Surf’s up for reunited Pixies

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 | 8:31 a.m.

The Pixies are back!

To many music listeners, that announcement might not mean much. But to tens of thousands of fans around the world, the news is far more significant than word of any Simon & Garfunkel, Phish or Fleetwood Mac reunion.

From 1986 through 1993, the Pixies played one of the most important roles in modern rock history.

The Boston quartet bridged the gap between the aggressive, late '70s and early '80s post-punk stylings of the Minutemen and Husker Du and the more mellow sounds of the indie rockers of the 1990s.

Some artists, including late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain himself, also credited the Pixies for setting the stage for rock's grunge movement.

After four full-length albums, one EP and a slew of fantastic B-sides, the Pixies disbanded rather suddenly when singer/songwriter/guitarist Frank Black (then known as Black Francis) faxed his bandmates with the news that he was leaving the band.

Black went solo, bassist/singer Kim Deal formed the Breeders, and lead guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Lovering dropped out of site for the better part of a decade.

Then this week, after months of rumors that the four musicians were rehearsing together in secret, official word came down that the Pixies are indeed preparing to tour again.

In April, the band will play 11 North American dates, capped with a May 1 appearance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.

Many consider the Pixies' second full-length disc, 1989's "Doolittle," to be their most essential recording. Great as that is, I prefer its predecessor, 1988's "Surfer Rosa," a more startling introduction to the group.

More than 15 years after the album's release, its 13 tracks retain the edge and power that helped the Pixies earn a quick reputation as one of rock's most intense live outfits.

From Deal's poppy "Gigantic" to Black's trippy "Where is My Mind?" to the punky assault of "River Euphrates," "Surfer Rosa" is a study in varying styles, yet manages to form one cohesive piece of music when played straight through.

Black's lyrics -- many of them in Spanish -- are invitingly cryptic, while his howling vocals are complemented perfectly by the sweeter harmonies of Deal.

If you've never heard the Pixies before, check out one of their first two albums. Once you do, you'll likely find yourself in a caravan of Las Vegans heading toward the Coachella desert come May 1.

Artist: The Pixies.

Title: "Surfer Rosa."

Year of release: 1988 (reissued 2003, 4AD Records)

Tracklisting: "Bone Machine," "Break My Body," "Something Against You," "Broken Face," "Gigantic," "River Euphrates," "Where Is My Mind?," "Cactus," "Tony's Theme," "Oh My Golly!," "Vamos," "I'm Amazed," "Brick Is Red.".. after months of rumors that the four musicians were rehearsing together in secret, official word came down that the Pixies are indeed preparing to tour again.