It started as a side project but, thanks to the album's creative songwriting, immediate production (courtesy of Steve Albini) and clever arrangements, Pod has a fresh, raw sound, complete with unusual subject matter, which made it an instant classic.
The debut album is also the group's artiest, most explicitly experimental release. At its best, Livonia explores death, dreams, and spirituality with transcendent music and lyrics. At its worst, it's an ambitious debut, introducing a creative, aspiring band.
On Bossanova's strongest moments, the Pixies explored their softer side and found different uses for their extreme dynamics. Most of the album finds the band in fine form and the spacious, reverb-heavy production at times makes Pixies sound like a Martian bar band.
