Head Carrier

Last updated

Head Carrier
Head Carrier, Pixies.jpg
Studio album by
Pixies
ReleasedSeptember 30, 2016 (2016-09-30)
RecordedFebruary–March, 2016
Studio RAK Studios, London
Genre
Length33:48
Label
Producer Tom Dalgety
Pixies chronology
Indie Cindy
(2014)		Head Carrier
(2016)		 Beneath the Eyrie
(2019)
Singles from Head Carrier
  1. "Um Chagga Lagga"
    Released: July 6, 2016
  2. "Tenement Song"
    Released: September 5, 2016
  3. "Classic Masher"
    Released: November 24, 2016
  4. "Bel Esprit"
    Released: March 17, 2017
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.9/10 [1]
Metacritic 64/100 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The A.V. Club C [4]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
NME 4/5 [8]
Pitchfork 5.5/10 [9]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Uncut 6/10 [12]

Head Carrier is the sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band the Pixies, released on September 30, 2016 on Pixiesmusic and PIAS. Produced by Tom Dalgety, and recorded at RAK Studios in London, the album is the first to feature new band member Paz Lenchantin on bass guitar, who joined the band in 2014 to tour in support of its previous album, Indie Cindy .

Contents

The album's title references a cephalophore, a saint carrying his own head, more specifically St. Denis of Paris.

Background

Production started around late 2015 after finding a new producer, Tom Dalgety (replacing previous producer Gil Norton, who had worked on the Pixies last four albums). The band met with him as they were recording demos for the followup of their 2014 album Indie Cindy . Previously they had debuted a number of songs live that they were testing as potential tracks for their next album. Such tracks included "Super Lecker", "O' Little Cloud", and "Down to Tulom". [13]

This album marks the first full appearance of bassist Paz Lenchantin (formerly of A Perfect Circle and Zwan), after replacing previous bassist Kim Deal, who left the band in 2013. Lenchantin had previously been featured on the bonus track "Women of War" (a vinyl bonus track off of Indie Cindy), as well as live tracks for the deluxe edition of the same album. Lenchantin had previously been the touring bassist, but was promoted to full-time member starting with this album. She also has a writing credit and lead vocals for the song "All I Think About Now", which was written about Kim Deal and takes on the form of a thank-you letter. [14]

The album was officially announced on July 6, 2016 with the release of its first single "Um Chagga Lagga". This was followed up by a second single, "Talent", on August 17, 2016. The whole album was streamed on NPR starting on September 22, 2016. [15]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Black Francis, [16] except where noted

Head Carrier track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Head Carrier" 3:36
2."Classic Masher" 2:37
3."Baal's Back" 1:54
4."Might as Well Be Gone" 2:48
5."Oona" 3:38
6."Talent" 2:12
7."Tenement Song" 2:57
8."Bel Esprit" 3:12
9."All I Think About Now"Francis, Paz Lenchantin [14] [17] 3:07
10."Um Chagga Lagga" 3:00
11."Plaster of Paris" 2:06
12."All the Saints" 2:41
Total length:33:48

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [18]

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Head Carrier
Chart (2016)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [19] 23
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [20] 37
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [21] 5
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [22] 14
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [23] 13
French Albums (SNEP) [24] 12
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [25] 32
Irish Albums (IRMA) [26] 31
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [27] 20
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [28] 21
Scottish Albums (OCC) [29] 5
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [30] 23
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [31] 32
UK Albums (OCC) [32] 7
US Billboard 200 [33] 72

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Head Carrier
Chart (2016)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [34] 135

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pixies (band)</span> American alternative rock band

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts formed in 1986 by Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal and David Lovering (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Breeders</span> American alternative rock band

The Breeders are an American alternative rock band based in Dayton, Ohio, consisting of members Kim Deal, her twin sister Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim Macpherson (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zwan</span> American alternative rock band

Zwan was an American alternative rock supergroup formed in 2001 by lead guitarist and singer Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, from The Smashing Pumpkins. Other members included bassist Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle, and guitarists David Pajo of Slint, and Matt Sweeney. The band released only one album, Mary Star of the Sea (2003), before breaking up acrimoniously that year during their world tour to promote the album.

<i>Last Splash</i> 1993 studio album by the Breeders

Last Splash is the second album by American alternative rock band the Breeders, released on August 30, 1993. Originally formed as a side project for Pixies bassist Kim Deal, the Breeders quickly became her primary recording outlet. Last Splash peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and by June 1994, the album had been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of one million units.

