Crooked Rain Crooked Rain

Every time I listen to Pavement I think “wow, I should listen to more Pavement.”

I love this album. Pavement is such an important band that not enough people know about.

Grunge was a reaction against stadium rock, and this is a reaction against grunge: small-scale, personal, lo-fi; with an air of reluctant self-pity replacing anger.

What’s not to like? I mean this is probably the ultimate “indie” record. Slacker vibes galore, messy guitars that always somehow end up on beat, bursts of noise and energy followed by moments of calmness. I really like this record a lot. One of my favorites. Favorite song: Range Life Least favorite song: There ain’t one

This is an odd one - while it was playing I was thinking this is brilliant. But after it I realised I can't actually pick out any of the tracks. It was sort of one massive amorphous blob of California stoner shoegaze indie that I really enjoyed as a unit, but don't think I'll ever just put a track from it on to listen to. The whole thing start to finish or gtfo. I can hear a bit of Suede, a bit of Beck, Blind Melon, Sonic Youth and The Thrills in there. Lovely stuff.

Day 23 of Albums You Must Hear… 1994 was the peak of alternative rock music in some ways, and the beginning of the end in others. Kurt Cobain would lose his life and bring an end to Nirvana, the greatest band of the 90’s. (Solely my opinion). Other mega acts, though, would break into the mainstream around this time, such as The Foo Fighters, Weezer, Green Day, and Smashing Pumpkins, to name a few. Those are all tough acts to follow, however, a band called Pavement would release their second album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain in 1994. Full disclosure here, I never knew the band Pavement before receiving this album, though it seems through their indie rock band accomplishments over a few years, they accumulated a decent cult following in the U.S. and U.K. Pavement would never sign a major label deal. The only song familiar to me on Crooked Rain is the single Cut your Hair. I remember seeing a clip of the video on Beavis & Butthead way back when, in which they referred to Pavement as ‘Buttwipe Music’. While I know that was said in the context of a joke, I mean it is Beavis & Butthead, another comment made by the cartoon duo was to ‘try harder’. Thats a statement I can’t get behind when it comes to the music from this band, though. While Cut Your Hair has a catchy tune right out the gate, the rest of the album is totally lackluster. The band is totally talented, just not memorable to me. If you ask me, the thing that made Nirvana the best alternative band of the 90’s is the simplicity of the melodies. I still don’t understand all of Cobain’s lyrics but I damn sure know the melodies of the hooks, drum patterns and chords. I get the feeling that Pavement is trying too hard be complex and not to “sell out” that they avoid making catchy tunes. On the song Range Life, they poke fun at Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots, which is fair, but those bands were able to have cross-over success without watering down their brand. They made catchy songs. The only other song to catch my attention was 5-4=Unity, a fully instrumental jam session that showcases the band’s undeniable musical talent. I just wish the songs on this album had more re-playability. The music video for Cut Your Hair has the perfect low budget, nonsensical vibe of the mid 90’s, though, and was fun to watch 27 years later. Please share your thoughts, memories and opinions!

I didn't expect to like this but I ended up quite enjoying it. It's lo-fi, post-punk, idie rock and the vocals are sketchy but... it has... something. It feels like these guys were legitimately into this and enjoying themselves. It reminds me a lot of some of my favorite indie bands and artists (Gasoline Heart comes to mind) and I'm into this. The sparse instrumentation lends an opennes to the mix that makes the whole album feel like it's breathing. It's so different from the Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" mix style that's so popular these days and it's refreshing...

I can only imagine that this made it into the list of albums you must listen to before you die as an example of terrible 90s music. By the end of the album, I feel utterly trolled with how bad it is. The guitar work around minute 3 of Stop Breathin is very nice, but that's the only redeeming quality about this album. If I could rate it negatively, I would. Unfortunately, the lowest I can give is a 1.

