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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
 Posted - 10/01/2019 : 03:13:58
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quote:
Originally posted by tamefan
quote:
Originally posted by The Maharal
If you could combine the two albums into one reasonably-timed collection what would you include?
in fact, I have already used Audacity to increase the tempos on Graveyard, St. Nazaire, Hey Debussy, and Kate by 10%).
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Wait... so when you listen to BTE, you listen to tracks that you’ve modified and fundamentally changed? No offense, but I find that to be kind of weird.
I had a bad reaction to your public hobby writings. |
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <
3293 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2019 : 04:09:11
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| Cue “Punk Rock City”! We are genetically altering FBF tunes! |
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Discoking
* Dog in the Sand *
Belgium
1151 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2019 : 04:44:02
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quote:
Originally posted by sdon
Also "Cyrus" is misspelled Cyprus on my LP :)
same here.
 it's educational |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2019 : 10:47:14
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quote:
Originally posted by johnnyribcage
quote:
Originally posted by tamefan
quote:
Originally posted by The Maharal
If you could combine the two albums into one reasonably-timed collection what would you include?
in fact, I have already used Audacity to increase the tempos on Graveyard, St. Nazaire, Hey Debussy, and Kate by 10%).
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Wait... so when you listen to BTE, you listen to tracks that you’ve modified and fundamentally changed? No offense, but I find that to be kind of weird.
Wow that really is weird.
The only example I have of myself doing something like that is two things...there's a tmbg song that never really made it onto an album but then they put out some version that had this intro I hated. So I edited the intro out before putting it on my ipod.
The other one is a rare Morrissey song that had various versions of different quality, and one had an extended ending that I glued to a previous version where it faded out early. But these were unreleased songs. |
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marce
- FB Fan -
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2019 : 16:26:55
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| I really like how both albums complement each other. Love the rawer vibe of the bonus tracks! |
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marcusb
= Cult of Ray =
USA
308 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2019 : 09:47:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot
The only example I have of myself doing something like that is two things...there's a tmbg song that never really made it onto an album but then they put out some version that had this intro I hated. So I edited the intro out before putting it on my ipod.
I love TMBG, I'm curious what song you are talking about
-Marcus |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2019 : 10:10:29
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The song "Rock Club", previously known by fans as "We Love All The People."
If you like TMBG check out my crazy TMBG podcast! On all streaming services is here: https://anchor.fm/dontletsstart
Sorry everyone for going off topic...
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marcusb
= Cult of Ray =
USA
308 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2019 : 02:28:34
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Ah, I haven't really kept up on their latest releases. As much as I love them, they just release so much stuff it's hard to keep up with (and pay for).
-Marcus |
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2019 : 00:19:48
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This album is so, so good.
I liked "Indie Cindy" and I liked "Head Carrier", but this is the first neo-Pixies album that makes me not miss Frank's solo and Catholics days. It feels like the band have moved past trying to live up to their brand and Frank is just writing great songs like he always has. It sounds like the pressure is now off. It's a good thing. |
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coastline
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
3111 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2019 : 01:53:43
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I think you nailed it, Jason. And for me, it's the first time I've fallen in love with a new Pixies album. I discovered the band just after they broke up, so I didn't even know about their first five albums when they were coming out. And IC and HC didn't do anything for me, nor did a live show a few years ago -- I just didn't feel it. This album, though, has consumed me for the last three weeks. I haven't been so in love with a new album -- by anyone -- in ages. And it's definitely Frank writing great songs, and the band making them Pixies songs. So, so good.
__________________________________________________
If all you see is violins, then I make a plea in their defense. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11690 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2019 : 11:08:43
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I am quite enjoying this new Pixies album I have to say. It doesn't feel like it's trying to recapture something or be something, it feels like FB. I guess genuine is the word here. It's the first time in a while that I've wanted to really dig into the lyrics, which might be my own bias, but I'm glad to have this and really do have to agree with Coastline here. I didn't dislike the previous Pixies 2.0 albums but I didn't love them either. I'm on my way with this one...
 "If we hit this bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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natenate101
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2019 : 19:42:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
I am quite enjoying this new Pixies album I have to say. It doesn't feel like it's trying to recapture something or be something, it feels like FB. I guess genuine is the word here. It's the first time in a while that I've wanted to really dig into the lyrics, which might be my own bias, but I'm glad to have this and really do have to agree with Coastline here. I didn't dislike the previous Pixies 2.0 albums but I didn't love them either. I'm on my way with this one...
"If we hit this bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
I agree with you guys as well. Just a really well made and enjoyable set of tunes from BF and the band. Joey shines for me on this one. The opener is the only song I actually dislike. It grates on me. But everything else is quality and rewards repeat listens. They crafted a great album here. |
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pmjk
- FB Fan -
Ireland
92 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2020 : 01:21:52
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Mick Ralphs, get a writing credit on Silver Bullet, but I didn't see this on the vinyl sleeve.
Can anyone shed any light on this? |
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The Maharal
* Dog in the Sand *
1018 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2020 : 09:10:49
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| The big guitar bit sounds familiar - possibly something they borrowed from a Mott the Hoople song? |
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Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *
1357 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2020 : 05:05:06
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| Still blown away at just how good Bird of Prey is. A top ten Pixies tune. |
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <
3293 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2020 : 14:58:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Sprite
Still blown away at just how good Bird of Prey is. A top ten Pixies tune.
The opinions on this forum remain ever so diverse. Love it. |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2022 : 09:06:21
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I listened to Beneath The Eyrie and the demo album (which I call Beneath Beneath The Eyrie) three times this week.
I still have this strange experience with it. BTE is this incredibly accomplished work, with some great songs, it sounds really good, the album is thematically consistent with a great flow and some huge hits on it and a great ending. I love listening to it and have found it kind of addictive this week. I'm like good job, Frank.
Then that demo album comes on and it literally makes me cry. I just love it so much. I think it's the perfect combo of Frank solo/Pixies as a kind of new third thing. The lyrics are so interesting to me, Frank's vocal is so full of feeling and fuck-it punk energy, Paz sounds great all around, Joey is rocking the hell out of the joint, and Lowery too (sorry I don't know what to say about drums.) Frank's rhythm guitar leads the way and sounds excellent. However they set up or mic'd the guitars on this "demo", they did a great job. I still consider these 9 songs one of my all-time favorite albums and a top Frank album, whatever the context. I haven't been this into his material and moved by it (on all levels) since Bluefinger.
It's really weird. I guess it's a huge accomplishment that they can make an album this good but then simultaneously put out an album that (to me) is even better. Probably not easy to do for most bands. |
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Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2492 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2022 : 07:49:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot
I listened to Beneath The Eyrie and the demo album (which I call Beneath Beneath The Eyrie) three times this week.
I still have this strange experience with it. BTE is this incredibly accomplished work, with some great songs, it sounds really good, the album is thematically consistent with a great flow and some huge hits on it and a great ending. I love listening to it and have found it kind of addictive this week. I'm like good job, Frank.
Then that demo album comes on and it literally makes me cry. I just love it so much. I think it's the perfect combo of Frank solo/Pixies as a kind of new third thing. The lyrics are so interesting to me, Frank's vocal is so full of feeling and fuck-it punk energy, Paz sounds great all around, Joey is rocking the hell out of the joint, and Lowery too (sorry I don't know what to say about drums.) Frank's rhythm guitar leads the way and sounds excellent. However they set up or mic'd the guitars on this "demo", they did a great job. I still consider these 9 songs one of my all-time favorite albums and a top Frank album, whatever the context. I haven't been this into his material and moved by it (on all levels) since Bluefinger.
It's really weird. I guess it's a huge accomplishment that they can make an album this good but then simultaneously put out an album that (to me) is even better. Probably not easy to do for most bands.
Sat down with the band for an interview the other week (coming soon!). Couldn't help echoing these thoughts, and I think they were a little taken aback, particularly regarding the demo disk! |
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1092 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2022 : 06:54:21
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| Cool - I look forward to reading it! |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2022 : 19:35:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Ziggy
Sat down with the band for an interview the other week (coming soon!). Couldn't help echoing these thoughts, and I think they were a little taken aback, particularly regarding the demo disk!
This is crazy, because after posting that I had a kind of day dream about if I met Frank, I'd want to tell him this and ask about those songs, and wondering if he'd find that weird. It's like when I met David Byrne randomly all I could say was "True Stories is my favorite movie!!" (this was pre-Criterion release and it getting a new following) and he seemed surprised. |
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Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *
1357 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2022 : 02:06:05
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| Never seen the movie but its definitely my favourite Talking Heads album. Played it an awful lot of times back in day. Would love to see FB&C cover Puzzlin' Evidence. |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2022 : 08:45:00
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| Holy moses, see the movie. I can't even comprehend how those songs even work divorced from the movie. They are all about what is happening in the film. |
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tamefan
- FB Fan -
Canada
239 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2024 : 11:22:25
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| "On Graveyard Hill" should have been called "Donna." |
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *
1718 Posts |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2025 : 20:23:39
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Fascinating to read the comments. Maybe they're right. And maybe they're right that Pixies should play Graveyard Hill live again. I kind of wish they treated their big singles as big singles and kept them in the setlist rather than them vanishing forever, if only for the illusion that the 2.0 albums are significant among their discography.
I like Graveyard Hill but I still think if it had more edge to the music it would be more a classic and fit in among new Pixies songs. Like a lot of 2.0, it's very upbeat and positive sounding. It's like a pop dance song almost. It just needs a dose of discomfort in it. |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6310 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2025 : 00:37:35
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Totally agree. It misses something. I was not impressed by it when it was released.
But in the context of the album (and the podcast) it really works.
And after more than 5 years it's a part of my fandom now.
"In the witching hour!"
To me, BTE is a modern classic
Also the only record 2.0 that knocked my off my feet
I love the others, enjoy them a lot, but there's always something wrong with them in my ears
BTE is not flawless, and no Surfer Rosa or Trompe Le Monde, but it just resonates with me
They are older, we are older, and Pixies are here to stay
Podcast was a big part of it for me
It's so fascinating.
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
Edited by - billgoodman on 09/15/2025 00:41:12 |
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1092 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2025 : 09:24:55
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Agreed with billgoodman on BTE. One of my favourite post-imperial albums along with DITS and Bluefinger.
Re: Graveyard Hill - I think they it has enough discomfort in the verses (I like the decision to have Charles deliberately sing "in the witching hour" slightly off key to create a dissonance between him and Paz or his backing vocals), but agree that the chorus is in need of an additional dose. |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7447 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2025 : 10:33:23
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I hadn't listened to it in... well, probably 4 or 5 years so I gave it a spin. It doesn't do much to me. The only stuff I really love from their later career are the BTE demos and the latest album (Zombies) which still gets regular play. BTE is run of the mill really, even the songs I liked best when it was released.
Denis
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The Maharal
* Dog in the Sand *
1018 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2025 : 11:47:23
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I have BTE as a 3.5 or 4 out of 5 star album. Decent start, horrendous middle and a fantastic finish. Great last five songs but it's the middle that sullies it for me. Though similar to vilainde I haven't listened to it in full in about four years.
I play the demo tracks all the time though. BF in full flight. Full of anger and angst after his breakup. And it's less Pixies-ified. |
Edited by - The Maharal on 09/15/2025 11:51:48 |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2025 : 11:55:05
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I listened to BTE again today in the car because of this thread. My opinions on it haven't changed, but they're also a bit mixed anyway.
It's a good listen. The album sounds good, the songwriting is solid, the arrangements all "work" for the songs, and the album is thematically cohesive with recurring elements and a real attention paid to the sequencing and songs that feel like intro songs, middle songs, and ending songs, as well as audibly cohesive with certain gothic elements, Paz's surf moments, a lot of extra percussion, etc. BTE has a "sound" and that's a good thing.
But that's also part of the problems with it...It's a totally competent achievement. I mean my own albums have that same kind of attention to sequencing etc because it's just sensible and artistically satisfying to structure albums that way. But it's missing the more unpredictable elements that Pixies albums often contained.
Putting something like Stormy Weather towards the end. Or the furious breathless pace of the Trompe Le Monde album. The genre bending of Doolittle. The dialogue throughout Surfer Rosa (or even just...every bizarre decision about the production of Surfer Rosa.)
I'm inclined to blame Dalgety for this sort of "organization" of Frank's music. I think with some of the demo songs in there the album would feel less predictable and less sensible (stop making sense!) It's as if Dalgety was editing a movie and wanted to make it a tight crowd pleaser and cut out some of the best and most interesting scenes. I guess in a sense that's what he is hired to do. But I kind of want the inmates running the asylum on a Pixies (or Frank) release.
Graveyard Hill is a really strong single, Mark of Cain is a strong opener, etc, etc, but I don't think any of these songs will turn anybody's heads and make them go "what is THAT?!?" |
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *
1718 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2025 : 18:33:59
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I agree with a lot of these criticisms. Actually the way I'll listen to it now when I do, is how it is on streaming with the demos following the album.
The demos are more solid to me. Take out some of the tracks that slow things down with a few of the demos in middle and I think this song could bump it up a notch.
