The debut studio album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, "Surfer Rosa," hit the scene in March 1988 under the British label 4AD, with production credits going to Steve Albini. This album carries forward many signature elements of Pixies' earlier work, featuring Spanish lyrics, nods to Puerto Rico, and themes touching on mutilation and voyeurism, all wrapped in experimental recording techniques and a distinctive drum sound.
 
Despite 4AD's independent status, distribution in the United States fell under the purview of British label Rough Trade Records. However, "Surfer Rosa" failed to make waves on the charts in either country. Only one single, a revamped version of "Gigantic," made its way out, peaking at number 93 on the UK Singles Chart. Yet, the album found a second wind in the US when Elektra Records reissued it in 1992, eventually earning gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America in 2005.
Critics often hail "Surfer Rosa" as one of the finest rock albums, a sentiment echoed by alternative rock luminaries like Billy Corgan and PJ Harvey who draw inspiration from it. Notably, it left a lasting imprint on Nirvana's 1993 release "In Utero," an album also produced by Albini.