This afternoon I read a line by Penelope Fitzgerald, describing one of her tragicomic protagonists, that feels right for a vital and deliberate attribute of this record: “Her reach exceeded her grasp”. These songs are perfect collapses, their loftiness richer for how their exquisite compositions trip over into a gorgeous, noisy heap, disarming me - life is serious, but it is also absurd, and we should laugh. This was almost the first record I bought on release that I love without reservation, pipped the year before by Rid of Me. My brother Will and I went to see them in Manchester when they toured this album, and they were glorious. Such fun. Simon, I leave the floor to you, mon ami.

Not a perfect album, but close. I'd never noticed before how much Malkmus sounds like Tweedy and Wilco here. Never been a huge fan of Cut Your Hair, but Fillmore Jive is a classic tune to end it. Essential album.

What is indie rock? Someone not signed to a major label? (I'm not signed to a major label, Greg. Am I indie rock?) Today the term indie rock seems to have no meaning. It isn't exclusively used for independent label bands, and it doesn't refer to a specific musical style. I could tell you I like indie rock, but really that doesn't tell you much, and while I like many bands that would be classified as indie rock, I also dislike plenty of indie rock. But Pavement is (was?) indie rock. When bands maintained that anti-major label thing for their whole career. (Tangent to the tangent - I heard a story on the radio yesterday about a new book called "Sellout" by Dan Ozzi - "A raucous history of punk, emo, and hardcore’s growing pains during the commercial boom of the early 90s and mid-aughts, following eleven bands as they “sell out” and find mainstream fame, or break beneath the weight of it all." Sounds super interesting.) So, anyways, Pavement stayed indie. And in the 90s I wasn't cool enough to be indie. (All mainstream grunge, flannel, and undercuts.) I've always meant to go back and listen to more Pavement. They're a band I thought I would enjoy, but never sought out. I know "Cut Your Hair" pretty well, and still think it's great. But the rest of this album was enjoyable too. I hear Built to Spill a lot in Pavement's sound - they came in at the tail end of Pavement's run, and I got into Built to Spill as I was trying to figure out indie rock in the mid-aughts. I think I prefer Built to Spill, but I enjoyed "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain." (Built to Spill is not on the list. They're not British enough. Well, not that Pavement is at all British, but... whatever.)

A girl who I had a big crush on gave me a pirated tape of this in 1995. I didn’t know it was pavement but I listed to it a lot. It was a nice blast from the past!

By the end of Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, if you’re not thinking to yourself “I should start a band and try to make a record as great as this”… well, maybe we should just give up hope for the future and call it a day. It’s inclusion on this list is not only warranted, it is essential.

pavement should hold the spot in the cultural consciousness that nirvana does

Implacably disaffected noise-mess by smarty-pants brats who work every angle--infectious melody, discord, suburban rebellion, the range life--but refuse to commit to any. Perhaps the only thing that speaks to the politics of their music louder than that mix is [screamed]: "NO LONG HAIR!"

4.1 + I was an early teen when these guys hit the scene. At the time, I was a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan. I had a buddy who was a Pavement fan. Somehow we always argued about which band was better - the two fanbases felt diametrically opposed, and some vague beef between them further drove a wedge. The fact that Pavement called out SP specifically in "Range Life" feels like a petty dick move. To me the rift feels like the cool kids (Pavement) ragging on the spastic drama kids (SP). The cool kids are all about not trying too hard, while the drama kids suffer, often pretentiously and publicly, for their art. On hindsight, both camps seem insufferable. Setting all of this "who's-in-who's-out" nonsense aside, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain is a cool (again with that word) and composed with interesting guitar textures, poetic lyrics and slack vocals. I understand and appreciate their venerated status in 90s indie rock.

It’s a 4.5 that I’ll round up to a 5. Other than the extreme dissonance of Hit the Plane Down, I really don’t think there’s a bad track on this album; there’s a lot of Nirvana to this at the start, but it slowly blends in a bit of R.E.M. as well, and that general soundscape just worked really well for me. I think this album shines best in its guitar and percussion work, but the vocals hold up pretty well against them, as do the lyrics for a good chunk of the album. Just a really strong listen for me; glad we got this one, and I feel good with a 5.

this album was pretty cool. i knew a couple of songs off of this one beforehand, but have never listened to the album in full. pavement is a band i've heard a lot about but never fully experienced, and i can say that i am looking forward to my next experience with them. normally, i am a bit iffy on slacker vocals, but they work really well here, especially in juxtaposition with the more upbeat, raucous sounds. my favorite track on this one was "cut your hair" which is a perfect example of this. i would say the strength of this album is not necessarily in the musicianship, but the crafting of a sound. and i really enjoyed the sound!

Just a little indie classic for a sunday night. Love this and their first album, laid back and just simple great songwriting. 'Gold Soundz' has such a strong nostalgic feeling to it, love the climax at the end of 'Elevate Me Later', and 'Unfair' melts my face everytime.

Oooh what a joy to listen to this all day! Have loved Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain since I first bought the CD in a basement store on St Marks Place in summer '94 (god, I must have been insufferable). Crystallizes everything I want in guitar music, riffs a go-go, oblique but clever, accessible lyrics, half-arsed chaotic delivery that is really well practiced, a dash of Buddy Holly and Dave Brubeck, screaming "career/Korea" and slagging off the Smashing Pumpkins. This review cannot do the album justice. Gold Soundz. Elevate Me Later. Unfair. Fillmore Jive. The whole thing from beginning to end. My favorite album from my favorite band? Sometimes. Start it over and this time try!

Pavement is the best. Classic album. This one has some great songs on it. Stephen Malkmus' lazy voice is great. Silence Kid is a good opening track, that guitar riff with all the fuzz sounds awesome. Range Life and Gold Soundz are quintessential Pavement songs. The perfect balance of heaviness while still being fun and catchy to listen to. In the midst of hair and grunge bands, this album came and set the tone for modern indie music.

Just love the whole Pavement sound. Also love their Anglophile leanings (otherwise they'd be called Sidewalk)- inventors of what we now consider to be "indie". Absolutely love the inpenetrability of the lyrics. On this album, the lyrics to the final verse of Range Life are my favourites. Particularly starting Beef with Billy Corgan (something Corgan is still bitter about today) and Malkmus announcing he's hot for the Stone Temple Pilots. Genius. Just noticed they're doing a reunion tour of the UK next year.....time to get my tickets!

Show me a word that rhymes with pavement and i wont kill your parents and roast them on a spit. I know its a different album but fuck it

I don't know how I haven't heard this before. Amazing sound and songwriting.

Peak 90's Indie/Alt rock. I've always preferred 'Slanted and Enchanted', as I find some of the tracks on here, like 5-4=Unity or Hit the Plane Down, as rather jarring, but I suppose they ultimately help make this album unique. Regardless, this is still a 5 star.

Thought this was quite good, listenable, indie rock. Sounds like it could have come out this year.

I love Pavement. Listening to them never fails to take me back to a time and place when they were probably my favorite band. I prefer Slanted and Enchanted to this one, but they are both incredible albums. I wish grunge had never happened and Pavement/Sebadoh/Dinosaur Jr. had been the sound of the 90’s. Then maybe the Goo Goo Dolls and Limp Bizkit and Korn and the boy bands and Brittney’s and Christina’s wouldn’t have taken over and there would have been no Woodstock ‘99 or 9/11 or War on Terror and Gore would have won in 2000 and there wouldn’t have been a writer’s strike and The Apprentice would have never made it to air and Trump would have died in semi-obscurity and COVID-19 would have been stopped early by an efficient presidential administration. But it was not to be. Thanks Kurt.

An indie rock classic. A shambling mess of an album. Excellent.

Heavier than I was expecting- for some reason I thought Pavement were like shoe gazing indie blah peddlars. 2 tracks in and they’re ok I guess... I could imagine these tracks on an indie movie soundtrack. Oh! I know this song! Cut your hair. I don’t know where from but I’ve absolutely heard this before. Very Dandy Warhols. Really enjoying this actually- grown into it a lot. “And we’re coming to the chorus now” at the end of the first verse of Gold soundz 😂 I like a quirky weird instrumental track too.

Generic early 90s rock. Has a bit of a Weezer edge to them, but I think early Weezer was better. Nothing too memorable or catchy here. I sort of liked Cut Your Hair.

