Pavement - Slanted AndEnchanted

Thu 19th Feb, 2004 in Music Reviews

As soon as the opening bars of Summer Babe (Winter Version) roll out of the speakers, it’s clear that this is a landmark indie rock record. Hell, this is a landmark record full stop.

1991 was the year Pavement hit the map in their own inimitable, shambolic way. Slanted And Enchanted followed a string of acclaimed EP’s which were eventually collected on the full-length release Westing (By Musket and Sextant). The band would go on to greater commercial success with albums Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and even the brilliant Wowee Zowee before putting out a pair of slightly more disappointing releases prior to calling it quits. But it’s really Slanted – yes I guess my name indicates a certain bias – which is the Pavement album held dearest by fans. A left-field classic, it introduced a lo-fi aesthetic to the music world and ensured Pavement’s legacy as one of the most influential bands of the ‘90s.

So why is this considered to be such a great album? Well first there’s the music’s passion matched by a curious laconic indifference. There’s the amateurish naivety, perfectly balanced by great songwriting and cryptic lyrical assuredness. Courtesy of the band’s soon to be sacked enigmatic first drummer Gary Young, Slanted And Enchanted is host to a wide array of bouncing rhythms fused with jagged and melodic guitar magic. And witness the unforgettable vocal lines which litter just about every track on the album. Trigger Cut starts with, “Lies and betrayals, fruit covered nails, electricity and lust won’t brake the door. I’ve got a heavy coat, it’s filled with rocks and sand, and if I lose it I’ll becoming back today (I’ve got a message for you!)” 

Acid damaged confusion follows in Loretta’s Scars. “How can I make my body shed around your metal scars?” It’s the album in which chief songwriter Stephen Malkmus, along with Scott Kannberg (aka Spiral Stairs), dish out a mixture of literate references, puzzling heartfelt poetry and off the cuff nonsense. With it’s white noise, off-kilter arrangements, and killer melodies, Slanted And Enchanted is an album which deserves the praise heaped upon it by indie rock enthusiasts everywhere. If you don’t yet own a copy and you like this kind of music, do yourself a favour a pick up the deluxe version re-issued last year (called Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe) with the original 14 tracks plus a plethora of extra EP tracks and B-Sides. 48 tracks in all.

This review centres on the original 14 song release, as I have yet to pick up my copy of the re-issue! Finally, Slanted And Enchanted is rendered complete with indie rock’s very own Every Breath You Take, as some reviewers have dubbed it, the albums most reflective piece, Here. A beautifully understated piece, it opens with the most extraordinary lyrics.”I was dressed for success, but success it never comes. And I’m the only one who laughs at your jokes when they are so bad. And your jokes are always bad but they’re not as bad as this.”