Summary
EP1[5] is a 2013 EP by American alternative rock band Pixies. Apart from the 2004 single "Bam Thwok" and a cover of Warren Zevon's "Ain't That Pretty At All", this EP, along with the 2013 single "Bagboy", is the first new material from the band in more than 20 years. This is the first album they have released without founding member Kim Deal, who quit earlier in the year. It is the first in a series of releases planned through the band's web site and designed by Vaughan Oliver.[2]
| EP1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | September 2, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | Late 2012; Rockfield Studios,[1] Wales[2] additional recording at Sonelab,[3] Easthampton the Autumn Den,[4] Northampton | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 15:23 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Producer | Gil Norton | |||
| Pixies chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Pixies were aware of how their legacy, as well as the departure of their longtime bassist Kim Deal, strengthened the weight surrounding a new release.[2] Santiago said the band mourned for three days but decided to continue without Deal. The track "Indie Cindy" is about the band's hope that audiences will accept their new work after such a long hiatus.[2] The song, according to Black Francis, says to the audience "I don’t know if you’ll accept me; I don’t know if I accept you. But we have this memory. Can we do it again?"[2]
The E.P. is intended to be one of several released through the band's website rather than full albums on labels.[2]
Reception edit
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 45/100[6] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Consequence Of Sound | C−[7] |
| Montreal Gazette |    [8] |
| NME | 6/10[9] |
| Pitchfork Media | 1.0/10[10] |
| Popmatters |   [11] |
| Punknews.org | [12] |
| Rolling Stone | [13] |
| Sputnikmusic | 2/5[14] |
| Under The Radar | 6/10[15] |
EP1 received mostly negative reviews from music critics. Jayson Greene of Pitchfork Media castigated the extended play, arguing there is "no Pixies in this Pixies" and giving it a rare score of 1.0.[10] Ben Sisario of The New York Times called it "less screamy and uptight" but noted the overall dynamics of the band were still present. The track "Indie Cindy" in particular was praised for sounding reminiscent of the Pixies' earlier work;[2] John Tryneski of PopMatters ranked it the strongest track,[11] and Brett Buchanan of Alternative Nation also called it the standout for combining Francis' "trademark spoken word verses with a dreamy melodic chorus".[16] Buchanan also praised "Bag Boy" and argued the band could survive without Kim Deal.[16]
On October 7, the official video of "Andro Queen" was released.[17]
On November 19, the official video for "What Goes Boom" was released and then on December 9, the official video for "Another Toe in the Ocean" was released on the group's new VEVO site.
Track listing edit
- "Andro Queen" – 3:24
- "Another Toe in the Ocean" – 3:46
- "Indie Cindy" – 4:41
- "What Goes Boom" – 3:32
Personnel edit
Pixies
- Black Francis – vocals, guitar
- David Lovering – drums
- Joey Santiago – guitar
Additional personnel
- Ding (Simon "Dingo" Archer) – bass guitar
- Jeremy Dubs – backing vocals
- Gil Norton – production
References edit
- ^ Discogs – Rockfield Studios profile and discography
- ^ a b c d e f g Sisario, Ben (September 3, 2013). "The Pixies Motor On, with New Bassist". The New York Times.
- ^ Sonelab – Easthampton, Massachusetts • 413 203 5251
- ^ the Autumn Den – Facebook • (413)221-5424
- ^ Discogs – Pixies – EP1 Images
- ^ "EP-1 – Pixies". Metacritic. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ Arroyoon, Steven (January 13, 2014). "Pixies – EP-1 and EP-2". Consequence Of Sound. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "New Album Review: Pixies, EP1 (Self-released)". Montreal Gazette. Postmedia Network. September 9, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ EG Perry, Kevin (October 4, 2013). "Pixies – 'EP1'". NME. Inspire. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Greene, Jayson (September 6, 2013). "Pixies: EP-1". Pitchfork Media, Inc.
- ^ a b Tryneski, John M. (September 11, 2013). "Pixies: EP1". Popmatters. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ Simpson, Greg (September 11, 2013). "Pixies – EP1". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (September 9, 2013). "Pixies EP-1 Album Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ Lowe, Robert (December 28, 2013). "Pixies – EP1 (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ "Pixies: EP1". Under The Radar: 101. November–December 2013.
- ^ a b Buchanan, Brett (September 4, 2013). "Review Of Pixies 'EP-1′". AlternativeNation.net. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Andro Queen segna il magico ritorno dei Pixies (testo e video ufficiale)". October 7, 2013.
External links edit
- Official music videos:
- Andro Queen
- Another Toe In The Ocean
- Indie Cindy
- What Goes Boom