Tell you what. I'm going to skip the bio and get right to the review.Pavement is:
S.M.: Vocals, Guitars
Spiral Staircase: Guitars, Vocals
Mark Ibold: Bass
Bob Nastanovich: Drums
Terror Twilight:
Spit on a Stranger: The opener to the album, Spit on a Stranger is a great insight into what pavement's music style is. It's also one of their best songs. The chorus is the best part, with the backing vocals whispering of Gloria;, which is an unexpected delight, and i don't know why. S.M.'s vocals and lyrics are unique, and if you're not familiar with pavement, it's a real treat. 5/5
Folk Jam: Like it's name suggests, it's a folky guitar ring with S.M.'s country-esque vocals humming overtop. It's not something extremely special, but it's different and that's what counts. I find it repetetive, but not saying thats a bad thing. A sort of different style of pavement as well. Not the best, not the worst. 3.5/5
You Are A Light: It's a beautiful song, with S.M. doing an up-down sort of vocal rhythm. And who can resist that li'l fill in the middle of verses. When the chorus comes in, it sounds almost exactly the same. No complaints, here. Nice lyrics too, with no real story to them.*Make them mean what you want to them to. And when the bass-y bridge comes in, with a really, um, special riff entering. It's really weird, really good, really pavement. 5/5
Cream Of Gold: With an opening riff that is really neat and almost foreign, Cream of Gold promises right from the start a hard rock/indie song. So, what is it? it's both. It's great, too. And who cares if the singing doesn't really fit the whole theme (until the chorus, where it's just the guitar riff being sung). again, no meaning, but plenty of reasons to listen to it. 5/5
Major Leagues: The first of several beautys from TT, Major leagues is a 3:24 epic that is a real story teller without a story in the lyrics. It's the music that tells it. A story of youth, a story of new things, you get the idea. And with a humming acousitc guitar in the background, the lead is credited to maintain it's spontanious-ness. And the lyrics - i don't know... but it's great! 5/5
Platform Blues: it's weird, it's bizzare, it's number 6. It's a*blues song with an indie twist, which is the weird and bizzare part. And with the harmonica solo, it's an acceptable roots/Aerosmith/ Pavement song alright... which isreally the only one with that, well, genre on*this cd. Old school rockers will*love it, hardcore Pavement fans not so much. So pavement reserves the*verses for those indie lovers. 4/5
Ann Don't Cry: The second of the beautiful series, it's a low -themed rap from S.M. over simple chords from the band. Ah, and those lyrics - Cold Cold Boy W/ And American Heart. Gotta tell ya, it's great. And the chorus... hoo, boy!*-ignore that, by the way- it's a real beaut! And if you skip this track, it's probably because you... .... your mother!
Billie: Ah, the third beauty. It's*probably the second best song on the cd, next the final epic. With simple chords and a country-boy feel, it's definetly pavement, it's definetly great. The the chorus kicks*in with almost - annoying but not quite backing*vocals, and the overlapping electric guitar*in the second*chorus is something to savorin geniously great song complete with Pavement/Country originality. Did i say it's amazing? 5.5/5
Speak, See, Remember: Not as amazing, but acceptable, Pavement by now takes the whole country theme*a little too far. Without the Randy Neuman guitar chords, and the laffy-daffy lyrics, it definitley would've lost it's originality. And it's a little bit long, too add to it's bad side. Clocking in at 4:19, it's one of the more skippable tracks on here, but others might find it's goodness in the lyrics, etc;3/5
The Hexx: With a creepy riff,*The Hexx promises another weirdo pavement song. And who's complaining? not me. -my opinion- and with the*quiet vocals, it's definetly a great track, but*it doesn't quite make way for the great ending this album has to offer. It's repetetive, yes, but it's also neat. 4/5
...And Carrot Rope: Possibly Pavements best ending song yet, it's also one of their best songs period. With an introduction to the perfect amount of*great backing vocals that gets you to know Spiral Staircase a little better. With great lyrics, and that dang simmer simmer down mini-bridge, Carrot Rope has a an amazingly - kid-like chorus, with really neat-o guitar effect, with lyrics that make you wonder what's happening. A street salesman?Probably. Best*song on here?*Definetley. 6/5
OH, pavement. you never fail to*amaze me. WIth possibly your most mature album yet, Pavement's Terror Twilight delivers.
