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Come On Pilgrim is the debut EP/mini-album from Boston's finest pioneers of indie-rock. The EP consists of 8 tracks taken from the band's 17-track 'Purple Tapes' demo (nearly all the songs on this demo have appeared on subsequent Pixies albums). Although this 8-song offering is still a bit rough around the edges compared to later releases such as Doolittle and Bossanova, it clearly shows the potential that this band had and gives plenty of hints of what was to come on subsequent releases. All the unhinged madness of Black Francis' songwriting and vocals, lead guitarist Joey Santiago's soaring and infectious guitar melodies, Kim Deal's simple yet effective basslines and David Lovering's solid and precise drumming are present here and they very rarely put a foot wrong.

The rambling latin guitar intro to the first track 'Caribou' gives little indication to the listener of what is to come, however it does give way to Black Francis' dark and slightly demented crooning. The sinister-sounding verses give way to noisier-sounding choruses complete with Francis screaming his lungs out over the top. The song demonstrates the quiet-loud dynamic which the band would become known for and also sounds like a blueprint for a lot of grunge bands that would grace the alternative rock world in the late 80's and early 90's. I'm guessing Kurt Cobain was taking note. The second track 'Vamos' would reappear on their debut album proper Surfer Rosa in a longer form but here the song appears in it's original form. It's a slightly rougher version than the one which would appear on Surfer Rosa but it sounds just as good and just as unhinged. Punk and Hispanic influences are thrown together into one bundle and English and Spanish vocals alternate with each other to great effect. What really makes the song stand out for a lot of people is Black Francis' short, stabbing and completely unhinged screams. Completely mental stuff. The Hispanic theme, inspired by Francis' time in Puerto Rico, continues with the frantic 'Isla De Encanta', a relatively short and simple song with three-chord punk riffs and David Lovering's simple yet steady rhythm providing the backing for Black Francis and Kim Deal's Spanish vocals. The song is otherwise broken up by a short noisy guitar solo but otherwise nothing really too special going on here, although it is still a very good song. The marvellous 'Ed Is Dead' however showcases the classic, melodic Pixies sound in it's early stages. Joey Santiago's distinctive and melodic lead-guitar lines are what really make this song. His lead guitar melodies battle with melodic Francis' vocals throughout the song, while Kim Deal's backing vocals compliment Francis' vocals to great effect.

'The Holiday Song' is a gloriously infectious song, demonstrating the pop potential that the Pixies had from the word go. Another effortless and unforgettable Joey Santiago lead guitar melody gives this song it's character, not to mention Black Francis' amazing vocal performance. It really is a classic Pixies tune up there with the likes of 'Gigantic' and 'Monkey Gone To Heaven' and for me is the highlight of this collection. 'Nimrod's Son' follows a similar style to 'Vamos', this fast-paced song seems to resemble Neil Young covering Johnny Cash. It's a tough job trying to make sense of Black Francis' lyrics most of the time, lyrics such as "I shook all night and held her hand. Chocolate people well I'll be damned" will probably only make sense in his own mind or maybe not at all. But his very cryptic lyrics are one of the most fascinating things about the Pixies, their songs could mean so many different things and it's really up to the listener to try and figure them out for themselves. In the following track 'I've Been Tired' a classic Kim Deal bassline and skanking guitars provide the backing for Black Francis' very odd, rambling vocals before switching to a classic Pixies chorus. The Pixies once again proving themselves as the masters of dynamics by alternating different styles and moods. The rather interesting and unconventional lyrics include Black Francis jokingly telling his biggest fear is "losing my penis to a whore with disease". The final track 'Levitate Me' brings the album to a great conclusion. The darker, atonal-sounding verses alternate very well with the uplifting and deeply melodic chorus. Francis' vocals sound passionate and strained throughout and really show that he is giving it all he's got. The song ends rather nicely with another great melodic lead guitar line from Joey.

At twenty minutes and twenty-nine seconds Come On Pilgrim is all over in a flash and leaves you wanting more. Although their sound isn't quite the finished product and the record doesn't quite have the vision and direction of Surfer Rosa and Doolittle it does give a very good indication of what was to come on their debut full-length album Surfer Rosa. But the Pixies were off to a flying start.

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