Album of the Week #82: Doolittle by Pixies

Dudess

Released: April 1989

Where to start? Ok, it's simple. This album is quite simply... phenomenal. Absolutely amazing. It's the first decent album I ever listened to in full - I was only a kid and found some of it a bit "nasty" and dark, but damn... there are so many catchy, poppy moments too. I basically went from Kylie and Jason to Pixies and The Cure.
Debaser is an indie pop classic - I don't believe there is anyone who wouldn't be infected by its infectiousness. Ditto Here Comes Your Man and La La Love You.
Tame and Gouge Away are fantastically raw with Black Francis at his angry best. Hey and I Bleed just make me picture the desert, Wave of Mutilation the California coastline (obviously), Crackity Jones the Tex-Mex border (how could an East Coast band sound so authentically West Coast?)

Those are only some of the many brilliant moments - and 15 tracks? That is darn generous. Lots of people only know Monkey Gone To Heaven off this album - that is one of the less outstanding moments in my opinion.

If you haven't heard this album, for god's sake, do yourself a favour and buy it. I'm so confident you won't regret it if you like good music at all...

jefreywithonef

Good summary Dudess. Unfortunately a lot of people seem to just stop at Doolittle and Surfer Rosa and ignore the other albums which are also quite brilliant.

Doolittle the album with the best opener and closer? I think so...

Kid V

Absolutely love this album. I never grow tired of it. I agree with Dudess about the darker moments on the album. I was initially put off by these too when i was younger but i've grown to worship every track.

Gouge Away, Hey and Crackity Jones are my favorites. There should be a crackity jones appreciation thread!

Monzo wrote: »

Unfortunately a lot of people seem to just stop at Doolittle and Surfer Rosa and ignore the other albums which are also quite brilliant.

Bossanova is great but I've never been overly impressed by Trompe Le Monde

cinnamon girl

Kid V wrote: »

Bossanova is great but I've never been overly impressed by Trompe Le Monde

I like Trompe le Monde better. But neither is a patch on the previous albums.

Earthhorse

I'm gonna go against the trend here and say that I don't this album is as good as all that. As an album, I mean, it is not all that good. There's a lot of great stuff on it but I'd take Bossanova, Come on Pilgrim and probably Surfer Rosa over it any day. There are a few tracks I could do without on Doolittle.

Dudess wrote: »

Debaser is an indie pop classic - I don't believe there is anyone who wouldn't be infected by its infectiousness.

Ahem, hello there, pleased to meet you.

Debaser is the first track on the album I'd drop. It's just...sorta boring and unimaginative. I don't really know why people make such a fuss over it. Whenever it comes on at parties and my mates start whooping with delight I'm sort of forced to fake a smile over it.

After that, it's pretty much plain sailing; well, it's better than plain sailing it's some bloody brilliant tracks until we get to There Goes My Gun. Again, it's basically a boring, straightforward track and I don't know why it wasn't relegated to being a b-side.

Finally we get to Gouge Away, a good song but it somehow doesn't fit. It makes more sense to end on Sliver. It's like the album stops and starts again; winds down and winds back up.

Those are only some of the many brilliant moments - and 15 tracks? That is darn generous.

Yes, it's rather too generous I think. I'd drop another track from the album, I'm just not sure what, maybe La La Love You, though I do quite like it, maybe Monkey Gone to Heaven, though it's worth it just for the "Then God is seven" crescendo.

Of course, I'm coming across as horribly negative on this album. It's filled with brilliance, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone; the tight aggression of Tame, the eerie surf vibe of Wave of Mutilation, the superlative Here Comes Your Man, Joey's guitar work on Mr. Grieves, Frank's barks on Crackity Jones and the smooth, atmospheric outro on No 13 Baby, a 3:51 song that feels like it lasts forever thanks to being surrounded by a load of sub 3 minute songs.

Yes, it's a very good album, a "classic" even, but it could do with a little trimming IMHOYMMVAHTTMMITPL.

iamhunted

i always found doolittle to be one of the weakest pixies albums tbh. Bossanova kicked its ass, though Doolittle was defintely the most commercial.

jefreywithonef

Kid V wrote: »

Bossanova is great but I've never been overly impressed by Trompe Le Monde

It took me three or four listens to get it, but now Trompe is probably my joint favourite album along with Doolittle. So many great tracks like U-Mass, Planet of Sound, Letter to Memphis, Motorway to Roswell, Bird Dream, Alec Eiffel, Lovely Day... Although I can see why some people mightn't like it as much as the others - maybe the lack of acoustic guitar plays a part in it.

By the way, to end on Silver? If one track on Doolittle was to be cut, I'd nominate that one. (Replace it with Bailey's Walk :P)

Dudess

Try to keep this on topic: Doolittle only. If you'd like to discuss other Pixies albums, you're welcome to start a general Pixies album thread.

