Everything about the Pixies is deceptively complicated. From their innocuous name (chosen at random by pointing in a dictionary) to the mechanisms of their stop-start dynamics to their role as one of the most influential but under-appreciated leaders of the alternative revolution, the Boston outfit rose to prominence by consistently subverting the mainstream. With often bizarre and fragmented lyrics, they make simple songs sound epic and complex songs sound straightforward.

Frontman Black Francis, guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Loverling have kept the band together despite the departure of bassist-vocalist Kim Deal, whose whispery harmonies and earthy charm were intrinsic to the Pixies' sound and aesthetic during their heyday between 1987 and 1993. Although she returned to the band when they reunited in 2004, she departed again in 2013 – leaving a substantial void the band have tried to fill with Kim Shattuck of the Muffs and most recently, Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle.

With the modern incarnation of the band back on the road, we decided to take a look back at the band's small but incredibly significant discography. In the gallery above, we rank each of the Pixies' full-lengths in order of awesomeness which, fittingly, proved to be more difficult than you'd think.

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