After reaching their 30th anniversary, it’s plain to see why Pavement are heralded as the kings of alternative rock.
Their debut is endearing and folky with a healthy dose of cynicism which could have easily broken a lesser band. But with decades of hindsight, their will to experiment and slide in and out of folk, country, shoegaze, and rock renders Pavement as masters of the craft. ‘Slanted and Enchanted’ works magic around its brief runtimes as it weaves its signature ‘slacker’ style with that of a band ahead of their time and holding more wisdom than they have credit for.
The warmth of the opener ‘Summer Babe’ sets a perfect tone and template for the band to launch off for both the album and the rest of their careers. The song contains the blueprint for their cornerstones, the comforting fuzz of Spiral Stair guitar work with the howling of Stephen Malkmus marks the beginning of legends. Otherwise, ‘Zurich Is Stained’ is a burst of folk bliss and ‘Here’ shows how the band can work with space and vulnerability. There’s also ‘Fame Throwa’ with its bombastic leads and outbursts of noise that ensure there’s never a dull moment.
It’s a bonafide classic and is essential listening for all.
And if you needed more, ‘Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain’, ‘Wowee Zowee’ and ‘Brighten the Corners’ are all available in the store now.