The Good: 90’s alternative music! The Bad: not understanding what crooked rain actually is The Ugly: the band finding crooked rain important enough to repeat it in the title… What in the actual fuck? I am seriously starting to doubt my taste in music, or, trying to understand the rationality being applied when “those in the know” create a Top x album list and add mundane stuff like this to it. Don’t get me wrong, the album is palatable for sure, however, I checked out of curiosity if Kerosene Hat by the band Cracker is included in the list, which it isn’t, and that is just stupid as it was key in mainstreaming the indie/alt rock wave of the ‘90s I can remember people on campus walking around with Pavement T-shirts, yet I couldn’t recall if I had listened to their music at the time, so I was excited to give this album a spin… call me disappointed as I am starting to really dislike anything “lo-fi”, or where the singer of a band feels it is important to do their best to emulate a period of their life when their voice was shifting from child to man… 2* for not hating this album… however, if I would have to listen to the nasally whining lyrics again, I might just drop the rating down to 1*

I had never heard of pavement before! My first thought is very generic 90s alt rock and indie. It was a nice album but nothing stuck out. It reminded me of American Pie and music from that era of american comedy. Favourite song: Newark Wilder and cut your hair Least favourite: the rest of the album is very meh. Album artwork: Cool cover if not a little messy.

Pavement was that band you heard about in the 90's but no one was a diehard fan of. They were on a compilation disc or two I purchased over the years but the material didn't interest me enough to dig deeper. "Cut Your Hair" was the tune. This album solidifies that initial perception - loose sound, weak vocals, vanilla songs, no real hook or groove to gravitate to. I can think of 20+ bands from 1994 that I'd prefer to listen to. "Average" is the first word that comes to mind after persevering through that entire album. It's quite possibly one of the most boring albums I've ever heard. Influential, no. Full of great songs or hits, no. Encapsulation of the times, no. I have NO idea how this makes anyone's Top 1001. I almost went with 1 star!

First track seems like a weird mashup between Jane's Addiction and Buddy Holly. By end of this album, I felt a palpable sense of relief that it had finished.

started and thought - decent, but then it just sounded samey and then it just stopped. Meh.

Ah yes, the godfathers of incredibly boring indie rock. I've tried so many times to get into these guys, and now, upon this most recent listen, I can safely say it's never going to happen.

classic 90s whiny indie music. Basically average to bad, not interesting.

that was ok. none of that is stuck in my memory. it's got a really good sound, the levels and tones of all the instruments and singing all work well, but there's a lack of any actual tunes. its like these and weezer started out at the same place and weezer decided to go with catchy hooklines and pavement went the opposite way to whatever this is. bit of a shame really, cultivate a nice thing and then not back it up with any substance.

Not the kind of music I like. Lacks polish, the guitars are all over the place, the rhythm is boring, the vocals raw, the overall structure feels very simplistic.

I really don’t think this is required listening. At times painful.

I get why this album would be on the list, underground indie rock with (IMO) strong punk leanings but vocally and lyrically …. Not my cup of tea … Probs wound’ve been a lot of fun in concert but outside of the experience of them live …. Not so interested …. Gives me a vibe of what Elbow would’ve been playing in high school when they were trashed in a garage before they cut the lead singer/guitar player who was on an ego trip ….

US Indie Garage rock, was never going to enjoy, put on that angsty whiney vocals "oh no someone told me to cut my hair" then it's a super no, music should be fun, just a nothing album.

Can't find a better word than ugly

The opening sounds like someone trying to play 'Alright Now' from memory but forgetting how it goes and coming up with something else by mistake. I couldn't take more than a minute of it before moving on. Same on subsequent tracks - eventually, I just hated it.

Remember that day your mom told you to stop singing? Yeah, well. Then why did you release an album?!

Did not enjoy this discordant album.