<i>Bossanova</i> (Pixies album) 1990 studio album by Pixies

Bossanova is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies. It was released on August 13, 1990, by English independent record label 4AD in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. Because of 4AD's independent status, major label Elektra handled distribution in the USA.

<i>Thirteenth Step</i> 2003 studio album by A Perfect Circle

Thirteenth Step is the second studio album by American rock band A Perfect Circle, released on September 16, 2003. The album sold well, charting at the number 2 position on the Billboard 200 in its premiere week, selling over 231,000 copies and staying on the charts for 78 weeks. The album went on to be certified as gold on November 4, 2003, and as platinum on March 24, 2006, by the RIAA. Three singles were released from the album, "Weak and Powerless", which topped both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks, followed by "The Outsider" and "Blue", which also charted on the respective charts.

<i>Trompe le Monde</i> 1991 studio album by Pixies

Trompe le Monde is the fourth studio album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released on September 23, 1991 on 4AD in the United Kingdom and on September 24, 1991, on Elektra Records in the United States. Recorded in Burbank, California, Paris and London, the album was produced by Gil Norton, and was Pixies' final studio album before their break-up two years later. There would be no Pixies' albums of new material for 23 years after Trompe le Monde.

<i>Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies</i> 2004 greatest hits album by Pixies

Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies is a compilation album by Pixies. It was released on May 3, 2004 in the United Kingdom and the following day in the United States alongside a companion DVD featuring a live show, promotional videos and two documentaries. Early batches of the record feature a fault on the track "Hey", where Black Francis' opening shout of "Hey" is missing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paz Lenchantin</span> Argentine-American musician (born 1973)

Paz Lenchantin is an Argentine-American musician. She is best known for having been the bass guitarist and backing vocalist of the alternative rock band Pixies, playing with the band and recording three studio albums between 2013 and 2024. Prior to joining Pixies, Lenchantin was a member of Entrance, A Perfect Circle, Silver Jews and Zwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bam Thwok</span> 2004 single by Pixies

"Bam Thwok" is a download-only single by the American alternative rock band the Pixies. Written and sung by bassist Kim Deal, the song was released exclusively through the iTunes Store on June 15, 2004. Upon its release, "Bam Thwok" was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the first release of the UK Download Chart. The song was the band's first recording since Trompe le Monde (1991).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pixies discography</span> Band discography

The discography of Pixies, an American alternative rock band, includes nine studio albums, 26 singles, seven compilations, one mini-LP, and five EPs as of September 2024.

<i>EP1</i> (Pixies EP) 2013 EP by Pixies

EP1 is a 2013 EP by American alternative rock band Pixies. Apart from the 2004 single "Bam Thwok" and a cover of Warren Zevon's "Ain't That Pretty At All", this EP, along with the 2013 single "Bagboy", is the first new material from the band in more than 20 years. This is the first album they have released without founding member Kim Deal, who quit earlier in the year. It is the first in a series of releases planned through the band's web site and designed by Vaughan Oliver.

<i>Indie Cindy</i> 2014 studio album by Pixies

Indie Cindy is the fifth studio album by the American alternative rock band the Pixies. Released in April 2014, it was the band's first album since 1991's Trompe le Monde, and the first Pixies album not to feature bass guitar player Kim Deal. Instead, bass guitar duties on the album are handled by Simon "Ding" Archer, a former member of the British post-punk band The Fall.

<i>Royal Blood</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Royal Blood

Royal Blood is the debut studio album by British rock duo Royal Blood. The album, produced by the band and Tom Dalgety, was released by Warner Bros. Records on 22 August 2014 in Friday-release countries and on 25 August 2014 in the United Kingdom.

Tom Dalgety is an English record producer and audio engineer. He is most noted for his work with Pixies, Ghost, and Royal Blood. He was nominated for Grammy Awards in 2019 for his production work on the Ghost album Prequelle and production and songwriting on the Ghost track "Rats".

<i>Hymns</i> (Bloc Party album) 2016 studio album by Bloc Party

Hymns is the fifth studio album by English indie rock band Bloc Party. It was released worldwide in January 2016 on BMG. The album was recorded between March and August 2015 at Lynchmob Studios in London, following a hiatus during which Matt Tong and Gordon Moakes departed the band. It is the first album to feature new band member Justin Harris on bass and keyboards. The songs "The Love Within", "The Good News", and "Virtue" were released as singles.

