Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

Last updated

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Pavement Crooked Rain.jpg
Studio album by
Pavement
ReleasedFebruary 14, 1994
RecordedAugust–September 1993
Studio
Genre
Length42:16
Label Matador
Producer Pavement
Pavement chronology
Westing (By Musket and Sextant)
(1993)		Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
(1994)		 Wowee Zowee
(1995)
Singles from Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
  1. "Cut Your Hair"
    Released: February 1994
  2. "Gold Soundz"
    Released: June 1994
  3. "Range Life"
    Released: January 1995

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is the second studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on February 14, 1994 by Matador Records. The album saw the band move on towards a more accessible rock sound than that of their more lo-fi debut Slanted and Enchanted and achieve moderate success with the single "Cut Your Hair". The album also saw original drummer Gary Young replaced by Steve West. It was a UK Top 20 hit upon release, although it was not so successful in the US charts.

Contents

Release

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain was released on February 14, 1994, by Matador Records. [2] As of 2009, the album had sold about 500,000 copies. [3]

In 2004, Matador released Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins , a compilation containing the album in its entirety, as well outtakes and other rarities from the same era. [4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]
Chicago Sun-Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [6]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [7]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [8]
NME 8/10 [9]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [11]
Select 4/5 [12]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 9/10 [13]
The Village Voice A [14]

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave Crooked Rain a perfect five-star rating, describing it as "the Reckoning to Slanted & Enchanted 's Murmur ". He concluded that the album was "a vibrant, dynamic, emotionally resonant album that stands as a touchstone of underground rock in the '90s and one of the great albums of its decade." [5] Robert Christgau of the Village Voice gave the album an A grade, describing it as "a tour de force melodywise". [14] Entertainment Weekly 's David Browne gave the album a B+, writing that "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is just a bunch of guys dwelling on topics like skateboarding, plane crashes, girls, and mocking Stone Temple Pilots. When they set those sentiments to bumpy-road drones or a bit of a country lilt...the result has a subtle, ingratiating beauty." [7] Los Angeles Times critic Richard Cromelin gave the album 3.5 out of 4 stars. Cromelin wrote that the album contains "some of the Meat Puppets' loopiness, a Stones/Burritos folk-country resonance, and a chirpy pop tunefulness--along with enough contrary abrasiveness to keep you from getting too comfortable with them." [8]

Legacy

In 2003, the album was ranked number 210 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and 212 in a 2012 revised list. [15] In the 2020 update of the list, the album's rank dropped to number 434. [16] It was also ranked number 10 on their best albums of the Nineties. [17] In 2003, it was ranked number 8 on Pitchfork 's list Top 100 Albums of the 1990s, [18] and in 2010, the song "Gold Soundz" was listed as number one on Pitchfork's 200 Greatest Songs of the 1990s. [19] In July 2014, Guitar World ranked Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain at number 21 in their "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994" list. [20] The photo in the middle of the cover was taken from the March 1978 issue of National Geographic . The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . [21]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Stephen Malkmus, except "Hit the Plane Down", which was written by Scott Kannberg

No.TitleLength
1."Silence Kid" ( [note 1] )3:01
2."Elevate Me Later"2:51
3."Stop Breathin"4:28
4."Cut Your Hair"3:07
5."Newark Wilder"3:53
6."Unfair"2:33
7."Gold Soundz"2:41
8."5-4=Unity"2:09
9."Range Life"4:54
10."Heaven Is a Truck"2:30
11."Hit the Plane Down"3:36
12."Fillmore Jive"6:38
Notes
  1. ↑ Due to an ink splodge on the back of the original artwork, the song "Silence Kid" has become erroneously known as "Silence Kit". This misnomer persisted when designer Mark Ohe printed it onto the back of the reissue Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins, despite the interior artwork showing the correct name in print several times, including written in Stephen Malkmus' own handwriting. [22] [23]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [24]

Pavement

Technical

Charts and certifications

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement (band)</span> American indie rock band

Pavement is an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California, in 1989. For most of their career, the group consisted of Stephen Malkmus, Scott Kannberg, Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums), and Bob Nastanovich. Initially conceived as a recording project, the band at first avoided press or live performances, while attracting considerable underground attention with their early releases. Gradually evolving into a more polished band, Pavement recorded five full-length albums and ten EPs over the course of their decade-long career, though they disbanded with some acrimony in 1999 as the members moved on to other projects. In 2010, they undertook a well-received reunion tour, followed by another international tour from 2022 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Malkmus</span> American musician (born 1966)

Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an American musician best known as the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Pavement. He performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Pavement, The Hard Quartet, and as a solo artist.

