Pixies - EP2

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The second ep in a series of three from one of the most influential bands of the 80s. It's hard to listen to this record and not to hold it up against their previous work. It's unfair to the Pixies because most bands would have trouble following up masterpieces like Doolittle or Surfer Rosa, especially after 20+ years.

The four songs that make up EP2 aren't anything exciting, there's no "Gigantic" or "Monkey's Gone to Heaven" and its clear that Pixies 2.2 are still trying to find a sound. They shift back and forth from Trompe Le Monde era to early Frank Black solo work, but never stray too far from the guitar driven, quiet-loud-quiet blueprint that made them so important to the growth of countless alternative bands that followed in their wake.

The opening track "Blue Eyed Hexe" is their attempt at an AC/DC song, and its a good one at that. The riff is pure Angus and the chorus is lifted from the Highway to Hell album and Black Francis is channeling his inner Bon Scott on the second verse, screaming for all he's worth. There's even a cowbell.

"Magdalena" finishes side 1 and could easily fit on their final studio album, Trompe Le Monde.

Side two contains a pair of songs as well. The straight ahead pop/rock of "Greens and Blues" as they try to recall the pure confectionery perfection of "Here Comes Your Man", and "Snakes". With its duel electric guitar play, it seems that the Pixies are trying to forge a current sounds, while still paying homage to themselves.

It might say Pixies on the record, but its lacking something, and that is Kim Deal. The bass playing on the EP is Deal-esque, but its her vocals that are clearly missing. While hardly ever in the forefront of the band vocally, her accents, counterplay and tiny backing parts are painfully apparent when missing.

Overall its good, I'm going to get EP3 as well when it comes out in April, but I'm more excited about seeing them on the 31st and wondering if their third bass player of the 2013 is a worthy replacement. Paz Lenchantin (Zwan, A Perfect Circle) is taking over for Kim Shattuck (ex-Muffs) who was let go after the end of the fall tour.

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