Record Release Rundown: The Latest From Pixies, Ray LaMontagne, and More

May 4, 2014 -- intro: This week we got the first Pixies full-length album in 23 years, Ray LaMontagne decided to explore his psychedelic side, Blur/Gorillaz front-man Damon Albarn and Distillers front-woman Brody Dalle delivered solo offerings, comedian Jim Gaffigan proved himself once again to be one of the wackiest people on the planet, indie rock duo Wye Oak delivered a slicker, more electronic record and Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl released their latest collection under the name The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger.

quicklist: 1title: Pixies’ “Indie Cindy” ****text: Welcome to what is perhaps the most polarizing record of 2014. Ever since the announcement last June that longtime Pixies bassist Kim Deal had left the band (probably to spend her time on solo pursuits and working with her other band the Breeders) some fans have voiced concern and said that without Kim, this band is no longer the same. While those fans are right and Deal is an irreplaceable, missed presence, “Indie Cindy” still shows Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering doing their best to continue their band’s now epic legacy.

This album had a peculiar unveiling. It is their first full-length in 23 years, but they chose to release it in three chunks, starting last year. So, this record is essentially a compilation of the rearranged tracks from those three EPs. (If you will recall, I favorably reviewed “EP2” back in January.)

When a band gets back together, particularly after being partially fractured, there will always be listeners complaining that they aren’t as good as they used to be. Saying that denies the band the ability to grow and evolve. I’m not sure what album this record’s harshest critics are hearing, but to me, this sounds like a fitting next step. Deal’s absence is greatly felt, but this is still every bit a Pixies album which builds effectively off their previous work.

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