Pixies Teach an Old Band New Tricks on ‘Head Carrier’

Stephanie Hernandez

Pixies have been intoxicating listeners with their offbeat lyrical perspective and cool yet rough melodies since their 1986 start. Back with the second album of their post-Kim Deal reunion, “Head Carrier,” is also the first to feature current bassist Paz Lenchantin, and it’s clear that neither stylistic nor personnel changes can tear these indie legends apart. “Head Carrier” found the Pixies writing and recording each track together, showing off Lenchantin on both bass and vocals and the set feels collaborative and self-assured.

Unlike 2014’s “Indie City,” whose tracks had all made an appearance on several EPs before ever hitting the shelves as a complete work, “Head Carrier” instead was conceived as a stand-alone project. The result? 40 minutes of focused, high-impact, effortlessly badass rock and roll. The dozen tracks displays showcase the band’s singular penchant for surf rock, psychedelia and punk distortion, showing off not only their collective writing skills but also their ability to allow each player to shine equally. Produced by Tom Dalgety and recorded at London’s Rak Studios, the band drew first blood with the aptly title single, “Um Chagga Lagga,” a sort of seedy road trip through the back roads of France, and the pulsating stomper’s fearsome rockabilly backbeat serves as a tip of the hat of what is to come.

The opening title track, a song that shows off each member, from Francis’ telling tales of “going down the drain again,” to guitarist Joey Santiago razor sharp riffs and Lenchantin’s impressive soprano backing vocals, demonstrates there’s good reason why no one hates the Pixies. We then get hit with bursts of energy like the punchy, “Classic Masher,” and the hard rocking, “Baal’s Back,” which gives Black a chance to please fans with his signature screams all while taking the time to come back around and serve up a softer more melodic harmony with Lenchantin.

Succinct yet satisfying, the Pixies clearly took the time to curate just the right mix of influences and sounds and it resulted in some organic and genuine tracks. Here, they took their time, nothing feels rushed and with enough variance and discord to add surprise to an otherwise straightforward set, “Head Carrier” gives us something to hold onto.

“Head Carrier” premiered on NPRs First Listen Sept. 22 and is available on Apple Music Sept. 30.