Pixies' second studio album, "Doolittle," emerged in April 1989 under 4AD records. The album's distinctive lyrics, penned by the Pixies' main songwriter and lead vocalist Black Francis, delve into surreal imagery, biblical themes of violence, and stark portrayals of suffering and demise. Following the critical acclaim of their 1988 release "Surfer Rosa," anticipation was high for its successor. "Doolittle" not only met but exceeded these expectations, swiftly becoming their breakthrough record. Its reception was particularly enthusiastic in Europe, with esteemed British music publications Melody Maker and Sounds both crowning it as their album of the year.
 
One of the album's standout features is its adept use of the "quiet/loud" dynamic. This effect is achieved through subdued verses driven by Kim Deal's bass lines and David Lovering's drumming, which then crescendo into powerful peaks with the addition of distorted guitars by Francis and Joey Santiago. This technique proved highly influential on the trajectory of early 1990s grunge music, with Kurt Cobain expressing admiration for "Doolittle" and citing its heavy influence on Nirvana's iconic track "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
 
"Doolittle" has maintained steady sales since its release, consistently earning accolades from music publications as one of the standout albums of the 1980s. It debuted at number eight on the UK Albums Chart upon release and achieved gold certification in 1995, later attaining platinum status in 2018 by the Recording Industry Association of America. Both singles from the album, "Here Comes Your Man" and "Monkey Gone to Heaven," made waves on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US, while tracks like "Debaser" and "Hey" continue to be cherished favorites among critics and fans alike.