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Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
1994
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!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...
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.
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.
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.
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
I love this album. Pavement is such an important band that not enough people know about.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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!
Good album, can feel the influence. Big titus andronicus energy. Will continue exploring other Pavement albums following.
"„I was 14 when Crooked Rain came out. And modern rock radio, at least in Philadelphia, was playing weirder, cooler ’90s stuff on the air, which is where I heard “Cut Your Hair” for the first time. I just thought that song was cool. It’s by no means my favorite song on the record, especially now. But the album as a whole didn’t hit me right away; with every listen, though, it got better and better. I was heavy into skateboarding at the time, and “Range Life” was my favorite song. And I should say before that point Smashing Pumpkins were one of my favorite bands, but when Malkmus name-checked them on that song, of course I switched over to their side. “Stop Breathin’” is another favorite of mine; it’s just so jangly and melodic. It truly was a classic rock record.“ Kurt Vile gibt wirklich genau auf den Punkt wieder, was 1994 meine Feelings und meine Auffindesituation waren: gekriegt haben sie mich zuerst mit der Single Cut Your Hair, die ich total catchy fand - die aber gefühlt in die falsche Richtung zeigte als ich zum ersten Mal ins instantly gekaufte Album reinhörte. Bei dem brauchte ich dann 2-3 Anläufe, bis plötzlich (vermutlich erst NACH dem Kalifornien-Urlaub im selben Jahr) "Range Life" einschlug wie selten was. Und dann war es große Liebe für diese perfektionierten Unperfektion, der ich bis heute treu bin. Malkmus' schiefer Gesang, das Leiern, der ständig verschleppte Beat (bei Konzerten kriegt der Drummer ja auch gerne mal ein Back-Up an die Seite bekommt) - hier haben wir Slackertum und Generation X noch viel greifbarer als Douglas Coupland es aufschreiben konnte. Range Life und Gold Soundz sind immer noch Lieblingssongs, aber Fillmore Jive die totale Geheimwaffe. Naja, so geheim natürlich gar nicht. I need to sleep - lasst euch das gesagt sein.
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
Yes this album rules. Listened to a bunch of the extended edition as well and even a lot of the outtakes are killer songs. It has been way too long since hearing this all the way through.
One of the best albums of the 90s. Slightly prefer Slanted and Enchanted. Indie perfection. 9-10/10 1. Gold Soundz 2. Elevate Me Later 3. Cut Your Hair
This is great. Funky sound, interesting instrumental sections. I didn't follow lyrics closely but greatly enjoyed the sound. Album art reminds me of Flying Dog beer art.
Despite bands such as Nirvana and Green Day, Pavement was one of the most important bands from the 90's. Crooked Rain is my favourite Pavement album and it confirms that Stephen Malkmus is one of the best songwriters of his generation. A classic record, definitely a must hear!
Amazing album by an amazing band. Probably not my favorite Pavement album cover to cover (that would be Wowie Zowie), but does have one of the best songs ever (Gold Soundz). Fillmore Jive, Silent Kid, Cut Your Hair...all amazing. 5/5
This was the first Pavement album I heard, when a friend lent me the expanded version and The Velvet Underground & Nico on the same day. I immediately loved this one and they've been one of my favourite bands since. 1969 Live ended up being the album that made me fall for VU, so I clearly have a thing for sloppily played country rock. The early versions of these songs in Gary Young's garage studio with him on drums aren't bad, but they show the band was right to hire a proper mixer (who could also play piano) and to bring in a drummer with a slow swinging style who didn't greet audiences on the door with free cabbages and abandon songs partway through to attempt cartwheels. The early versions of several Wowee Zowee songs show they were right to hold them back and they were thinking carefully about how to make the album flow well as a whole. The weak link is Hit the Plane Down, though it works as a short, sharp shock to take you from the delicate, yearning prettiness of the preceding songs to the mock-epic closer. I like having at least one of Scott's songs per album, but Coolin' By Sound is a better song and maybe it would have worked as well in that position. I love this record, but if I was going to recommend just one Pavement album that people should listen to, it would be Wowee Zowee.
In the mid-90s I would have happily have said this album as in the my Top 10 favourite albums. Not listened to it in ages, probably overplayed it a bit in the 90s. Probably not in my Top 10 All Time these days but still a pretty great album. More coherent and consistent than S&E. Saw them on this tour, bought a very poor quality bootleg maroon long sleeve t-shirt outside afterwards for a fiver.
This is the definitive Pavement album for me. I came to them a bit after the fact, as they were a bit early for me, but yeah, they helped reshaped the way I and I think a lot of the music scene, think about what "indie" music is. They brought that slacker jangle pop to the masses and really perfected that sound on this album, in particular.
The thing I like most about Pavement is that they are both intelligent and lighthearted at once. They make music that is mostly fun and carefree without being simplistic. They don't take themselves too seriously but they don't come across as a joke or a comedy act. I think it's because Stephen Malkmus uses a really down to earth form of stream of consciousness that is as conversational as it is surreal. I find their music completely relatable. Comfortable like a well worn pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
When I first heard "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", I fell in love at precisely 0:40 into "Elevate Me Later". A chaotic drum fill leads into the chorus, another layer of squalling lead guitar joins and then the falsetto backing vocals drift in over the top. It's everything that makes Pavement great: sloppily precise, casually catchy and effortlessly cool. "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain"- Pavement's second of five albums that shaped the face of 90's alt-rock and "slacker culture"- is by far my favourite of theirs, condensing most of their hits into one tight yet oh-so-loose package. The uncharacteristic commercial success of "Cut Your Hair", the laid back country-fied daze of "Range Life", and one of my all-time favourite songs "Gold Soundz" are all here in their jangly beauty. Listen to any number of songs and it's as though the band- and Stephen Malkmus with his laconic vocals- are sleepwalking around, happening upon beautiful melodies like they're stumbling through dreams. It amounts to a desire for simplicity, a yearning for an easier and looser way of life. The lyrics express this too: they spill out over the songs like jottings from a frustrated poetry book, held together by a consistent desire to make sense: "stop breathing, breathe in for me now…" "go back to those gold sounds"… "if I could settle down, then I would settle down." It all finally culminates in the repeated insistence of "I need to sleep" in the transcendent closer "Fillmore Jive". The only duds are "Newark Wilder" and "Hit the Plane Down", for either feeling too nebulous or out-of-kilter with the rest of the album's flow. Still, they're not offensive enough to drop the album below five stars. It's an absolutely sensational, deliciously skewed take on the 90s' return to guitar rock.
Malkmus and the boys make more gold sounds on possibly Pavement’s best album. Quirky, idiosyncratic, Pavement do their own thing and bring others along for the ride. I really love the sound they make, the ambling lyrics, the switches in tempo, the evident ability to make great poppy tunes such as Cut Your Hair and Gold Sounds which they then undercut with shouting or discordant guitar stabs. It’s just them and god love them for that.
i thought wowee zowee was my favorite but upon revisiting this is by far my favorite pavement album it's so good
You can draw a straight line from R.E.M. to Pavement to Wilco. Or to be more specific, from Murmur to Crooked Rain to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. They're all classics. This is the Pavement album for those who like the Eagles and can appreciate bands like Stone Temple Pilots and the Smashing Pumpkins being taken down a peg. It's also a decent argument that Stephen Malkmus is the Donald Fagan of the indie-rock scene. Pavement's first two albums are both justifiably on this list, and this is the one that I prefer. Don't @ me.
Bought this LP after I was denied getting into a bar to see Yo La Tengo. Loved it. Was later denied getting into a bar to see Pavement. Effing Puritanical laws denied me many good shows as a teen. 5-4 = Unity is super fab.
More melodic and enjoyable than slanted and enchaned, and overall I like the songs better. Pretty great album.
I partially love this because I feel like I can hear the bands this inspired, and partially because it's a fun record. Jangly, lackadaisical, makes me want to smoke and lay in the sun. And dance like the singer from Cage the Elephant. Favorite tracks: "Unfair", "Gold Soundz"
Love the first track It's all pretty good, added a lot of the tracks to my regular playlist
mellow vibes, very indie rockie, some strokes, some straylight run, some modest mouse, overall recommend
I can hear the influence of this in other indie alternative bands, a fun listen and a new one for me.
Really enjoyed this! A song added to my regular playlist too. Great music to work to. Look forward to hearing more from them.
An album I was already familiar with. One of the most underrated bands and here they are in great form with great song after great sonng
Pavement is right up my street. No Pavement on the street I live on though :/ Maybe someone should look into that
This was like teleporting back to the 90s. It's full of energy and classic indie rock. Nothing too fancy but very fun and enjoyable.
Very nice, but I feel like I need a little more time to chew on it. It could either end up a major grower, or lose its luster fast for me.
A friend turned me onto "Range Life" a few years ago and I was immediately in love. Hadn't really explored more of their work until now but that same feeling rings true for the album.
Eyyy it's one I know! Good little album. A little edgy but mostly just fun. Need to listen to more of this band
I like Pavement! Their songs have a creative sound and the singers voice is unique which I really like.
I liked the crunchy guitar tone and the singer's voice. There was also some cool intentional out-of-tuneness in Stop Breathin... rather creative.
Absolutely gorgeous, moving indie rock. For some reason, I didn't like it on my first listen, but now I really like it!
Great album, great band. Cut Your Hair, Gold Soundz & Range Life are standout tracks but the album has a great flow and is eccentric and interesting. Up alongside Brighten The Corners as my favourite Pavement album.
It started out with some songs that I really didnt like but then the album grew on me as we progressed through the tracks
I've never quite understood the incredible hype Pavement, and especially this album gets. It's a good, at points great indie record, but the whole Pitchforkian 10/10 Gold Soundz is the best song of the 90s vibe just doesn't make sense to me.
Real great indie rock. Standout Tracks: Elevate Me Later, Newark Wilder, 5-4=Unity, Hit the Plane Down
I didn't get into any of this until the Stephen Malkmus - Stephen Malkmus album, and then I circled back. I like so much of this, but sometimes it kind of works itself down into an eddy and I lose interest. But a lot of good stuff here.
Alternative classic, that I never had time to listen to. Would've fit much better if I'd listen to it first in 90s, but, glad I finally made it
One of the best low-fi bands and one of their best albums, Malkmus is a genius with the guitar. Range Life, Cut Your Hair & Gold Soundz all superb tracks
Creo que si hubiera conicido a Pavement en su época de auge me hubieran gustado. Hay un algo en la forma de cantar ligeramente desafinada pero cuidada que me gusta. Las canciones son el típico sonido del alternativo noventero.
Animated Pixies-esque singing and emotional playing. This album sometimes rides the grunge wave, but when it does, it does so creatively and refreshingly. It blends personal and meaningfull with fun and lightheartedness. Very nice album that I will definitely check out again.
Impressive mood/instrumental with a less impressive vocalist. Sounds like grunge's little less angsty and noisy brother.
I was familiar with this album before this adventure, but I'm glad I got a chance to listen to it. An indie rock classic! Favorites: Silence Kid, Gold Soundz, Fillmore Jive
Surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Not to judge a book by its cover, but I didn't think I'd like this album, having never heard of this group. Definitely sounds like a 90's album, giving me Green Day or Weezer vibes. Giving it 4 stars, the second side was a little more lackluster compared to the first, and the album as a whole did blur together. Favorite Songs: Cut Your Hair, Unfair, Silence Kid, Gold Soundz
Fuck yeah. I LOVE the ragged edges on this album, mess = magic here. The dude's attitude is <kisses fingers Italian style>
I used to listen to this album a lot, but it fell off my radar after University. Nice to have this come back into my life Is it a 5? Probably not. But I'll let it loop a few times before I move to the next CD, if only for nostalgia's sake. 🍺 5-4=Unity's sampling of "Take Five" -> Feels good.
Me ha gustado bastante este disco. Solo conocía la canción Range Life, asi que me imaginaba que me enco traría música parecida a la de esa canción. Por una parte tenía razón, pero por otra Crooked Rain es un disco muy variado que además prueba que cualquiera puede cantar si quiere, sin ninguna ironía. Newark Wilder y 5-4=Unity son algunas de mis canciones favoritas.
8/10. The morose singing was kinda just meh, but the lyrics and instrumentals were quite nice
pretty good, deserves another listen probably but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations of such an iconic indie band bc it felt pretty disjointed :/ the singles are rock solid though 7/10
Only recently discovering Pavement. Their stuff is samey but right in my grungy sweet spot
I haven't heard a lot of Pavement but I love, love, Range Life. There are a bunch of other good ones on here, a few take-it-or-leave it ones for me, but overall very good stuff. This sounds like modern indie but this was 1994! I enjoy the vocal style but I can imagine a lot of people wouldn't, it's a perfectly relatable cadence that almost anyone can sing along with. 4.5 to 4.
I really struggle with how to rate these guys. Steven Malkmus's whiny vocals sometimes annoy the shit out of me and his guitar work often sounds too jangly and off key. But on the flip side there are some great songs on this album and I find myself toe tapping throughout. So... 3.5 leaning toward 4 I guess.
For some reason I've never listened to Pavement before, although obviously I was aware of them. Strange really, as they're certainly the sort of band I like. Great album, wonder why it took so long to get around to hearing it...
When I think of indie rock, Pavement is usually one of the first to come to mind. Compared to the indie rock that came before then (i.e. the jangles of REM and Smiths, or the noisiness of Sonic Youth and Pixies), these guys are clean and melodic yet lofi and honest, like a less grungey and polished Nirvana. Even the opening gives off Radiohead vibes before The Bends. It's introspective and unique. There are moments like the post-rock solo in "Stop Breathin" that are years ahead of their time. Yet, it's also super accessible. Arguably, their three most popular songs are here. "Cut Your Hair" is happy, energetic, and catchy, with plenty of memorable moments, from the vocal overlays to the random punk belts. "Gold Soundz" is the most melodic song on the album and the one that stood out to me during my first listen. Gives me goosebumps with those buildups. "Range Life" is my favorite of the hits. Lyrics are my favorite, as well as that country-like melody. As a huge fan of STP (those foxy elegant bastards), I got a laugh out of their Smashing Pumpkins diss, and I can't believe they got kicked out of Lollapalooza. "Newark Wilder" is my personal favorite. I really love the mysterious vibe and yearnful vocals... vastly underrated. The song starts and ends super strong, although I admit the middle is lacking. "Unfair" is a raw punk song with chaotic instrumentals that reminds me of Nirvana's In Utero. "5-4=Unity" is our avant-garde jazzy instrumental, a nice interlude between two highlights. Personally, I lose attention in the last three songs following "Range Life." "Heaven Is a Truck" is solid but forgettable; "Hit the Plane Down" is comedy punk; and "Fillmore Jive" is twice as long as it should be but is a fitting dramatic closer. Favorites: Stop Breathin, Cut Your Hair, Newark Wilder, Gold Soundz, Range Life
Likably (if intentionally) ragged and discordant. Same with the strained vocals, which are obviously (and perhaps excessively) affected, as nearly everything is with Malkmus. “Cut Your Hair” is a stone-cold classic (and not just for stoners) and “Range Life” is excellent. I think this band has an understandably split personality based on being underrated by half of the listening public and overrated by the other half. I’ve never been entirely sure how seriously they want to be taken. The all-pervasive ironies, the constant smugness, the off-key singing, the lo-fi “whatever” vibe – they don’t want to make it easy for you to like them, though Malkmus wont’ fully commit to the tortured artist act, either. All of which tells us … what, exactly? Again, I’ve never been sure about this band. I might be overthinking it, the kind of thing I suspect Malkmus would both do and make fun of others for doing. The only thing that’s clear is that this is a very good record
Good alternative album, I liked it a lot. I don't really know why it's on the top 1001 list though. Favorite song: Filmore Jive, least favorite: Hit the plane down. Sound was pretty generic and predictable but the project was still enjoyable, 6/8.
Ça pue le rock experimental dès les premières secondes, parfois au bord de la justesse, voire dissonant.
An unknown band for me. I could listen to them, as I kept on thinking I would be surprised having read WIKI on them. But I don't think they will get a revisit from me. It is not my type of music. As the English language is not my first language, music first speaks to me followed by the lyrics. But I could appreciate different styles of songs going from rock to melodious.
Começou bem mais ou menos mas na segunda música eu já fiquei mais interessado 5-4=unity tem parte q me lembrou she's so heavy dos beatles; melhor música na primeira impressão. Músicas em geral bem pleb, não que isso seja ruim... Nothing really stood out tho. Vou dar nota 3 mas o anterior do supertramp q dei nota 3 tbm eh mto melhor.
A couple way out there songs, but otherwise a strong alternative set. A bit less melodic, but still strongly written and interesting.
I haven't listened to this album much, but some of Pavement's later albums are among my faves. The version I have is a 2 disc set, which apparently includes 3 EPs and a bunch of early versions of tracks that appear on Wowee Zowee, so I had to re-listen just to the original album tracks to pick out a qualifying fave - "Fillmore Jive"
Quite a record--I enjoy the vibe of Pavement, though I don't understand how they deserve all the obsessive praise.
weirdly, the first thing that comes to mind is Izzy Stradlin and the Juju Hounds? I was afraid this would be a post-punk atrocity, but ended up being a solid jam. I can't justify a four because it's not something I'd seek out, but feels like a strong 3.5 because of the general groove.
Not the fault of the album, but the 90s just are not my favorite era of music. That being said, there was a lot of great electric guitar playing on this album.
Always shows up in lists. Never really checked them out. Standouts: elevate me later, cut your hair (I've heard this for sure). Solid album. I imagine it gets better with repeat listens.
My kid brother is huge Pavement fan, but I could never catch the contagion like him. Pavement's jangly guitar and jerky vocals have some charming appeal though. I found 5-4 Unity to be the most interesting song with its Brubeck-esque tempo, Range life, Gold songs and Silence Kid are also good.
L’album me faisait penser à du Weezer par son style de guitare et de lyrics, faut croire que weezer a dépasser le maître parce que je connais pas ce band. Pourtant je trouve la qualité de la musique bien meilleur !! Ça s’écoutait bien Je l’evite la dernière mais dans l’ensemble ça s’écoule bien Je lévite cut your hair, gold sundz et 5-4: unity (la toune sans parole)
Hmmmm, wieder so ein Fall von: würde ich in der Gänze gerne lieber mögen, jedoch ist das Dreigestirn aus „Cut your Hair/Gold Soundz/Range Life“ derart abgehoben gut drauf, dass mir die restlichen Tracks wie deren programmatisches Publikum vorkommen; anwesend, wichtig für die Atmo, ohne wärs auch traurig und dünn, gut tragende Grundlage für den harten Stoff. Schnapszahlige 3.333333333333333333...
The lo-fi sound and singer's voice make it pretty easy to dismiss but underneath the song-writing is good and it gets better with repeat listening. Some of the mellower, less played songs have a Lou Reed feel. I could do without the intermittent screaming.
Heard so much about this band over the years and expected to love it. Very one paced but had enough to make me want to spend a bit more time on it
Nice enough, but not particularly interesting musically. I know this isn't an exercise in technically proficient musicianship but the lead singer can't really sing. 5.5/10
I think I only knew one Pavement track before this. Glad I listened to it, some nice sounds in there that reminded me of quite a few other bands that I like. Wouldn’t rush to listen to it again, but at least I now know what their vibe is.
Hmm. It's good indie rock stuff but I don't know if I like it enough to really vibe with it. The singer isn't great but I can easily look past that, and the production is a perfect match for what they're going for I think, but man it just don't click with me. Sorry, only 3.
I liked the first couple of songs. Good energy level and indie attitude. The third song - not so much. Cut Your Hair just sounds like someone told them " Hey make a song with a little less of This and a little more of That and you might actually get a hit. I guess it worked. After a short nap the album recovers with Unfair as the 'tude comes back. Range Life is also good. My listening experience is sort of like listening to a Wilco album. I probably thought of this analogy since the bands sort of sound alike but that's not my point. The similarity I'm referring to is that some songs are easy to like on the first listen - generally speaking the easy to like ones are the tunes with some pace. Others need to be listened to for longer than the 24 hours we are given to rate. With Wilco, I typically end up liking those question mark songs especially on the RFG albums like "being there". The same might have happened with Pavement's question mark songs but who knows.
Couldn't get into it at all on first listen. Gave it another go and it seemed alright, but still didn't seem that interesting. I was expecting something a lot edgier from the name/album art so I was kinda dissappointed when it sounded kinda generic.
An album is only listened to once or twice before and one that I really enjoyed. I think will get more from this with further listened but I enjoyed it all. Some great songs on here, really interesting sound and didn’t dislike any of it
I enjoyed the album, though I am not the biggets fan of the singer's voice. I like how each song has a similar feel yet aren't completely identical. The songs did seem to have a bit of a depressed feel to them.
Pavement are a real alt rock band, with their sound not out of place in today's alternative scene. A good album that spoke about the time. A good listen and would add to my streaming library. Best: Cut your hair, Range Life Worst: Filmore Drive
I've never heard of this album, or pavement for that matter. I have heard cut your hair in passing for sure. It was familiar enough for me to go "ah yeah I know that one." Generally speaking for me, I don't super enjoy 1990's alt rock. I respect the music, but I tend to dislike Smashing pumpkins, Weezer, Green day, and even Nirvana to a certain degree. So take my review with a grain of salt I guess. Overall, I think It was alright. The vocals at some points I found to be pretty grating. Especially on range life, maybe I don't get it, but it the his vocal ability sounds fairly bad to me. The writing itself seemed pretty solid though, I didn't spend time looking up lyrics or anything. But I think there is some good storytelling involved. Instrumentation and album structure are good especially when you really hear them having fun. 5-4=unity I think is very good for that very reason.
Better than I was expecting, heard some of their songs before but never a full album. Reminds me a little of early modest mouse.
Ongepolijste high school rock. Leuke arrangementen, wel rommelig. Ik krijg zin in een festival met een biertje.
If it's possible for 90s alt rock to be bland, this is. I listened to it three times to be sure and it still failed to make an impression on me. Not great, not terrible. Best track: Cut Your Hair
Mislim da im je to najbolji album u svom katalogu. Album kojeg sam znao vrtit po vrućem ljetu, jer mi je davao takav osjećaj, nije blizu Modest Mouseovim prvjencima gdje sam ciljao albume da nađem, ali nije toliko ni daleko. Sve u svemu kvalitetan album, vrijedan slušanja.
Cool album. Very 90s in a lot of ways but some differences in some songs. Enjoyed the slightly "out of tune " parts which worked. A lot of the songs are pretty unremarkable but nothing too bad. 3.5
Is this album Pavement’s Pinkerton? Do they have a Pinkerton? I’ve always felt like I was right on that edge of liking this band, but could never fully commit. Listening to an entire album of their’s for the first time leaves me feeling like the reason is that I don’t get too bowled over by the jokey-snarky or whatever the hell you want to call them lyrics that Malkmus is delivering. But man, there are moments on here that I really like! Whenever they just lock in the rhythm section and slow things down I’m all ‘bout it. So give me a sad Pavement record! It’ll make me happy.
Had a jazzy-grunge feel. Interesting for a listen but I doubt I will wake up saying let me jam to Crooked Rain
To be honest, i know indie music very bad, but as i can feel the album sounds very very pure. Their music was outstripping, as i listened to the new album by the strookes. It sounds very relaxing. Some tracks i am even ready to listen to several times. Their sound makes me feel nostalgic about 90s. Great times . They impact me the most. But i give 3 to this album because it's a little bit different from what i can completely enjoy
distinctive sound of the era. reminds me of dinosaur jr or the eels. I kinda like his bad voice. Lyrics name-checking/slagging loads of bands they toured with is a bit pretentious. Songs kinda blur into one another. Still, I like it, but probably not enough to listen to again.
Well, hair cut is iconic and the influence is clear but I wouldn’t say it totally floated my boat
At first, I filed this album away under all of the other mid-90s/early-00s indie music I've ever heard but it really grew on me after the first couple of songs. I got tired of the breathy vocals on some of the tracks but I really liked the production throughout the record. Fav songs: stop breathing, unfair
Cut Your Hair and Unfair are very catchy. 5-4 Unity was a cool change. Hit the Plane Down has some definite Ween vibes which is always a great thing. The rest was pretty uninteresting.
2.5 | Me recordó a ese disco de los Screaming Trees que nos tocó ya hace tiempo. Noventero alternativo de buena calidad (quizá mejor que esos Screaming Trees), pero que no brilló a lo grande por x o y factor en su momento. Muy tarde como para que se me haga una banda maravillosa pero sí siento que proponen un poquito distinto al montón en general. Canciones como Range Life, tanto en su mezcla como en su estructura incluso dejan ver un poquito de influencia como de Lou Reed que da un toque distinto. Buen disco, no es apantallante pero si se escucha con calma tiene detalles agradables.
First time I have heard this, lighter than Lo-Fi and reminiscent to me of Babyshambles which of course came later. I liked this but not overawed. "Elevate Me Later" "Cut Your Hair" stand out tracks here for me.
I never really got Pavement. I appreciate their influence on other bands that I enjoy more than the band itself. This album is fine. Maybe some day it will really click. Not today.
Nice energy and vibes throughout. I enjoyed it more than i expected; i dont listen to lo-fi indie rock very much. I liked Gold Soundz.
It's a good sign that the music is genuine when the singer can't sing very well. But the content comes with a wry smile and subtlely smooth studio engineering. I'm not sure if I heard these guys before, but it seemed familiar. I had fun and I'll probably circle back again.
12th January 2022 Listened in the early afternoon while showering and getting ready. Saw Barnett in the evening and we chatted crypto and went to see spiderman far from home. Really liked parts of this, the singer reminded me of lou Reed singing with the velvet underground.
L'auteur de cet album s'est bien foutu de notre gueule. En effet, ce dernier, après une mauvaise journée passée sur son lieu de travail, s'est contenté d'ouvrir son micro et de gémir dedans pendant 42 longues minutes. Une performance indigne de la liste de Robert, qui est d'ailleurs très déçu et devrait procéder à quelques sanctions. Je vous tiens au jus.
Je n'ai plus aucun souvenir de cet album si ce n'est que le tout m'a fait penser aux Pixies. J'en profite donc pour remercier chacun d'entre vous qui suivez mes critiques quotidiennes avec beaucoup d'attention (je suis en effet la deuxième personne la plus suivie du site, contrairement à mon compère eltrapeze qui n'arrive toujours pas à se glisser parmi les dix premiers la faute à une absence de talent, sans nul doute). À ce propos, certains d'entre vous sont même allés très loin et sont parvenus à découvrir ma véritable identité. Tant que cela reste bon enfant ça ne m'inquiète pas plus que ça mais j'ai tout de même demandé à Robert d'installer un dispositif de sécurité autour de mon domicile. Vous serez les premiers informés si jamais quelque chose d'inhabituel venait à se produire.
I didn't get anything special from this record. It's cool, but nothing special at all.
Wow, kudos to this for being perhaps the most early to mid 90's sounding rock album I've ever heard. I didn't think I had ever heard of this band before, but Silence Kid sounds pretty familiar. 3 stars for being pleasant enough but otherwise unremarkable.
Ce que j'aime de Pavement c'est que comme ce ne sont pas des musiciens exceptionnels et qu'ils s'en foutent, tout comme ils se foutent des conventions musicales, leurs explorations et limitations amènent de la créativité et du renouveau qui fait du bien. Il y a tout de même une recherche de mélodie et un ton humoristique qui rend le tout vraiment agréable. Chanson préférée: Cut Your Hair
Indeed, with this album, Pavement have interpreted the anxieties/problems/issues of their time at their best. (6/10) FT: Unfair, Range Life
I like Pavement for short bursts, I can't listen to Stephen Malkmus for sustained periods of time. I like the punk rockiness of the we're dissonant and don't care what you think, but it's also just the thing that gets on my nerves. Certainly appreciate that this has influences many bands that I like more than them.
Hér eru tvö mjög góð og sæmilega þekkt lög, sem mér finnast afar skemmtileg. Svo er 5-4 = Unity líka mjög fínt. Hitt er mið-tíunda filler í mínum eyrum.
Pavement: Could this sound anymore 90's indie? Melancholic but not depressing. Not city or rural. Just suburban with a skateboard that doesn't do any big tricks. Not punk or private school. Just the kid in the middle of it all, trying to figure out themselves as a sophomore in college.
I've been aware of this band for ages but never heard a lick. This wasn't bad but I was a bit underwhelmed. I may revisit though
After a couple of listens I don't know whether this is average, or fantastic. I'll go inbetween because at least half of Crooked Rain are great 90s songs, but you get drab like 5+4=Unity too. Favourite song was Cut Your Hair, though we'll see how long that lasts with the Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh Oooooh hook stuck in my brain.
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.
Couldn't get through more than the first half. Feel like it reminded me of the Clash? Idk, just not for me
Grungy, punky.. some classic rock vibes. Truthfully most tracks just sounded like noise. Some lyrics made me chuckle. 4=5 Unity is a cool track.
The guitars starting off a bit funky. The vocals are a bit airy. The guitars are sometimes good. The drums might be the best part. The vocals just make everything sound bad though. The backing vocals are probably the worst part.
De la musique plus instrumentale j'aime bien ça à l'occasion, mais cet album là ne m'a pas trop marqué. Les chansons avec des vocals étaient aussi très décevante, clairement pas la force du groupe. Si jamais vous aimez la musique instrumentale, je vous suggère une chanson que je trouve beaucoup plus puissante que ce que j'ai entendu sur ce cd. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVC5Q_I9IWc
Reminded me of several Minneapolis bands - Soul Asylum, Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic - but not as good. I was surprised that it was ranked so highly by a variety of sources. “One of the Nineties best albums!” - the nineties must have been a mediocre decade…
Un bon album à écouter en auto, rien de flashy, les chansons se ressemblent toutes, bien , sans plus.
Owww Goldilocks stuff, When you get a bowl of porridge and you stick that golden syrup overdosing bad boy in the science oven! You hit start and round it goes, Vrmmmmmm PING! It is done. Stirring it up like a tabloid with a government leak, you sit down and eat andddd some hot spots anddd some cold spots annnndd some spots are just right. You are satisfied but hope next time you get just the right mix
For all their popularity, I've heard very little Pavement. They fall into that category of "decent songs, bad singer" that I have trouble sticking with (Dinosaur Jr being at the front of that line). I do appreciate the songwriting in Pavement's work; it's pretty unique and has an earnestness to it that echoes some of the best writers like Lennon and Wilson.
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.
Het eerste nummer klinkt meer als een soundcheck, dan als een bewuste opname… anders nummers blijven een beetje ondefinieerbaar. Deze moet ik echt een paar keer luisteren
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.
Lackluster melodies and vocals, probably consistent with the genre but not particularly interesting. Felt a bit repetitive and all songs washed into one after a while. But the album was interspersed with slivers of edgy arrangements and cool instrumentals, which kept me enjoying it a little.
Two in a row! I just don’t like the vocals. The music is decent, although it’s feels off balance at times.
started and thought - decent, but then it just sounded samey and then it just stopped. Meh.
Rough and raw sounding, some nice instrumental parts but overall not for me. Though did like Gold Soundz
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.
It's really hard to be nice to this... second album by this lot on here and I gave the last one a whopping 1/5. This is ever so slightly better, it's still full of "artsy" amateur DIY moments, but song structures are at least halfway normal. It's gone from being unlistenable garbage on the last album to boring 90s indie, but even that's a step up. 2/5.
Here's another album that should be more in my wheelhouse than it actually is. The main issue for me is that the lead singer isn't very good. If you're going to use that alt-rock, don't-hit-the-notes-or-follow-the-melody style, you've got to be good at it. This sounds mostly sloppy, not artistic. The music is pretty good, but this album didn't really do anything for me. 2 stars.
Sin pena ni gloria. Estilo grunge que suena feo dentro de lo feo. Guitarras discordantes y falsettos muy al estilo de Pixies que intentan ser muy artísticos y alternativos pero no lo logran. Songs: 5-4=Unity
Atonal, early 90s indie. Reminds me some of Nada Surf but not near the same melodic enjoyment level.
I just don’t get the hype. A couple of good songs here and there, occasionally charming vocals, but the off key guitars and singing irritates. Not enough quality.
Never heard of them before. Seems ok on first listen. Stand outs: Range Life, Cut Your Hair, Gold Soundz. 2.5/5
Alternative/post-grunge rock album that sounds too much like Radiohead's weakest album (Pablo Honey). 2/5
I've only heard "Cut Your Hair" before and I don't know anything about Pavement. Just some regular 90s alt rock. Nothing particularly memorable and kind of gets annoying near the end. That last song just goes on forever, man. There's something "unfinished" about this album and I can't put my finger on it. Nothing really grabbed me and I blame the lack of polish.
I’m not wasting my time on this album, it’s like 400 songs long. I listened to about 10 of the songs and then became incredibly bored 1/5
First one I gave up on. Nothing memorable or catchy about it, just people jangling instruments for an hour.
dont like this album, dont like the voice, really didnt like the first like 6 songs. after that it got a little better. will not listen again.
Typische schoolbandje met de gitaren iets te luid en de zang te zacht. De zanger is aangenaam om naar te luisteren, maar het is jammer dat het niet altijd heel goed klinkt. Het past dan wel weer bij de gitaartjes die soms wel heel erg als kattengejank klinken. Sterker nog, de gitaarpartijen klinken soms wel zo ontzettend vals, dat ik denk STOP PLAYING, zoals bij het nummer "Stop Breathin'". Ik ben zelfs nog van bron gewisseld (YouTube vs. Spotify), maar ik moet helaas concluderen dat het helaas de bron is die niet heel zuiver is. Ik hoop dat ik het album uit kan 'zingen' om het voor mezelf toch te kunnen verantwoorden om morgen een review uit te brengen, maar potjandorie wat is dit slecht. De nummers zijn onsamenhangend en de uitvoering is gewoon waardeloos. Het nummer "Unfair" bijvoorbeeld klinkt initieel nog wel toegankelijk, totdat de meerstemmige gitaren tenenkrommend worden. Dat moet het gevoel zijn dat sommige mensen hebben als je met je nagels over het schoolbord gaat. Als ik Wikipedia moet geloven verkocht het album niet heel goed, tenminste de gemiddelde artiest uit Volendam verkoopt beter. Punt gemaakt.
This is what happens when you try to make "more accessible rock" that of "Slanted and Enchanted". It's accessible for anyone, but admired by no one.
Dieses Machwerk ist derartig abscheulich, dass alle Beteiligten mehrfach dafür geohrfeigt gehören. Wer auch immer für die Aufnahme dieser Platte in diese Liste verantwortlich ist, ebenfalls. Schade um den Plattenvertrag, den wirklich JEDE Band mehr verdient hätte. Singer müssen nicht immer singen können wie die Englein, aber dieser ist wirklich derartig untalentiert, dass es eine Qual ist, außerdem ist die Musik auch scheiße uninspiriert. Ich will NIE wieder etwas von dieser Ansammlung kompositorischer Dilettanten hören müssen. AAARGH!
El primer tema un poco trash. Los primeros temas se me hacen una mezcla entre querer mover la cabeza y pensar que que pollas es esto. Es que no puedo dejar de sufrir con la voz de ese man la verdad. Decir que me la ha sudado es poco, hay un par de momentos como el tema instrumental que al menos tienen algo que destacar. No le doy un 2 por ser dramático pero whatever en verda. No lo escucharé otra vez.
Started off good, I even saved a song. Then descended into such nonsense I couldn't finish it. Seems like the band got themselves into a room and played any old rubbish and passed it off as an album.
não considero um som interessante particularmente falando. talvez o gênero filmico de besteirol americano tenha estragado mas tudo que consigo pensar ouvindo é na franquia american pie