I started following this band in the 1990s after hearing the song “Here Comes Your Man,” which caught my power-pop ear. It was on their 1989 album, Doolittle. I love the dynamics in this one and the harder style.
By 1989, Pixies were no longer an underground surprise. After Surfer Rosa, they went into the studio to make a tighter, more direct record. That record became Doolittle. The sessions took place in late 1988 in Boston, with Gil Norton producing. Norton pushed the band toward precision. He said he focused on structure and dynamics. Gouge Away benefited from that approach.
Black Francis brought the song in with its biblical reference; he drew from the story of Samson and Delilah. But in the studio, the band worked on feeling more than sticking strictly to that concept. The verses were kept restrained on purpose, so the chorus would hit harder. That is where the dynamics came into play. I like the sound of Kim Deal’s driving bass in this one. Also, I have to mention, the guitar solo is very unique to me. I love the way they fit that solo in with the sustain.
Unlike some of the raw edges on Surfer Rosa, Doolittle was built with layering in mind. Multiple vocal takes were tracked to get Francis’s half-whisper right before the explosion of the refrain. The final mix keeps plenty of space in the verses, then opens up when the band surges. As the closing track, Gouge Away was put there to leave a mark. It ends the album the way the Pixies often worked in the studio at that point, controlled and sharp.
The album peaked at #98 in the Billboard Album Charts, #8 in the UK, and #18 in New Zealand in 1989.
Gouge Away
Gouge awayYou can gouge awayStay all dayIf you want to
Missy aggravationSome sacred questionsYou stroke my locksSome marijuanaIf you got some
Gouge awayYou can gouge awayStay all dayIf you want to
Sleeping on your bellyYou break my armsYou spoon my eyesBeen rubbing a bad charmWith holy fingers
Gouge awayYou can gouge awayStay all dayIf you want to
Chained to the pillarsA three day partyI break the wallsAnd kill us allWith holy fingers
Gouge awayYou can gouge awayStay all dayIf you want to
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On the live version, I love the way the tension builds slowly with that repeating bass riff, then just a few notes on guitar to know something is coming.
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Kim is the real ‘Deal’ as a bassist. I like ‘Here comes your man’ which I understand is one the band never liked.
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I was late following the Pixies also. Doolittle is my favourite
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It is a really good album…this is the first time I listened to the entire album…I also listened to their debut….very good band.
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I figured you’d like that “driving bass”. I can hook into this one no problem. Love the build and explosion. Who like Great band. Some nasty noise to start the day. Good write up Max.
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