By Stan Cierlitsky
On June 26, the Pixies continue their 40th anniversary celebration by reissuing their Complete B-Sides 1988-1997 on 4AD. All of the tracks have been remastered from the original release in 2001, and this collection now includes six live tracks which were the b-sides to the 1997 re-release of the "Debaser" single.
I remember picking this collection up back in the day because several of my favorite Pixies songs were on it. Leading the way is "Wave of Multilation (UK Surf)" which is actually my all-time favorite Pixies song. I love it when the Pixies create the perfect beach vibes. It was a b-side to the "Here Comes Your Man" single from the Doolittle album way back when.
Another favorite, which also came from the "Here Comes Your Man" single, is "Into the White" with Kim Deal on lead vocals. Man, those huge drums are incredible, and they are mixed with perfect guitar riffs. Kim Deal's vocals make this song just so great to me.
What I love most about this collection is all of the weird choices that fit so well together. You have "I've Been Waiting for You" and "Winterlong", which are both excellent Neil Young Covers, plus their take on a theme song from a video game with "Narc", and even a Spanish cover of The Yardbirds' "Evil Hearted You" too.
I also want to mention the live choices included here. I usually am not a big fan of recorded live music, but these versions here on Complete B-Sides 1988-1997 are incredible, starting with the super intense "Vamos", a classic from both their 1987 EP Come On Pilgrim and their 1988 album Surfer Rosa. That one was also a b-side to the Pixies first single "Gigantic", and sits next to another favorite "River Euphrates", another gem from the masterpiece Surfer Rosa. You also have the six live tracks added from the "Debaser" 1997 re-release, and highlights of those are great versions of "Planet of Sound" from 1991's Trompe le Monde and "Nimrod's Son" from the first EP, Come On Pilgrim.
This is another nice choice to celebrate 40 years of the Pixies, and a great collection from a great era. Essential.
Complete B-Sides:1988-97 by Pixies is out this week via 4AD.
[Photo: Renaud Monfourny]