The career of the Pixies is unlike that of any other alternative rock band: they vanished without exactly being "the next big name," only to become gods in their absence.

And Doolittle is their multifaceted masterpiece, the complete expression of the Pixies' raw, abundant, enigmatic pop.

Drawing on exclusive interviews with the band, Ben Sisario reflects on the creation of the album and its place in rock history, examining its lasting influence in light of the Pixies' triumphant reunion.

Ben Sisario covers music industry topics and current events for the New York Times.