Thanks.

blastman

In 1989 I was in the U.S. on a J1 visa. Shared an apartment with complete strangers in Boston. The guy who bought a stereo had it permanently tuned to a "new wave" station and one of the songs they played continuously was Here Comes Your Man. For that (and only that, cos frankly they were tossers) I'm eternally grateful.

Xavi6

'Debaser', 'Monkey Gone To Heaven', 'Gouge Away', and 'Here Comes Your Man' are four stunning songs. The album as a whole is good but those tracks in particular make it for me.

Spiritoftheseventies

Monzo wrote: »

Good summary Dudess. Unfortunately a lot of people seem to just stop at Doolittle and Surfer Rosa and ignore the other albums which are also quite brilliant.

Doolittle the album with the best opener and closer? I think so...

Dont think Bossanova or Trompe le Monde anywhere near as good as first two. You could have made one decent album out of last two.

Spiritoftheseventies

Dudess wrote: »

Released: April 1989

Where to start? Ok, it's simple. This album is quite simply... phenomenal. Absolutely amazing. It's the first decent album I ever listened to in full - I was only a kid and found some of it a bit "nasty" and dark, but damn... there are so many catchy, poppy moments too. I basically went from Kylie and Jason to Pixies and The Cure.
Debaser is an indie pop classic - I don't believe there is anyone who wouldn't be infected by its infectiousness. Ditto Here Comes Your Man and La La Love You.
Tame and Gouge Away are fantastically raw with Black Francis at his angry best. Hey and I Bleed just make me picture the desert, Wave of Mutilation the California coastline (obviously), Crackity Jones the Tex-Mex border (how could an East Coast band sound so authentically West Coast?)

Those are only some of the many brilliant moments - and 15 tracks? That is darn generous. Lots of people only know Monkey Gone To Heaven off this album - that is one of the less outstanding moments in my opinion.

If you haven't heard this album, for god's sake, do yourself a favour and buy it. I'm so confident you won't regret it if you like good music at all...

actually would have thought "Here comes your man" was best known track. Today FM nominate a track to play out on Fridays and it was one of the songs that won on one particular week. Definitely the poppiest song they have ever released. Gouge Away which was referenced in season four finale of Lost another favourite of mine. Love the way they go from quiet to loud in their songs

Birneybau

bayviewclose wrote: »

Love the way they go from quiet to loud in their songs

They do???!!!

Ho-Hum

Birneybau wrote: »

They do???!!!

yes

niallo76

its just a great,great record--at the time i was into Public Enemy,De la soul had just brought out the immense Three Feet High and Rising-I was 13 years old and my sister, having shaken off her The Four of us,something happens fug-(i guess these were the Feile days after all)-started playing this album by the Pixies-i just fell totally in love with everything about it-and it introduced me to the great world of Alternative Music-and the realization of great bands such as Dinosaur Jr,sonic Youth,Fugazi etc,etc-it was a great summer and it was partly to thanks to my sister and the mighty Doolittle

Spiritoftheseventies

Birneybau wrote: »

They do???!!!

Gouge Away, where is my mind, Tame. plenty of examples.

Tchaikovsky

Fantastic album; anyone know what this Doolittle-inspired tour is going to consist of?

Oh to hear 'Tame' at an indoor arena...

Dudess

niallo76 wrote: »

my sister, having shaken off her The Four of us,something happens fug-(i guess these were the Feile days after all)

:eek:

Oh wow, memories! And... shudder!

jefreywithonef

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

Fantastic album; anyone know what this Doolittle-inspired tour is going to consist of?

Oh to hear 'Tame' at an indoor arena...

• All of Doolittle (not sure if it'll be in order, think it'd be better if it was though)
  
• The Doolittle b-sides (Bailey's Walk, Manta Ray, Weird At My School, Dancing The Manta Ray, Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf) and Into The White)
  
• A few of the other songs off non-Doolittle albums

Can't wait for the Bossanova tour next year as well :cool:

Spiritoftheseventies

Monzo wrote: »

• All of Doolittle (not sure if it'll be in order, think it'd be better if it was though)
  
• The Doolittle b-sides (Bailey's Walk, Manta Ray, Weird At My School, Dancing The Manta Ray, Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf) and Into The White)
  
• A few of the other songs off non-Doolittle albums

Can't wait for the Bossanova tour next year as well :cool:

so they are just going to play off one album at olympia?

thebionn

I was a bit disappointed by the gig in phoenix part a few years back (2004?). **** venue, only a support slot, and their heart wasn't in it. I think the last song they did was a very, ahem, tame effort of 'Tame'. If it wasn't for that, I would be looking for tickets for this upcoming gig like a shot.

