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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6290 Posts

Posted - 08/01/2025 :  06:21:27  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
yeah, maybe next year. Sept/oct 2027. Hope we will make it!

---------------------------
BF: Mag ik Engels spreken?
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Joey Joe Jo Jr. Chabadoo
* Dog in the Sand *

1092 Posts

Posted - 08/04/2025 :  07:15:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I just hope they could deliver something great (not something like the latest album).
I dream of a new producer.

++++
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1053 Posts

Posted - 08/04/2025 :  08:20:34  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
After this last one, new Pixies albums are now met with extreme trepidation from me, and not something I look forward to anymore. Just something I'll be curious about and have anxiety that it will be really bad and further distance me from the band.

I say let them take their time making it.
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oddball
- FB Fan -

Germany
244 Posts

Posted - 08/04/2025 :  11:11:53  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Or take the opposite approach in favor of spontaneity. It seems like content from many sessions in recent years has been shelved (Halloween sessions from way back when, Superlecker sessions, whatever happened last year in England, etc.). Take the FB & the Cs route and get this stuff out! Or release it through Frank Black or Black Francis or whatever, and save other content for Pixies albums. He's too prolific of a songwriter to keep things in the can. Just my two cents. I just think of artists who take their time and go with releases every three to four years, only to disappoint in the end.
-oddball
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1073 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2025 :  06:22:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yeah, at this point I would take spontaneity and regular releases as well. Less pressure for each album to be a statement or return-to-form "NEW PIXIES ALBUM", and Charles has been very clear that he writes spontaneously for upcoming recording sessions. The only difference between an album every year and every few years, I reckon at least, is fewer albums, not fewer considered classics.

Changing their name from the Pixies would also help, but it would be financial suicide.
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1053 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2025 :  13:36:25  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
God just be Frank Black again and work with whoever
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *

Austria
1074 Posts

Posted - 08/06/2025 :  00:52:48  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I would more look forward to a Cult of Ray 30-year anniversary tour, bringing back Lyle and the origial catholics line-up. And bookend the show with side A and side B of FB self-titled, of course with EDF and Nick Vincent.

I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *

1709 Posts

Posted - 08/06/2025 :  12:03:45  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'd kill for more FB recording stuff over more Pixies. At the very least a new producer if Pixies will keep doing their thing.

Pixies turning into a classic rock band just seems kind of boring IMO.(Tom Dalgetys influences apparently)

Also the TOTY reunion shows sounded so good. I think it could've been interesting to hear what it'd sound like if they tried something new.
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *

Austria
1074 Posts

Posted - 08/06/2025 :  23:00:53  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:


Pixies turning into a classic rock band just seems kind of boring IMO.(Tom Dalgetys influences apparently)




My feeling about Pixies 2.0 has never been been captured more accurately as in this one sentence.



I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <

3267 Posts

Posted - 08/07/2025 :  10:36:21  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot

God just be Frank Black again and work with whoever



This sums it up nicely for me
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1073 Posts

Posted - 08/07/2025 :  11:43:03  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm fine with whoever he chooses to play with, including the Pixies who aren't a shabby backing band. At this points, I consider Pixies 2.0 albums as extensions of the Frank Black/Black Francis solo discography rather than the Pixies 1.0 canon, which helps me be less finicky about each new release. In the grand scheme of his post-TOTY albums, I think the Pixies 2.0 albums are all solid, with BTE in the DITS and Bluefinger camp of post-imperial classics, Indie Cindy being in the next tier, and HC/Doggerel/TNTZC being in the middle rather than lower tier.

A change of producers would excite me more than a change of band, but I can live with Tom. I do think Tom is in part responsible for the classic rock sound of Pixies 2.0, but let's also not pretend FB's output beginning with Frank Black and the Catholics hasn't been increasingly classic rock rather than indie/alternative/college radio orientated. I reckon what they need is a producer who pushes them away from their instincts towards classic rock (like Norton did on IC) rather than one who leans in on it (i.e., Tom).
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
1137 Posts

Posted - 08/07/2025 :  12:57:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yeah agree with these points. Kinda sums it up when Pixies social media posts tribute to Ozzy Osbourne but will neglect Brian Wilson or David Thomas - nothing against Ozzy love him but love the others as well.

Maybe in 2025 it's just enough to be relevant and touring, staying in the circuit. Pixies do that very well and a new album every couple of year helps.

