Pixies (2004)
4AD

None of this makes a Pixies DVD all that essential, however. For fans, this collection is a nice complement to the band's records, and for those whose interest is passing or cursory, it's rather a slog to get through. And for the totally disinterested, the Pixies DVD will simply look like a bunch of late-80s, late-night MTV.

The disc collects all the Pixies videos, a 1988 concert in full, some archival backstage footage, and a documentary in which big-name musicians (mostly British) make a strong case for the band's enduring excellence. The videos are all very much "120 Minutes"-style weirdo imagery; the concert is great but not visually enticing (it's shot on a shaky handheld vidcam); the archival footage is truly for diehards only; and the documentary is something you can watch maybe once every five years.

That said, bravo to 4AD for releasing it, 'cause it's a loving gesture on behalf of a deserving band who quit while they were still years ahead of their time. Really, the "Gouge" documentary is the best part of the collection, as it puts everything in context; everything else amounts to just a lot of Pixies footage. Nice to have, but it ain't Let it Be.

Many highlights abound (the live cover of "Wild Honey Pie" is supercool; David Bowie is articulate and funny describing his admiration; the "Head On" video still thrills me to the pit of my stomach) … but while I love the idea of this disc, there's no arguing that it's any kind of brilliant statement or mind-blowing experience. It's the records that form the Pixies' real legacy … the visual history is a curious, time-capsuled counterpart.

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Review by La Fée