Where should I start with The Pixies?

harmless_little_f***
harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
edited May 2006 in Other Music
OK, so I've never heard The Pixies. I know that Kurt once said that 'Nevermind' was basically an album of 'Pixies' rip-offs, and from others, that the Pixies were pretty important forerunners of grunge. So I always thought I should listen, just never got around to it.

I heard 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' the other day on the radio and I LOVED it. What should I begin with if I want to get into this band? I'm conscious of getting the best thing first, as my funds are pretty tight.

Thanks people.
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  • musicismylife78
    musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    The classic album would be Surfer Rosa or even Come on Pilgram EP. Those are the ones that inspired Ed and Kurt.

    The song Monkey Gone to heaven is off the Doolittle album, another one worth picking up

    They have a couple greatest hits if regular albums arent your style. Death to the Pixies is a good one. Its one cd greatest hits, other cd, live concert

    Another is Wave of Mutilation Best of the Pixies

    Check out their DVD;s as well, one called simply Pixies DVD. Its a great one.
  • musicismylife78
    musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    So its your choice really. Whether you want greatest hits or one of the actual albums.
  • harmless_little_f***
    harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    Thanks for the advice. Really helpful. :) I'm generally an album man; I don't think you get a good picture of a band with 'best of's. Having said that, I bought the best of The Cure the other day. Because I knew that they would be pretty difficult to get into 'the hard way'. Really liked it.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • musicismylife78
    musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    They came to my hometown in 2004, for their reunion tour, I ended up not going. It will most likely be a regret I have until the day I die.

    Who passes up seeing the pixies live in concert?

    The original poster is right in that, the pixies are considered by many people to be THE BAND of the 80's and early 90's. I think Bono and someone else said the Pixies were the most important band of their generation.

    That may be debateable but they sure as hell are an amazing band.

    Once you start getting into them, you will appreciate Joe Santiago's guitar playing. How many times have you seen the name Joe Santiago near the top of any Best Guitarist list? I havent seen any. Yet he is a great player.

    And Black Francis's lyrics are so crazy. The lyrics to Monkey Gone to Heaven is an example. What the hell is the that about an underwater guy who controlled the sea?

    The Pixies rule. Anyone who is into the Grunge scene needs to understand The Pixies are a huge influence on just about every seattle band from that period
  • Rob89
    Rob89 Posts: 22
    Start with Dolittle...may as well start with a classic.
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  • karma defect
    karma defect Posts: 5,483
    I started with Doolittle.
    « One man's glory is another man's hell.
    You’re on the outside, never bound by such a spell.
    Together in the darkness, alone in the light.
    I took it upon me to be yours, Timmy,
    I’ll lead your angels and demons at play tonight......»
  • red mos
    red mos Posts: 4,953
    Surfa Rosa, Doo little, or when I start with a band, I usuually pick up a greatest hits album along with an actual album.
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
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  • jb13letters
    jb13letters Posts: 220
    Cheguevara6 wrote:
    The classic album would be Surfer Rosa or even Come on Pilgram EP. Those are the ones that inspired Ed and Kurt.

    The song Monkey Gone to heaven is off the Doolittle album, another one worth picking up

    They have a couple greatest hits if regular albums arent your style. Death to the Pixies is a good one. Its one cd greatest hits, other cd, live concert

    Another is Wave of Mutilation Best of the Pixies

    Check out their DVD;s as well, one called simply Pixies DVD. Its a great one.

    I think Death to the Pixies is out of print at this point (replaced by Wave of Mutilation), but you should still be able to find it used at a reasonable price. I have all their stuff, but I'd probably recommend starting there, because of the live disc.

    I still need to pick up the DVDs, aren't there two out now?
    Statistically speaking, you're more likely to be pitied by Mr. T than you are to have feet.
  • HYLA
    HYLA Posts: 137
    I started with Doolittle. It is their classic, followed by Surfer Rosa.
  • Arabesque
    Arabesque Posts: 34
    I started with Surfer Rosa. It's a really good album and a good way to start. Doolittle is their best, but I think a person will appreciate Doolittle more after hearing Surfer Rosa first. Then pick up Come on, Pilgrim (if you can find it).

    But stay far away from Bossanova. It's crap. I don't mind that the Pixies changed their sound, but I don't like the direction they went in. Trompe Le Monde is better than Bossanova, but still not as good as their first three.
    "This is another sing-a-long." - Eddie Vedder before singing Lukin live at Madison Square Garden.
  • jammerfall
    jammerfall Posts: 908
    Here's the order:

    Doolittle
    Surfer Rosa
    Death To The Pixies (especially for the live disc!)
    Come On Pilgrim
    Bossanova
    Trompe Le Monde
    Best Of: Wave Of Mutilation
    Pixies
    Complete B Sides
    Pixies At the BBC
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  • Pearl Jam and toast
    Pearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    Their most accessable album is Doolittle.

    I really never got what was so great about Surfer Rosa honestly.. i mean yeah.. it's a pixies album (which automatically makes it incredible if you've ever listened to the Pixies..) but every other album is like 5 times better than it.

    Bossanova is my personal favorite though it depends on the day.

    i say get doolittle first if you just pick one.
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org

    Oh my, they dropped the leash.



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  • Pearl Jam and toast
    Pearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    Arabesque wrote:
    I started with Surfer Rosa. It's a really good album and a good way to start. Doolittle is their best, but I think a person will appreciate Doolittle more after hearing Surfer Rosa first. Then pick up Come on, Pilgrim (if you can find it).

    But stay far away from Bossanova. It's crap. I don't mind that the Pixies changed their sound, but I don't like the direction they went in. Trompe Le Monde is better than Bossanova, but still not as good as their first three.
    Bossanova is their Binaural or No Code.

    in saying that, don't listen to that dick, make up your own mind.
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org

    Oh my, they dropped the leash.



    Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!

    "Make our day"
  • Brisk.
    Brisk. Posts: 11,581
    doolittle all the way
  • DieasGrey
    DieasGrey Posts: 124
    Start with Doolittle
    No one is Righteous.......
  • ramspam
    ramspam Posts: 130
    They only have 4 regular studio albums (all of which are awesome in their own way) so there's no point getting a best of originally, in my opinion.

    I got mine in this order: Trompe Le Monde
    Doolittle
    Surfer Rosa/come on pilgrim(you can get them together as one disc)
    Bossanova

    All the albums are wonderful I'd recomend getting Doolittle or Trompe le Monde 1st I immediatly fell in love with Trompe when i got it but thats just my personal taste.
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  • chrisopalooza
    chrisopalooza Posts: 347
    DOLITTLE then SURFER ROSA then anything else in any order, but start with those two.
  • KELLYS LEASH
    KELLYS LEASH Posts: 184
    I think you can start anywhere and not be disappointed really. But to get a fuller picture check out Kim Deals other band The Breeders.I feel its good to know what the other band members are up to or have been up to interms of other bands. ( Like Pearl Jam and Bad Radio, Mad Season, Brad etc)
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  • Voodoo999
    Voodoo999 Posts: 11
    surfer rosa - their ten
    doolitle - their yield, a masterpiece
    bossanova - their no code, an acquired taste
    trompe le monde - their riot act, it is pretty good, but you get the feeling it could have been way better.
  • gusturtle
    gusturtle Posts: 443
    Doolittle
    Trompe le Monde
    Surfer Rosa

    That'll keep you busy (& happy) for a few months.

    Three absolutely great albums.

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