Pavement
Brighten the Corners
[Matador/Capitol]
Rating: 8.6
Still shocking the music world with their wacky, off-kilter brand of
music, Pavement come back hard in 1997 with Brighten The Corners. Having
never released an album that was even remotely bad, Pavement continue to awe
with songs like "Shady Lane" and "We are Underused." Yeah, it's a fact.
Stephen Malkmus and company pretty much got it goin' on.
When this disc opens with "Stereo," you're immediately compelled to grin.
And grin you do. For the duration of the album. A natural high, the tracks
roll on. "Transport is Arranged," "Date With Ikea," "Old to Begin." Each
one somehow ultimately more awesome than the last. Stuck in a joyous stupor,
your only option is to go limp and let the music move you.
Luckily, the disc ends and after a few minutes of continued incapacitation
and twitching, you're able to move again. Best not put it on repeat.
-Ryan Schreiber