Pavement – Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement

Rating:

I always thought of Pavement in the evolution of alternative music (in the ideological-not genre sense) as the missing link between the Pixies and Weezer. They have the dynamic dissonance and doldrumic attitude of Doolittle with the suburban/ironic 90′s thing of Blue Album. With every release, they rode the wave of mainstream recognition just short of conquering the wave and always came back to shore as the biggest fish in the little pond. But what made them truly great was the sense that it was exactly what they wanted.

Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement is the precursor to Pavement officially doing a number of festivals this year. It is a beautifully remastered compilation of singles, hits, and a few rarities. While the album doesn’t sound “slick” by today’s Pro Tools standards, it definitely got out the defibrillator and shocked some life into the scratchy old mixes. Also of note: the album tracks closer to a live set than a discography. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, those looking for an all-encompassing release may be slightly disappointed and those looking for “the jams” will be satisfied.

Now this is completely personal preference, but I definitely like the (roughly) second half of the album better for no other reason than I simply liked those songs better. I wish I could give some high and mighty “listen to my opinion” opinion but the fact is it’s a Best of… album. If you like the band but don’t feel like grabbing all the re-released albums (also out on Matador), then this is a must have. And if you haven’t heard of them, it means: you’re either 17 or haven’t been listening to alt/indie music that long. Which is fine, really. This is your chance to gain a few hipster points and listen to a highly influential band that is actually worth they hype. In either case, give Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement a listen if you’re a fan of 90′s guitars, drums, and guy with the slightly dopey voice who has awesome albeit vague and overtly ironic in an attempt to be funny that are usually half-spoken-half-sang and every once in a while screams when things rock lyrics…that really made the 90′s a great time for alternative music. You won’t be disappointed and most likely will be bummed you missed them the first time around. But fret not: They’re back playing shows! Go see arguably the most 90’s alt rock outfit of the 90’s!

As “Embassy Row” says: A for Effort, B for delivery….

Ok, B+…this is Pavement we’re talking about!

Pavement – Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement