Head Carrier ［LP+スリップマット］＜初回生産限定盤＞

90年代のオルタナ・シーンを牽引し、ニルヴァーナのカート・コバーン、ボノ(U2)、レディオヘッドが彼らのファンを公言する伝説的バンド、ピクシーズが2年半振りの新作『ヘッド・キャリア』を9月にリリース決定!ベーシストのパズ・レンチャンティンが正式メンバーに加入後、新生ピクシーズとして初となる作品!

Though they crafted a signature -- and endlessly copied -- style, Pixies' music never stayed in the same place for long. During their early years, the band relished change, moving from Come on Pilgrim's scrappy apocalyptic visions to Doolittle's gleaming pop to Trompe Le Monde's riff-rock at a rapid pace. Indeed, it could be argued that part of the reason their 2014 comeback Indie Cindy underwhelmed was because it tried too hard to recapture the past. On Head Carrier, Pixies usher in more than a few changes, the biggest being bassist Paz Lenchantin. Replacing a member may be inconsequential for some bands, but for this one, it's a big deal (pun intended): Founding bassist Kim Deal departed prior to Indie Cindy, and the use of a session player on the album only underscored that a vital part of the group's appeal was missing. Thanks to Lenchantin, Pixies sound like a full -- if slightly different -- band again, whether she's sweetening "Oona"'s crunch with her harmonies or helping shape the album's character in general. The rest of the band's ease at having her in the fold is audible, and Head Carrier is a surprisingly nice album. "Classic Masher" and "Bel Esprit" recall the amiable jangle of "Here Comes Your Man" and the band's cover of "Winterlong," and the easygoing vibe continues on "All the Saints"' slo-mo surf and "Plaster of Paris." Elsewhere, the high-speed chase that is "Um Chagga Lagga," the roaring title track, and satirical, snotty garage-rocker "Talent" reaffirm that Francis doesn't need to sing about the Bible or aliens to let loose. While it feels like Pixies are still figuring out how to continue their legacy, Head Carrier's best moments suggest they're heading in the right direction. ~ Heather Phares

サポート・メンバーだったパズ・レンチャンティンを正式に迎え入れ、2年ぶりの新作が完成です。ロイヤル・ブラッドやダイナソー・パイル・アップ仕事で有名なトム・ダルゲティのプロデュース、という点が最大のトピック。ハードコアな演奏に激ポップな歌メロを合わせ、ハイテンションなピクシーズ節を金太郎飴的に披露していますが、昨今のオルタナ回帰ブーム以降の耳で聴くと、何だかフレッシュに感じたり。
bounce (C)中井幹代