Bossanova by Pixies

Bossanova

by Pixies

Released: August 13, 1990

Alternative rock, space rock, surf rock, grunge

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

01

The Album

"Bossanova" is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies, released on August 13, 1990. The album was released through the English independent label 4AD in the UK and by Elektra Records in the US, with Elektra handling distribution in the US due to 4AD's independent status. After completing their tour for *Doolittle* (1989), the Pixies—consisting of Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering—relocated from Boston to Los Angeles in January 1990.

02

Inside the Recording

Kim Deal, the band's bassist, stayed in the UK initially to record the Breeders' debut album with producer Steve Albini, but she eventually joined the rest of the band in Los Angeles. Producer Gil Norton, who was involved in the album's production, also resided in the same apartment complex.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The move to LA was driven by the…

The move to LA was driven by the band's intention to record their next album there.

The three band members lived in the Oakwood…

The three band members lived in the Oakwood apartments, which were also home to comic Garrett Morris and members of the band White Lion.

Then

Reception

The album reached number 70 on the Billboard 200 in the US and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. Two singles were released from Bossanova: "Velouria" and "Dig for Fire." Both singles performed well on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, with "Velouria" reaching No. 4 and "Dig for Fire" reaching No. 11.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Bossanova" is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies, released on August 13, 1990. The album was released through the English independent label 4AD in the UK and by Elektra Records in the US, with Elektra handling distribution in the US due to 4AD's independent status.

The album reached number 70 on the Billboard 200 in the US and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. Two singles were released from Bossanova: "Velouria" and "Dig for Fire." Both singles performed well on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, with "Velouria" reaching No. 4 and "Dig for Fire" reaching No. 11.

After completing their tour for *Doolittle* (1989), the Pixies—consisting of Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering—relocated from Boston to Los Angeles in January 1990. Kim Deal, the band's bassist, stayed in the UK initially to record the Breeders' debut album with producer Steve Albini, but she eventually joined the rest of the band in Los Angeles. The move to LA was driven by the band's intention to record their next album there. The three band members lived in the Oakwood apartments, which were also home to comic Garrett Morris and members of the band White Lion. Producer Gil Norton, who was involved in the album's production, also resided in the same apartment complex.

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