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(More customer reviews)It was the tour that no one thought would ever happen. In 1992, the Pixies were on top of the world. While they hadn't quite broken through into the mainstream in the United States, they were a huge hit in England, almost reaching stadium status. They played some of the largest European rock `n' roll festivals and even opened for U2. And then their lead singer Black Francis announced that the band had broken up.
Black Francis and Kim Deal seemed as if they would never bury the hatchet and fans would never see their beloved band together again. And then it was announced last year that the Pixies were indeed going to be re-forming for a tour in select cities in Europe and the U.S. Anticipation was high and, if you were lucky enough to see them live, reportedly they did not disappoint. Now, you can get an idea of what it was like with this new DVD that gives you a sample of the band live in concert.
Black Francis' voice sounds as ferocious as it ever did. He gives it a good workout on "Something Against You" and "U-Mass," the latter a giddy, psychotic ode to the University of Massachusetts. Later on, he tears it up on "Tame," alternating between almost-whispered verses and deranged howling choruses. Joey is still the unsung, low-key guitar god he always was, delivering the insanely catchy riffs that the Pixies were revered for.
They pull out such memorable hits like "Monkey Gone to Heaven" and "Here Comes Your Man" along with underrated gems like the surreal "Subbacultcha." The only minor, personal caveat I have with the DVD is the short shrift given to the criminally underrated and much maligned Bossanova album. Only a dreamy, surf-soaked rendition of "Velouria" is played in their set. Also, their misunderstood swan song, Trompe Le Monde is also largely ignored in favour of older material.
There is a selection of 14 songs performed on the 2004 tour all over the world with optional interview segments from two of their long-time tour crew members. One of my personal favourites, "Planet of Sound" gets a fine workout in New Orleans while the Bossanova album is shown more love with a nice rendition of "Is She Weird" in Lowell, MA.
Finally, there is "MX Monkey's Choice" which allows you to switch from six different angles with your DVD remote while watching a live version of "Monkey Gone to Heaven."
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The Pixies - Sell Out (2005)In 1992 the Pixies disbanded after releasing four acclaimed albums and one mini-album in a five-year period. The Pixies are widely regarded as one of the most important rock bands of the past 20 years-and influenced a new wave of alternative bands with their Quiet/Loud/Quiet song structure. Paraphrasing Kurt Cobain: "Nirvana would not have existed without the Pixies." Since the band split up, the leader, Black Francis, started a solo career as Frank Black, and Kim Deal, the bassist and vocalist, went on to form The Breeders. The band reunited in 2004 for a trimphant worldwide tour that saw the band playing better than ever, injecting the classic songs with renewed energy and universal critical response. The band's legacy and reputation has only grown stronger in the 12 years since they broke up, see her as the play in front of enthusiastic audiences, far larger than they had drawn in their heyday. Track Listings: Bone Machine, Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf), In Heaven, Something Against You, River Euphrates, U-Mass, Bone Machine, Cactus, Ed Is Dead, I Bleed, Monkey Gone To Heaven, Hey, Levitate Me, Subbacultcha, Dead, Gouge Away, Velouria, Mr. Grieves, Crackity Jones, Broken Face, Isla De Encanta, Tame, Here Comes Your Man, Holiday, Song, Where Is My Mind?, Vamos, Wave of Mutilation, Gigantic.
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