Most of my "10 all-time favorite albums" listed last week were from the '70's. The most recent, "Urban Bushmen" was released in 1980. "Monks Music" dates from 1957, and "The Village Green" on the same day as "The White Album, and "Blonde On Blonde" in 1968.
It takes awhile for the really good ones to reveal themselves as "all time".
Some records from the '90's are definitely in the running, and will likely make a future list.
It's a great example of a band transcending their abilities. They almost achieve "classic rock".
Of course the followup "Wowee Zowee" was a terrible disappointment.
None of the subsequent albums leading up to their 1999 breakup are as consistent.
Stephen Malkmus, the principal songwriter has gone on to release seven solo albums backed by The Jicks. The four I have recall the high water mark of "Crooked Rain" nicely. He's an affable singer, with a knack for writing memorable melodies, and may someday be the subject of a Weekend Mix.
His lyrics tend to be somewhat free associative, making this absurd video translation of "Cinnamon and Lesbians" rather funny.
Hail Pavement! I think their first three albums are pure classics. I’ve always loved ‘Wowee Zowee’: their disjointed, fractured chaos taken to extreme - it’s their stoner record. It resonated with me from the first listen. Some of the songs on that album were from the ‘Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain’ sessions. ‘Brighten the Corners’ is excellent, but to my ears sounds more polished than I prefer. Was fortunate to see them on that tour in a small club and the show was simple and phenomenal. SM’s solo albums are fun. I’d welcome a BW retrospective. Great post, BBJ!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to give "Wowee Zowee" another listen. "Father To A Sister Of Thought" is one of my favorite songs by anyone.
ReplyDeleteAgree! With it’s pedal steel guitar and alternative country vibe, ‘Father to a Sister of Thought’ would fit seemlessly onto ‘Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain’. Surprisingly, it’s not one of the songs from that session. I think the first SM solo album resembles Pavement’s second album - though with considerably less anarchy.
ReplyDeleteI’ve provided the Tindersticks’ cover Pavement’s ‘Here’ in all it’s glorious chamber pop brilliance.
https://youtu.be/A3hHYUlu9DY
Just because.
Wow! "Here" is one of my favorite songs, and the Tindersticks do it like Leonard Cohen. Classic.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I haven't thought of Pavement in years and I wasn't a big fan of this record when it came out. But I guess I will revisit over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteIts a very solid record. My picks for best of the 90s:
ReplyDeleteLive Through This- Hole (I don't care what people think about Courtney. I love her records)
Johnny Cash- American Recordings
Liz Phair- Exile in Guyville
Sherly Crow- Self titled (I haven't been able to STAND any other record of hers, except "The Globe Sessions", which is half good. But this is brilliant)
Nirvana- Nevermind
Notorious B.I.G- Ready To Die
R.E.M-Automatic For the People (Possibly my favorite record of all time, non-Springteen/Beatles/Stones
Beuna Vista Music Club/Various- self titled
Toad the Wet Sprocket- Dulcinea (Terribly named band. I love this album)
Hole- Celbrity Skin (Malibu!!!!)
Tribe Called Quest- Low End Theory
thats just off the top of my head....
@Chris Collins
ReplyDeleteI don't like Hole or Courtney very much, and I like the Smashing Pumpkins even less. That said, "Celebrity Skin" is an amazing record. "Malibu," "Heaven Tonight," "Boys On The Radio," the title track...wow.
Its like Rumors for the 90s.
ReplyDeletePS- I can't stand the Smashing Pumpkins.
Well since this post has now evolved into best of the 90s, here is my 2 cents
ReplyDeleteU2 - Zooropa
Black Crowes - Amorica
REM - Automatic
Mercury Rev - Deserters Songs
Jeff Buckley- Grace
Primal Scream- Give Out
Van Morrison - Too Long in Exile
Massive Attack - Collected
World Party- Goodbye Jumbo
INXS - Elegantly Wasted (my guilty pleasure...always loved them)
Radiohead -OK Computer
Whiskeytown- Strangers Almanac