Everything Pixies created between 1986 and 1993 instantly became an anachronism. The music of this cult band had an enormous impact on the development on alternative rock, grunge and indie rock. This is why their first album in 23 years was a big deal for their fans. No one rational expected that the band will continue where they stopped with 1991 Trompe Le Monde. Members were 20 years older, and Black Francis had made more than 20 solo albums in the Pixies hiatus period.
Besides the fact that we were all thrilled Pixies are back, the album left sour taste in the mouth. It was their first effort without Kim Deal who left the band before the recording started, and even though the album was not that bad, it's not what the fans were yearning for. Indie Candy was one of those materials you would listen to out of respect, but it's not like it was going to become the most played in your music library.
On the other hand, no one saw it coming that their sixth record, Head Carrier, is going to be a masterpiece. It was enough that we have got the old Pixies. The first song, the title track Head Carrier, offers dirty guitar of Joey Santiago, recognizable rhythm of David Lovering and harmonious vocal of Black Francis and gives a clear picture that the old Pixies are back. Maybe not as glorious as before, but they are here. Looks like I'm going where I've already been/ I'm going down the drain, again. And not only that they are here, but they have also proved that they can make a better indie rock album than vast majority of their younger colleagues. The recipe they provide for today's anorexic indie rock scene are robust riffs and energic Baal's Back in which Francis screams Are you saving/ Are you saving it for me/ Are you saving all your precious love for me and reincarnates Mesopotamian deity Baal who was throwing parties, according to Old Testament.
For the first time, we have a chance to hear Paz Lenchantin who played with A Perfect Circle, Zwan and Queens Of The Stone Age. As the band members have said themselves, it is impossible to replace Kim, so no one was expecting Paz to fill in that role. Still, she fit in perfectly. Her vocal emphasized Francis' in the choruses and made sure that the spirit of Pixies jovial. She composed and sung All I Think About Now, and asked Francis to write lyrics as a dedication to Kim Deal.
The album is painted with recognizable music motives that take us back to the era of Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, which is definitely not a bad thing. What is good should not be changed. When you have a remarkable discography as Pixies do, there is no need to experiment with modern trends. Time will give the final verdict for Head Carrier. For now, I can only verify that it's way better than its predecessor.
