loudQUIETloud: a film about The Pixies

loudQUIETloud is a highly anticipated documentary that takes an in-depth look at the reunion of one of indie rock's most iconic bands, The Pixies. Released in 2006, the film follows the band as they embark on a reunion tour after thirteen years of being apart. This documentary provides an intimate portrayal of the band's internal dynamics.

The movie begins with the band's initial breakup in 1993 and the solo careers of its members, Black Francis (who later changed his name to Frank Black), Kim Deal, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, before heading straight into their highly-anticipated reunion tour in 2004. Through candid interviews and on-stage footage, the audience receives insight into the personal lives of these musicians who have seemingly moved on from the wild, punk rock ways that made their sound so popular.

The film focuses on the peculiar dynamics between the band members, their unique personalities, and how they worked around their differences in personalities in order to successfully pull off their reunion tour. The band's drummer, David Lovering, has aspirations of becoming a magician, while founding member, Black Francis, seems to have a strict vision of how the band should be run, and ultimately struggles to compromise with the other members when issues arise.

The highlight of the documentary, though, is observing the on-stage performances of the gigs played on this reunion tour. The audience can't help but notice the chemistry between the different members, as well as the rapport they have built over the years by constantly playing together. The audiences witness the responses of ecstatic Pixies fans who have waited years for this reunion to happen.

However, the genesis of the film isn't only shown through these aspects. It also throws light upon the controversies that led to the group's separation, such as Black Francis' demanding creative control over the band or Deal coming up with The Breeders. The documentary, through interviews with the band members, unearths tales that contributed to the band's breakup and dynamics with their fans, such as footage of Black Francis destroying equipment on-stage.

Throughout this narrative of The Pixies, we see how their sound was so iconic, through performances and clips of their biggest hits, including "Here Comes Your Man," "Monkey Gone to Heaven," and "Debaser." Interviews with celebrities such as Radiohead's Thom Yorke, tell of the band's influence on the music scene during that era.

Overall, loudQUIETloud is an accomplished and captivating documentary that gives fans and non-fans of The Pixies an insight into the personal tribulations of the band's reunion tour. It showcases their brilliance as musicians, though sometimes it lacks intensity or depth. The movie highlights that the things that make art great can sometimes lead to poor relationships between the artists. Nonetheless, if one is a fan of The Pixies, loudQUIETloud is a must-see documentary that provides a glimpse into the inner workings of one of the most important bands of the indie rock movement.