The Pixies' Doolittle (33 1/3) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: gouge away, alternative rock, Charles Thompson, Black Francis, Joey Santiago (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A brilliant series of pocket-sized books focussing on a classic album. Each one a work of real love.' NME"

Product Description

The Pixies have had a career unlike any other in alternative rock, disappearing as a not-quite-next-big-thing only to become gods in absentia. Doolittle is the embodiment of their abrasive, exuberant, enigmatic pop. While traveling Oregon with Charles Thompson, chatting about Surrealism and llamas, and interviewing other members of the Pixies, Ben Sisario reveals the inner workings of this knotty masterpiece.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 121 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (March 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826417744
• ISBN-13: 978-0826417749
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,699 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The Thirty Three and a Third Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Pixies Book... and best in the 33 1/3 series so far, May 20, 2006

By	Misty Matonis "mist." (new york, ny) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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Another great little tome from the 33 1/3 series, The Pixies' Doolittle is an in-depth examination of arguably the best album of the Pixies' catalogue. We're given a brief history of the band, from its formation to the recording of the "Purple Tape" (which morphed into Come On Pilgrim) and Surfer Rosa, but the creation of Doolittle is the crux of the book. Sisario does an excellent job of breaking down the mysterious lyrics of the album tracks, and provides an in-depth look into the influence of surrealism and the Old Testament on Thompson's lyrics. We learn how each track was composed, and how the overall album came about in the studio with interviews from all the key players save Kim Deal, who did not partake in this literary project (sadly). Sisario's take on the Pixies is fresh and invigorating, and TPD will go down in Pixies history as a book that got it right.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the series I've read..., April 27, 2006

By	J. T. Steinchen "Lovely Lad" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Which isn't saying much, as I've only read the ones on The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society, David Bowie's Low, the Neutral Milk Hotel one, and There's A Riot Goin' On. First off, this is not a fictional narrative ala The Smith's Meat if Murder volume in this series. Rather, it has structurally more in common with the Kinks and Bowie ones. For those not familiar with the series, Sisario puts the album in context of its time period, and within the band's history, as well as examining the album itself. This volume benefits highly from the fact that Sisario obviously interviewed Frank Black/Black Francis, which the other volumes lack (not neccessarily to their detriment, but still, a noticeable difference). Other interviews with other band members, producers, and engineers provide alot of color and depth to Sisario's story of the genesis of the album. However, what drives this book higher than the others is its actual commentary of the album itself. Without destroying the magic of your own interpretation of the songs, Sisario's obvious literate nature (he references many Surrealists that show much more than an armchair knowledge) fused with his engaging writing style (his humor shows forth with some funny bashing of things such as Roger Daltrey's acting career) really make an album that I thought I knew back to front seem fresh again with detailed and intellectual observations. Thats hard for me with Doolittle - of all the albums in this series I have probably listened to that one the most, to the point where I don't even own it anymore, but now I want to go out and get a copy again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly close look at the pixies and thier best album?, April 20, 2008

By	Chris Reeves "whatagas" (Lexington, Kentucky USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book, gives an incredibly close look at Boston legends, the Pixies', best album. Way ahead of its time, Doolittle is probably in my top 10 greatest albums of all time and Ben Sisario goes straight to the source to dig up the dirt on it. Ben literaly takes a ride with the Pixies frontman, Charles Thompson (AKA Black Francis, aka Frank Black) in Thompson's big body Cadillac where he spills the beans on some of his most violent/beautiful/mysterious lyrics. From the first demos to years of obscurity on the shelves of record stores, you get to look from all angles (except Kim Deal's, who refused to be interviewed) at this influential and monumental masterpiece and truly understand it's beauty and significance.