Head Carrier
by Pixies
  • Record Label: PIAS
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 2016
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 46
  3. Negative: 2 out of 46

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  1. rjmacready
    Jul 13, 2020
    7
    Sadly, the weakest of all Pixies studio albums.

    New gal bassist Paz doesn't seem to deserve much of the blame, and is possibly the best thing about the whole affair; it's the boys who sound a tad tired and uninspired on this outing, and the production also fails to engage. Sounds more like a half-decent B-side collection than an actual album...which, ironically, the far superior album    Sadly, the weakest of all Pixies studio albums.

    New gal bassist Paz doesn't seem to deserve much of the blame, and is possibly the best thing about the whole affair; it's the boys who sound a tad tired and uninspired on this outing, and the production also fails to engage. Sounds more like a half-decent B-side collection than an actual album...which, ironically, the far superior album immediately before it (Indie Cindy) actually is!

    Ah well. Can't win 'em all, I guess.    … Expand
  2. jstudabaka
    Jul 25, 2018
    10
    This record is basically 80-85% of Pixies at their peak -- which means it's easily one of the best alternative rock records of the past couple years. "Classic Masher" almost sounds like classic Pixies and is quite catchy. "Baal's Back," "Head Carrier," and especially the romping "Um Chagga Lagga" are all fierce tracks that rock. Then you've got Pixies' quirky charm in fun songs likeThis record is basically 80-85% of Pixies at their peak -- which means it's easily one of the best alternative rock records of the past couple years. "Classic Masher" almost sounds like classic Pixies and is quite catchy. "Baal's Back," "Head Carrier," and especially the romping "Um Chagga Lagga" are all fierce tracks that rock. Then you've got Pixies' quirky charm in fun songs like "Tenement Song" and the particularly demented "Oona." "Bel Espirit" has a pleasant vibe, reminiscent of some of the tracks on Hole's "Celebrity Skin." Pixies even shake up the formula a bit with a rare straightly emotional song in "All I Think About Now," which they pull off nicely in this tribute to Kim. Not a weak track on the album, and Paz does a fine job as the band's new vocalist and bassist. Head Carrier, though receiving generally favorable reviews, deserves more credit.… Expand
  3. pfacanha
    Jul 12, 2018
    7
    Good Pixies album - not a classic like Doolittle but much better than Indie Cindy. New bassist Paz Lenchantin fitted in very well.
  4. victoravenava
    Aug 7, 2017
    7
    A breeze of fresh air that carries nostalgia and old structures. Even though, as obvious, not a colossal album. A fun try that can't be compared to Surfer Rosa, Doolittle... whatever. A step away (but not as below as most fans state).
  5. ourtimehascome
    Feb 12, 2017
    5
    Since Kim Deal's departure from Pixies, I can't compare Head Carrier to anything other than Indie Cindy, their previous effort also without Deal's input. It lacks the immediacy of IC, and is incredibly safe with no boundaries pushed whatsoever. Frank Black's songwriting is incredibly simple, and the music is often terribly reminiscent of their previous (better) albums like Surfer Rosa.Since Kim Deal's departure from Pixies, I can't compare Head Carrier to anything other than Indie Cindy, their previous effort also without Deal's input. It lacks the immediacy of IC, and is incredibly safe with no boundaries pushed whatsoever. Frank Black's songwriting is incredibly simple, and the music is often terribly reminiscent of their previous (better) albums like Surfer Rosa. Clearly they are trying to remake their previous albums, but with a lackluster effort.… Expand
  6. Ricko
    Dec 2, 2016
    8
    As indie rock records go, there haven't been too many that topped this one in 2016. It continues on their tradition of fusing melody and insanity. While 2014's "Indie Cindy" was a close relation to "Tromple Le Monde" with a distinctly heavy touch to their indie rock, "Head Carrier" is closer to "Bossanova" in that the focus is very much on the melody. Opener and title track "HeadAs indie rock records go, there haven't been too many that topped this one in 2016. It continues on their tradition of fusing melody and insanity. While 2014's "Indie Cindy" was a close relation to "Tromple Le Monde" with a distinctly heavy touch to their indie rock, "Head Carrier" is closer to "Bossanova" in that the focus is very much on the melody. Opener and title track "Head Carrier" is driven by a moody bassline, Black Francis belting out his usual non sensical lyrics while the guitars swirl gloriously. "Classic Masher" is as bubble gum pop as the Pixies have ever gotten, the "Here Comes Your Man" of the record. "Baals Back" sees Francis stretch his already shredded vocals to the max. A decent song that would have probably have sounded devastatingly potent 25 years ago. "Might As Well Be Gone" would fit in nicely on "Bossanova", easy on the ear. The middle section of the album is a real peak. A tremendous trio of songs "Oona", "Talent" and "Tenement Song" sees the band roll back the years and deliver 10 minutes that puts every other indie rock outfit in the corner. After this incredible run, the album remains strong. I like "Bel Esprit", quite catchy, "All I Think About Now" lifts its core riff from "Where Is My Mind?" and is a touching tribute to Kim Deal but also a decent tune. "Um Chagga Lagga" is all action, frayed around the edges and sees the band attempt to recapture the madder moments of Surfer Rosa and Come On Pilgrim. Things dip a little as the album closes out with the band in autopilot. "Head Carrier" is Pixies in middle age. They are no longer 25. If we were all this glorious in middle age, what a **** world we'd live in.… Expand
  7. KVC
    Oct 17, 2016
    7
    If from now on the Pixies put out an album of this level once in a while, I would be content. Is Head Carrier a new classic that lives up to the likes of Doolittle and Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim? No, it isn't. If you go in demanding an adrenaline rush of the same level you will be disappointed. But it is a very enjoyable record nonetheless, and it is definitely a Pixies record. The bestIf from now on the Pixies put out an album of this level once in a while, I would be content. Is Head Carrier a new classic that lives up to the likes of Doolittle and Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim? No, it isn't. If you go in demanding an adrenaline rush of the same level you will be disappointed. But it is a very enjoyable record nonetheless, and it is definitely a Pixies record. The best way to describe Head Carrier is "decent": it is cohesive and never really dips in quality, a solid rock album that doesn't fail to entertain. Two highlights are 'Oona' and 'All I think about now'. In this last track, new member Paz Lenchantin is lead singer and proves herself to be no less charming than Kim Deal was. Both Kim Deal's voice and her work on the bass were integral to the Pixies formula, and the fact that Lenchantin does really well (different than Deal, but good) and fits in with an apparent effortlessness is a great win for Pixies fans that cannot be understated. While not offering quite the power rush and same level of originality and playfulness of some of their best work, Head Carrier is in a sense the best that you can expect from a revived classic band: there are no cringe worthy 'mistakes' and the band has not become a parody of itself. Head Carrier does not feel like a 'tryhard' album trying to recreate the old, failing to live up to it. Instead it feels like the work of a group of people that now what they are doing, and above all enjoy it. Head Carrier is definately worth a listen and a must-buy for any real Pixies fan. 7/10 is in my opinion the fairest grade in this scenario.… Expand
  8. antmolly1995
    Oct 12, 2016
    4
    Head Carrier is hands down the worst Pixies album in this fans humble opinion. Even after repeated listenings it fails to make any lasting impression.

