Thoughts on new PAVEMENT "Terror Twilight"
Brian MacDonald
I've listened to most of "Terror Twilight", and I have to say it's
probably Pavement's best record to date. Take the most solid
songs/moments from "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", "Wowee Zowee", and
"Brighten The Corners", twist them in the right way, extend them in
the right way, smooth them out in the right places, and remove a lot
of the smugness that plagued the previous records, and you gots the
new record.
I was expecting (as were others) something slightly more mediocre than
"Brighten The Corners", but was very pleasantly surprised. Not only
do the Paves seem to be honing(sp?) their own sound more than ever
before, but the new record seems like a new beginning in many ways --
just when many were expecting this to be a sign that they were all
washed up. I'm just wondering why it took them this long to release
something this brilliant.
np: Comet "Chandelier Musings"
Nicole
Brian MacDonald <bri...@kuci.org> wrote in message
news:OTa93.294$DL6....@newsfeed.intelenet.net...
>
> I've listened to most of "Terror Twilight", and I have to say it's
> probably Pavement's best record to date. Take the most solid
> songs/moments from "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", "Wowee Zowee", and
> "Brighten The Corners", twist them in the right way, extend them in
> the right way, smooth them out in the right places, and remove a lot
> of the smugness that plagued the previous records, and you gots the
> new record.
Haven't listened to the album yet, but I happened to catch them live last
Saturday and was pleasantly surprised by their set (esp. what I'm assuming
were some of the new songs, since I was unfamiliar w/them).
Rania Hatzipanayioti
the radio, is a b-side of Carrot Rope, called Harness Your Hopes. It's
GREAT. check it out.
--
Oh I was nothing when you came
I'm no-one now you've gone away
Pulp, "Death II"
dane...@my-deja.com
bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
>
> I've listened to most of "Terror Twilight", and I have to say it's
> probably Pavement's best record to date. Take the most solid
> songs/moments from "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", "Wowee Zowee", and
> "Brighten The Corners", twist them in the right way, extend them in
> the right way, smooth them out in the right places, and remove a lot
> of the smugness that plagued the previous records, and you gots the
> new record.
I agree that it is much better than Brighten the Corners but I would
have to disagree with the "best album" to date. You forgot one album,
what i think is their best ever, "slanted and enchanted" if you don't
have it,it is a must have.
daniela
--
"I am the trick, my mother played on the world"
- Silver Jews
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
ML Compton
bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) spread enlightenment upon the world
with this comment:
>I've listened to most of "Terror Twilight", and I have to say it's
>probably Pavement's best record to date.
I've listened to the album once so far and I'm not sure what to think
of it. I may eventually decide its a genius album or I may decide its
total crap. I know I'll have strong feelings about it either way. It's
going to take a few more weeks though.
--ML COMPTON--
Playing while I type:
PLURAMON "Pick Up Canyon"
F.B.
MacDonald) writes:
>
>
>I've listened to most of "Terror Twilight", and I have to say it's
>songs/moments from "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", "Wowee Zowee", and
>"Brighten The Corners", twist them in the right way, extend them in
>the right way, smooth them out in the right places, and remove a lot
>of the smugness that plagued the previous records, and you gots the
>new record.
>
>"Brighten The Corners", but was very pleasantly surprised. Not only
>do the Paves seem to be honing(sp?) their own sound more than ever
>before, but the new record seems like a new beginning in many ways --
>just when many were expecting this to be a sign that they were all
>washed up. I'm just wondering why it took them this long to release
>something this brilliant.
>
I like it their best since Crooked Rain, which I think was the best of
their (now) 5 masterpieces. There aren't too many albums I've heard
this year that I like more. I think I played it 6 times today.
Matt P
keyse...@my-deja.com
> probably Pavement's best record to date. Take the most solid
> songs/moments from "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", "Wowee Zowee", and
> "Brighten The Corners", twist them in the right way, extend them in
> the right way, smooth them out in the right places, and remove a lot
> of the smugness that plagued the previous records, and you gots the
> new record.
>
> I was expecting (as were others) something slightly more mediocre than
> "Brighten The Corners", but was very pleasantly surprised. Not only
> do the Paves seem to be honing(sp?) their own sound more than ever
> before, but the new record seems like a new beginning in many ways --
> just when many were expecting this to be a sign that they were all
> washed up. I'm just wondering why it took them this long to release
> something this brilliant.
