Apparently, Pixies don't care that not everyone likes surprises. The rejuvenated band released 'EP-1' under the cover of darkness on Tuesday morning, slipping it onto the internet with the fanfare usually associated with a particularly rainy village fête.
Bagboy, the one-off single that emerged in similarly understated fashion back in June following the jarring departure of Kim Deal, showed a band still full of piss and vinegar, with Black Francis' abstract lyrics accompanying a frantic, euphoric slice of alt-rock.
'EP-1' isn't quite cut from the same cloth. Here we find the band at their most accessible, with Bagboy's more rowdy elements largely reined in over the course of four melodic tracks that put the many bands currently riding the wave of '90s revivalism to shame.
Andro Queen is quiet, wistful even, and punctuated by spare percussion, while Another Toe is a straightforward, enjoyable slice of indie rock, albeit one that fades in the mind after the introduction of Indie Cindy.
Featuring a more 'traditional' Pixies flavour in the form of angry, spoken verses (sample lyric: “You put the cock in cocktail, man”), its surf guitars and glistening chorus are a sweeping highlight of this short collection. Closer What Goes Boom is a meaty parting shot that lives up to its name and again wraps a huge chorus in some challenging verses.
Pixies will shortly land in the UK for a series of shows – including a headline set at the iTunes Festival – and, for the first time in an age, they'll have new material to play. That it's this good is a bonus, and perhaps not as much of a surprise as you might have initially thought.
Mon November 18th 2013 - DUBLIN Olympia
Tue November 19th 2013 - DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
Thu November 21st 2013 - MANCHESTER Apollo
Fri November 22nd 2013 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Sun November 24th 2013 - LONDON Hammersmith Apollo
Mon November 25th 2013 - LONDON Hammersmith Apollo
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