Bossanova
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| Bossanova | |||||
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| Image:Pixies-Bossanova.jpg | |||||
| Studio album by Pixies | |||||
| Released | August 13, 1990 | ||||
| Recorded | 1989–1990 | ||||
| Genre | Alternative rock | ||||
| Length | 39:45 | ||||
| Label | 4AD (UK) Elektra Records (U.S.) |
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| Producer | Gil Norton | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Pixies chronology | |||||
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Bossanova is the third album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in August 1990 on the English independent record label 4AD. All of Bossanova's original material was written by the band's frontman Black Francis; it marked the point where his artistic control over the band became absolute. The album's sound, inspired by surf and space rock, complements its lyrical focus on outer space, which references subjects such as aliens and unidentified flying objects.
Because of 4AD's independent status, major label Elektra Records handled distribution in the United States; however, Bossanova only reached #70 on the Billboard 200. It charted significantly higher in the United Kingdom, reaching #3 in the Albums Chart. Two singles were released from Bossanova, "Velouria" and "Dig for Fire"; both charted highly on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Contents |
[edit] Background
During the record of their 1989 album Doolittle, tensions between Francis and Deal became visible to the production team and those close to the Pixies; bassist Kim Deal's husband John Murphy later commented that the recording process went "from all fun to just work".[1] This led to increased stress between the band members.
[edit] Release
The album was released in August 1990 on 4AD in the UK and 4AD/Elektra in the USA. After 4AD re-acquired sole distribution rights for the Pixies' back catalog, a re-issued CD (although not remastered) appeared solely on 4AD in the USA in 2004.
[edit] Music
- Problems playing the files? See media help.
| Velouria | |
| Image:Velouria.ogg | |
| "Velouria" from Bossanova | |
[edit] Critical recognition
The UK reviews of Bossanova were generally positive. Q's Mat Snow, in his September 1990 review of Bossanova, said "the Pixies are masters of the calculated incongruity," and commented that "they give other rockers an object lesson in the first principles of how it should be done."[2] NME noted that the album's production "leans towards the harsh garage grunge of Surfer Rosa", although the songs retain the strong melodies of Doolittle," and said that "Bossanova is the composite Pixies LP."[3]
[edit] Track listing
- "Cecilia Ann" – 2:05
- "Rock Music" – 1:52
- "Velouria" – 3:40
- "Allison" – 1:17
- "Is She Weird" – 3:01
- "Ana" – 2:09
- "All Over the World" – 5:27
- "Dig for Fire" – 3:02
- "Down to the Well" – 2:29
- "The Happening" – 4:19
- "Blown Away" – 2:20
- "Hang Wire" – 2:01
- "Stormy Weather" – 3:26
- "Havalina" – 2:33
[edit] Personnel
- Black Francis – vocals, guitar
- Kim Deal – bass, vocals
- David Lovering – drums, vocals
- Joey Santiago – lead guitar
[edit] Charts
[edit] Albums
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| The Billboard 200 | 70 |
[edit] Singles
| Single | Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "Dig for Fire" | Modern Rock Tracks | 11 |
| "Velouria" | Modern Rock Tracks | 4 |
[edit] References
- Frank, Josh; Ganz, Caryn. "Fool the World: The Oral History of a Band Called Pixies." Virgin Books, 2005. ISBN 0-312-34007-9.
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
Pixies | |
|---|---|
| Black Francis · Kim Deal · Joey Santiago · David Lovering | |
| Studio albums | Come on Pilgrim (EP) · Surfer Rosa · Doolittle · Bossanova · Trompe le Monde |
| Compilations and live albums | Complete 'B' Sides · Death to the Pixies · Pixies at the BBC · Pixies (The Purple Tape) · Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies |
| Singles | "Gigantic" · "Monkey Gone to Heaven" · "Here Comes Your Man" · "Velouria" · "Dig for Fire" · "Planet of Sound" · "Alec Eiffel" · "Head On" · "Debaser" · "Bam Thwok" |
| Related articles | Full discography · Songs · The Breeders · Frank Black and the Catholics · The Amps · The Martinis · Tributes to the Pixies |
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