Slanted And Enchanted
by Pavement

Most noise-rock bands don't get the right balance of noise and melody (looking at you, Sonic Youth), but Pavement nails it on their first album. The lo-fi production works for me, I like their raw sound and the directness (no production between the band and the listener). They have some nice moments when they change up their sound a bit, e.g, the playful slide-like guitar parts on "Zurich Is Stained". I'd like to hear more tracks like that. Still, Pavement created a unique sound on this album and it's a very good listen.

From SomethingSpecial 07/01/2025 12:14 | #309833

Hearing Summer Babe for the first time was life-changing, a song that introduced me to one of my all-time favourite bands, Pavement, headed by enigmatic frontman Stephen Malkmus. Few albums have encompassed that feeling of youth as well as Pavement's debut, with its imperfect, perhaps slightly amateurish lo-fi sound that feels as exciting as the biggest budget rock records of the era.

I thought I would enjoy this but it just didn't quite happen for me unfortunately. I love the first track, and there are a couple of other decent instrumentals throughout the album but I didn't particularly enjoy some of the vocals. Maybe will start to "get" it a bit more after future listens.

I just absolutely love this record from start to finish

Very good alt rock album with some fantastic highlights, I especially love the song Here.

A rough and raw record from Pavement that seems to be quite divisive on whether it is good or not. Musically, it is nothing complex or mind blowing as it is relatively simple in its composition. Where it does shine however is in its sound. They seem to capture a unique tone and create an atmosphere that sounds so heavy and powerful. With the fuzzy guitars and outstanding performance on the drums it really does demonstrate that raw garage sound that is so difficult to capture on an album. Overall, it might be a little inconsistent with some of the songs feeling like filler but it captures a unique sound and deserves a lot of praise for the experience it gives the listener.

Album Rating: 82.38
(1,071/13)

1.Summer Babe (Winter Version). 83
2.Trigger Cut/Wounded-Kite At: 17. 83
3.No Life Singed Her. 72
4.In The Mouth A Desert. 81
5.Conduit For Sale! 79
6.Zurich Is Stained. 83
7.Chesley's Little Wrists. (N/A. 68. N/A)
8.Loretta's Scars. 83
9.Here. 87
10.Two States. 81
11.Perfume V. 83
12.Fame Throwa. 78
13.Jackals, False Grails: The Lonesome Era. 89
14.Our Singer. 89

There’s lots of types of “anti-music”, where the artist’s intent is more about feel than strict musicality. And, honestly, the reaction to anti-music becomes almost entirely subjective. It hits you right or it doesn’t.

This album, which I think of as punk rock on downers, hits me right. I won’t be able to convince you if you feel differently.

From Jboy56 03/05/2022 09:12 | #282313

A bare-bones musical accomplishment. Moods, vibes, and sounds from 60' garage, Velvet, and Stooges means something to people being in their teens in 1992, I can understand the simpleness and rawness attracting them. For a boomer to like this, it needs more listening and mind shifting.

From sszwalbenest 10/22/2021 17:10 | #275270

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