User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Negative: 2 out of 28
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  1. Sep 13, 2019
    7
    As a long time fan of PIXIES this is a welcome return to form after the uninspired sounding Head Carrier. It's unfair to draw unfavorable comparisons with albums like Doolittle; PIXIES have moved on and so should their fans. Let's just be grateful that they've still got music like this in them.
  2. Sep 14, 2019
    10
    While Beneath the Eyrie exhibits darker themes and often a slower, creeping pace than is typical of Pixies, it remains undeniably a Pixies record. Classic Pixies dynamics are featured on the album’s most radio-friendly, soft-loud rocker “Graveyard Hill,” the sardonic, folksy, stripped-down “Death Horizon,” and the surfer banger “St. Nazaire.” “This is My Fate” works a sinister, burlesqueWhile Beneath the Eyrie exhibits darker themes and often a slower, creeping pace than is typical of Pixies, it remains undeniably a Pixies record. Classic Pixies dynamics are featured on the album’s most radio-friendly, soft-loud rocker “Graveyard Hill,” the sardonic, folksy, stripped-down “Death Horizon,” and the surfer banger “St. Nazaire.” “This is My Fate” works a sinister, burlesque air for an intriguing detour. Paz Lenchantin shines throughout the record, with her bass-playing keeping the perfect tone and groove, and her vocal harmonies proving a key ingredient to filling out the tracks. Paz’s haunting vocals on “Los Surfers Muertos” are another highlight on the album. Beneath the Eyrie is fresh and interesting, demonstrating in many ways a band whose sound has appropriately aged and matured from their nihilistic, primal-scream moorings of the late 80s to a 2019 iteration that still works in surrealism, but in different shades, angles, and paces. Expand
  3. Sep 13, 2019
    8
    Not sure what album the Boston Globe heard but at least they win the award for most pretentious review. Beneath the Eyrie is hardly a masterpiece but the trademark odd hooks, dissonant chords and confounding lyrics of Pixies are all there. This is not a reproduction of another band - it's clearly Pixies...enjoy
  4. Sep 26, 2019
    10
    In my opinion this is Pixies best album since Bossa Nova, and interestingly enough has a similar level of song variety that Bossa Nova has. There are rockers, ballads, haunting moody numbers, surf punk, and more. The album sounds fantastic. The mix is great. Paz' bass lines are driving and have exquisite tone. If you're a Pixies fan you'll love it. If you're a "no Pixies without Kim"In my opinion this is Pixies best album since Bossa Nova, and interestingly enough has a similar level of song variety that Bossa Nova has. There are rockers, ballads, haunting moody numbers, surf punk, and more. The album sounds fantastic. The mix is great. Paz' bass lines are driving and have exquisite tone. If you're a Pixies fan you'll love it. If you're a "no Pixies without Kim" troll, you're missing out. This album is dark thematically, but it gives nothing but joy. In true Pixies fashion the verses are discordant and build to true anthemic ear worms you can't shake. I can't say it's as trail blazing as their early work, but then again how could it be? They stick to what works for them and it's great. Long Rider and On Graveyard Hill are probably the most "Pixie's" like tracks on the cd and both rock, but equally refreshing are some of the odd tracks that cover new ground. Be sure to also check out the Pixies podcast that goes in depth on the band and the recording of the CD. It's awesome to listen to if you're a fan of the band or are interested what goes into the process of recording and album. Expand
  5. Sep 14, 2019
    8
    The Pixies' 2019 album shows a newly inspired and focused take on the classic pixies sound. The new album does not sound like Doolittle or Surfer Rosa in the traditional sense, but rather takes the essential pixies sound and experiments with slower and more impactful instrumentation ranging from surf rock, spaghetti western, gothic and and a hint of psychedelic. Most songs here present aThe Pixies' 2019 album shows a newly inspired and focused take on the classic pixies sound. The new album does not sound like Doolittle or Surfer Rosa in the traditional sense, but rather takes the essential pixies sound and experiments with slower and more impactful instrumentation ranging from surf rock, spaghetti western, gothic and and a hint of psychedelic. Most songs here present a dRk undertone which are further strengthened by gritty guitar work and vocals which are pleasantly not too produced and clean. Overall most songs prove to be meaningfully relevant to the pixies historical discography and after three listens of the album, Beneath the Eyrie has proven to be well balanced, experimental, well-paced with just the right amount of balance to production and rawness. Worth a careful listen to any fan of of the pixies and alternative rock in general. 8/10 Expand
  6. Sep 16, 2019
    10
    This album is pure Pixies. Fantastic, loud, inspired, impactful. I wake up everyday with a different song off the album stuck in my head. Catch them live if you can, one of the greatest live shows you can possibly see. Guitarist Joey Santiago is a genius. Crazy variety on this album.
