PIXIES – BOSSANOVA LP – Nr MINT A1/B1 UK 1990 ORIG INDIE PUNK

Pixies – Bossanova
(4AD Records  1990  CAD0010)
Matrix No’s: A1/B1 – UK Pressing

Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
Inner Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
No Booklet or Poster

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are a few light surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality)

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The original lineup comprised Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals) and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993, but reunited in 2004. After Deal left in 2013, the Pixies hired Kim Shattuck as a touring bassist; she was replaced the same year by Paz Lenchantin, who became a permanent member in 2016.

The Pixies are associated with the 1990s alternative rock boom, and draw on elements including punk rock and surf rock. Their music is known for its dynamic “loud-quiet” shifts and song structures. Francis is the Pixies’ primary songwriter; his often surreal lyrics cover offbeat subjects such as extraterrestrials, incest, and biblical violence. They achieved modest popularity in the US, but were more successful in Europe. Their jarring pop sound influenced acts such as Nirvana, Radiohead, the Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer. Their popularity grew in the years after their break-up, leading to sold-out world tours following their reunion in 2004.

Bossanova is the third album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in August 1990 on the English independent record label 4AD in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. 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; Bossanova reached number 70 on the Billboard 200. The album peaked at number three in the UK Albums Chart. Two singles were released from Bossanova, “Velouria” and “Dig for Fire”; both charted, at #4 and #11 respectively on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Track listing

All songs written by Black Francis, except “Cecilia Ann”, which was written by Frosty Horton and Steve Hoffman.

1. “Cecilia Ann” – 2:05
2. “Rock Music” – 1:52
3. “Velouria” – 3:40
4. “Allison” – 1:17
5. “Is She Weird” – 3:01
6. “Ana” – 2:09
7. “All Over the World” – 5:27
8. “Dig for Fire” – 3:02
9. “Down to the Well” – 2:29
10. “The Happening” – 4:19
11. “Blown Away” – 2:20
12. “Hang Wire” – 2:01
13. “Stormy Weather” – 3:26
14. “Havalina” – 2:33

Personnel

• Black Francis – vocals, guitar
• Kim Deal – bass guitar, vocals
• David Lovering – drums
• Joey Santiago – lead guitar
• Robert F. Brunner – theremin on “Velouria” and “Is She Weird”
• Gil Norton – producer