Pixies – Head Carrier
I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I waited this long to really dive into the post-Kim Deal Pixies era. But after a week of deep listening, I’ve come away genuinely impressed. Not only does the band continue to make extraordinary music—it’s sometimes equal to, or dare I say better than their classic material.
Enter "Head Carrier". This album doesn’t just stand out in the post-2000s Pixies catalog—it stands out in their entire discography. From the opening title track, it sets a tone that’s dark, distorted, and full-bodied. The drums have a “clean Albini” character that’s both intense and polished.
Each track drips with hooks. The “I’m going down the drain again” line is delivered with a Neil Young-like tremble before dissonant guitars slam into the next verse.
"Classic Masher" channels a late-1950s vibe with uplifting harmonies between Frank Black and Paz Lenchantin. It’s unexpectedly bright, balancing out the darker moments of the album and keeping things dynamic.
Track 3, "Baal's Back", unleashes Black Francis in full screech mode. The clarity of the recording makes his scream sound brand new—even though we’ve heard that intensity before, never with this fidelity. It ends just before it overstays its welcome.
The twin gems "Might as Well Be Gone" and "Oona" are among the best Pixies tracks, period. Unexpected changes, hooks, dynamics, and raw emotion—this is peak Pixies songwriting. Loud yet delicate, heavy yet melodic.
To keep this brief: the rest of the album is just as strong. It’s one of the best records I’ve heard in years. Wild that it took me a decade to give it a proper spin.
Also worth noting: every Pixies release from 2014 onward—including their live albums—is worth your time. Not one miss among them.
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