But let's face it, it's the classic material that sells tickets. It's interesting they have a night for Trompe / Bossanova and a night for a classic set. Why don't they have a night for 2.0 material? I doubt it would sell as well.

It seems they put faith in Tom helping them stay relevant in a world where alt rock is diminishing and their peers are no longer around or relevant.

Personally I would like a Frank Black album every year or two - doesn't need to tour it, just release stuff for people who want it. Pixies make up with Kim, tour classic material every few years. Sounds like a decent compromise to me.
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <

3267 Posts

Posted - 08/07/2025 :  17:29:54  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Brank_Flack

I'm fine with whoever he chooses to play with, including the Pixies who aren't a shabby backing band. At this points, I consider Pixies 2.0 albums as extensions of the Frank Black/Black Francis solo discography rather than the Pixies 1.0 canon, which helps me be less finicky about each new release. In the grand scheme of his post-TOTY albums, I think the Pixies 2.0 albums are all solid, with BTE in the DITS and Bluefinger camp of post-imperial classics, Indie Cindy being in the next tier, and HC/Doggerel/TNTZC being in the middle rather than lower tier.

A change of producers would excite me more than a change of band, but I can live with Tom. I do think Tom is in part responsible for the classic rock sound of Pixies 2.0, but let's also not pretend FB's output beginning with Frank Black and the Catholics hasn't been increasingly classic rock rather than indie/alternative/college radio orientated. I reckon what they need is a producer who pushes them away from their instincts towards classic rock (like Norton did on IC) rather than one who leans in on it (i.e., Tom).



Agreed, and I've been saying this for a long time (probably thought it when TLM came out) and apparently I still don't get tired of talking about it: 2.0 is best seen as Frank Black and the Pixies not the Pixies, for a number of reasons.

If a genie asked me what would I want this next album to be, I honestly don't know what I would ask for. I'm really happy with all of 2.0 and wouldn't really change much. But I'm definitely open to something totally different sounding as well.
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *

1709 Posts

Posted - 08/07/2025 :  17:39:58  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I agree with 2.0 as being Frank Black and Pixies, etc... I just kinda wish he could tap a little more into the older approach a bit somehow.

I'm sure a new producer could make a big difference here as has been mentioned. The fact that the BTE demos are possibly some of my favorite Pixies 2.0 releases kinda suggests that for me. Those songs kind of have the more spontaneous feel I get from some of Franks best solo works (IMO) including with the Catholics and the seemingly low production on those actually elevates it for me.
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Jamie
- FB Fan -

USA
114 Posts

Posted - 08/11/2025 :  20:30:48  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Brank_Flack

let's also not pretend FB's output beginning with Frank Black and the Catholics hasn't been increasingly classic rock rather than indie/alternative/college radio orientated.


Exactly. Some of the discourse in this thread leaves me scratching my head.

I guess I don't hold the Pixies sacred in that way, it's always been Frank Black and the Pixies to me. It's just Charles's evolution as a songwriter. The Pixies are my favorite backing band of his, so I prefer that he's working with them, "classic rock" as it may be. I'd rather have Joey's guitar and female backing vocals than not (and I'm excited to hear how they use Emma's vocals on the next one).
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <

3267 Posts

Posted - 08/12/2025 :  03:05:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jamie

quote:
Originally posted by Brank_Flack

let's also not pretend FB's output beginning with Frank Black and the Catholics hasn't been increasingly classic rock rather than indie/alternative/college radio orientated.


Exactly. Some of the discourse in this thread leaves me scratching my head.

I guess I don't hold the Pixies sacred in that way, it's always been Frank Black and the Pixies to me. It's just Charles's evolution as a songwriter. The Pixies are my favorite backing band of his, so I prefer that he's working with them, "classic rock" as it may be. I'd rather have Joey's guitar and female backing vocals than not (and I'm excited to hear how they use Emma's vocals on the next one).




But if we ever figure it out and all come to a consensus, then what will the twelve of us on this forum ever have to talk about?
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1073 Posts

Posted - 08/12/2025 :  09:30:51  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bedbug

quote:
Originally posted by Jamie

quote:
Originally posted by Brank_Flack

let's also not pretend FB's output beginning with Frank Black and the Catholics hasn't been increasingly classic rock rather than indie/alternative/college radio orientated.


Exactly. Some of the discourse in this thread leaves me scratching my head.

