Public Servant Lifestyle

One of the most hotly anticipated releases in the indie/alt-rock world is a fine final release from a truly seminal act.

Pavement: Slow Century

Formed in California by Steven Malkmus and Scott Kannberg, Pavement began with one small self-financed seven inch – Slay Tracks – and went from strength to strength from there. With their lop-sided Fall-inspired country-tinged sounds the band spawned a myriad of imitators and brought a touch of classy Americana to a music scene of the time which – in Britain at least – was stuck in a self-referencing Brit Pop rut.

Greatest Misses?

After a series of globe-trotting tours, six albums, a few college radio hits in their native US and a whole stack of cracking tunes later Pavement quietly disband in the summer of 2000. This compilation on DVD – the closest the band are likely to ever have to a ‘Greatest Hits ’collection (or should that be ‘Greatest Misses’?) – is both a fabulous introduction to the bands music and a great conclusion to a truly extraordinary group.

More than 4 years in the making the long-awaited two-DVD Pavement retrospective is called Slow Century, one of the band’s old t-shirt phrases. A fitting end to their six album cycle this extensive and lovingly compiled 279 minute double DVD includes a commentary from the band members themselves providing insight into what made Pavement what it was and what it meant to them.

Put together with the help of ex-Pavement guitarist Scott Kannberg - AKA Spiral Stairs - now busy fronting his own outfit Preston School of Industry - this is a bumper double disc package that also features commentary from a number of directors of the band’s videos.

School’s Out, What Did You Expect?

In addition to the compilation and British and American live shows, the collection includes a 60 minute documentary on the band directed by their friend and compatriot Lance Bangs. Bangs, who also directed a number of the groups’ promotional videos travelled with them on and off for 11 years filming the material that has gone into this production. He pieces together a host of memorable moments – musical and otherwise - and tells, over the course of the hour, a near complete history of the band.

The compilation includes all 13 Pavement music videos, a set of audio commentaries by the band and director to match each one and a 60-minute long documentary film by Lance Bangs incorporating footage from 1989-1999. This is combined with a second disc comprised of two complete live concerts - recorded in Seattle and in Manchester in 1999 - each with selectable camera angle facility. A release to savour.

Classic Re-issue

In addition to Slow Century, Pavements first ever album comes to new life in the form of the re-released Slanted and Enchanted - Luxe and Reduxe. This new, definitive edition of what is - for many - the definitive indie-rock album is available as a CD-only deluxe format package in slipcase.

This new version of the bands’ auspicious debut contains additional material from the original recording sessions for the album and the entire hard to find Watery Domestic EP. Alongside these gems are a selection of B-sides and outtakes (including the awesome Summer Babe B-sides, B-sides from the single Trigger Cut) and two complete sessions originally recorded for John Peel’s radio one shows.

Packed

If this wasn’t enough, the album includes tracks that have previously only appeared on compilation albums and a complete live concert! The album is accompanied by a lavish 58 page booklet containing sleevenotes from frontman Steve Malkmus, Spiral Stairs, Chris Lombardi, Dan Koretzky, Gerard Cosloy, Boche Billions and others. For once this is a CD re-issue worth buying even if you have the original vinyl – and it’s kudos to the Matador label for making this such great value for money. Altogether these two releases make a massive double treat for Pavement fans everywhere.

The full track listing for Slow Century looks like this:

1 60 minute documentary incorporating footage from 89-99
2 Here (video)
3 Perfume-V (video)
4 Cut Your Hair (video)
5 Gold Sounds (video)
6 Range Life (video)
7 Rattled By The Rush (video)
8 Father To A Sister Of Thought (video)
9 Painted Soldiers (video)
10 Stereo (video)
11 Shady Lane (video)
12 Carrot Rope (video)
13 Spit On A Stranger (video)
14 Major Leagues (video)
15 Major Leagues (alternate video)
16 Rattled By The Rush (alternate video)
17:Cut Your Hair (alternate video)
18 In The Mouth A Desert (live)
19 Speak See Remember (live)
20 Spit On A Stranger (live)
21 Date With Ikea (live)
22 The Hexx (live)
23 Box Elder (live)
24 Folk Jam (live)
25 Billie (live)
26 Major Leagues (live)
27 Shady Lane (live)
28 Cream Of Gold (live)
29 Platform Blues (live)
30 We Dance (live)
31 Harness Your Hopes (live)
32 Stereo (live)
33 Gold Soundz (live)
34 The Killing Moon (live)
35 Sinister Purpose (live)
36 Debris Slide (live)
37 Grounded (live)
38 Unfair (live)
39 Two States (live)
40 Fin (live)
41 Date With Ikea(live)
42 Range Life (live)
43Summer Babe (live)

Slanted & Enchanted, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, Wowee Zowee, Brighten The Corners and Terror Twilight are all available on Domino in the UK, as are ex-band members Steve Malkmus and Scott Kannberg’s solo albums: Stephen Malkmus and All This Sounds Gas (by the latter’s band - Preston School of Industry). The remainder of the band’s back catalogue, including the rarities collection Westing, By Musket and Sextent are also still available.

Slanted and Enchanted - Luxe and Reduxe is in the shops now. Slow Century, the DVD, with a running time of 279 minutes is available now as a double disc set from Domino.

More information available in DVD / Home Video, Music