    I think Kim Deal jumped ship knowing that the band had nothing left to offer. If Pixies continue to make music like his it will be nothing but a doomed Black Francis vanity project / money spinner.
  9. nuggetman
    Oct 12, 2016
    4
    There's really nothing much I can add to the other mixed reviews. This album is by far the worst in their discography {Indy Cindy was a lot better}, and I'd rate it lower if it wasn't for the fact that I'm a long standing fan.
  10. allisonjane65
    Oct 8, 2016
    4
    Forgettable, by the numbers offering from a once great band. Tenement Song is the only track worth a damn, and that's not exactly great.

    Time to call it a day guys.
  11. Southboundbevy
    Oct 3, 2016
    8
    For me it is not as good as Indie Cindy. I liked 2014 album very much and I consider it almost as good as Trompe le Monde. Head Carrier meanwhile strikes me as a half-baked product, short of really good melodies. Maybe further listens will up my assessment, but Indie Cindy was instantly likable. None withstanding Head Carrier is unmistakably Pixies. If you a fun it is a mandatory, if not IFor me it is not as good as Indie Cindy. I liked 2014 album very much and I consider it almost as good as Trompe le Monde. Head Carrier meanwhile strikes me as a half-baked product, short of really good melodies. Maybe further listens will up my assessment, but Indie Cindy was instantly likable. None withstanding Head Carrier is unmistakably Pixies. If you a fun it is a mandatory, if not I doubt you'll miss something by not listening to it.
    And don't get me wrong it is still better than most of indie music produced today, so I go with 8.    … Expand
  12. interference
    Oct 3, 2016
    8
    As other have pointed out, you can't help but feeling that the legacy is clouding judgement.
    How do you judge a new Pixies album? How earth shattering does it need to be to live up to the band's past?
    I rated it an 8, but I haven't been able to work our myself what I would have scored it if an unknown band had released Head Carrier. Probably a 9. There is high quality song writing on    As other have pointed out, you can't help but feeling that the legacy is clouding judgement.
    How do you judge a new Pixies album? How earth shattering does it need to be to live up to the band's past?
    I rated it an 8, but I haven't been able to work our myself what I would have scored it if an unknown band had released Head Carrier. Probably a 9.
    There is high quality song writing on offer and enough variety.
    Is it a new Pixies classic? No, but it still is an album that deserves to be heard.    … Expand
  13. SuperMax156
    Oct 2, 2016
    10
    Its really simple, if you like the Pixies then you will like this album. Forget all the comparisons to their early work, and just take it for what it is. Indie Cindy was good as well, its the pixies man!
  14. lennyfluella
    Oct 1, 2016
    8
    It has taken me a while to work out my feelings about Head Carrier; I didn't immediately warm to the tracks that were released ahead of the album, they didn’t grab me by the scruff of the neck, though now I have heard it as a whole I am experiencing the songs differently and enjoying them much more.

