Pixies - Where is my Deal?

Before we start anything we should probably come to an agreement on what we're going to call Charles Thompson. Frank Black? Black Francis? The Thin White Duke? No wait, that's not right. Let's just stick to Thompson. 

With the lead singer accounted for, who else is in? Joey? Check. David? Check. Kim? Che...hold on, who is Kim Shattuck?! Yes, that's right, Pixies have had to replace Deal, who left in June, with another Kim. Kim Shattuck, originally part of The Pandoras and The Muffs, joins the lineup for their new material. And on that note I don't entirely know if I have anything else to say on the matter. Many fans are probably bummed Deal left, and arguably with good reason, however like with any other band the dust needs to settle first. 

So after over 20 long years since their last album (1991's Trompe le Monde) the Pixies are back with actual material. Playable material, bought via download or vinyl, that I could like play at my Nan's or something. No need to panic just yet though Nan because at the moment I'm still trying to work out where I stand with these new songs. Let's start and end with Bagboy (found on their website for a free download!). After several listens I've conceded I like the song, however this doesn't feel like the usual Pixies. Where the Pixies of the 80s/90s found a beautiful minimal sound in two layered guitars, a rolling bounce of bass, some heavy drums and the occasional spanish phrase, it seems now to have been replaced by Thompson's solo efforts. Thompson opens with buoyed Thompson vocals and a mass of Thompson's on backing vocals. If Thompson's solo effort The Seus sat next to Bagboy on the bus no one would bat an eyelid, they're probably just two friends on their way to the park to chill and recount the night before. That said this isn't a bad thing, Thompson's solo work is largely enjoyable and every bands eventually got to evolve. Even if it does mean the Pixies doing it via Thompson Town. 

If you're interested to hear more of their new material visit Youtube and search "Pixies EP1". You'll be able to find their latest EP in its entirety. Other than that there's not much else to say. Go forth and judge via your own ears! I myself am going to reserve complete judgement till further notice. Maybe if I can swing the £25 ticket I'll see them at Brixton at the end of September and be able to see what's happened as the dust settles and Kim 2.0 plays live. It's probably going to be the only way a fan of the Pixies can truly judge their new lady on bass. 

I hold hope, however, as I sing in the words of The Dandy Warhols: "I just want a girl as cool as Kim Deal"

Pixies - Bagboy video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGdSYPh5_BI