A strange band from Mass. records a demo, eight songs from the demo are released as the Come On Pilgrim EP, and rock is changed forever. Uncomprimising, harsh, and brilliant, Come On Pilgrim is early Pixies at its best. The EP never feels to short, and not one song is filler. Featured here is the original version of "Vamos," which is better than the version on Surfer Rosa in my opinion, the haunting "Caribou," and the Pixies' classic "The Holiday Song." The Pixies' mix of pop sensibilities with harsh, loud guitars and very odd lyrics still sounds fresh and innovative to this day. Every Pixies fan needs this.

This is a great CD. The Pixies were a watershed band and this EP lays the blueprint for everything they were to do later. But a word of warning for those expecting improved sound on this reissue: to my ears, this 2003 re-release sounds exactly the same as the previous version. Either the previous master was used, or it might as well have been. Buy whatever version is cheapest, but don't purchase this again if you already own it.

The only complaint I can possibly make about this album is that it is too short. 8 songs? Why did they have to tempt us so? This is the first major release by the pixies, and it gives us the opportunity to hear the pixies much as they sounded live; raw, a little sloppy, but also ingenious with their wordplay, song structures and guitar riffs. It lacks the sheen of their later albums produced by Gil Norton, but the empty spaces in their sound allows us to focus on the songwriting. This album will grab you, though you may wish to start with the more acsessable Doolittle if you haven't heard them before.

This is a short, but very satisfying and addictive set of songs from the Pixie's original demo tape. A must own, especially for fans of their early work.

What can be said about the Pixies except that they are the quintessential indie band. Energetic compositions, disturbing lyrics, thrash guitar, and powerful hooks make them one of the most captivating bands ever. If you're bying this CD, you're probably already obsessed, like the rest of us.

Come on Pilgrim is the Pixies not at their harshest, but certainly their rawest. Black Francis' croons and yelps alongside Joey Santiago's random guitar musings and David Lovering's furious snare-pounding make this CD, along with Surfer Rosa, the Pixies' most energetic. This album is the Pixies stripped down, without all the studio perfection that makes the other albums more commerically viable. The songs still shine like polished jewels, among the better ones: Ed is Dead, I've Been Tired, Nimrod's Son, and Vamos.

Many people say to start of with Doolittle, but I say to start here, and follow the Pixies through the entire musical journey. If Come on Pilgrim, piques your interest, and it will, then ride the Wave of Mutilation all the way to the end. Have fun.