    There's a lot of variation in terms of style, pace and mood in the album - mixing up    It has taken me a while to work out my feelings about Head Carrier; I didn't immediately warm to the tracks that were released ahead of the album, they didn’t grab me by the scruff of the neck, though now I have heard it as a whole I am experiencing the songs differently and enjoying them much more.

    There's a lot of variation in terms of style, pace and mood in the album - mixing up elements of their past works with a new vein of experimentation. It seems to me like a series of short stories or fragments giving it a distinctive sketched feeling whilst, in so doing, lessening the deep, evocative landscapes and visual imagery across the whole that characterised the albums of their first period – Come on Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa & Doolittle (visceral and heady), Bossanova (Spacey and heady) and Trompe le Monde (Spacey and comic booky).

    I miss the stronger atmospheres but appreciate the playfulness in what they are doing now.

    Indie Cindy was much more interesting than reviews suggested - some of the songs didn’t gel for me but Greens and Blues, Magdelena 318, Silver Snail and Another Toe in the Ocean are brilliant, I think, and Andro Queen is a classic in my book.

    As with all Pixies releases, Head Carrier grows and morphs with each listen, refusing to be pinned down and defined.    … Expand
  15. lennycliff123
    Sep 30, 2016
    4
    Some bands really should know when to call it a day and stick with the decision. REM come to mind. When they realised they had nothing left in the tank they quit.

    Pixies should have left it at Trompe Le Monde which was not a bad album at all. Indy Cindy was good in places but Head Carrier is just bland. It doesn't even feel like a Pixies album, more of a mediocre at best Black    Some bands really should know when to call it a day and stick with the decision. REM come to mind. When they realised they had nothing left in the tank they quit.

    Pixies should have left it at Trompe Le Monde which was not a bad album at all. Indy Cindy was good in places but Head Carrier is just bland. It doesn't even feel like a Pixies album, more of a mediocre at best Black Francis/Frank Black offering.    … Collapse
  16. chowderhead62
    Sep 30, 2016
    9
    How do you write new albums against the expectations that come with decades old nostalgia and praise. It's a daunting task, and my guess is that Frank, Joey, David, and Paz decided it's impossible so just went with what they do best at THIS juncture. Head Carrier isn't perfect, but it's still got tremendous power, warmth, energy, and Pixies trademark sound. It's also a better album thanHow do you write new albums against the expectations that come with decades old nostalgia and praise. It's a daunting task, and my guess is that Frank, Joey, David, and Paz decided it's impossible so just went with what they do best at THIS juncture. Head Carrier isn't perfect, but it's still got tremendous power, warmth, energy, and Pixies trademark sound. It's also a better album than Indie Cindy...certainly more cohesive. Personally, I find Paz' bass and vocals to be on par with Kim's and in some cases better. Her harmonies are fantastic. If you try to compare this with the Pixies of old you're missing the point. On its own merits, this is a joyous and catchy album and a welcome release from one of the seminal bands of all time.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Oct 19, 2016
    30
    Musically, there are too many things going on and too few things going on. Every track sounds more or less the same, and every track sounds like a poor heyday tribute.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Oct 18, 2016
    75
    A pleasant surprise. [No. 136, p.56]
  3. Kerrang!
    Oct 6, 2016
    60
    Two albums into their 21st century reunion, and the unhinged genius of early albums Surfer Rosa and Doolittle is largely lacking, replaced by the not unpleasant sound of old friends having a blast. [8 Oct 2016, p.52]
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