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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <
2961 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2022 : 19:28:58
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In your opinion, are the Pixies the single best band bar none?
Is there anyone better than they?
Who comes close?
I'm not talking about popular consensus, I'm asking about your personal feelings.
For me, the only band I would nominate would be Ween. I've been listening / seeing both bands since the early 90s, and it's hard to pick a number one, but Ween would be it if I had to. Every studio album is solid and can be listened to over and over, and their live shows are off the charts. And they've got so much unreleased stuff that you can find out there that there's always something new to get into. (And their satellite efforts are also terrific but it would be a different discussion to put up all of FBF's canon, I would have to reevaluate that).
I think there are some forum members on here who think that FB&theC's are better than the Pixies, even better than 1.0. I respect that but I don't feel that way.
Feel free to chime in, I'm curious to hear what people say. And as always, this is just a friendly discussion and no one is right or wrong necessarily, just having an interesting discussion I hope. |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6009 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2022 : 10:30:57
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GBV
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6009 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2022 : 10:31:29
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But honestly all my favorite bands are no. 1 from time to time
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <
2961 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2022 : 18:10:48
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GBV, huh?
I will have to check them out more, thank you Mr. Goodman |
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1072 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2022 : 04:58:50
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| The Gun Club. Maybe not better than but as good. |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6009 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2022 : 12:50:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Bedbug
GBV, huh?
I will have to check them out more, thank you Mr. Goodman
30+ albums, 100 if you count side projects.
It's all good, not always great, most of the time brilliant.
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =
USA
815 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2022 : 16:31:19
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My favorite bands I like more than the Pixies:
They Might Be Giants
The Rheostatics
XTC
Maybe: Talking Heads, The Smiths
But to be honest, much of this is apples and oranges. |
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Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <
2961 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2022 : 08:54:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot
My favorite bands I like more than the Pixies:
They Might Be Giants
The Rheostatics
XTC
Maybe: Talking Heads, The Smiths
But to be honest, much of this is apples and oranges.
I suppose if we were to merge the "Bands that are exactly like the Pixies thread" with the "bands that are better than the Pixies" thread then we could have applies to applies |
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Brank_Flack
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
910 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2022 : 11:18:54
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Off the top of my head:
The Beatles
The Velvet Underground
Radiohead
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds |
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2022 : 14:27:21
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It’s pretty difficult for me to rank bands in terms of being “better” than others. There are so many things to grade on and all the subjectivity. I could try to rank on a criteria like “best songwriting” “most number of great albums” or “most whatever…” it’s an exercise I don’t have much interest in. However I can name several bands that I LIKE as much as the Pixies, and I would need to lump Pixies and all things Frank Black together because in my mind it’s all one in the same. It’s all one continuum from my perspective.
Bands / artists I like as much as Pixies/FBF (not comprehensive because there are a lot - this is off the top of my head)
- King Crimson
- Jethro Tull
- Beach Boys
- The Band
- Bob Dylan
- Soundgarden
- Neil Young
- Prince
- Miles Davis
- Tom Waits
- Ween
- Pink Floyd
- XTC
- Dire Straits / Mark Knopfler
- Mahavishnu Orchestra
- ZZ Top
Bands / artists I PROBABLY like more than Pixies/FBF, Gun to my head…
- Grateful Dead
- The Beatles
- Phish
- … might edit and add a couple more
I had a bad reaction to your public hobby writings. |
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Brank_Flack
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
910 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2022 : 07:48:49
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| If we're including songwriters I would add Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young as well (which I'm sure Charles would understand being a fan of all three!). |
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *
Austria
1018 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2022 : 00:27:41
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Husker Du, in terms of playing and performing as a band.
The only thing that make me feel Pixies are better is watching their Brixton 1991 performance.
I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band |
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Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *
1034 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2022 : 09:59:33
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Pearl Jam. They're the only band I'd put above Pixies/Fb/Catholics etc. And it's darn close. I think on an album-by-album basis Fb is far ahead in terms of quality. Certainly more prolific. But Pj's music resonates with me on a deep level; their concerts put them over the top.
But if anyone asks me for my favorite band, it's PJ. I do enjoy recommending Pixies/Fb to anyone whose not familiar, particularly the Catholics albums.
As far as other live bands go, I think Zeppelin ranks number 2 behind PJ; once one cuts out the violin bow bullshit and the fifteen to twenty minute drum solo. A twenty minute plus No Quarter or thirty minute Dazed & Confused isn't for everyone but man, what a musical journey.
Pj's #1 for me.
cheers |
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pot
> Teenager of the Year <
Iceland
3909 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2022 : 16:49:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm
As far as other live bands go, I think Zeppelin ranks number 2 behind PJ; once one cuts out the violin bow bullshit and the fifteen to twenty minute drum solo. A twenty minute plus No Quarter or thirty minute Dazed & Confused isn't for everyone but man, what a musical journey.
Whenever I take the time to go back and listen to a bit of old Led Zep again I'm always refreshed by just how amazing a band they really were. When this thread came up they were one of the bands I was thinking about maybe could be better than the Pixies? |
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Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *
1034 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2022 : 16:46:38
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Went through a Husker Du phase years ago. I think my favorite remains Zen Arcade. After a while the songwriting didn't work for me and I think Bob Mould just over sings; let the music have some space why-dontcha?
The Pixies discography wipes the floor with Zeppelin; they're quite good and one of the biggest, earliest rock bands but album-by-album Pixies take it.
In my opinion. |
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Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =
USA
815 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2022 : 22:48:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm
Went through a Husker Du phase years ago. I think my favorite remains Zen Arcade. After a while the songwriting didn't work for me and I think Bob Mould just over sings; let the music have some space why-dontcha?
This is an interesting criticism because it really applies to my own music too. The reason is because before having a band I was a solo guy for many years. So the songs weren't written with any jamming or instrumental sections in mind because it's just me and a guitar. I'm not a lead solo dude. So when I got a band we just did the songs as is and it's my voice on top of everything 95% of the time.
So one thing a friend of mine said once about a song of mine he really liked was to let it breathe, because it's so moody and somber, he's like "it's over in like 2 minutes, I want to zone out to it!" So for the album version (out soon) I copy and pasted the drums and bass to make an instrumental section to just chill out on top of.
In general I'm trying more and more to not just have me singing be on top of everything all the time. It's great advice for songwriting and for a band. It's about the music! |
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Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *
1034 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2022 : 07:40:56
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This was a gradual realization for me; I sometimes think that singing style was part of the hardcore scene the band emerged from/was a part of. It just became overkill for me. Haven't listened to Zen Arcade in years, may give it a listen see how it holds up.
Good luck with your songwriting! |
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Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =
USA
815 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2022 : 08:17:00
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| If I haven't figured it out after over 300 songs, I'm hopeless! |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5448 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2022 : 20:21:33
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| Props to Gun Club. |
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Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =
USA
815 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2022 : 13:38:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm
Pearl Jam. They're the only band I'd put above Pixies/Fb/Catholics etc. And it's darn close. I think on an album-by-album basis Fb is far ahead in terms of quality. Certainly more prolific. But Pj's music resonates with me on a deep level; their concerts put them over the top.
Pj's #1 for me.
You may be interested to know Pearl Jam and Pixies are playing a show together!
https://www.facebook.com/joey.santiago.56/posts/10227880481534878 |
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hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1592 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2022 : 06:46:29
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Pixies/FB are up there.
I think Jane's Addiction had a flawless album in Ritual de lo Habitual.
NoMeansNo had a lot of good albums. |
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Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *
1225 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2022 : 08:33:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot
quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm
Pearl Jam. They're the only band I'd put above Pixies/Fb/Catholics etc. And it's darn close. I think on an album-by-album basis Fb is far ahead in terms of quality. Certainly more prolific. But Pj's music resonates with me on a deep level; their concerts put them over the top.
Pj's #1 for me.
You may be interested to know Pearl Jam and Pixies are playing a show together!
https://www.facebook.com/joey.santiago.56/posts/10227880481534878
Is that connected with this? (I don't have facebook)
https://twitter.com/PIXIES/status/1535313918012301312?s=20&t=rp0QnXu5v5QGob9Ha7ngAQ
It's a pop-up Pearl Jam/Pixies shop just before their show in Hyde Park. I am not going to the show I might pop along to the shop to see what's going on.
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1072 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2022 : 13:09:00
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| Wipers first few albums were amazing, hard to say if better but I'd put them up there. |
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Topic |
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Bands You Think Are Better Than The Pixies