OK. So somehow this is considered essential? This is considered to be outstanding to the point that it is considered an album that everyone should listen to prior to their eternal passing? You know, there are albums already that I have listened to on this project that I've thought... well, you know, it isn't my style at all, but I can see why there is merits in it, that it contains something that could be considered as ground breaking or ahead of its time or even passable. What I hear when I listened to this album was... boredom. I heard a style of alt rock that was prolific in the era, I heard some vocals that really only made themselves known to me because they seemed less than average, and I was far from enamored. In fact, when the album finished, a song from the Jesus and Mary Chain came on that was far superior to anything I heard on this album. No thanks.

I wish I could give this zero Stars. I I feel like they are trying to rip off The flaming lips and Jay from dinosaur Jr. That one song grabbed me. I found the whole thing to be trash and nearly unlistenable. I hope this is the worst that we get.

This is #day196 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's a sunny February afternoon here in my hometown Lviv, the world is crashing down, but at least there's good music out there. Now, give me '90s American indie rock any day. Pavement... they must be one of the most entertaining bands in the genre: unconventional guitar play, offbeat melodies, and totally bizarre lyrics and songwriting all around. I’ve been aware of Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain since when I ran an indie music blog with a friend (which I mentioned in my Orange Juice review), but I’d never actually listened to it until today. Having done so, I can only say: yes, it's absolutely enjoyable. Guess I'll go crazy and give this a 5 out of 5. Can’t wait to revisit Slanted and Enchanted next (because I’m familiar with that one and know it's on the list). Looking forward to #day197.

One of best

A guitar album for people who hate guitar albums, and a whole bunch of nonsensical lyrics that remind me of driving around aimlessly in high school listening to this album.

This is an album and band I’ve listened to occasionally for a long time now, probably 15 years or so (didn’t know them as a kid in the 90’s). Crooked Rain and Slanted and Enchanted always found their ways to lists of albums I’d probably like, and the lists weren’t wrong. Crooked Rain Crooked Rain is a fantastic listen. It’s unmistakably Pavement, unmistakably 90’s indie rock. The jangly guitars leading the way on most tracks is a sound I’ve always been attracted to. Cut Your Hair is the band’s biggest single, and it’s always a catchy fun song. Gold Soundz and Range Life are the other two can’t miss highlights for me. I particularly love the latter: “if I could settle down then I would settle down” is such a great evocative line. So much to love on this odd little album.

Had to listen to this twice, as it came up on a day when I was very distracted with work, etc. I didn't like it as much as the first Pavement album, but it's still an easy 5 stars from me. I liked the easy to listen to vocal delivery and the general cosy feeling I got from listening to this. I can imagine enjoying this even more on repeat listens. It's like a dialled-down Pixies/ Sonic Youth experience, with some influences from The Fall here and there. Maybe a little bit of early R.E.M., but without the slightly grating vocals.

As another rater noted, "Every time I listen to Pavement I think 'wow, I should listen to more Pavement.'”

Amazingly for me Pavement and Wilco appeared on this list within a week of eachother, as they were for a short while two of my favourite bands. In fact I’m pretty sure it’s because they both played Primavera one year and I became obsessed. Pavement are the best US indie/lofi/slacker/whatever you want to label them as band. I think they are probably like Velvet Underground in that whole thing of not everyone bought their records straight away, but those that did formed numerous bands. Hugely influential. Even listening to this now it’s mental to think it’s 31 year old. Totally timeless, total classic.

Been aware of pavement for ages but the few tracks id heard didn't land for me, think because it's not the sort of music that is made for immediate attention. Enjoyed this more and more as the album went on, it's sort of like the pixies in the sort of ramshackle DIY sounding indie sense but was a bit more eclectic/post rocky. Will definitely repeat this and almost certainly enjoy it more the next time. 4.5

Was looking forward to this when I saw it come up after their last album we've had. I think I enjoyed this more than the last. On paper this should be completely for me, but there is something that is stopping it clicking fully and I'm not quite sure what. Still very good though. Ignore that I've changed my mind.... It's a 4.5 but getting a 5 Highlights: Stop breathing Cut your hair Unfair Gold sounds Range life

An alt-rock indie classic. Angular, odd, white noise splashes, melodies, pop pretentions, funny and strange. Pavement were an important band in the 90s. I can see why people may not like them, but they're wrong. This is definitely an album to hear before you die. Best Tracks: Silence Kit; Cut Your Hair; Gold Soundz

i cravement the pavement

This is a really nice indie rock album. It feels mellow. A lot of music from today seems to feature a similar vibe to this album.

