Album Review: Pavement – Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement

I was on a date once, and the date seemed to be going pretty well. We went back to her place and I started flipping through her records. There were a lot of Pavement albums, and I commented on how much she likes Pavement.

“Oh, I used to play bass in a Pavement cover band. They’re my favorite band! You like Pavement?” I never saw this girl again. I don’t like Pavement.

Flash forward a few years, and a friend has lent me Love is a Mixtape, and there’s an entire chapter in this book about going to see Pavement, and how it was such an amazing experience. I really like this book, so I thought I should give Pavement another chance. So I let my friend Casey know this, as Pavement is her favorite band, and she excitedly recommended some stuff to me, which I went and listened to. Still didn’t like it.

So how did I come to review the new Pavement collection, Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement? Our managing editor thought I had the most interesting relationship with the band of anyone here. He’s probably right, so I decided to take it on.

Now Casey has declared 2010 the Year of Pavement due to their reunion tour, and she uses the credo “What Would Malkmus Do?” to make decisions, so I decided to ask for her help. I’ve spent a few weeks listening to the songs on this album, and I’ve made some comments on some songs, sent those comments to Casey, and provided her reactions to my comments below.

Gold Soundz

Gordon: This song kicks off the album, and right away, I remember what I don’t like about the band. Why sing the high notes if you can’t hit the high notes? Is this charming, this “can’t really sing” singing? The music’s not bad, though.

Casey: The main problem most people who don’t like Pavement have with Pavement stems from Malkmus’ lyrics (“too obscure/don’t make sense”) or the way he sings (“off key/doesn’t try”). If this turns you off, then Pavement probably isn’t for you because those are some of the key elements of the band. To me, Pavement has always been more about the music first, the lyrical melody second, and the lyrics last. The vocal style meshes with the song, I think the melody compliments the song well and makes it catchy and – dare I say it – charming. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy a singer who is amazing, but I’m willing to forgive a singer’s lack of ability if the music is worth it (see: The Flaming Lips).

Stereo

Gordon: Now here’s a track I can wholeheartedly support. Crisp, clean sound. Sure, he’s still not singing, but the well enunciated lyrics are pretty entertaining. This song teaches me that Pavement are pretty funny, and the band can rock when it tries.

Casey: Stereo has got to be one of my favorite Pavement songs. It’s just…infectious. It showcases Malkmus’ lyrical wit and also proves that Pavement is capable of making clean sounds…if they want to.

In the Mouth a Desert

Gordon: This track sounds like they’re not even trying to make a good song. C’mon guys, seriously?

Casey: Pavement is continuously described as a “slacker” band, and this song is one of the reasons why. Remember that kid in school who didn’t need to try, messed around in class, and still got all A’s? Songs like this, that weave their way into your head and don’t leave even though the entire band seems like they’ve adopted the attitude that they don’t have to tune their instruments to make a melodic track, make Pavement great.

Unfair

Gordon: I think I like this song because it’s about California. It makes me think that this song influenced Weezer in some way. I also like when a band tries to add dynamics to their sound.

Casey: I’m convinced this should be the state anthem for California, and I think anyone from California who hears it would agree (except those people in Bakersfield…why do they always have to be the brunt of the jokes?!). This song is such a fun and upbeat ballad to my favorite state.

Grounded

Gordon: When I tell people that I don’t like Pavement, I think this is the song I should play for them. This is the sound of a band that’s too drunk to actually write and record a song. Did this band get drunk a lot?

Casey: Well, the answer to your question is yes, they did. However, when I tell people I love Pavement, this is one of the first songs I play for them. I love songs where the hook isn’t in the lyrics, and there is something about the guitar that’s just so instinctual and heartfelt. The lyrical melody compliments the song well, and while I don’t particularly think this is Pavement’s best lyrical content to date, the visceral nature of the song reminds me why I love music- because sometimes you feel a song deep in your gut, and when that happens it is magical.

Range Life

Gordon: I’m surprised by how sweet and whimsical this one is. Nothing fancy here; makes me think that this one could be covered by a hundred country bands, and no one would be the wiser.

Casey: I don’t have much to say on this song. I don’t think it should be on the short list of best Pavement songs, but it’s written from an aging hippie’s perspective and it got them kicked off the Lollapalooza tour for calling out Smashing Pumpkins so it might as well be included to start conversation while listening with your friends. If you ask me though, “Conduit for Sale!” should be here instead.

Date w/IKEA

Gordon: Definitely not the best song about IKEA. Not even close. I love IKEA almost as much as I dislike this song.

Casey: I like when someone other than the frontman gets to play frontman and the song still sounds like it belongs. That’s where Date w/ IKEA comes in. One of Scott Kannberg’s contributions to Brighten the Corners, it once again taps into that slacker sound without sounding like Kannberg’s trying to be Malkmus. It’s raw but surprisingly poppy (see: Kannberg’s less poppy contributions to other albums).The lyrics are about staying in a relationship because it’s just easier that way, and all angsty twenty-somethings (or anyone whose ever been an angsty twenty-something) will be able to relate.

In the end, I still don’t like Pavement. I do understand, though, that they’ve influenced some bands I do like, but all these other bands actually try to make good songs all the time. It seems to me like Pavement hardly ever tried. I guess for some people that’s charming. We’re just gonna have to agree to disagree, most likely. I’m glad I can finally be done listening to Pavement. As for Casey? You’ll see her in the front row pretty often during The Year of Pavement.

—————————————————–

Thanks to Casey Martinez for basically writing this review for me.