Pixies fans have been on a roller-coaster of late. The night news broke via-Twitter that Kim Deal had left the band, she was performing with The Breeders at a brilliant gig in Vicar St. Fears of an imminent spilt were quashed by the emergence of ‘Bagboy’, a tune that suggested that one of the greatest alternative American bands of modern times might just be back at their best.
Frank Black, Black Francis or whatever he’s calling his good self this weather, has suggested that the strategy of releasing guerrilla EPs was a smart way of negotiating the colossal expectation a comeback album would bring. Their first Kim Deal-less release features acoustic dream pop (‘Andro Queen’), ferocious pop metal (‘What Goes Boom’), one plodding piece of filler redeemed by some fantastic fretwork from Joey Santiago (‘Another Toe’) and a bizarre but brilliant meditation on their comeback (‘Indie Cindy’).
It’s a pity that there’s nothing here as great – on the first few whirls at any rate – as ‘Bagboy’, which is a bona fide tune of 2013 contender in my book. But Pixies Mk. 2 still sound pretty swell. Roll on EP2. By the way, anyone got a spare ticket for the Olympia?

Key Track: 'What Goes Boom'