Frontwards
Pavement
Back in the day, I bought Slanted & Enchanted before a northwest road trip to visit some friends in Grants Pass. Twin Peaks was still fresh in my mind. Good Cooper was already trapped in the Black Lodge, but Fire Walk With Me hadn’t come out yet. A key reference, because this was a very specific point in time for me: childhood and phase one of young adulthood was gone. College graduation loomed. Big decisions about my life were coming.
And my vinyl collection was shrinking and my stacks of CD’s were growing out of control.
Which brings me to this marvelous EP. Only four songs — but on one CD in a slim case with a rooster on the cover of a thin one-sheet. Purchased at Tower Records in San Mateo, CA. I played it on repeat, literally all day. And I’ve never tired of it — I can still play it all day. The lasting power of this one EP is very strange — just the sounds and feelings they’ve cooked up here.
Now, a great EP is rare because they’re often dumping grounds for throwaway tracks. Songs that didn’t make the record. This one came out shortly after Slanted, and my expectations for Watery, Domestic were low.
But this just might be favorite EP of all time.
I’m guessing it’s my most played. It’s perfect. Four album worthy tracks that flow and fit together like a little puzzle or a four course meal.
The songs feel carefree, loose and wild. I love the way these guitars sound and how Malkmus sings on this one. I’ve been a fan through it all, but this is peak Pavement for me.
The lyrics suggest feelings and emotions, but lack clarity. I still don’t know what these songs are about, but I don’t care. I just love the melodies and the youthful details in the lyrics. I can feel the emotions around hope and loss.
Empty homes
Plastic cones
Stolen rims, are they alloy or chrome?
Well I've got style
Miles and miles
So much style that it's wasted
And this dose of Pavement was a key part of the soundtrack of my life that was being curated. I could’ve picked any of the four tunes, but FRONTWARDS felt right to me today. I love that chord progression and sentiment. The reckless chorus and that little guitar drum riff at 1:30. ❤️