I see now where mj lenderman got it from

Great init

Easy 5 stars. The extras on the expanded edition are a 5 star album. rocks. (⌐■_■)

Pavement rules, this album rules. Apparently they have one more on the list—should be more, that’s for damn sure.

Pavement's Crooked Rain Crooked Rain is a delightfully playful, nonchalant and tasteful mix of catchy songwriting, solid grooves and enticing flow. They perform each song--tongue firmly in cheek--with an endearing laziness that encapsulates the entire album, yet never overstays its welcome. It is obvious that the landscape of indie-rock in the late nineties and subsequent decades pays homage to Pavement's sophomore album time and time again, including many of my personal favourites from those eras, and I will definitely be returning to this project many times in the future.

Very much my sort of thing, I saved some songs :)

Pavement has such a unique sound and vibe in the world of indie rock. Talented songwriting and always interesting instrumentals. I first heard these guys on the Mlb 2k6 soundtrack if you can believe that. Thanks game for shaping my tastes. Anyway this album rocks, never a dull moment

<3 Pavement

I've been waiting for this album :)

Strong and consistent song-writing from obviously the best American guitar band from the 90s. All 5 Pavement albums are 5 star and their singles/EPs contain many 5-star songs as well. Their music reminds me of Kevin Ayers albums in the sense that both Pavement and KA make their songs look so effortless.

Excellent songs performed with just the right attitude.

even after 15 years or so, this still gets better with every listen

A concept album about being a cool indie L.A. band.

Perfect record. Zero notes. KOREA KOREA KOREA

So good. So near to gift shop!!! Need to own on CD

Until recently, I had only heard of Pavement and a few of their albums. I’m glad I finally checked them out today! This album sounds great. The production is something to admire. I also love the drums and percussion on this thing; they sound so clean! There are also tons of good songs here, especially “Cut Your Hair,” “Range Life,” and the closer, “Fillmore Jive.” “Fillmore Jive” is amazing! “5-4=Unity” is a fun little jazzy instrumental as well. The piano is a nice touch on it. I like the guitar and bass work on this album too; the guitar tones are clean and distorted when they need to be. A good example of that is “Hit The Plane Down,” which is really raw with its sound and themes. The vocals are cool and memorable, albeit a little iffy sometimes. The lyrics are emotional and abstract, and they can pack a punch sometimes. The album also flies by; it did not feel like it was over forty minutes. Even if the songs can feel the same sometimes, I’m looking forward to listening to more from Pavement in the future. This was a fun listen! This is an indie classic for a reason, and I’d recommend it.

Piste incroyable sur piste incroyable, un album comme ça c'est rare putain :o On remarque une base slacker à la sonic youth, mais avec un effort inconsidérable sur les mélodies et le lyricisme.

Great album. Lots of dynamic range in terms of tempo and feel. Rang life, Gold Soundz, cut your hair, silence kid, and heaven is a truck are all winners. There are a few draggy spots but they set the table for the next course. I've been a Pavement listener for years and years but never really listened to whole albums undistracted and pointedly. I think I'll work my way through the catalog now. Very enjoyable experience.

It starts to sound remarkably like Wilco towards the end.

When I think quintessential Indie bands, Pavement along with Modest Mouse and Built to Spill are the bands that immediately come to mind. Stephen Malkmus earnestly guides us thru Crooked Rain, his distinct, slightly out of tune vocals work so well here. The music sounds murky and loose, I absolutely love the fun vibes on display here and I understand they're notably labelled a 'slacker' band but there is absolutely nothing slacking in Malkmus' guitar work, things can be floating along and suddenly he just rips into a frantic riff. This is awesome, Pavement is great. 5 stars

what can i say. i love da pavement. it took me a while to get there but i did eventually. i think this is their most listenable and cohesive album. fav tracks: well all of them actually. but specifically newark wilder; unfair; cut your hair; range life; fillmore jive; silence kit/d

Sigh. Peak indie music. Glorious!

