THE PIXIES EP2 REVIEW | Detroit

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC: Returns With First World Problems

THE D, MICHIGAN – I was in New York City in the Summer of 89’ running away from one of my girlfriends and checking out the SOHO art scene. I was hiding out in the upper 80’s and living in this sweet studio apartment. That was when I was rubbing elbows with Weird Al. I first saw him strolling down Broadway during a sweltering hot August day trying to scarf down an entire Grays Papaya hot dog in his mouth with one bite. He didn’t even take the time to chew properly because he had a gazillion things on his mind and he wanted to say them all at once. He also had on one of the loudest Hawaiin shirts I ever seen. It was this gawdy red thing with big pineapples on it and tropical birds and he stood out from the crowd. His agent or friend, (maybe he was both) was eager to hear about all the things on this artists mind. I tried to lean in and get an earful but….. sorry if you’re reading this Weird Al … but you smelled terrible!

I did too, no doubt, we all probably did. We were walking over steam vents, and getting hissed on with exhaust fumes and the sweat was coming out of every pore. That was my second glimpse at this iconic comedy music genius. He was well into his heyday and everybody loved him including MTV. In fact, just two years prior I had seen him open for the Monkees Reunion Tour in 1987. He put on a great show and even did his classic bit, “Like A Surgeon” complete with costumes and stage props. Little did we know that the, “King Of Weird” was going to do a take on the, “King of Pop” ala Michael Jackson with the, “BAD” album.

Historically speaking that meant that somewhere at that very time in history Martin Scorsese was prowling around with Jackson doing the famous, Bad video. We knew something big was going to happen because Michael Jacksons promo posters were popping up all over the subway stations. Only we didn’t recognize Michael with all that white skin. My buddy joked, “At least he’ll never be lonely with all of those belt buckles”, (he was referring to Michael Jacksons legendary leather jacket from the album cover.

Those were big days. We were walking on the shoulders of giants right in the street. That summer POP Art was going through a revival and alternative music was being taken seriously on the radio. Then one year crashed into another and before I knew what was happening I drifted off into the real world and away from pop manic bliss. I took a corporate job and got a tiny apartment in Chicago and I forgot about Weird Al. But wouldn’t you know it…. Al never forgot about us.

One day I was in the record store in Chicago and was somewhat surprised that Weird Al never stopped working. Sure the 80’s were long gone and over with but this eclectic mischief maker was never out of sorts with music. He sort of cranked them out again and again and he goofed on everyone from Madonna to Nirvana. The man never stopped…..

And now this……

WEIRD AL IS BACK – WITH A PIXIES TYPE SONG !! AND ITS HILARIOUS
In social media I hear about this new track that was reminiscent of the Pixies. This comes out at a time when the Pixies came out of hibernation of 20 years with the all new, “Indy Cindy” album. I was reluctant to listen to it. I didn’t think I was going to like it. I mean… come on…. I was first hep to Weird Al way back in 1983 and that was a long time ago. But I kept an open mind and gave it a shot…..

I could hear a little bit of the Pixies , “Doolittle” in there with the album’s opening track, “Debaser”. Then I could hear a little bit of, “This Monkeys Gone To Heaven” and it finishes off nicely with a musical coda to the Surf Punks. Maybe I am reaching but this is what I hear in the music. The lyrics are on time too with the 2010’s. The guy in the song is complaining about gluten free cookies, and missing pixels on his computer screen and forgetting the lawn guys name in the track, “First World Problems”. I actually laughed out loud…. Or should I say LOL…….

We all need a little more laughter in our lives wouldn’t you agree? Before the songs end I already knew I was a fan. I got about a minute and a half into the song and realized that I was a fanatic about this one.

And now…. Here it is….

" This is a WELCOMED surprise... I personally feel they haven't lost a beat. They are quite in step with earlier work. The guitars are straight out of the rich Pixies library of sounds and the unexpected harmonies are what made them famous..... and really, what made us take notice of them in the first place....."