<i>Sorceress</i> (Opeth album) 2016 studio album by Opeth

Sorceress is the twelfth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth. The album was released on 30 September 2016 via record label Nuclear Blast and the band's own imprint Moderbolaget.

<i>Mer de Noms</i> 2000 studio album by A Perfect Circle

Mer de Noms is the debut studio album by American rock band A Perfect Circle. The album was released on May 23, 2000, and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 4, making it the highest ever Billboard 200 debut for a rock band's first album. It sold over 188,000 copies in the first week, and was certified platinum by the RIAA later that same year. Three singles were released in promotion of the album, "Judith", "3 Libras", and "The Hollow", all of which hit the top 20 of both the Billboard US Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts.

<i>Beneath the Eyrie</i> 2019 studio album by Pixies

Beneath the Eyrie is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies, released on September 13, 2019, by BMG/Infectious. Produced by Tom Dalgety, and preceded by the singles "On Graveyard Hill" and "Catfish Kate", the album was recorded in Dreamland Recording Studios, a remote, converted church in upstate New York. The band were influenced by their Gothic surroundings during the writing and recording process, with vocalist and guitarist Black Francis stating: "I wanted to intermingle with the spirit world, with life and death and with the mystical and a more surreal landscape."

<i>Doggerel</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Pixies

Doggerel is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies, released on September 30, 2022, by BMG Rights Management. It was produced by Tom Dalgety and preceded by the singles "There's a Moon On", "Vault of Heaven" and "Dregs of the Wine".

References

  1. ↑ "Head Carrier by Pixies reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Reviews for Head Carrier by Pixies". Metacritic . Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  3. ↑ Phares, Heather. "Head Carrier – Pixies". AllMusic . Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  4. ↑ Colburn, Randall (September 30, 2016). "Pixies sound confident on Head Carrier, but the music lacks personality". The A.V. Club . Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  5. ↑ Mumford, Gwilym (September 29, 2016). "Pixies: Head Carrier review – indie-rock veterans fail to match past glories". The Guardian . Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  6. ↑ Gill, Andy (September 28, 2016). "Album reviews: Drive-by Truckers, Van Morrison, Bon Iver, Pixies, Regina Spektor and more" . The Independent . Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  7. ↑ Perry, Andrew (October 2016). "Capo di tutti". Mojo (275): 90.
  8. ↑ Beaumont, Mark (September 28, 2016). "Pixies – 'Head Carrier' Review". NME . Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  9. ↑ Berman, Stuart (October 6, 2016). "Pixies: Head Carrier". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  10. ↑ Doherty, Niall (November 2016). "Black Magic". Q (365): 109.
  11. ↑ Harris, Keith (September 30, 2016). "Review: Pixies' 'Head Carrier' Features New Bassist, Old Sound". Rolling Stone . Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  12. ↑ Bonner, Michael (October 2016). "Pixies: Head Carrier". Uncut (233): 37.
  13. ↑ Grow, Kory (June 2, 2015). "See Pixies Play 'Planet of Sound,' New Song 'Um Chagga Lagga'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  14. 1 2 Hogan, Marc (August 4, 2016). "Pixies' Black Francis and Paz Lenchantin On Head Carrier and Replacing Kim Deal'". Pitchfork . Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  15. ↑ Heller, Jason (September 22, 2016). "First Listen: Pixies, 'Head Carrier'". NPR . Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  16. ↑ "United States Copyright Office Public Catalog ". cocatalog.loc.gov. Retrieved on August 17, 2020.
  17. ↑ Lach, Stef (July 14, 2016). "Pixies' new album Head Carrier includes 'thank-you letter' to Kim Deal". Classic Rock . Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Pixies: Head Carrier". Discogs.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Pixies – Head Carrier". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Pixies – Head Carrier" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Pixies – Head Carrier" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Pixies – Head Carrier" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Pixies – Head Carrier" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Pixies – Head Carrier". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Pixies – Head Carrier" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  26. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 41, 2016". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Charts.nz – Pixies – Head Carrier". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Pixies – Head Carrier". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Pixies – Head Carrier". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Pixies – Head Carrier". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Pixies Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2016 Albums". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.