>
invoke such thoughts, but now I know I must investigate further.
> np: Comet "Chandelier Musings"
>
How is this I wonder? I'm not sure I ever even heard it. They were the
great white hope in the Dallas psych/dream pop scene there for a while,
released this and then soon fizzled to nothing. I think they broke up
actually, though I could be wrong. I still got a 10" somewhere around
here that has its tastey moments. They did a great version of "She's a
Rainbow" in concert. I do miss'em now that I think about it.
key
Brian MacDonald
>I agree that it is much better than Brighten the Corners but I would
>have to disagree with the "best album" to date. You forgot one album,
>what i think is their best ever, "slanted and enchanted" if you don't
>have it,it is a must have.
"Slanted" is great. But their best? Hmmm.. it
seems so "We listen to too much Fall, Velvet Underground,
Swell Maps, and Tall Dwarfs for our own good". Which isn't
necessarily a bad thing at all. In fact, I couldn't have chosen
four better bands to emulate at the time. But it does keep this
IMHO from being a "career highlight" so to speak.
[At the risk of upsetting the core of Pavement fanatics
and hearing utterings of "here we go again" from the Star
Chamber...]
np: The Renderers "That Dog's Head In The Gutter Gives Off Vibrations"
Brian MacDonald
>> np: Comet "Chandelier Musings"
>>
>How is this I wonder? I'm not sure I ever even heard it. They were the
>great white hope in the Dallas psych/dream pop scene there for a while,
>released this and then soon fizzled to nothing. I think they broke up
>actually, though I could be wrong. I still got a 10" somewhere around
>here that has its tastey moments. They did a great version of "She's a
>Rainbow" in concert. I do miss'em now that I think about it.
>key
>>
Anyone who even casually enjoys The Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev
*must* get this record. Amazing record. David Baker produced it.
The string arrangements on this record work very well. The only
weak link here is the singing... which is easily forgiveable -- much
like The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. It's really sad that this is
the only major release we'll get from Comet.
Brian MacDonald
>I am loving TT more with every listen, as a Pavement fan, maybe i am
>biased...i wasn't this enthusiastic about Brighten the Corners though...it
>is fantastic, it is more reminiscant of Wowee Zowee than any of their other
>albums, like a smoother, less messy WZ (is this evidence of the Nigel
>Godrich touch?) .
I have no idea what exactly Nigel was responsible for on TT soundwise.
I'm just guessing that he was responsible for the interesting
production twists on Radiohead's "OK Computer"..(otherwise, I could
care less for "OK Computer" or anything else by Radiohead).... but
I can so far induce that PAVEMENT + NIGEL G. = VERY GOOD.
> WZ was my favourite Pavement but TT is gaining. The only
>thing that irritates me is the suggestion in most reviews that before this
>album, what they have released is somehow inferior, that with this album
>they have finally 'got it'. There is just as much brilliance in evidence in
>the previous albums...
>miss m
I won't deny that I enjoy their previous albums (even "Brighten" to a
certain point), singles, and boots... but hey, one calling the latest
album by any band their best does technically make their previous
ones "inferior" to that one person, doesn't it?
F.B.
MacDonald) writes:
>
>dane...@my-deja.com wrote:
>>I agree that it is much better than Brighten the Corners but I would
>>have to disagree with the "best album" to date. You forgot one album,
>>what i think is their best ever, "slanted and enchanted" if you don't
>>have it,it is a must have.
>
>"Slanted" is great. But their best? Hmmm.. it
>seems so "We listen to too much Fall, Velvet Underground,
>Swell Maps, and Tall Dwarfs for our own good". Which isn't
>necessarily a bad thing at all. In fact, I couldn't have chosen
>four better bands to emulate at the time. But it does keep this
>IMHO from being a "career highlight" so to speak.
No complaints from me :)
Although I think the album is great, Crooked Rain has always been by
far my favorite. For the jab at Stone Temple Pilots alone.
Matt P
keyse...@my-deja.com
ltri...@ix.netcom.com(F.B.) wrote:
> Although I think the album is great, Crooked Rain has always been by
> far my favorite. For the jab at Stone Temple Pilots alone.
>
key
np: amon duul II "halluzination guillotine"
keyse...@my-deja.com
bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
>
> Anyone who even casually enjoys The Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev
> *must* get this record. Amazing record. David Baker produced it.
