Pixies (2004)
4AD

The Pixies were the boldest, weirdest, coolest, rockingest, funniest, and most unique band to come along since Beatles. Their records are some of the best ever, even the lesser ones being pretty amazing. Their influence extends to dozens of really good bands and hundreds or perhaps thousands of mere ripoffs. They may be the only genuinely classic band to come along in our generation.

None of this makes a Pixies DVD all that essential, however. For fans, this collection is a nice complement to the band's records, and for those whose interest is passing or cursory, it's rather a slog to get through. And for the totally disinterested, the Pixies DVD will simply look like a bunch of late-80s, late-night MTV.

The disc collects all the Pixies videos, a 1988 concert in full, some archival backstage footage, and a documentary in which big-name musicians (mostly British) make a strong case for the band's enduring excellence. The videos are all very much "120 Minutes"-style weirdo imagery; the concert is great but not visually enticing (it's shot on a shaky handheld vidcam); the archival footage is truly for diehards only; and the documentary is something you can watch maybe once every five years.

That said, bravo to 4AD for releasing it, 'cause it's a loving gesture on behalf of a deserving band who quit while they were still years ahead of their time. Really, the "Gouge" documentary is the best part of the collection, as it puts everything in context; everything else amounts to just a lot of Pixies footage. Nice to have, but it ain't Let it Be.

Many highlights abound (the live cover of "Wild Honey Pie" is supercool; David Bowie is articulate and funny describing his admiration; the "Head On" video still thrills me to the pit of my stomach) … but while I love the idea of this disc, there's no arguing that it's any kind of brilliant statement or mind-blowing experience. It's the records that form the Pixies' real legacy … the visual history is a curious, time-capsuled counterpart.

Review by La Fée