<i>Slanted and Enchanted</i> 1992 studio album by Pavement

Slanted and Enchanted is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 20, 1992 by Matador Records. It is the only Pavement album to feature drummer Gary Young.

<i>Wowee Zowee</i> 1995 studio album by Pavement

Wowee Zowee is the third studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 11, 1995 by Matador Records. Most of it was recorded at Easley Recording in Memphis, Tennessee, where some members of the band had previously worked on Silver Jews' 1994 album Starlite Walker. The album showcases a more experimental side of the band, marking a return to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the more accessible sound of their 1994 studio album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Its eclectic nature ranges from mellow yet distorted melodies to noise and punk rock, while the lyrics generally explore humorous and cryptic themes. At nearly one hour long, Wowee Zowee is Pavement's longest studio album, filling three sides of a vinyl record. Side four was left blank.

<i>Brighten the Corners</i> 1997 studio album by Pavement

Brighten the Corners is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on February 11, 1997 by Matador Records. The album received very positive reviews from critics.

<i>Terror Twilight</i> 1999 studio album by Pavement

Terror Twilight is the fifth and final studio album by the American indie rock band Pavement. It was released on June 8, 1999, on Matador Records in the US and Domino Recording Company in the UK.

<i>Slay Tracks: 1933–1969</i> 1989 EP by Pavement

Slay Tracks: 1933–1969 is the debut EP by American indie rock band Pavement. Pavement—at that time, a duo of just its two founding members Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (guitar)—recorded Slay Tracks with producer and future member Gary Young (drums) during a four-hour session. Pavement self-released the EP as a 7" vinyl record on the band's own record label Treble Kicker in 1989. The music of Slay Tracks was influenced by indie and punk rock bands such as Swell Maps and The Fall, and many of the lyrics were inspired by life in the band's hometown of Stockton, California.

<i>Watery, Domestic</i> 1992 EP by Pavement

Watery, Domestic is the fourth EP by American indie rock band Pavement, released on November 25, 1992 through Matador Records. It is the group's final release to feature drummer Gary Young as a member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks</span> American rock band

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks is an American rock band consisting of Stephen Malkmus, Mike Clark, Joanna Bolme, and Jake Morris. Malkmus was the main singer and songwriter behind the influential 1990s indie rock band Pavement.

<i>Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LAs Desert Origins</i> 2004 compilation album by Pavement

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins is a compilation album by Pavement released on October 26, 2004. It contains the band's 1994 album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, in its entirety, as well as outtakes and other rarities from that era, some of which had previously been unreleased.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cut Your Hair</span> 1994 single by Pavement

"Cut Your Hair" is a song by American rock band Pavement from their second album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. It was written by Pavement songwriter and lead singer Stephen Malkmus. The song snidely attacks the importance of image in the music industry. In one verse, Malkmus sarcastically recites a fictitious ad looking for a musician to join a band: "advertising looks and chops a must/ no big hair".

Robert Nastanovich is an American musician and member of the indie rock band Pavement, as well as a former member of Silver Jews, Ectoslavia, Pale Horse Riders, and Misshapen Lodge.

<i>Major Leagues</i> (EP) 1999 EP by Pavement

Major Leagues is the final EP by American indie rock band Pavement. It was released on October 12, 1999, on Matador Records. To date, it is their final release of original material excluding reissues.

<i>Westing (By Musket and Sextant)</i> 1993 compilation album by Pavement

Westing (By Musket and Sextant) is a compilation of the early EPs and singles by American indie rock band Pavement. It features all the tracks from their first three EPs, Slay Tracks (1933–1969), Demolition Plot J-7, and Perfect Sound Forever, as well as the single mix of "Summer Babe," its B-sides, and two compilation tracks.

