Pixies
Head Carrier

Finally, the Pixies.

The album from their major comeback two years ago, "Indie Cindy," left a bitter taste in the mouth. Ok, Kim Deal was no longer in the mix, and we knew things wouldn't be the same, but there's no denying that the operation was an almost total failure. However, on the second try, everything falls back into place and sounds wonderful.

The new "Head Carrier" marks an important handover at the producer's booth: no longer the loyal Gil Norton, but rather Tom Dalgety, freshly nominated at the BRIT Awards as best producer for the debut of Royal Blood.

Another fundamental novelty is the full-time appearance of the new bassist Paz Lechantin, former Swan and A Perfect Circle member; and it's a significant entrance because Paz contributes with many vocal harmonies, and especially with a beautiful piece (co-written and sung by her), "All I Think About Now," a beautiful "letter" of gratitude to Kim Deal, also incredibly reminiscent (and thus very moving) of the old classic "Where Is My Mind?"

Returning to the album, "Head Carrier" finally finds the balance that was missing in the insufficient "Indie Cindy." The Pixies finally fully realize they are no longer (in a good way) the band of the early '90s, and they produce a balanced, measured work, in which they are not ashamed to show themselves softer and more delicate, crafting like fine artisans drafts of melodic alt rock of the highest level, see the already mentioned "All I Think About Now," but also "Classic Masher" (with the splendid intertwining of Black Francis and Lechantin's voices), "Might As Well Be Gone," the third single "Tenement Song" (which vaguely recalls Death Cab For Cutie's "Crooked Teeth"), "Plaster Of Paris" (among the best of the album), and the closing "All The Saints."

Elsewhere, they are certainly not ashamed to bare their claws: the opener (and title track) flaunts heavy and dense guitars, "Ball's Back" is a shouted grunge assault that tears through the album like a seismic shock, while the other two extracts from the album stir the waters each in their own way: if "Talent" is a carefree pop rock straight ahead, the lead single "Um Chagga Lagga" is a burst of irresistible controlled chaos.

Finally, the Pixies craft a compact album with a precise identity, worthy of bearing the weight of a "return album." For a seminal band like them, it is surely a victory to be proud of.

Best track: "All I Think About Now"