Various Artists

Tribute albums are a strange genre. Artists must tread a very fine line while attempting to cover the songs of a group they respect. Listeners demand a fresh take on the material for their money, while the bands covering the work are wary of offending the original artists by changing a song too much.

It is a testament to the distinctive potency of the Pixies' style that all of the songs on the new tribute album Dig for Fire share a consistent vision despite the diverse styles of the artists covering them. The Pixies' most unique stylistic hallmark is their underproduced, garage-rock vibe, from Frank Black's androgynous vocals to sharp, cutting guitar riffs and cacophonous drum beats. Fans of the band appreciated The Pixies' unwillingness to hold a melody, despite their obvious ability to do so.

These covers are often more conventional than the Pixie's originals; this album might actually be a great introduction for those unfamiliar with their work because it lacks the Pixies' rough sound. Stalwarts such as "Wave of Mutilation," "Gigantic" and "Where Is My Mind" are adapted with varying degrees of success. "Where is My Mind" is such a great song that it is nearly impossible to ruin. "Gigantic" amasses another layer of significance through OK Go's softer take on it. The Commons with Elizabeth Harper's cover of "Here Comes Your Man" is reminiscent of a '50s pop song, an appropriate reinvention that puts a dramatic twist on the original while maintaining the classic beat.

True to the form of its source material, Dig for Fire is a cohesive and genuine testament to a band whose greatness was only fully realized after they dissolved.