Pavement - Elevate Me Later / Cut Your Hair / Range Life

Disclaimer: There likely isn't anything I can say about "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain" that hasn't already been said and thus if you continue to read on you will likely be reading something you have already read or heard, only not from me.

There was a time when my 3 CD disc-changer was occupied by Slanted & Enchanted, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain & Brighten the Corners (upon first listen Wowee Zowee threw me for a loop and only after a few years did I begin to really appreciate its unique sound). I admittedly don't listen to these albums in the same manner any longer and it has become difficult to not allow the nostalgia and significance of the records to creep in when listening. For me Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain was the album that not only turned me on to Pavement, but to indie music in general. It's funny I will go a month or so without listening to this album and every time I go back and play it at some point I will stop and think "damn this record is good." In fact I think a strong argument can be made that Pavement has had more influence in terms of helping define the characteristics and aesthetics of indie music than any other band and if you accept that this may be their strongest album then weeelll...you can see where I am going with this...it is a significant album. The three songs included below are a great starting point for the record: "Cut Your Hair" is an all-out rocker, "Elevate Me Later" a tightly wound, hook driven pop/rock track & on "Range Life" Malkmus is in absolute peak form with his rapid fire yet smooth and casual delivery. On Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain Malkmus mastered what would go on to become his trademark lyrical delivery and showed that he was capable of utilizing the ability as an instrument to create more unique melodies. Just like in language where certain phrases take on different meanings based upon how they are said, Malkmus adeptly adapted that skill to his music.

Enjoy the tracks.