Today I read on the website of NME that the Pixies, my favorite band, will never record again, but will continue to tour. Frank Black (vocals, guitar), also known by the stage name Black Francis, told Uncut: "I wish it could go a bit further again and we could make a record. Not all of the band-members are willing to do that. Rather than make a big deal out of it, we've agreed to just continue to play live."
Some people might wonder if the "big deal" refers to bassist/singer Kim Deal, especially since internal tensions between Frank Black (real name Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV) and bassist/singer Kim Deal caused the Pixies to break up back in 1993.
The Pixies reunited in 2004 after 11 years and later in 2004 the band released its first song since their studio album Trompe le Monde: Bam Thwok, an iTunes only single. I really like the song, it sounds really Pixies, and was hoping that there would soon be a new Pixies studio album.
So is this "never record again" bad news? Maybe yes. I would love to hear more new material. On the other hand, the Pixies have made so many excellent songs in my opinion that the question is: is more really better? I am glad they are touring and continue to play live. One day I hope to be able to see them live for the first time.
If you have never heard of the Pixies before (shame on you) a short list (in no particular order) to get you started:
I left out some of the more known songs like "Where is my mind?", and "Monkey Gone To Heaven".
To me the best overall album probably is Doolittle although it's a tough choice, since I love many songs on Surfer Rosa & Come on Pilgrim as well (released originally as an EP and an album, but I bought the CD with both albums so most of the time I think of it as one big "album"). Some people don't like Trompe le Monde, their last studio album, much, but I think it's better compared to Bossanova. It has some of my favorite Pixies songs.
Finally, I have several live recordings, and the Pixies sound excellent live. Highly recommended to check out live recordings if you have never heard about them. For example: Death to the Pixies disc 2 has a live performance taken from Vredenburg, Utrecht, the Netherlands on the 25th of September, 1990. Or you might want to watch the DVD that comes with "Wave of Mutilation: The Best of the Pixies" which features a full concert (filmed in 1988 in London).