> The string arrangements on this record work very well. The only
> weak link here is the singing... which is easily forgiveable -- much
> like The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. It's really sad that this is
> the only major release we'll get from Comet.
>
I'll be sure and give it a spin soon. And I've been trying to find some
Bunnygrunt or whatever they're called for some time now to no avail.
But I am trying. At least I scored the new Hood...
> np: The Renderers "That Dog's Head In The Gutter Gives Off Vibrations"
>
key
np: atman "kosovo"
Tom Ewing
>In <fjD93.38$lG1....@newsfeed.intelenet.net> bri...@kuci.org (Brian
>MacDonald) writes:
>>
>>dane...@my-deja.com wrote:
>>>I agree that it is much better than Brighten the Corners but I would
>>>have to disagree with the "best album" to date. You forgot one album,
>>>what i think is their best ever, "slanted and enchanted" if you don't
>>>have it,it is a must have.
>>
>>"Slanted" is great. But their best? Hmmm.. it
>>seems so "We listen to too much Fall, Velvet Underground,
>>Swell Maps, and Tall Dwarfs for our own good". Which isn't
>>necessarily a bad thing at all. In fact, I couldn't have chosen
>>four better bands to emulate at the time. But it does keep this
>>IMHO from being a "career highlight" so to speak.
>No complaints from me :)
>Although I think the album is great, Crooked Rain has always been by
>far my favorite. For the jab at Stone Temple Pilots alone.
CRCR is my favourite too*, but that song pisses me off: unneccessary
bitching about the alt rock 'establishment' from head honchos of a
slightly smaller indie rock 'establishment'? No thanks. Ironically
(and probably intentionally - I've no doubts Malkmus is a clever guy)
the rest of the record is as close as the band's come to that big
beautiful stadium sound.
Not heard Terror Twilight - I was so turned off by 'Carrot Rope' I
probably won't bother until someone plays it at me.
*favourite Pavement record - I probably prefer the Silver Jews records
Malkmus has been involved in. Does the 'Steve' reference in 'Random
Rules' imply he wrote the lyrics, I anally wonder?
Cheers,
Tom.
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Brian MacDonald
> And I've been trying to find some
>Bunnygrunt or whatever they're called for some time now to no avail.
>But I am trying.
I have the sophomore "Jen-Fi" (or whatever it's called) promo CD if
you want it. I tried to give them a chance, but they just fail to
light a spark. The only neat track I've heard from them was this
non-climaxing-yet-still-hypnotic 9 minute track that ended their first
CD on No Life records. Everything else is less than spectacular.
You're best off getting something by, say, Big Breakfast instead.
bnw
>>
>Well that's right up my alley then. I still see it used quite often, so
>I'll be sure and give it a spin soon. And I've been trying to find some
>Bunnygrunt or whatever they're called for some time now to no avail.
Is this the bunnygrunt that seems to be playing every other night at my
school? Hrmm...
--
"Don't gloss what isn't assignable or brought to bear,
Don't shine what¹s expendable." Charles Wright
keyse...@my-deja.com
bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
> keyse...@my-deja.com wrote:
> > And I've been trying to find some
> >Bunnygrunt or whatever they're called for some time now to no avail.
>
> I have the sophomore "Jen-Fi" (or whatever it's called) promo CD if
> you want it. I tried to give them a chance, but they just fail to
> light a spark. The only neat track I've heard from them was this
> non-climaxing-yet-still-hypnotic 9 minute track that ended their first
> CD on No Life records. Everything else is less than spectacular.
>
compared some while back to Hood and FSA, claimed they were very
underrated and all that. I was thinking Bunny something, but definitely
not Bunny Brains. Ummm....
> You're best off getting something by, say, Big Breakfast instead.
>
key
keyse...@my-deja.com
bnw...@artsci.wustl.edu (bnw) wrote:
> In article <7k7foq$c33$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, keyse...@my-deja.com
wrote:
>
> >>
> >Well that's right up my alley then. I still see it used quite often,
so
some
> >Bunnygrunt or whatever they're called for some time now to no avail.
>
my
> school? Hrmm...
>
Brian MacDonald
>In article <ILQ93.20$TI6....@newsfeed.intelenet.net>,
> bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
>Oops. I fucked up I guess. I was trying to refer to the band that you
>compared some while back to Hood and FSA, claimed they were very
>underrated and all that. I was thinking Bunny something, but definitely
>not Bunny Brains. Ummm....
Aah, that was Bugskull.... Those damn kids with their cute
indie band names that start with "BU"... aaach... :)
You're best to start off with their latest one which is "Distracted
Snowflake Volume Two"... But "Snakland" and "Phantasies
And Senseitions" are also quite essential.
Bunny Brains are great, too, but an entirely different beast.
And I do mean beast literally. Check out www.bunnybrains.com
for some, ur, fun...
>> You're best off getting something by, say, Big Breakfast instead.
>>
>A new name entirely.
Great B-52's sounding indie pop band from the San Gabriel Valley/
Silver Lake/Costa Mesa area... (OK so all three locales are far apart
but they're all in southern California, anyway). "Why Do You Touch
Things That Aren't Yours?" is the name. Shrimper is the label. Fun
record, too. Then again, the drums of the drummer (who used
to be the drummer in my first band) are at my house right now as I
type this, so I might be a bit biased. :)
>key
>>
np: African Head Charge "Great Vintage Volume 1"
Persi
>"Slanted" is great. But their best?
I haven't heard the new one, but I've always been partial to 'Wowee Zowee'. I
never get bored listening to that record.
--
On My Stereo: Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance
Film: American Pie (This is one of *the* funniest films ever made)
Book: God Is A Bullet
Go here for free $$$: http://alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=auc188
john lowe
> > And I've been trying to find some
> >Bunnygrunt or whatever they're called for some time now to no avail.
<even though it's been determined bunnygrunt is not the band in question,
i feel compelled to respond to brian
> bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
> I have the sophomore "Jen-Fi" (or whatever it's called) promo CD if
> you want it. I tried to give them a chance, but they just fail to
> light a spark.
hmm, i thought that was a good, solid record. too bad it never had a
chance. the record company did next to nothing to promote it. well, except
maybe send one to kuci.
> The only neat track I've heard from them was this
> non-climaxing-yet-still-hypnotic 9 minute track that ended their first
> CD on No Life records. Everything else is less than spectacular.
wow, i'd have to totally disagree here. "action pants" is one of my very
favorite records of all time. there are some perfect pop tunes on there,
like "superstar 666", "i am kurious partridge" and "criminal boy." really,
i think it might even top cub's "come out come out" as the best cuddlecore
record. i'd much prefer more bands to be playing that simple, sweet
layered pop with biting lyrics than the emo and math rock that seems to
permeate the indie scenes these days.
and, to bring this back to pavement, despite them being hailed as indie
gods, i can't think of more than 2 songs of theirs that ever clicked with
me and i was rather bored at their show on the crooked rain tour. i've
never been compelled to get any of their records (heard them while working
in radio), while i spent the better part of 2 years searching for
bunnygrunt.
john <interesting how many bases indie music covers>
--
john lowe hip...@mail.utexas.edu young lion i.s.a.
"Capitalism...fuels the engine of human potential. Problem is, it
also plunges the toilet of human greed." -- Leonard Pitts
read the alt.fan.hello-kitty faq at: http://www.amnin.com/kittyfaq99
john lowe
> Is this the bunnygrunt that seems to be playing every other night at my
> school? Hrmm...
are you at washington u in st. louis? have they played recently? i saw
matt and karen's new band the see-thrus and they said bunnygrunt has been
broken up for a while.
still, i envy anyone who had a chance to see them live once, much less
every other night.
john <not sure if it's worth being in st louis for>
Brian MacDonald
>> bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
>> I have the sophomore "Jen-Fi" (or whatever it's called) promo CD if
>> you want it. I tried to give them a chance, but they just fail to
>> light a spark.
>hmm, i thought that was a good, solid record. too bad it never had a
>chance. the record company did next to nothing to promote it. well, except
>maybe send one to kuci.
Actually, I bought my promo at a used CD store for 99 cents. So
it's possible (and probable) KUCI never got a copy, too...
>> The only neat track I've heard from them was this
>> non-climaxing-yet-still-hypnotic 9 minute track that ended their first
>> CD on No Life records. Everything else is less than spectacular.
