The Pixies: Bossanova (Elektra)

POP AND NOISE no longer collide for the Pixies; on the new album, Bossanova, they mutate into new beasts. The feedback and vocal frenzy of the brief and blistering 'Rock Music', which sets the album in motion after the galloping instrumental intro (the Surftones' 'Cecilia Ann'), defies accessibility, except that the riffing guitar has a structure, and, gulp, a hook, giving the chaos shape and... er, accessibility. The first single, 'Velouria', much more readily resembles contemporary pop, but the siren sound warns us to look out and the guitar line echoes/mocks the lead vocal; the melody begs to be liked, but the band belittles us for doing so.