The Pixies - Bossanova - 180g LP

Product no.: MFSL1-311

The Pixies - Bossanova - 180g LP
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Mobile Fidelity - MFSL 1-311 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl - 

AAA 100% Analogue - Numbered Limited Edition -  Pressed at RTI 

Pure Analogue Mastered by Rob LoVerde from the Original Master Tape at MFSL

Half Speed Mastered on the Mobile Fidelity The Gain 2 Ultra Analog System

AAA 100% Analogue This  LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only, from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head 

Original Analog Masters Located After 18 Years and Used for This Release!

The opening instrumental to Bossanova makes it clear that the Pixies weren’t about to take the same crazed approach on their major-label debut as they did on their initial standout efforts, 1987's Surfer Rosa and 1989's Doolittle. More straightforward, linear, fluid, subtle, and dreamy,Bossanova finds the band exploring pop structures, dropping psychedelic accents, and satisfying surf-rock urges. While it often verges off-the-beaten path, particularly for mainstream tastes circa 1990, the set is the most accessible and hook-ridden record the Pixies ever made.

Black Francis’ surreal narratives and breathy delivery flavor tunes like “Is She Weird,” “Velouria,” and “The Happening,” all of which sonically and/or lyrically tie into themes of aliens and sex. Macabre fixations and noisy outbursts take a backseat to tunefulness, putting a spotlight on Joey Santiago’s underrated guitar work and Kim Deal’s complementary back-up vocals.  Recognizing the changes, producer Gil Norton bestowed Bossanova with spacious dynamics and wide-open arrangements that allow the music to breathe.

When Bossanova arrived in 1990, it reflected the exhaustion the Pixies felt after Doolittle's enormous success: For the first time, the band seems to be running out of ideas. Tellingly, Kim Deal contributes no songs, having formed the Breeders to give her work an outlet; that summer, their debut Pod won a warmer response than Bossanova received. Arguably the Pixies' weakest album -- though Francis has said it's his favorite -- most of it finds the band in fine form. Gil Norton's spacious, reverb-heavy production makes the Pixies sound like a Martian bar band, which fits the cover of the Surftones' "Cecilia Ann" and the glorious, shimmering closer "Havalina" perfectly. On the theremin-driven "Velouria," science fiction imagery displaces Francis' penchant for fetishistic lyrics; next to the token kinky song "Down to the Well"'s tired sound, it's a refreshing change.

The similarly cryptic "All Over the World" and alien abduction tale "The Happening" add to the sci-fi feel. Quirky pop songs like "Allison," a tribute to jazz cool-cat Mose Allison, and "Dig for Fire," Francis' self-professed Talking Heads homage, heighten Bossanova's playful, slightly off-kilter vibe, but rockers like "Hang Wire" and "Blown Away," fall flat. However, "Rock Music" is one of the group's most fiery outbursts, and "Is She Weird"'s chugging grind and sexy, funny lyrics make it a classic Pixies song. The band was so consistently amazing on their previous albums that when they released a slightly weaker one, critics and fans alike judged them too harshly. But on Bossanova's strongest moments, the Pixies explored their softer side and found different uses for their extreme dynamics. Like a straight-A student who suddenly receives a B+, Bossanova might have been a disappointment initially, but its (small) failings emphasize the strengths of the rest of the Pixies' work.

The analog masters for Bossanova had been missing for 18 years before finally being located in 2008 in the WEA tape archives in Los Angeles. This release marks the first time that the original ½-inch analog master tapes have been used since Bossanova was originally released in August 1990. Be assured that this is the very finest version of Bossanova you will ever hear. At long last, the staggering dimensions of the Pixies’ canyon-wide soundscapes and three-dimensional atmospherics of their nuanced vocals are faithfully reproduced.

• Numbered, Limited Edition • 33rpm Speed Edition
• Mastering by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab • Specially Plated and Pressed on 180 grams of High Definition Vinyl
• Special Static Free - Dust Free Inner Sleeve • Heavy Duty Protective Packaging
• Mastered from the Original Master Tapes • Pressed at RTI
 

Bass, Vocals – Kim Deal
Drums, Vocals – Dave Lovering
Lead Guitar – Joey Santiago
Vocals, Guitar – Black Francis

Pixies Bossanova Tracklising:

1. Cecilia Ann  
2. Rock Music  
3. Velouria  
4. Allison  
5. Is She Weird  
6. Ana  
7. All Over The World  
8. Dig For Fire  
9. Down To The Well  
10. The Happening  
11. Blown Away  
12. Hang Wire  
13. Stormy Weather  
14. Havalina

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GAIN 2 Ultra Analog™ is a proprietary cutting system built and designed by legendary design genius Tim De Paravicini, with consultation from one of MFSL’s founding fathers – Stan Ricker, an audio engineer responsible for many of MFSL’s most heralded past releases.

The GAIN 2 Ultra Analog™ system is comprised of a Studer™ tape machine with customized reproduction electronics* and handcrafted cutting amps that drive an Ortofon cutting head on a restored Neumann VMS-70 lathe. (*It is worth noting that independent studies have confirmed that the GAIN 2 Ultra Analog™ system can unveil sonic information all the way up to 122kHz!)

First and foremost, we only utilize first generation original master recordings as source material for our releases. We then play back master tapes at half speed enabling the GAIN 2 Ultra Analog™ system to fully extract the master’s sonic information. Our lacquers are then plated in a specialized process that protects transients in the musical signal. (Due to this process, there may be occasional pops or ticks inherent in initial play back, but as the disc is played more, a high quality stylus will actually polish the grooves and improve the sound). We further ensure optimum sound quality by strictly limiting the number of pressings printed for each release. These limited editions, in addition to being collectors’ items, ensure that the quality of the last pressing matches the quality of the first.

As you can imagine, all these efforts involve a tremendous amount of time, technology, cost and effort. The introduction of GAIN 2 Ultra Analog™ maintains Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab’s position as the world’s leading audiophile record label, where a passion for music with extraordinary sound quality matters most.

RTI HQ-180 Vinyl

Record Technology is a world class record pressing plant located in Camarillo, California. We have been operating since 1974, pressing for most audiophile record labels and for many quality minded independent and major record labels from around the world.

 

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