So I'm listening to the first three Pixies albums on shuffle and I'm thinking "This pretty sums up what a band should be". Two guitars, a set of drums and a bass, incredible variety in their songs, the versatility of Frank Black's voice, simple but effective basslines, Kim Deal's harmonies, wah-y guitar which doesn't fade into the background without being overly elaborate, the influence they had on othr people... just all of it!

They're a long way from being my favourite or most listened to band anymore, but they nonetheless create an archetype in my mind like no other band apart from maybe The Beatles. (Guided by Voices would have been contenders if they hadn't had a rotating line-up.) You?