Now seen as an important alternative band of the 80s, it is a pity they were not more appreciated at the time. The Boston-based Pixies exploded into life with this abrasive selection. Produced by enfant terrible Steve Albini, the album emphasized the quartet's scratchy tension. A vicious drum sound underpins the group's uncanny blend of urgency and melody, where Black Francis's rabid intonation contrasts with Kim Deal's more gentle perspective. Obtuse lyrics and barely controlled guitar accentuate the Pixies' uncompromising visions and emphasize an approach that both excites and intrigues. Terse, exhilarating and single-minded, SURFER ROSA is an audacious collection.

Jan 2010

Now seen as an important alternative band of the 80s, it is a pity they were not more appreciated at the time. The Boston-based Pixies exploded into life with this abrasive selection. Produced by enfant terrible Steve Albini, the album emphasized the quartet's scratchy tension. A vicious drum sound underpins the group's uncanny blend of urgency and melody, where Black Francis's rabid intonation contrasts with Kim Deal's more gentle perspective. Obtuse lyrics and barely controlled guitar accentuate the Pixies' uncompromising visions and emphasize an approach that both excites and intrigues. Terse, exhilarating and single-minded, 'Surfer Rosa' is an audacious collection.

• Q (10/01, p.67) - Ranked #26 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime"
  Q (7/01, p.90) - Included in Q's "50 Heaviest Albums of All Time" - "...As cerebral as it is visceral....a relentlessly teeth-baring onslaught..."
  Alternative Press (8/01, p.112) - Included in AP's "10 Essential '80s Albums" - "...An alternatively explosive and tender opus..."
  NME (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #44 in NME's list of the `Greatest Albums Of All Time.'
  NME (9/25/93, p.19) - Ranked #14 among The 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s.
• NME (13/12/03, p.24) - "...a deranged kind of Hispanic pop hardcore..."

The Pixies: Black Francis (vocals, guitar); Kim Deal (vocals, bass); Joey Santiago (guitar); David Lovering (drums).
Recorded at Q-Division, Boston, Massachusetts.
Now seen as an important alternative band of the 80s, it is a pity they were not more appreciated at the time. The Boston-based Pixies exploded into life with this abrasive selection. Produced by enfant terrible Steve Albini, the album emphasized the quartet's scratchy tension. A vicious drum sound underpins the group's uncanny blend of urgency and melody, where Black Francis's rabid intonation contrasts with Kim Deal's more gentle perspective. Obtuse lyrics and barely controlled guitar accentuate the Pixies' uncompromising visions and emphasize an approach that both excites and intrigues. Terse, exhilarating and single-minded, SURFER ROSA is an audacious collection.

Led by Black Francis (AKA Charles Thompson), this Boston band revelled in the raw, loud energy of punk, but harnessed it in service of catchy melodies laced with bizarre lyrics. Their 1989 album, DOOLITTLE, is widely considered to be one of the best alternative-rock albums ever, and their influence extends to a legion of artists, including PJ Harvey and Nirvana. After five records in five years, they were gone, splintering into the Breeders (led by bassist Kim Deal) and Francis's solo namesake, Frank Black. In 2004, however, the band reunited for some highly publicised performances.