A potent blend of melody, dissonance, beauty, and chaos, The Pixies’ BBC sessions reveal the band at their peak
Pixies fans, rejoice! Coinciding with their sold-out tour, the legendary alternative rock band’s BBC sessions from 1988 to 1991 are finally getting the vinyl treatment they deserve.
These six sessions, five for John Peel and one for Mark Goodier, showcase the Pixies at their most electrifying.
Recorded between 1988 and 1991, they capture the band’s raw energy and unbridled passion during a pivotal era.
This was a time when Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering were truly motoring out front, pushing the boundaries of alternative rock with their signature blend of surf, punk, and pop influences.
The 24 tracks on “Pixies at the BBC” span the band’s career, from early favourites like “Levitate Me” and “Hey” to later classics like “Wave of Mutilation” and “Debaser.”
There are also some sweet surprises, including two covers (“Wild Honey Pie” by The Beatles and “(In Heaven) Lady in the Radiator Song” from Eraserhead) and a previously unreleased version of “Hang On To Your Ego” by The Beach Boys.
Originally released on CD in 1998, this new compilation features all tracks from the six sessions presented in chronological order, a change fans have been clamouring for.
This allows listeners to experience the band’s evolution firsthand, from their early rawness to their later sophistication.
“Pixies at the BBC” comes in a beautiful triple black vinyl LP or double CD package, with a stunning new sleeve design by Chris Bigg.
The design pays homage to the band’s late visual director Vaughan Oliver and features unseen archival Pixies imagery by long-time collaborator Simon Larbalestier.
The Pixies were more than just a band; they were a creative force that redefined alternative rock in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Their music was a potent blend of melody and dissonance, beauty and chaos.
Black Francis’s distinctive vocals and Kim Deal’s soaring harmonies were perfectly complemented by Joey Santiago’s swirling guitars and David Lovering’s driving drums.
But what truly set the Pixies apart was their songwriting.
Their songs were full of dark humour, surreal imagery, and raw emotion, tackling themes of love, loss, and alienation with a unique blend of wit and vulnerability.
“Pixies at the BBC” is a must-have for any fan of the band.
It’s a raw and intimate portrait of a band at the height of their powers, and it’s a testament to the enduring legacy of their music.
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Pixies – Pixies at the BBC, 1988-91 is out 8th March via 4AD / Remote Control Records
