Brighten The Corners

by

Pavement

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I tend to think of both "Crooked Rain" and this disc as "suburban," but in opposite ways. "Crooked Rain" is largely about growing up in a suburb, feeling out-of-place amongst the daily scramble, and ultimately finding shelter in some kind of escape (although "Fillmore Jive" shows that rock n roll isn't necessarily the answer either). This one seems to be about returning to the suburbs as an adult, and coming to terms with it even if it isn't ideal. There are interesting cultural references in these songs which make it clear what Malkmus had on his mind or was observing at this time- see song titles like "Date with Ikea" (trendy budget furniture) and "Passat Dream" (trendy budget car).

I find myself reaching for this one first when I delve into my Pavement collection. It's subdued and textured, much less raw than the earlier work, and the songs all meld together into what feels like a story. It's about shady lanes and all that, but it's definitely not McCartney's first solo disc (famed for its feeling of "domestic bliss"). Malkmus is still critical of his surroundings, he's just found a way to come to terms with them. A very unique record and, like all of Pavement's work, necessary for a real understanding of 1990s rock n roll.

This is a good album. It's a damn good album. Unfortunately, it's also a Pavement Album, and this is (as far as I'm concerned) their weakest record. Overall, it's just missing something that all of their other releases shined with.

Some songs, like Stereo, Shadey Lane, and Embassy Row show a hint of that something, but it just doesn't present itself long enough to put itself in the same category as their other releases.

The joyful experimentation of Wowee Zowee, the utter catchyness of Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, the driving angst of Slanted and Enchanted, or the perfect mix of all those things they had with Terror Twilight.

It's quite impressive, however that a band's worst album could still stand miles above the majority of pop music that existed at the time of its release.

For those of you who have never heard Pavement, you won't hate this. Far from it. You will probably see it as a solid release, but you would be better served to start with Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain or Terror Twilight. Probably their two catchiest records. My personal favorite remains Wowee Zowee, but it tends to be the one for the fans.