<i>Bakesale</i> 1994 studio album by Sebadoh

Bakesale is the fifth album by American indie rock band Sebadoh, released by Sub Pop in 1994. It was the first Sebadoh album released following the departure of founding member, Eric Gaffney, though he did drum on four of the album's tracks from a session engineered by Bob Weston. Tara Jane O'Neil contributed drums to three tracks. Bob Fay, who had previously filled in for Gaffney, officially joined the band for this record. The cover is a photograph of Lou Barlow, aged one-year-old, taken by his mother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Soundz</span> 1994 single by Pavement

"Gold Soundz" is the second single released from Pavement's 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. The song did not perform particularly well as a single, failing to chart on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, where their previous single, "Cut Your Hair", peaked at number 10. All the B-sides from both versions of the single are included on the reissue Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Range Life (song)</span> 1995 single by Pavement

"Range Life" is a song by American indie rock band Pavement, the third single from their 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement discography</span>

The discography of Pavement, a Stockton, California-based indie rock group, consists of five studio albums, five double-length reissues of the albums, one compilation, ten extended plays, and thirteen singles. This list does not include material performed by members or former members of Pavement that was recorded with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Silver Jews, Preston School of Industry, Free Kitten, The Crust Brothers, or any other associated solo or side projects.

<i>Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement</i> 2010 greatest hits album by Pavement

Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement is a compilation album released by Pavement on March 8, 2010, to coincide with the band's reunion. The title of the compilation references a lyric from the 1994 song "Gold Soundz", which is the first song featured on the compilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Babe</span> Single by Pavement

Summer Babe, also known as Summer Babe (Winter Version), is the debut single by the American indie rock band Pavement.

References

  1. 1 2 Pitchfork Staff (September 28, 2022). "The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s". Pitchfork . Retrieved April 26, 2023. Pavement's decision to graft a shadow history of '60s and '70s California folk-rock and psychedelia onto the abrasive, Fall-inspired noise of their previous sound made total sense...
  2. ↑ "Pavement". Matador Records . Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  3. ↑ "The Over/Under: Pavement". Magnet Magazine. April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  4. ↑ Blashill, Pat (November 25, 2004). "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain : L.A.'s Desert Origins". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain – Pavement". AllMusic . Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  6. ↑ DeRogatis, Jim (March 13, 1994). "Pavement Leads Stylish Sing-Along". Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Browne, David (March 11, 1994). "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Cromelin, Richard (February 13, 1994). "Pavement 'Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain' Matador". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain". NME . February 12, 1994. p. 39.
  10. ↑ Diehl, Matt (February 24, 1994). "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain". Rolling Stone . Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  11. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Pavement". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  624–25. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  12. ↑ Cusack, Elaine (March 1994). "Pavement: Crooked Rain". Select . No. 45. p. 75.
  13. ↑ Weisbard, Eric (1995). "Pavement". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 290. ISBN   0-679-75574-8.
  14. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (April 5, 1994). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time". Rolling Stone . 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  16. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  17. ↑ "100 Best Albums of the Nineties". Rolling Stone . 10: Pavement, 'Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain'. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of the 1990s". Pitchfork . November 17, 2003. p. 10. Archived from the original on March 17, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Staff Lists: The Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s". Pitchfork . September 3, 2010. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994". GuitarWorld.com . July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ Dimery, Robert; Lydon, Michael (March 23, 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (Revised and Updated ed.). Universe. ISBN   978-0-7893-2074-2.
  22. ↑ "Silence Kit???" . Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain cover".
  24. ↑ Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (CD). Pavement. Matador Records. 1994. LC 11552.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 214.
  26. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Pavement – Crooked Rain Crooked Rain" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  27. ↑ "charts.nz – Pavement – Crooked Rain Crooked Rain". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 26, 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  28. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pavement Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  30. ↑ "British album certifications – Pavement – Crooked Rain Crooked Rain". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Chart Log UK: Rodney P. – The Pussycat Dolls". zobbel.de. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.