Imagine ending the album with How I learned to Earn Rewards and/or swapping Ready for Love with something like Mal De Mer or one of the others.
Maybe Chapel Hill and Good Works of Cyrus in place of in place of Catfish Kate and/or This Is My Fate. I think those songs aren't bad but these demo songs sound more kind of 'indie rock' to me anyway. I could imagine them flowing better next to other more classic Pixies songs. |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2025 : 21:47:11
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You know, I think Gigantic is such a hit because it's so shockingly upbeat on an album that is full of nightmare music. Dissonant sounds and anguished screaming and whaling screeching guitars that sound like tortured ghosts. Frank sounding like a genuinely fucked up dude.
But now most of the albums sound like Gigantic. I was thinking how Graveyard Hill basically has the same upbeat feel that Gigantic does, with that spunky bass line and triumphant chorus. Their albums have plenty of bright, catchy choruses, like Catfish Kate (which my wife LOVES), but for a "gothic" album there's not really any sense of horror the way it is all over Surfer Rosa. Hell, there's no sense of horror on an album literally titled The Night the Zombies Came.
But I do think those demos have an "edge" to them even if a lot of them are upbeat as well. They also have a weariness to them that I find interesting. So if Frank's writing more upbeat songs at least let them keep that edge, I guess. Vocals that sound more live. Less overdubs. Drums that sound more raw and not so polished.
My version of BTE would be every demo song (so 9 tracks) and whatever stacks up against them for the remaining couple. The thing is I wouldn't want Dalgety to overproduce them. I like them how they are.
I basically consider those nine songs an actual album. Demos or no. I've heard albums much more lo-fi and unpolished than those. |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6310 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2025 : 03:30:03
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All valid points in this discussion
I really like to point out, and will continue doing it, that Tom also produced the demos.
Dalgety is capable of doing the more indie stuff, and I would trade Good Works of Cyrus for almost every song on BTE
Easily my favorite of the bunch
I'm glad we got both, I wish Pixies would do more records anyway and the demo disc is proof that they could knock out a great set of tunes and just be done with them. They can do it with or without Tom D., he seems a big factor in getting them to record anyway
BTE is a bit overproduced, but that's what I like about it.
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
Edited by - billgoodman on 09/17/2025 03:31:12 |
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1092 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2025 : 06:55:48
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Am I the only person on this forum who likes BTE better than the demos? I wouldn't consider swapping out Catfish Kate or This is My Fate for anything on the demoes album, and How I Learned to Earn Rewards is a solid Catholics classic rock party song, but has no business finishing the gothier BTE.
I do like Cyrus, but don't think it would work on the album, and would consider swapping in Mal De Mer, Chapel Hill, or a second draft of Caught in a Dream (maybe for Ready for Love, Long Rider, or St. Nazaire), but happy for them to stand as B-Sides. As is stands, like billgoodman, I'm happy to have both BTE and the demos album. |
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Troubles A Foot
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1082 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2025 : 11:04:08
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Don't want to monopolize the conversation, just a few points:
"I really like to point out, and will continue doing it, that Tom also produced the demos."
This definitely has been said a few times but do we know what that even means? My assumption (and JUST an assumption) is Tom engineered the recording of those but didn't "produce" in the way we hear on the Pixies Podcast where he's basically acting like a 5th member of the band?
I can understand liking BTE more than the demos. Like I said, it's a very handsome album. And it's genuinely difficult for me to pinpoint if it's the SONGWRITING or just the SOUND of the demos that is so appealing to me, and even emotional for me. If the BTE songs were presented in the way the demos were presented, would I be going crazy for those? I have no idea. But my instinct is that I really think the demos songs are more interesting, more rocking, catchier, the lyrics intrigue me more, and the band seems more in top form and more inspired on them than on the BTE tracks.
But I could totally see somebody thinking the reverse of that, sure.
As someone who has recorded demos and band practices and albums, it's a hugely common thing that the demos and practices have more youthful and creative spirit than the finished album versions. But the finished album versions have more arrangement and polish.
Maybe there was a subconscious sense in the band that the demos wouldn't end up anywhere so they are playing more like nobody is listening. But it's continually astounding to me that these incredible songs only exist as what they are. Never played live or anything. If Frank had put out that 9 song album as an actual album, Catholics or Pixies or whatever, I'd not question it at all (maybe add one or two more songs for normal album length.) |
Edited by - Troubles A Foot on 09/17/2025 11:05:37 |
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Beneath the Eyrie
