Say that Slanted and Enchanted is a significant record and face charges of blasphemous understatement. Perhaps only Nevermind had a greater impact on American rock in the '90s. And while Pavement's imitators never cashed in (or sought to), they've been just as passionate and prevalent as the flannel-shirted hordes.
"S+E"s quirky, noisy and intellectual template isn't wholly original - the slightly detuned guitar twang and mad professor lyrics nod heartily at The Fall - but the force of Malkmus's personality and Kannberg's guitar throttling make this album, and band, seem special from the beginning.
And what a beginning. "Summer Babe" and "Trigger Cut" are arguably the two best songs they ever recorded, laid end to end with barely time to switch off the distortion pedal in between. Tuneful, almost romantic, they are classic rock without the cheese and they helped convince a lot of guitar bands that it is still OK to play pop music.
"Loretta's Scars" excepted, the rest of the album is less melodic, if no less exciting. The frantic off-beat rap 'n' hardcore of "Conduit For Sale!" veers into the downbeat melancholy of "Zurich is Stained," executed with the sloppy charm that would become their trademark. "Two States," "Flame Throwa," the gorgeous ballad "Here" - they all stray even further from the form, but not from the spirit of a great band on the rise.
If you like Pavement, check out:
Pavement Terror Twilight
Pavement Wowee Zowee
Pavement Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Pavement Major Leagues EP
The Fall Cheetham Hill
Blur Blur
Junket sf Claremont hi
Sebadoh The Sebadoh
psst...you might wanna check out our indie rock abode for more features on (guess what) indie rock bands.
-- jf