  7. Sep 20, 2019
    8
    Decent effort from the Pixies. Best of the recent albums IMO. Big improvement on Head Carrier anyway. Some of the songs showing a bit of personality, something that's been lacking. Loving Bird of Prey and This is my Fate for e.g. Has a more consistent (gothic) feel from start to finish and seems a conscious return to surf sound. Joey's guitar particularly. It's no Doolittle or Surfer RosaDecent effort from the Pixies. Best of the recent albums IMO. Big improvement on Head Carrier anyway. Some of the songs showing a bit of personality, something that's been lacking. Loving Bird of Prey and This is my Fate for e.g. Has a more consistent (gothic) feel from start to finish and seems a conscious return to surf sound. Joey's guitar particularly. It's no Doolittle or Surfer Rosa but why should we expect it to be? Those days are gone. Expand
  8. Sep 15, 2019
    9
    A dark and extremely well put together offering from The Pixies. This album contains a wide variety of themes and feelings from the twisted take on a folk song with Catfish Kate to the dark riff heavy silver bullet or the more classic Graveyard Hill. I love it
  9. Sep 23, 2019
    8
    Not one to write reviews I feel compelled after the numerous industry reviews pouring lukewarm water on this album. Look at "Beneath the Eyrie" in isolation to their highpoint of the late 80s, early 90s and it's easily their best of their "modern" albums. Tracks of great variety, well constructed and they play well start to finish. They will never be the same but accept this for what it isNot one to write reviews I feel compelled after the numerous industry reviews pouring lukewarm water on this album. Look at "Beneath the Eyrie" in isolation to their highpoint of the late 80s, early 90s and it's easily their best of their "modern" albums. Tracks of great variety, well constructed and they play well start to finish. They will never be the same but accept this for what it is people. Thank god their still playing music. Love it Pixies! Keep it up. Expand
  10. Oct 28, 2019
    8
    From what I hear and read, I've enjoyed the Pixies 2010's music more than most. They have earned the right to do whatever they want and mores the pity that people can't allow themselves to enjoy their output. Almost everything about "Beneath the Eyrie" is weird and wonderful. It's an album that belongs completely to the world of this great band. Opener "In the Arms of Mrs Mark of Cain"From what I hear and read, I've enjoyed the Pixies 2010's music more than most. They have earned the right to do whatever they want and mores the pity that people can't allow themselves to enjoy their output. Almost everything about "Beneath the Eyrie" is weird and wonderful. It's an album that belongs completely to the world of this great band. Opener "In the Arms of Mrs Mark of Cain" sets the tone for what is to come. Off kilter timing and changes, unexpected notes and an overall ghoulish mood permeate the record. Across the 12 tracks there are a few that blend into each other and are largely forgettable. That said, there are more gems to be found. It took half a dozen listens for me to really enjoy but I'm more than happy with what Pixies of 2019 have to offer. Expand
  11. Nov 15, 2019
    8
    Perfectly amiable, but also quite unremarkable. Sadly, Pixies are one band that might never recapture the magic of their earlier years.
  12. Sep 24, 2019
    10
    This album has grown on me in the week since I first started listening to it. It may be a bit more subdued than the Pixies of the 80's and early 90s, but this is only normal. There is still much to be recommended here, Daniel Boon is a great song and In the Arms of Mrs Mark of Cain is typical pixies. Great album by a classic band.
  13. Dec 5, 2019
    4
    Beneath the Eyrie is one of the best albums the Pixies have given us. I’ve grown up with this band and this album proves that time brings wisdom. It’s an album created by legendary artists and true musicians not chart slaves.
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Nov 13, 2019
    70
    A solid return from a beloved band with plenty of wry lyrical tricks still up their sleeve. [Dec 2019, p.82]
  2. 70
    With Beneath The Eyrie, Pixies have finally found a new stride, releasing a solid effort that can breathe easily on its own.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 7, 2019
    90
    A murky modern masterpiece. [Oct 2019, p.87]