Pixies are a seminal band for a reason. Their surf rock infused pop sound permiated it’s way through the 80s and 90s and inspired countless imitators throughout the years. But as with most things, they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and you never really know what you have until it’s gone, but the inevitable reunion somehow makes things seem a lot better.
Beneath the Eyrie is their third album in 5 years, and is by far their most enjoyable. This is a sumptuous record that is filled with sheer labyrinthine beauty. It will take up residence in your head and spend a considerable amount of time renting out space with it’s inescapable tunes.
Opener In the Arms of Mrs.Mark of Cain lurches into frame sounding like The Cure at their most whimsically goth. It sets a haunting tone that reverberates throughout the rest of the album.
There is a sense of unease that lives under the surface of the songs presented here that lives with you long after they have finished.
Every song is it’s own folk tale set to music, dripping in gothic americana, painting pictures you wish your mins would forget. Images of women fighting giant catfish (Catfish Kate) or how to hunt werewolves (Silver Bullet) or even just sitting in a graveyard during the witching hour ( On Graveyard Hill) there is even a moment where they roll out Long Rider that sounds like they are channelling Meliora era Ghost
There are more layers to this album than an ogre in an onion field. While it manages to immerse you in it’s darker moments, it doesn’t stop it from being utterly sublime at the same time.
Both lyrically and Vocally Francis Black has never felt more commanding and purposeful, than he does on this particular collection of songs. It’s as someone put Nick Cave in the Amityville house with nothing but Beach Boys albums and asked him to write an album about his experience.
The band themselves slink and slither alongside Francis, as if he were the Pied Piper and he were leading them along. Everything works in perfect harmony, and the music fully encapsulates the tones and vision that you imagine with there when the vocals and lyrics were conceived.
Simply put Beneath The Eyrie is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding musically experiences of the year. Pixies have crafted an album that not only lives up to but in many ways surpasses a lot of their best work.
