Pixies

The Pixies' first full-length is a brilliant end-to-end album that makes the transition from loud to quiet seem almost revolutionary. The band's combination of rabid, surreal aggression and sing-along, nihilistic pop set a template for indie rock throughout the following decade (the album came out in 1988). The massive, raw drums and guitar spasms still sound amazing.

By general consensus the Amerindie find of the year, and I'll say this for them: they're OK. Aurally articulate but certainly not clean, much less neat, with guitar riffs you actually notice and a strong beat that doesn't owe any subgenre. Feature a woman as equal partner--no separatism or blatant gender aggression. If I was on the lookout for contemporaries who proved my world wasn't coming to an end, I might overrate them too. In fact, maybe I still do. (Grade - B)