I really loved the other Pavement album on this list from two years prior, Slanted and Enchanted. But I wasn't sure I was happy having this in the penultimate position on my 1001 journey. My doubts were unfounded. This album is even better than the previous. The songs are musically and lyrically wonderful - shambolically exquisite songs. I don't know how I lived without Range Life, but now that I know it it is one of my favorite songs! Totally terrific!

Of the garage bands, these were the best. And this was their best album.

It put my crying infant to sleep with no fuss, for that it gets 5 star

Always reliable. Just some of the best to ever do it.

We can talk about great 90s bands all day, and I'm not here to dispute that Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, etc. were all great bands, but THIS band, Pavement, saved rock and roll. More importantly, they made it acceptable for thousands of bands to feel safe in making the music they wanted to make, without feeling like it needed to be professionally produced or polished. Pavement made it okay to just DO IT, which in turn, kept the genre not only alive, but moving forward. Plus the music itself is fucking great.

Not many bands can claim to be both one of the best bands ever and one of the coolest bands ever; Pavement can.

I'm glad my mindset is always that I haven't listened to enough Pavement.

This was fantastic. A really great indie, punk, experimental band to cleanse the palette. Really enjoyed

Great!!!

The best Pavement album? Probably. What a run of absolutely brilliant tracks.

Truly a masterpiece. Blew away the cobwebs of a Thursday morning. Amazing.

Maybe their best album -- certainly "Newark Wilder" is among their top three songs.

Another nineties masterpiece. Lively, messy, sarcastic, heartfelt, filled with lots of endearing details and downright elegiac *all* at the same time. Very American, conveying a feeling of wild open spaces only matched in older classic rock, but also winking at a lot of more recent influences from both sides of the pond. This records also abounds with lots of instantly memorable songs. "Silence Kid" is a lovable opener. "Elevate Me Later" has a killer, multilayered guitar riff. "Stop Breathing" is a lovely ballad under the guise of a topsy-turvy pile of disjointed elements -- rarely have awfully detuned strings on guitars sounded so frigging *right*, as can be heard in the suspenseful instrumental outro of this song. "Cut Your Hair" is the ultimate slacker anthem, hilariously making fun of indieheads while slyly paying tribute to them (and its "ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh" hook is infectious). "Gold Soundz"'s harmonies are the stuff indie-rock dreams are made of, thus creating a great "meta" song. "5/4=Unity" is a nice little tribute to Dave Brubeck, adding even more varied textures to the whole shebang. And "Range Life" is a folk-rock / country-rock masterpiece about life on the road when you're in a band, also poking fun at Stone Temple Pilots and the Smashing Pumpkins--who said only rappers could write diss tracks? Crucially, it takes someone with the genius of Stephen Malkmus to do it. As it takes someone like him to cover so many grounds and lyrical modes in the space of one album--not to mention one song. Finally, there's the epic closer "Fillmore Jive", conveying homesickness, nostalgia and fatigue in a manner that makes the whole thing sound like the ultimate transcendent experience. At heart, and behind the apparent slacker pose, Pavement were cunning and conniving romantics, if that turn of phrase makes sense (feel like Malkmus would approve its poetic / nonsensical / surreal flavor, at least). And the noisy, heartrending, abrasive, delicate, fragile and orgasmic climax of this wonderful cut proves it. Number of albums left to review: 197 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 347 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 202 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 255

Me encantó.

I really liked this album. I know few Pavement songs and have listened to them on shuffle, but this album was a really cool listen, will definitely return to it. Loved that it had the early 90s vibes but also some experimental vibes too.

Fillmore Jive, the album closer, just came on, and I'm grinning like I just found out I had a surprise party coming. This whole album, most of Pavement even, didn't come across my player when I was younger and they were working. Damn shame. I would have been such a fan. I'm listening to it now, though. And I'm now a fan.

Pretty good. I like the singles especially, and it has a good vibe while being more accessible than its predecessor.

Love this album. Something so effortlessly cool about it.