The Pixes were another band who had circulated some demos/EPs before releasing their first proper full-length album. The band were paired with Shellac/Big Black frontman Steve Albini who had been swiftly moving more and more into his no-nonsense style of production.
The band had one meeting with Albini and were recording less than a week later. Albini charged the band a flat fee, refusing to take a share of royalties (as was often standard practice) believing it to be an insult to a band to take a percentage for their work. A principle he would continue to hold throughout his career.
This pragmatic approach to recording led them to spend only one day recording vocals (including recording some of bassist/vocalist Kim Deal's vocals in a bathroom for natural reverb) but a week or two on guitars. The arresting debut is an onslaught of noisy guitars, and screamed vocals, but with this cacophony often wrapped around tight, melodic songs. The album served as inspiration for many 90s alt-rock luminaries such as PJ Harvey, Billy Corgan and the members of Nirvana.
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