Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain [Matador; 1994]
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain sounds nothing like its predecessor, Slanted & Enchanted. That’s mostly due the band losing drummer Gary Young and his run down studio, losing with it all their lo-fi sound. It was also the time when Stephen Malkmus decided he wasn’t punk enough to write punk songs and started writing rock songs instead. But though it would have made sense to release a half-assed successor to their iconic debut and promptly call it quits, Pavement isn’t a band that makes sense. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain was released in 1994 to higher critical acclaim and sales, solidifying Pavement as a key inductee into the pantheon of 90s greats.
The biggest hint of Pavement’s sound prior to CR, CR is the album’s first single, “Cut Your Hair,” which, by gathering the energy and jangle of their previous outing all the while refining their sound, is their most accessible song. Fortunately, there are more moments like these all over Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. The opening “Silence Kid” (also known accidentally as Silence Kit) is promptly accompanied by an inconspicuous cowbell, proving that refinement doesn’t have to mean losing your sense of fun. Malkmus’ trademark wordplay would be seriously considered part of the Pavement “attitude” heretofore, making songs like the aforementioned Cut Your Hair and Gold Soundz exactly what they’re supposed to be: perfectly crafted fun. There are no lyrics that the listener has to worry about holding on to or otherwise discovering . Pavement’s music is all about timing – when to insert which line and chorus - a fact that’s fitting for the louder, more energetic songs, but can be infuriating with slower jams like Stop Breathin’ and many more to come later on in their discography.
As it stands, CR, CR feels more like a collection of hits rather than a cohesive statement, making it easier for the iPod generation to pick and choose between the obviously weaker tracks present. That doesn’t mean that the album doesn’t provide a worthwhile listen-through, however. CR, CR is a definitive album in a definitive 90s band’s discography.
9.5/10