I like to joke (but not joke) that Pearl Jam is the greatest band in the history of ever, but the Pixies are quite possibly the most important band in the history of ever. Pioneers of the loud quiet loud song structure that HEAVILY influenced Nirvana and about a zillion other bands, Frank Black/Black Francis/Charles Thompson and the crew may not have achieved the mainstream success of the bands that followed, but when you do an analysis of alternative music, all roads point back to The Pixies.  Here are a few of my favorite tunes…