EP1, ep
release date: Sep. 3, 2013
format: digital (4 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,22]
producer: Gil Norton
label: non-label (self-released) - nationality: USA
Tracklist:
1. "Andro Queen" (2,5 / 5) -
2. "Another Toe in the Ocean" (4 / 5) -
3. "Indie Cindy" (3 / 5) -
4. "What Goes Boom" (3,5 / 5)
Ep release by Pixies is the band's first own material in more than 20 years, and it's the first original material from Pixies without bassist Kim Deal, who quit the band before recording the new songs. EP1 is intended to be the first in a row of self-released eps. The band had re-united back in 2003 with the original line-up and played its first concerts in 2004, and the following years Pixies toured most of the world playing its back catalogue. The band [Black Francis] denied that they were planning to record new material as Deal was against it. After her departure, the band toured without a new band member and for this ep, Ding (Simon 'Dingo' Archer) is credited as bassist but never officially included in the band. This means Pixies is reduced to a trio consisting of lead vocalist, guitarist and lyrical composer, Black Francis, Joey Santiago on lead guitar and David Lovering on drums.
The new material was received by luke-warm to a mostly negative response.
It's not near great, but I don't think it's all that bad. The band still plays with strong vibrant energy and the songs reminds us about a great past. The best thing about these four new songs is that Pixies are back!
[ NME, Under the Radar 3 / 5, PopMatters, Rolling Stone 2,5 / 5, SputnikMusic 2 / 5 stars ]