For their third release the Pixies metamorphosize. “Doolittle” is the Bostonites’ entry into the mainstream of the college music scene and their departure from sonic hardcore representative of the likes of Big Black.

The Pixies previous attempts, “Surfer Rosa” and “Come On Pilgrim”, were heavily influenced by the alternative music guru of the century, Steve Albini, of Big Black fame. Doolittle sheds that skin for this record.

Their style shifts like the mood of a manic depressive. From the furious and desperate crying out of “Monkey Gone To Heaven” the mood dramatically shifts to the melodic pop of “Here Comes Your Man”

“Debaser” is the first track on the album. It is easily identified as of the old genre of Pixies material. It gets back to the root of the Pixies although it is polished, which is unfamiliar to the two previous masterpieces.

Kim Deal’s backing vocals are fabulous, comparable to R.E.M.‘s Mike Mills in importance. “Wave of Mutilation” is just psycho-sounding.

“I Bleed” starts with a heavy beat and very simple guitar reminiscent of “Where is my mind?” from Pixies’ last album “Surfer Rosa” but unfortunately it never gets as tough or unique.

“Here Comes Your Man” is their stab at making themselves mainstream. It is by far the easiest song to listen to – a great little ditty.

“Monkey Gone to Heaven” is the last and the best song on the album. On the outside it is clearly an enviromental anthem, but on the inside it is anybody’s guess. Black Francis, Pixies lead vocalist, could be referring to pink elephants, tofu or his grandmother. Whatever the case the album is worth buying for this track alone.

The Pixies have put themselves into three-quarters of the album, but they leave a void. The intertwining of songs and their relationship to each other was essential on their previous albums. This is missing on “Doolittle”.

Francis and Joey Santiago, Pixies lead guitarist, more than make up for this defficiency with amazing guitar work. Francis is a lyric genius whose ability is not matched on this planet.

Kim Deal, bassist, and David Lovering, drums, provide one of the better rythym sections in the alternative market.

The Pixies are at the point where R.E.M. was at five years ago. It is only a matter of time before people wake up and smell the coffee.

The Pixies are the last great rock and roll band of the eighties and the forerunners of the music to come in the nineties. I wish I could say that bands like the Pixies are a dime a dozen, but this band is one in a million.