The PIXIES: Return To Greatness
By Ted Cantu

You know when art has made it to greatness when video documentary producers hire a British guy to narrate it for the audience. This somehow gives it an added sense of importance and makes it official. I have seen this done for Egyptian archeology, UFO documentaries and specials on Leonardo DiVinci. Actually, placing the Pixies right up there with those categories just feels right. The meanings of their complex music catalog calls out to all of those areas and even beyond. I think the true meaning of their songs exists somewhere between the atoms in all forms. Not in the parts where matter comes together but in the space in between where the atoms don’t physically touch. Make no mistake…. Their artistry is important.

THE PIXIES - The band is back and brings its A game to a curious collection of musical insights to the world you live in.

I’ve always known this to be true. I remember seeing the Doolittle tour in Detroit at St. Andrews Hall. I was in the front 5 rows and it was in the middle of the song, “Where is My Mind” when something made me turn around and look towards the back of the auditorium. In the ghostly chorus I looked back at the expressionless faces behind me watching this show. My inner voice said, “Remember this moment” and I knew that at that exact moment it would be etched into my heart, brain and psyche forever. Those faces were fixated in awe at the mighty sounds that forever changed conventional rock music. There are not too many memories like that in my concert going experience. Some shows are just for fun, some shows are about rebellion and noise. But the Pixies were forever.

They are back…. from a long hiatus. The whole gang is back minus Kim Deal. And by the whole gang I am referring to legendary graphic designer Vaughn Oliver from the 4AD record label days. It his Oliver’s lush and rough juxtaposition of typography and photography that brought visual life to the Pixies gigantic sound. The symbiotic relationship is self absorbed and co-creative. The album is on the Pixies own label this time around and the sounds are melodic and meaningful and not forced. This sounds like a Pixies record and has the entire signature notes from the, “Trompe Le Monde” and, “Bossonova” days.

Is the album enjoyable? Oh yes, “Magdalena” is a hypnotic song based on some sort of obsession that only Black Francis could do. I think that is what he calls himself these days but don’t quote me on it. I liked his other alter ego too as Frank Black. Both personas were unique into their own right. Both of them had something in common and that was the enjoyment of tap dancing on your raw nerve endings. This is well crafted obsession, dark, obtrusive and brooding. You almost don’t want it to end and once it does it instantly invites another listen.

In, “Ring the Bell” Black Francis is addressing a distant memory and a reluctance to go back. He almost feels obligated to go back with someone of importance. It is a cheerful song and is instantly appreciated. Someone on YouTube commented, “Oh joy, they did a Christmas song….” But the depths of this song go deeper than any kind of frivolous holiday song. There is meaning here and drives into a soul search where Black exclaims, “My heart is empty….” I listen to this and wonder to myself what took them so long to come out with this album.

This is atmospheric. There are many emotions here on this release. It also fits into the rest of the catalog and wasn’t just slapped together for convenience. That being said there is plenty of respect given to the fans here and that is extraordinary. I mean, that is big for everybody and also gives the fan base something to latch onto.

THE PIXIES - Ring The Bell - From The Album, "Indy Cindy"

The Pixies have given a lot of meaning to the word, “Alternative Music” and in many ways helped shape it and define it into something of an industry. The early 90’s were such a constructive time for music with so many influences rushing the airwaves from The Smashing Pumpkins, Live, They Might Be Giants and so many others. Now as the years settle the critics and music aficionados fondly remember certain favorites. Even David Bowie responds to this rise of the Pixies in a documentary in 2007. These are all fantastic recollections but I could hardly bare to watch them on television or on the web without feeling the yearning for more iconic material. The Pixies new music is something of a celebration and this encourages joy. The heart feels complete and has new reasons for beating.

When you hear Andro Queen everything about the Pixies should become immediate. There is nobody who can really master the sounds and put them together in such an off worldly way. The overall sound is comprehensive and rich and audio accoutrements are intact. This is a band that will give you the sounds of outer space and even the audio verbal nods to barking sea monkeys. What other band is going to give you a complete sound of life and everything in it. There are no unanswered questions in this release and that feels pretty good.

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THE PIXIES EP2 REVIEW | Detroit | Weird Al Yankovic| First World Problems | Detroit Michigan

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