Pavement

styles: indie rock, lo-fi
others: Sebadoh, Stephen Malkmus, Beck, Guided By Voices

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Matador, 1994
rating: 9.2
reviewer: mr p

Witty vocals confidently sprinkled over sloppy guitar lines, shaky drums, and muddy basslines -- doesn't sound particularly groundbreaking, right?  Wrong. Pavement's sophomore album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain use these ingredients to make a perfect low-fidelity indie rock treat.

Crooked Rain strings together alt-rock, country-western, and a dash of jazz with Stephen Malkmus' pop sensibilities. Malkmus' simple, yet ingenious lyrics range from coming-of-age issues: "Ecstasy feels so warm inside till five hours later I am chewin' screwin' myself with my hand" to songs about the media: "Advertising looks and chops a must. No big hair! Songs mean a lot when songs are bought". 

In a year full of Nirvana, Green Day, and Pearl Jam singles, Pavement released an album with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the state of popular music: "I don't remember a word but I don't care ... did you see the drummer's hair?"; saving blows for bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots.

Aside from the quirky lyrics, the musicianship on Crooked Rain is sloppy to say the least. But this care-free, laid-back attitude of playing the instruments works to their advantage and adds just as much personality as Malkmus' unique vocal stylings. The outro to rock anthem "Stop Breathin" and "5-4=Unity" showcase Pavement's instrumental side with impressive results.

This is Pavement in top form with songs echoing its predecessor Slanted and Enchanted to songs hinting at their sentimental side, most evident on Terror Twilight. Crooked Rain is essential to fully appreciate the music from the 90's, or the evolution of rock music at that. 

1. Silence Kit
2. Elevate Me Later
3. Stop Breathin
4. Cut Your Hair
5. Newark Welder
6. Unfair
7. Gold Soundz
8. 5-4=Unity
9. Range Life
10. Heaven's a Truck
11. Hit the Plane Down
12. Fillmore Jive