Doggerel (album)

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Doggerel is the eighth studio album by Pixies, released on September 30, 2022. It was recorded in early 2022 at Guilford Sound in Guilford, Vermont, produced by Tom Dalgety, and runs 42 minutes and 4 seconds. The album came out on Infectious Music and BMG Rights Management and features the singles “There’s a Moon On,” “Vault of Heaven,” and “Dregs of the Wine.” It is the band’s final album with bassist Paz Lenchantin, who left the group in March 2024.

The recording drew on Black Francis’s demos accumulated after the band’s 2019 album Beneath the Eyrie, but the process was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, so members worked on tracks from home. A short documentary about making the album was released in June 2022. Francis said the goal was to create something big, bold, and orchestrated, moving away from trying to recapture their earlier punk sound. Guitartist Joey Santiago remarked that the band has grown, writing longer songs with more traditional structures but still keeping their distinctive twists.

For the first time, Santiago received songwriting credits on a Pixies album, contributing music to “Dregs of the Wine” and lyrics to “Pagan Man.” Pagan Man was the last track recorded and, because Francis was not in the mood to write lyrics, Santiago provided them.

Critics gave Doggerel a generally favorable reception, with a Metacritic score of 73/100 based on twelve reviews. The Skinny noted a more conventional, orchestrated approach that still retains the band’s edge, though some choruses feel bland at times. The Line of Best Fit highlighted the album’s riffs and rockabilly influences and its mix of melodic and angsty moments. Loud and Quiet called it the best Pixies album since they reformed, praising the band’s range from furious grunge to softer acoustic passages. Louder Than War gave it Album of the Week, praising Dave Lovering’s drumming and Lenchantin’s bass. Pitchfork described the band as comfortable and grown-up, prioritizing chops and clean production over youthful energy. PopMatters offered a mixed view, noting bold moods and themes but questioning the album’s overall thread. Sonic Seducer published mixed reviews as well, with some writers finding it fresh and catchy and others finding it dull. All tracks are written by Black Francis, except for “Dregs of the Wine” and “Pagan Man,” which were co-written with Joey Santiago.