Surfer Rosa by The Pixies

Pros: Definitely an interesting template, set the template for many rock acts that followed.
Cons: Gets a bit repetitive towards the end of the album.

It's funny how things work out. I'd recently developed a crush on someone who was a huge Pixies fan. He practically wet himself when he scored tickets to their comeback shows in NYC. As generally happens with my crushes (requited or not), I try to ...

Pros: Loud, fun, challenging album that influenced many great bands
Cons: It's a tough one to get into

Eighties music wasn't all about cheesy, synthesized pop and big-haired glam metal.  Though it wasn't out in the forefront, there was plenty of punk and thrash metal picking up steam, just as there were bands that would lay the groundwork for the ...

Pros: One of the best albums ever
Cons: None

One of my fondest memories is a road trip some friends and I took years ago. Being the music nerd that I am, I had a huge leather wallet of CDs in the car with us and after much discussion we put Surfer Rosa on. Grinning in the ecstasy of youth ...

Pros: .
Cons: .

The only reason this album gets four stars is that the Pixies followed up this beautifully unhinged monster with Doolittle, a beautifully unhinged monster that can make you cry, rage and die inside, while at the same time seeing the world in colors you di ...

Pros: Who doesn't love Dear Abby?!
Cons: Some people don't love Dear Abby.

Dear Abby, I recently bought the Pixies' album "Surfer Rosa," and I was completely unimpressed with the minimalist production. How can you explain this to me? The Pixies are a cutie band that deserves clear production, so that we can all understand ...

Pros: Probably the most harsh and simultaneously accessible college rock album. Loud, anthemic, great production.
Cons: Tony's Theme is pretty weak

Like a lot of great albums, Surfer Rosa starts with a simple chunk of garbage can drums before introducing anything else. It loudly signifies that what is to follow could be absolutely anything- metal, punkpop, pre-grunge (That's the grunge before ...

Pros: Harsh, loud music blended with some poppier influences
Cons: An unstructured mess at times

Ah, you've just got to love the Pixies. Here was a band that drew heavily from bands that went before it, yet was years ahead of its time. On Surfer Rose, the "typical" Pixies formula is in place on this one, yet the band sounds considerably...

Pros: Beautifully meshes sloppiness with solidity
Cons: Not for the casual music fan

Surfer Rosa was the first full-length release by the Pixies. The legend states that Black Frances, after spending some time stranded in South America, returned to Boston and started a band. Needing a bass player and drummer to round out the ...

Pros: One of the most prominent roots in alternative rock.
Cons: It actually hurts to listen to some of the music.

I had been told that the Pixies were the forefathers of 90’s alternative rock. The band most credited for the spawning of such acts as Nirvana or even Pavement. Naturally I desired to hear this late 80’s phenomenon, and what ...

Pros: Revolutionary sound. After all the mimicry it retains its freshness.
Cons: A few songs too long. The latter third comes a bit unglued.

One of the enduring ironies of rock music is that truly fresh and original bands come together for a few years, produce a few memorable albums and then move one, before they have a chance to get the recognition they deserve. They do, however influence...

Pros: Classic first full length release by the Pixies
Cons: May be a little rough around the edges for new Pixies fans

Surfer Rosa was the pixies first full length album (it followed Come on Pilgrim, the Pixies first release, that featured a number of their demo songs). This release did not have the some complete feeling that later albums like Doolittle and Bossanova...