I only got into the Pixies a few years ago, having somehow missed them first time around. Doolittle is a fantastic album, lets look at the track listing:

1. "Debaser"
2. "Tame"
3. "Wave of Mutilation"
4. "I Bleed"
5. "Here Comes Your Man"
6. "Dead"
7. "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
8. "Mr. Grieves"
9. "Crackity Jones"
10. "La La Love You"
11. "No. 13 Baby"
12. "There Goes My Gun"
13. "Hey"
14. "Silver"
15. "Gouge Away"

Those first 5 in a row must be one of the best on any album. After that it peters out a bit for me, but still some cracking tunes. The UK-surf version of 'Wave of Mutilation' is one of my favourite tracks, but that is straying into other album territory.

deisedude

Great album. My particular fondest memory of it would have to be me and a friend of mine listening to it with a headphone each on a bus on a schooltour in Paris. Both being mad pixieheads we couldnt help but sing loudly and out of tune to "Hey". We got some funny looks from everyone else on the bus especially to the lines about women of ill repute but fcuk it, it was worth it!:D

Spiritoftheseventies

thebionn wrote: »

I was a bit disappointed by the gig in phoenix part a few years back (2004?). **** venue, only a support slot, and their heart wasn't in it. I think the last song they did was a very, ahem, tame effort of 'Tame'. If it wasn't for that, I would be looking for tickets for this upcoming gig like a shot.

I only got into the Pixies a few years ago, having somehow missed them first time around. Doolittle is a fantastic album, lets look at the track listing:

1. "Debaser"
2. "Tame"
3. "Wave of Mutilation"
4. "I Bleed"
5. "Here Comes Your Man"
6. "Dead"
7. "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
8. "Mr. Grieves"
9. "Crackity Jones"
10. "La La Love You"
11. "No. 13 Baby"
12. "There Goes My Gun"
13. "Hey"
14. "Silver"
15. "Gouge Away"

Those first 5 in a row must be one of the best on any album. After that it peters out a bit for me, but still some cracking tunes. The UK-surf version of 'Wave of Mutilation' is one of my favourite tracks, but that is straying into other album territory.

Yes first side obviously the best as it includes all the singles on it. But still some terrific songs on side two and Gouge away a terrific way to end the album. Know when the Album came out on vinly they had a a limited edition of it with a booklet to go with it. became something of a collectors item. And was lucky to see pixies in eighties. the last time Joey Santiago's brother played with them at the point. terrific live band in their day.

jefreywithonef

bayviewclose wrote: »

so they are just going to play off one album at olympia?

No, I shouldn't think so, most bands that do these sort of album tours end up playing some of their other hits afterwards.

Here's an article about the tour announcement:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a162737/pixies-announce-doolittle-tour.html

pearljamfan

got my tickets for the olympia gig,cant wait.

and speaking of doolittle, check out doolittlethepixiestribute on myspace. they r seriously good:cool:

Spiritoftheseventies

Monzo wrote: »

No, I shouldn't think so, most bands that do these sort of album tours end up playing some of their other hits afterwards.

Here's an article about the tour announcement:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a162737/pixies-announce-doolittle-tour.html

Yeah saw REM do a rehearsel gig at Olympia. Each night they played songs from particular album. Say it will be strange for them doing a venue like the Olympia. saw Mercury rev there which was one of the best live shows i have ever been at.

kryptyk500

Doolittle is a great album...but not my favourite Pixies album. That'd probably be Surfer Rosa. Lately I prefer Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde to Doolittle. Probably becaues I've listened to it so much over the years.

If they had taken some time off after releasing Doolittle and come back with an album made up of the best songs off Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde I'm sure they would've been huge.

Spiritoftheseventies

kryptyk500 wrote: »

Doolittle is a great album...but not my favourite Pixies album. That'd probably be Surfer Rosa. Lately I prefer Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde to Doolittle. Probably becaues I've listened to it so much over the years.

If they had taken some time off after releasing Doolittle and come back with an album made up of the best songs off Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde I'm sure they would've been huge.

Happens with a lot of bands. they have two albums worth of great material and they struggle a bit after that. For me Bossanova is a bit patchy while Trompe le Monde although a return to form lost its way a bit midway through. Still Motorway to Roswell up there with anything they have ever recorded.

X-Calibre

I remember my brother giving me this album when I was about 12 and transforming my music taste completely at the same moment. Like someone else said, I basically went from liking pop to much more alternative music. I got this great buzz off listening to these dark angry songs for the first time ever, loved it!

Spiritoftheseventies

Yes what amazes me about some of these songs is that seem to be longer than they actually are. Case in point, Here comes your man. clocks under three minutes but has that epic feel to it. Apparently its about the san francisco earthquake.