- Audio CD (20 May 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Original recording reissued
- Label: Four a.D. -- a.D.a. --
- ASIN: B00008YJH5
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 273,243 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
Though the specialist subjects of sun, surf and dubious sexual encounters of their debut ep (1987’s Come On Pilgrim) had been retained, the overall mood masterminded a year later on their first full length record was altogether more unruly.
The Bostonian quartet, formed by guitarist and singer, Charles Michael Kitteridge Thompson IV - who for understandable reasons of alt rock credibility rechristened himself Black Francis – fell in with producer Steve Albini to create an album which though failing to chart at the time, had a telling influence on those picking up on the harsh, surly undertow of its (at times) frat-house humours.
Albini’s production simultaneously amplifies The Pixies’ endearing naiveté and hectic energies, contrasting the polarities of throwaway trash (the tongue-in-cheek nerdy B-52s-type hero worship of “Tony’s Theme”) versus the snarling thrash of “Vamos” (a remade carry-over from Come On Pilgrim) which does much to lend the album its unsettling volatility.
Although “Gigantic” co-written and sung by bassist Kim Deal, shows they were more than capable of delivering hook-laden pop, it credibly opened up the kind of territory which Kurt Cobain and pals would later claim as their own.
Indeed such was its legacy, David Bowie covered “Cactus” on 2002’s Heathen. Somewhat sanitised on that occasion, the original version here has a don’t-go-there edge to it, and is one of the best songs ever to burst in and shine an FBI-style flashlight onto the darker, closeted recesses of obsessive love; ‘Bloody your hands on a cactus tree/ Wipe it on your dress and send it to me.’
The left-field locations continue with “Bone Machine,” the limelight veering between Francis’ tale of parking lot molestation and a wonderful solo by their ingenious lead guitarist, Joey Santiago. Beginning like James Brown’s “Sex Machine” being not so much taken as frog-marched to the bridge, it rapidly leaps into a revved-up blast recalling one of King Crimson’s Robert Fripp’s patented chordal solos; a genuinely thrilling 18 seconds that you never want to end. Though the follow-up, Doolittle (1989), ultimately widened their appeal, this is indispensable warts-and-all stuff that set the benchmark. --Sid Smith
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album was the best record of it's time. Even the infamous kurt cobain said that it was probably his favourite record of the decade (1980). He also said that he had practically ripped off the pixies' Surfer Rosa album when writing the song that changed everything, smells like teen spirit. Personally this isn't my favourite pixies albums, but it's still amazing (just like every pixies album). The great bono once stated that the pixies were one of the greatest bands america has ever produced, and this album proves that he may well be right. With it's light verses and screaming choruses this is a must have for any music fan.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
186 reviews
126 of 136 people found the following review helpful
One of the best albums ever made
8 April 2000
Format:Audio CD
The Pixies "Surfer Rosa" is an amazing experience. This 1988 album is a superb mix of brilliant songwriting, insane lyrics, abrasive guitars and stunning melody. Many of the songs are brutal, with heavily distorted guitars and strange lyrics about incest and injury, yet they are often quite catchy and melodic. This single album influenced more bands than any other album of the late 80s. But none of them can ever even hope of making something even half as brilliant as Surfer Rosa.
The first song, "Bone Machine" is a classic. It's the quintessential Pixies song. Also, listen to it and you'll realize how much they influenced Nirvana. "Break My Body" and "Something Against You" are fast and furious, "Broken Face" is one the best Pixies songs. "Gigantic" is haunting and beautiful, with thunderous guitars and drums swirling around Kim Deal's lone bass and beautiful voice. "River Euphrates" is all about melody, and it is excellent.
"Where is my Mind?" is the climax of the album, and possibly the best song made in the 80s. It is chillingly beautiful and unforgettable. If you haven't heard it, it's the song used over the credits at the end of Fight Club (great movie). "Cactus" is different, and "Tony's Theme" rocks. Although the last four songs don't seem quite as focused, they are still excellent.
To close, Surfer Rosa is one of those timeless, brilliant rock albums that everyone should own. What are you waiting for?
42 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Completely deranged. In a good way.
7 Feb 2003
Format:Audio CD
Ah, the Pixies. What can I say about them that hasn't been said before? About 3 years before Kurt Cobain released Nevermind, the Pixies were hard at work perfecting their brand of twisted Beach Boys-meets-Sonic Youth-meets-Lou Reed-meets-Ramones indie rock.
Surfer Rosa is their hardest and rawest album--Steve Albini produced this one and it shows. Black Francis is even more psychotic than in Doolittle, ranting and screaming about incest and broken bodies in his bilingual vocals. Bassist Kim Deal contributes some beautiful backup vocals and a Pixies classic, the creepy Gigantic. Joey Santiago continues to prove himself as the most underrated lead guitarist ever, and David Lovering's percussion is...well..kinda there. It all amounts to a catchy, disturbing, and very unique recording that hasn't aged a day.
Amazing songs abound. The one-two punch of Bone Machine and Break My Body pretty much set the tone and it just gets better from there. River Euphrates and Where Is My Mind? are both among my personal Top 10 Pixies songs and the latter follows on the heels of the former. It's a slice of heaven. The rest of the album right up to the almost-instrumental closer Brick Is Red holds up to this high standard.
You want/need an introduction to the Pixies, and the origins of the modern alternative movement? Buy this and Doolittle right NOW.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Teen Heaven
11 May 1998
Format:Audio CD
Ahhh nostalgia. The Pixies were the "College/Alternative" poster children of the late 80's, early 90's. Powered by the frenzied and always amusing lyrics of Black Francis as well as the alluring voice of bassist Kim Deal (The Breeders, etc.), the Pixies started making it big with the single "Monkey Gone to Heaven" off of 1989's "Doolittle." However, "Surfer Rosa" (which includes the debut EP "Come on Pilgrim") represents their earliest and most loveable work. While more money was spent producing later albums, "Surfer Rosa" stands on its own, less filtered, more raw, capturing the Pixes at a time when they were just beginning to coalesce as a band that "owned" its sound. For many Pixies fans this album is their greatest accomplishment.
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