Pixies

The Pixies were masters of dynamics (check out 'Monkey Gone to Heaven,' or 'Hey'), moving from quietly subdued to all-out head-banging and back. Black Francis was one of the most unique vocal stylists of the '80s. His duets with bassist Deal, 'I Bleed' and 'Silver,' work the way Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong worked together. If you want straight ahead pop then 'Debaser' and 'Here Comes Your Man' this 1989 album had everything and was never bettered.