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Come On Pilgrim was followed by the band's first full-length album, Surfer Rosa.

The album was recorded by Steve Albini ( who was hired by Watts-Russell on the advice of a 4AD colleague ), completed in two weeks, and released in early 1988.

Surfer Rosa gained the Pixies acclaim in Europe ; both Melody Maker and Sounds gave Surfer Rosa their " Album of the Year " award.

American critical response was also positive yet more muted, a reaction that persisted for much of the band's career.

The album was eventually certified Gold in the U. S. in 2005.

After the album was released, the band arrived in England to support Throwing Muses on the European " Sex and Death " tour — beginning at the Mean Fiddler in London.

The tour also took them to the Netherlands, where the Pixies had already received enough media attention to be headlining the tour.

Francis later recalled: " The first place I made it with the Pixies was in Holland.

" The tour became notable for the band's in-jokes, such as playing their entire set list in alphabetical order.