What makes Alec Eiffel by Pixies notable?

'Alec Eiffel' marked a significant moment in the band's career as it showcased their continued experimentation with sound. The album received positive reviews and helped maintain the band's status as pioneers of alternative rock during the early '90s, influencing numerous bands that followed. Released in January 1991, 'Alec Eiffel' is part of the Pixies' post-'Doolittle' phase, following their critically acclaimed breakthrough. By this time, the band was solidifying their influence on the alternative rock scene, although they faced internal tensions that would lead to their eventual breakup a few years later.

How many songs are on Alec Eiffel?

Alec Eiffel has 4 tracks, running approximately 9 minutes.

Alec Eiffel

Pixies · 1991

9 min · 4 tracks · alternative rock

A blend of dissonant guitars and quirky rhythms wrapped in surreal lyrics, exemplifying the Pixies' unique alternative rock sound.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Alec Eiffel — The title track features a catchy melody intertwined with surreal imagery, encapsulating the band's signature style while showcasing their ability to blend humor with darker themes.
→
Build High — This short but powerful track utilizes disjointed rhythms and abrupt shifts that highlight the band's experimental edge, making it a standout example of their unique sound.
→
Evil Hearted You — With its driving beat and sharp lyrics, this track reflects the band's knack for balancing aggression with melodic hooks, representing their influential approach to songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting and distinctive sound while maintaining an experimental edge.

What we noticed

The title track features a dynamic shift between quiet verses and explosive choruses, creating a stark contrast that drives the song's energy.
The final track, 'Evil Hearted You,' incorporates a steady tempo with a prominent bassline that anchors the dissonant guitar work.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Alec Eiffel 2:54
2 Letter to Memphis (instrumental) 2:41
3 Build High 1:41
4 Evil Hearted You 2:38

What to play next

Listen next

Trompe le Monde

1991

Go back to

Bossanova

1990

Full Pixies discography Where to start with Pixies Artists like Pixies

alternative rock indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata