NR Essentials #17: Pavement - Slanted And Enchanted
 

Pavement
Slanted And Enchanted
1992, Matador Records

In a strange way I almost feel like I don't need to try to describe this record. If you haven't heard it (WTF have you been doing?) then just look at the cover. THAT is what it sounds like. It's sloppy. And lo-fi. And kind of musically wrong at times. But it's also thrilling. Wonderful. And freeeeeee.

There is no question that this was a pivotal record for my ears. But I certainly wasn't the only one. Pavement seemed to be a band that served as a line in the sand. You either caught "Cut Your Hair" on MTV and then swore off corporate rawk (oohhh the fucking irony!) or you listened to some foxy, elegant bachelors. That's just how the 90's were, kids.

So let's travel back. Pretend we have never heard anything post-92...

The opening lyric to the record is "Ice Baby"... deadpan reference to Vanilla Ice? No matter, as "Summer Babe (Winter Version)" is maybe the closest thing that the indie crowd got to their own "Boys Of Summer."

"In The Mouth Of A Desert" is, I think, the official Sonic Youth Tribute song? A fucked up fumbling guitar intro into a paean about keeping this shit underground/outtasight.

"Conduit For Sale!" okay by this point -- 5 tracks in -- you have a new favorite band. Sure it's sort of a Fall ripoff, but I've never loved a Fall song quite this much.

"Zurich Is Stained" is so sad and I don't know why...

"Perfume IV" is so fucking rock, but rock like we weren't allowed to hear on the radio anymore. Ah! Fuck! This album is tooooo muccccch!

And there's so much to pick apart on this record. But the main thing I want to point out is that this record is the biggest example of what I've always thought made Pavement so great. THEY NEVER LET ON TO HOW TALENTED THEY WERE. What I mean is, the sort of played in a way that sound off the cuff, or sloppy, or sort of "we'll wing it while we record it." But it was never that way it all. They knew exactly what they were doing with each note. Each supposedly nonsensical word. Maybe back then we thought it was naive and impromptu. But looking back now, it's easy to see they were recording Perfect Sound Forever.

This is the only Pavement album I've heard. I think it's okay, some songs are quite good, but it's not enough to make me want to listen to it multiple times.

wow.

Loved it, but haven't listened to it front to back in years. Maybe I'll give it another spin.

or you bought the 'summer babe' single straight from Malkmus at the stage, a month or so before it hit the stores.

Conduit... is "sort of" a fall ripoff?

It's IDENTICAL to New Face in Hell! It's just more annoying and, uh, not good. At all.

I love the rest of the album though. Perfume-V, Zurich, Summer Babe, Trigger Cut, Loretta's Scars, No Life Singed Her, Two States, and especially Our Singer rule. Really creative. There's just something about this album... I'm not sure what. Something.

LUXE & REDUXE.

disc 2 owns me hard. fucking ED AMES.

loretta's fucking scars y'all

well not to mention "watery, domestic" is the most perfect EP of all time.

Dead-Air ?

Lies and betrayals
Fruit-covered nails
Electricity and lust won't break the door


Fucking love it ...

also on DISC 2 there is a great live version of "home"

"Jackals, False Grails: The Lonesome Era" is the only song I particularly like by Pavement.

fuckin classic

Favorite record of all time. Pretty much perfect to me. Completely changed my life. Good post NR; You nailed Slanted perfectly on why it is such a masterpiece

Every song is defined by it's noisey, sloppy yet beautiful playing; Extremely "clever" lyrics without ever being "I am so much smarter than you"; a sense of playfulness (Extremely free form);It's amazing- almost "backwards" arrangements.... Every song is completely different yet all connected at the same time. Fantastic. If you listened to it you know exactly what I mean.

The two disc Luxe and Reduxe set is perfect, THE example of how you celebrate a record. Combined with the fact Watery Domestic is one of the best EPs ever (The outtakes are better than most songs period, that alone speaks wonders), and a live show to show how they were juggernauts, extremely well-written liner notes getting SM's and Spiral's thoughts and others explaining why the record is so important, everything! And it's only $16 at Best Buy!

Pavement in 1992/93 were just unstoppable. They did no wrong.

~Jeremy~

Yeah pretty good album but there's a few filler tracks. I think Wowee is their best.

One thing about Slanted is that even with a song like say, Chesley's Little Wrists, the whole thing feels complete and moves along perfectly, and to me personally nothing ever feels like filler.

~Jeremy~

This. Oh yeah!

I think Wowee is their best also..

But OUR SINGER is probably my favorite Pavement song. I dunno what it is about that song.

conduit is a new face in hell ripoff, but it also adds to the song. it's kinda like what i want all fall songs to be like.

and the ending of our singer is the best ending to a record i've ever heard, rivaled only by good morning, captain.

the record sounds so...weird? they never got this sound back. imagine if wowee sounded like this. that would be incredible.

of something now
of something now
of the risin'
the natures dry
and all the groovey ones

It's really weird how all of their albums sound "like Pavement," yet all of their albums have a very different, and specific sound. Ya dig?


Of all of the Pment reissues, I'd agree that this is probably the best one. When I was younger I made my own little companion albums for each album that compiled of the bsides from that era (that I could find). But Matador really went above and beyond. And I love that the Luxe includes the bsides, the outtakes, AND a live show. So great.

At any rate, this album is really special to me cuz it was one of those albums that sort of made me stop and think about what it is that I love about music. The band really just had a special vision, especially at this time and without sounding too cheesy, they sort of knew how to make an album that sounded "pure."

I've got the Luxe & Reduxe edition, one of the best CD's in my collection and one of my favorite albums EVER ! I like it more than "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain" (but they are both 5-stars records).

Honestly, S&E is my favorite. But I really love Crooked, Bright , Wowee, & TT so much (yes, I'm the one guy that loves Terror Twilight).

Ahah, haven't heard Terror Twilight but I'm sure it's not bad at all. It's PAVEMENT !

It's sounds exactly like it's outlined, as such:

1. it is all SM songs.
2. it is produced by Nigel Godrich.

sooo... if you can picture a Malkmus solo album that's produced similarly to OK Computer or Mutations, then that's what it sounds like.

it was very obviously meant as the transtition from band to solo careers. In context, I suppose it's a poor way to end their career. But had they continued on as a band, it would have been an interesting ('major label sounding') record in the middle of their discography. Y'know?

I have every single, EP, album that pavement has ever released. The thing you have to remember about them as a band is that when they are good, they are your favorite band, but when they are bad, they are annoying as hell.

Towards the end of their career as Pavement, they started to well, suck. I really can't stand TT except for "The Hexx," but even that song is better as a demo. Just listen to the "Spit on a Stranger" EP. I've never been a fan of that song, but then you ahve goofy songs like "rooftop gambler" and "the porpoise and hte hand grenade." Usually silly is good in Pavement's case, but I think at the end they started caring to much and started forcing their "slacker" aesthetic.

I own it, yes, but I don't know why I would ever put on Terror Twiilight.

p.s.- Slay Tracks cost me $200.

I own all their albums. And before the reiusses had every EP and ALMOST every single. But for some reason I'm in the giagantic minority of Pavement fans that loves TT. I can't explain it. But I think it's a great album for what it is.

terror twilight did give us this gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxehrvhNMY8&feature=fvst

I personally think that "Spit On A Stranger" is amazing. I remember when the single came out I was so excited. Plus all the EP tracks were great as well.

I think Terror Twilight is a very good record too. I don't see the hate on it sometimes.

The Hexx is one of Pavement's best songs, Ann Don't Cry is one of my favorites, Cream of Gold and You Are a Light both rock... The record's their worst, yeah, but still a good record.

I rank them as Slanted, Bright, Wowee, Crooked, and then Twilight. I can't in right mind put Westing somewhere in there because I'm so used to just those five records, but if I HAD to, it would come before Terror Twilight.

~Jeremy~

Spit On A Stranger, The Hexxx, You Are A Light, Ann Don't Cry, Major Leagues, etc. Like you said. Great songs.

I still think it sounds like something is missing without a Spiral song or two, especially since Spiral had the material for the record. I wonder if his demos will make it onto the TT reissue?

~Jeremy~

Probably. I think "For Sale The Preston School Of Industry" is the best unreleased Pavement song. Sad they couldnt get it onto the BTC reissue.

I love Pavement, but I still don't have this album, I should get it soon

Honourable mention must go to Pavement's "And Then", b-side to Carrot Rope. I think "And Then" became The Hexx - the reason I say this is because I have a tape of a London gig from the Brighten Tour and the band called "And Then"..."The Hexx". Very Pavement I have always thought! Anyways I love SM's vocal delivery and the melody of the song. Here's a version:

http://rapidshare.com/files/27189134...Hexx_.m4a.html

i like the 5-minute "and then" on the reissue better than the 7 minute all instrumental version or the hexx

i do have a pretty cool liver version from BBC in 99 though

gonna put this on now, amazing album!

Hey, I just listened to it too, stu. So, you weren't alone, and yes it's one of the best albums ever.

i came too late to really appreciate the greatness of pavement. i got myself crooked rain way too late and s&e was even later for me. i know why it's so insanely great, but i just wish someone had introduced me to this album before i heard "smells like teen spirit" on mtv. and by the way: i remember an interview with sm in a german music magazine at the time of washing machine's release where he complained about sonic youth just repeating themselves...