, bar one, I wish I hadn't. Where I did put things I really liked, I went with what I thought was more accessible than what was their best or dearest to me.

When I go next, I'm still torn among doing something I know everyone will love, doing something I love but that I'm guessing won't appeal (or even be hated), or finding something that splits the difference.

Go with what you love regardless of appeal, gets my vote. Don't split the difference either way.

I genuinely have no idea what to go for next. I've done the choices I thought would be slightly palatable. Now it either gets more extreme and less appealing here, or I go totally leftfield and go with width rather than depth of my range.

 

[journolud]

I don’t suppose the original punks ever envisioned a generation of music lovers who could switch from the DKs to Yes and back again without batting an eyelid

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Kinda the same, and in hindsight, bar one, I wish I hadn't. Where I did put things I really liked, I went with what I thought was more accessible than what was their best or dearest to me.



Go with what you love regardless of appeal, gets my vote. Don't split the difference either way.

I genuinely have no idea what to go for next. I've done the choices I thought would be slightly palatable. Now it either gets more extreme and less appealing here, or I go totally leftfield and go with width rather than depth of my range.

Well @Coatigan just remember that it was you who advised me to go with my gut on the Fatima’s album rather than the more accessible alternative. I was rather pleasantly surprised by how that turned out.

Go with your gut. We’ll either get it or we won’t. You’ll still love it.

 

[bennyboy]

A lot of votes in before the weekend for this one.

Is everybody super keen because we’ve had a couple of weeks off, or is it an easy album to make your mind up on?

Or maybe it’s that a few voters are already familiar with it.

As for “grit” - I’d say that despite some shouting, this album is way more playful than gritty.

My reason is that i'm trying to read more books this year.So hopefully i will get my review in before the weekend.

 

[Coatigan]

As for “grit” - I’d say that despite some shouting, this album is way more playful than gritty.

I struggle to have any respect for punk - I’d rather reserve my praise and credit for proper musicians.

You are just gaslighting now.

I'll resist taking the bait though. Not that I disagree entirely with the first bit.

 

[bennyboy]

Well @Coatigan just remember that it was you who advised me to go with my gut on the Fatima’s album rather than the more accessible alternative. I was rather pleasantly surprised by how that turned out.

Go with your gut. We’ll either get it or we won’t. You’ll still love it.

I have not done an album that i have considered a classic that most folk would know about.
So that is my next pick.

 

[RobMCFC]

You are just gaslighting now.

I'll resist taking the bait though. Not that I disagree entirely with the first bit.

I’ve just had to look up the meaning of gaslighting and was surprised by what I saw.

Anybody who knows me in real life would tell you that I’m a heart-on-my-sleeve Guy. I like to consider myself fair, which is why I can review albums like this week’s and debate what I do and don’t like about it.

However, I will admit that I feel my lip involuntary curling and a sneer coming on whenever people try to tell my how good punk was (or The Stone Roses were for that matter).

Like I said, I was a bit young at the time, but looking back, I find it extraordinary that people would choose to listen to punk versus other music that was available at the time.

I do accept that we are all different, and what’s music to some is noise to others, and that’s one of the things that makes the various music threads tick. Given that there’s no shortage of people telling us how great punk was, I feel that it’s my duty to represent the other team :)

 

[Manc in London]

The Pixies one of those bands i find a couple of great tracks inbetween some not so great.
It will be an interesting listen to see how this album stands now.Never have they been in my favourite bands list but it has my favourite Pixies song 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' on it.
First listen to the Pixies this century coming up.

Certainly something I would say of Frank Black's solo work but wouldn't agree about this being the case with Doolittle and Surfer Rosa.

I have consistently had Doolittle in my top 20 albums since i first heard it (89/90). A great rhythm section playing 3-minute long perfect but edgy pop songs with some great hooks. Gil Norton did a great job on the production, as he did with some Throwing Muses records.

 

[Coatigan]

I’ve just had to look up the meaning of gaslighting and was surprised by what I saw.

Anybody who knows me in real life would tell you that I’m a heart-on-my-sleeve Guy. I like to consider myself fair, which is why I can review albums like this week’s and debate what I do and don’t like about it.

However, I will admit that I feel my lip involuntary curling and a sneer coming on whenever people try to tell my how good punk was (or The Stone Roses were for that matter).

Like I said, I was a bit young at the time, but looking back, I find it extraordinary that people would choose to listen to punk versus other music that was available at the time.

I do accept that we are all different, and what’s music to some is noise to others, and that’s one of the things that makes the various music threads tick. Given that there’s no shortage of people telling us how great punk was, I feel that it’s my duty to represent the other team :)

Having looked up how the internet defines it as well now, I do take 'gaslighting' back. That was not at all where I was going. More baiting. Misused a term I thought was much milder.