>wow, i'd have to totally disagree here. "action pants" is one of my very
>favorite records of all time. there are some perfect pop tunes on there,
>like "superstar 666", "i am kurious partridge" and "criminal boy." really,
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
heh, I'll give 'em the Fall/XTC reference.. :)
>i think it might even top cub's "come out come out" as the best cuddlecore
>record. i'd much prefer more bands to be playing that simple, sweet
>layered pop with biting lyrics than the emo and math rock that seems to
>permeate the indie scenes these days.
The Bats totally sound like your thing. If you haven't checked them
out, do so. And that's just one example. I've been listening to a
lot of McCarthy lately as well... very Felt/New Order/C86 feel...
(they are, BTW, the band Tim Gane was in before Stereolab)
And the lyrics biting? naaaaah :)
>and, to bring this back to pavement, despite them being hailed as indie
>gods, i can't think of more than 2 songs of theirs that ever clicked with
>me and i was rather bored at their show on the crooked rain tour. i've
>never been compelled to get any of their records (heard them while working
>in radio), while i spent the better part of 2 years searching for
>bunnygrunt.
>john <interesting how many bases indie music covers>
np: Rachel's "Selenography"
david olivetti
However the one thing that slightly disturbs me is that they are all Steve
Malkmus' songs.
Whatever. It's an album that will grow on you.
Has anyone heard of albums from Will Oldham, Slint, or Silver Apples. If you
havent check them out.
<dane...@my-deja.com> wrote in message news:7k4bad$97l$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> In article <OTa93.294$DL6....@newsfeed.intelenet.net>,
> bri...@kuci.org (Brian MacDonald) wrote:
> >
> > I've listened to most of "Terror Twilight", and I have to say it's
> > probably Pavement's best record to date. Take the most solid
> > songs/moments from "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain", "Wowee Zowee", and
> > "Brighten The Corners", twist them in the right way, extend them in
> > the right way, smooth them out in the right places, and remove a lot
> > of the smugness that plagued the previous records, and you gots the
> > new record.
>
> have to disagree with the "best album" to date. You forgot one album,
> what i think is their best ever, "slanted and enchanted" if you don't
> have it,it is a must have.
>
> --
> "I am the trick, my mother played on the world"
> - Silver Jews
>
>
Blixa
unfortunately i will be out of town that day and will miss it, anyway, it
says will oldham is playing with "special guests" anyone have any clue who
the guests might be, and does anyone know if there are any other shows
scheduled anywhere else?
Joshua Latta
think shady lane is one of pavements best singles
Joshua Latta
rope single...oh yeah, i cant stop listening to terror...damn, ilove
pavement
Persi
It's a pretty mellow album. I like what I've heard, so far, but I have to hear
it a few more times to really get a feel for it.
--
On My Stereo: Plaid - Rest Proof Clockwork
Film: Ma Vie En Rose (Beautiful! One of the best films of the 90s)
F.B.
Ewing) writes:
>
>ltri...@ix.netcom.com(F.B.) wrote:
>
>>In <fjD93.38$lG1....@newsfeed.intelenet.net> bri...@kuci.org (Brian
>>MacDonald) writes:
>>>
>>>dane...@my-deja.com wrote:
would
>>>>have to disagree with the "best album" to date. You forgot one
album,
>>>>what i think is their best ever, "slanted and enchanted" if you
don't
>>>>have it,it is a must have.
>>>
>>>seems so "We listen to too much Fall, Velvet Underground,
>>>Swell Maps, and Tall Dwarfs for our own good". Which isn't
>>>necessarily a bad thing at all. In fact, I couldn't have chosen
>>>four better bands to emulate at the time. But it does keep this
>>>IMHO from being a "career highlight" so to speak.
>
>>No complaints from me :)
>
>>Although I think the album is great, Crooked Rain has always been by
>>far my favorite. For the jab at Stone Temple Pilots alone.
>
>CRCR is my favourite too*, but that song pisses me off: unneccessary
>bitching about the alt rock 'establishment' from head honchos of a
>slightly smaller indie rock 'establishment'?
It's not so ad-hominen as you might think; actually, they bitch about
them for having gotten them kicked off lollapolooza when they started
the tour together.
>Not heard Terror Twilight - I was so turned off by 'Carrot Rope' I
>probably won't bother until someone plays it at me.
What was it about Carrot Rope you didn't like? It's rather poppy, and
I thought you were into that sort of thing.
After having played the album now at least 20 times, I think it most
resembles Crooked Rain than any other of their releases, so you might
want to check it out anyway.
Matt P