I guess I don't hold the Pixies sacred in that way, it's always been Frank Black and the Pixies to me. It's just Charles's evolution as a songwriter. The Pixies are my favorite backing band of his, so I prefer that he's working with them, "classic rock" as it may be. I'd rather have Joey's guitar and female backing vocals than not (and I'm excited to hear how they use Emma's vocals on the next one).




But if we ever figure it out and all come to a consensus, then what will the twelve of us on this forum ever have to talk about?



"There's a dozen of us! A dozen!"
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1053 Posts

Posted - 08/15/2025 :  23:40:25  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jamie

quote:
Originally posted by Brank_Flack

let's also not pretend FB's output beginning with Frank Black and the Catholics hasn't been increasingly classic rock rather than indie/alternative/college radio orientated.


Exactly. Some of the discourse in this thread leaves me scratching my head.



I don't think it's that confusing. Catholics is its own thing. Pixies is its own thing. Both carry certain expectations or were consistently presenting a specific sort of sound (or sub-genre) for years. Think about someone like David Lowery and his two bands, Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker. They're both unmistakably Lowery's style but they also both have specific hallmarks of the sound (with some overlap too.)

That Frank leaned into classic rock during the Catholics, for me, has no bearing on what a Pixies album should be expected to sound like. In fact when he changed his name back to Black Francis and put out something like Bluefinger, that was more along the lines of how I imagined he would alter his style as he comes back to the Pixies.

I don't (or I didn't used to) really see the Pixies as Frank and the Pixies, I see it as the Pixies. I guess this is the fundamental difference between some of the members here. For me, Pixies is a certain box that certain kinds of songs should fall into, and Catholics or solo material is another kind of box. Both boxes are on the same shelf, but they are different boxes.
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The Maharal
* Dog in the Sand *

1017 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2025 :  03:34:18  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
For me one of the biggest drawbacks of Pixies post-IC is BF pandering far too much to the male/female harmonies. Giving far too much gravitas to female backing vocals. Added to the slightly off-kilter intros and the country-ish / classic rock sound it's all very formulaic and forgetful. Well, not all of it obviously, there's still three or four bangers on every album.

It would be nice if he were to do something with EDF or Mark Mulcahy again. Or even Tiven.
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1053 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2025 :  18:54:14  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Maharal

For me one of the biggest drawbacks of Pixies post-IC is BF pandering far too much to the male/female harmonies. Giving far too much gravitas to female backing vocals.



Hmm, that's an interesting criticism. You mean how Kim's voice was used in atypical ways and often not to just make the song more "powerful" or sweet sounding or etc? I can see that.

This other band I like did a similar thing. It's hard to explain without sounding like "no girls allowed!" but for their 2nd album they added a female vocalist with a very classically pretty voice, and then just overused her on every song in very obvious "this sounds PRETTY!!!!!" ways, and for me it completely changed the feel of the band, which was a bit more rough and quirky and...boyish?
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The Maharal
* Dog in the Sand *

1017 Posts

Posted - 08/17/2025 :  03:04:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yeah I think Kim's voice was definitely used in atypical ways and brilliantly so. More recent Pixies over-egg the dual harmonies as if they're compensating for previous sins. Off the top of my head I'm thinking Bel Esprit and Vegas Suite as the worst offenders. Mercy Me too, a song I otherwise like a lot, uses it a bit too much. And almost every chorus in every song. (This post unfortunately prompted me to listen to I Hear You Mary again.) Emma generally sounds excellent but yeah it's overdone.
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *

1709 Posts

Posted - 08/17/2025 :  10:47:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Agreed about the formulaic nature of a lot of the newer stuff.

I'm actually listening to Christmass as I write this. Admittingly that is from some time ago with a younger Frank Black but still- listen to how dynamic a song like Massif Central or Don't Get Me Wrong are- classic rock influence or not doesn't even matter when listening to a lot of his songs from this era.

Also on topic- I also feel like Bluefinger was kind of a great version of a modern day Black Francis and even the more chill/non screaming songs there are cool- Lolita, Your Mouth Into Mine, etc. Top tier Francis songs and no screaming needed either.
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1053 Posts

Posted - 08/17/2025 :  12:21:22  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Yes, and then even "formulaic" and simpler stuff like Coastline is at least recorded with a lot of realness and warmth so it feels genuinely emotional to me. But the new Pixies stuff has a production style that feels over processed or something.
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