Nine songs by the Pixies, demo versions recorded in 1987 that til now were available only on a rare purple cassette tape*. The brilliance of the band is clearly evident (Ivo and Simon at 4AD must’ve shot a wad when they heard the tape). But like most demos and the directors cut of Blade Runner, this leaves me longing for the intended release version. The songs are there, but not as searing and forceful as the 4AD releases, making me appreciate all the more the mastery of one much maligned Steve Albini, the engineer/producer of the early releases (as well as the first, best, Breeders record, Pod). Okay for anyone who doesn’t know the Pixies (um, excuse me but you are standing in a college radio station right now… get with the program) heres the typical Bill C. review: Upbeat rock, punk in its urgency but clean in its delivery. Incredibly melodic, guit, bass, drums, with the sexiest male+fem banter vocals that play off eachother ever put to tape (Black Francis and Kim Deal). Simply put: this defines “fuck music”. Next Saturday afternoon grab your mate, take the phone off the hook and crank this band.

No track by track this time, pick your favorite song. If you don’t have a favorite song, pick any, period.

*“Here Comes Your Man” is the released version, “Rock A My Soul” was never released before.