You could talk about this album for hours, so let's try to keep it simple. In 1988, a year when "Don't Worry Be Happy" dominated the airwaves, the Pixies released their first official LP, Surfer Rosa. Produced by Steve Albini, the album has since become a blueprint for indie music and pretty much invented the genre "Alternative Rock." The biggest and most recognizable song is "Where Is My Mind," and it presents all the trademark Pixies elements that give this LP its legendary status. Here, Frank Black's vocal delivery alternates between an exhausted, "been through it all and still don't know" vindictiveness and a desperate, stuck-pig squeal, while his lyrical fascination with drowning and being taken away by an uncaring wave feels right at home in David Lovering's stark drumming. Meanwhile, Joey Santiago's jagged wall-of-spikes lead guitar and Kim Deal's ethereal back-up vocals make you realize that you have never heard anything as relentless and uncategorizable as this before. Bands like Nirvana, Modest Mouse, and Pavement have long since aped the noise-as-melody wailing sounds of "Bone Machine," "Broken Face," and "Brick is Red," and then, of course, there is "Gigantic." The entire LP is alien, immediately arresting, and absolutely brilliant, which is why every important rock band of the last 20 years has name-checked the Pixies. Lots of people like Doolittle better cause it's more accessible (me included), but screw em cause Surfer Rosa came first. Thirteen tracks in all. Released by 4AD on 180 gram vinyl.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• music label: 4AD 2004

reviewed by the Woodman 05/2004