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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Recorded in the spring of 1991, Trompe Le Monde became the final album recorded by the Pixies. Allegedly inspired by Ozzy Osbourne's presence in a neighbouring studio, this album has a distinctly harder edge than their previous releases, mirroring the growing dissension within the band's membership, while sacrificing none of the band's trademark pop sensibilities. The whole thing is buoyed along by a frantic rhythm; beneath the screaming, distorted guitars and Black Francis' surreal yelpings, one can faintly make out bassist Kim Deal's soothing harmonies and punchy rhythms holding the whole thing together. Lyrically, Black Francis continues to explore his obsession with aliens ("Motorway To Roswell") and the environment ("Distance Equals Rate Times Time"), while still allowing space for an inspired rendition of the Jesus & Mary Chain's "Head On". Although not as immediately accessible as Surfer Rosa or Doolittle, Trompe Le Monde is nevertheless as essential as any of the studio albums by the Pixies--arguably the most influential American indie band ever. Soon after this release, Black Francis began his solo career as Frank Black, while Kim Deal found success in the Breeders. --Robert Burrow
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
It took 10 years for me to "get" Trompe Le Monde, but when I did, I realised that this work of celestial genius could well be the Pixies' best. Their previous albums are faultless, but TLM distills all the various elements that made up their sound, reinterprets them yet again, and blows your mind with its creativity and energy.
It's definitely an album that needs time to sink in, but it will reward the effort thanks to layer after layer of imaginative songwriting and incredible musicianship from all four members of the band. There is such subtlety and detail in the drumming and the bass lines that you can listen over and over and discover new sounds each time.
Apart from the Pixies, I cannot think of a band that invests so much energy into their songs. The first six songs just belt out a relentless stream of Pixie noise, but it's impossible not to scream along with these catchy songs, with a huge grin on your face.
Love it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Petay
Format:Audio CD
The Pixies were an unusual band. They have been named as one of the most influential bands of all time yet, like the Beatles, no one actually honestly sounds like they did. A unique prospect, many would argue. And this album came at the end of their natural life, in 1991 - the same year as Kurt Cobain's Nevermind - and again showed the world what a few misfits and geeks from MIT in Boston, Mass. could do with some guitars, a penchant for Spanish and aliens, and the most frantic frontman of the era.
Songs as strong as 'Alec Eiffel' (a song about the designer of the Eiffel tower - 'He thought big and they called it a phallic little eiffel'), 'Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons' ( a song about the highest mountain/volcano in the Solar System, found on Mars) and 'Motorway to Roswell' ( a song about an alien) cannot help but make this album one of the most amazing slices of punk-fuzz-pop ever heard, and I would recommend it heartily.
Songs as strong as 'Alec Eiffel' (a song about the designer of the Eiffel tower - 'He thought big and they called it a phallic little eiffel'), 'Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons' ( a song about the highest mountain/volcano in the Solar System, found on Mars) and 'Motorway to Roswell' ( a song about an alien) cannot help but make this album one of the most amazing slices of punk-fuzz-pop ever heard, and I would recommend it heartily.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Over the past years it seems the pixies are always mentioned as "very influential" etc. Yet many critics simply wrote(and continue to write off) trompe le monde as the weakest album. It is my humble opinion that anyone who actually listens to this album will be impressed beyond recognition. Who gives a toss if Charles/Frank/Black(or whatever else he decides to call himself) sings about UFOs and Mexicans, the end result is pure genius resulting in an extremely gifted songwriter approaching the peak of his career. At the end of it all I defy anyone to knock someone who can pull off singing a line like "oh alexander i see you beneath the archway of aerodynamics".
Buy it, you wont hear better
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Last Pixies studio effort
Bought this to complete the collection after reading an official biography of the band. Better album than I remember not quite up there with Surfer Rosa & Doolittle but has it's... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Psysonic
5.0 out of 5 stars
I thouht this was supposed to be the least good Pixies album?
I remember this album coming out to less than good reviews although I always rather liked it,particularly after attending the fabledgig at the Brixton Academy(still got the... Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow
fantastic album...the weird subject matter of the songs coupled with the almost poppy hooklines and awesome at times heavy guitar playing makes this one of my alltime favourite... Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2007 by S. fraser
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most underrated album of the 90s
To say that this is a Frank Black solo album, or a heavy metal album is simply not fair. Sure Kim Deal doesn't quite have the same presence as on Doolittle and Surfer Rosa, but we... Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2007 by A. Clarkson
5.0 out of 5 stars
not death to the pixies the pixies live....
black francis the genius behind the pixies and the utter beautiful racket they made...it's distorted the vocals are some times screamed but the utter beauty of the whole thing is... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2005 by .Richard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recomend
I bought this C.D after a mate in my class at school told me to get it as it was "like nothing that you have ever heard before in your life" so i bought it and i Loved it. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2005 by "walton_mod"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brave and brilliant...TLM is a masterpiece.
Trompe le Monde is an aquired taste. Everyone's first Guiness tastes...well...afull, but matures to be exquisite. TLM goes beyond this sensation; it dazzles. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2005 by "janthon4"
5.0 out of 5 stars
An album EVERYONE should own
This album is a fantasic journey from the first note to the last.Each track takes you to a different place. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fool no one
I must admit on first listen this album seems uninspired, however after about half a dozen plays it reveals its genius. Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
makes you wanna blow the stars from the sky
For me, this is the pixies best album, combining the raw energy of surfer rosa and come on pilgrim with the melodic stylings of doolittle and bossanova. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2003
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