Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

Crooker Rain, Crooked Rain

11/24/2024

I first listened to this album a few months about because I already liked Cut Your Hair and wanted to see what else Pavement had to offer.

I was surprised by the range of the songs on this album. I had expected to hear more abrasive sounds that I typically associate with alt rock, and while that certainly isn't absent, there were also quieter, contemplative songs. My standouts for this album are Elevate Me Later, Unfair, and Range Life.

Song Reviews

Silence Kid

I really love the outro of this song, especially the way he sing "ecstasy".

Elevate Me Later

The guitar riff in this is addictive. The contrast between the first & second first highlights the disparity between the upper & lower class. The rich only think about the poor when they protest and get in their way.

Stop Breathin

Beautiful ballad about the negative effects of war on soldiers. Also love the guitar solo and the end of the song. The way it almost fades out then comes back in for an aggressive finish is really nice.

Cut Your Hair

The song that introduced me) to Pavement. Really catchy tune criticizing the commercialization and lost of artistry in the music industry.

Newark Wilder

I really like the unreliable narrator in this song. Tells a story of a man cheating on his wife but refuses to leave her or his mistress. It's entirely possible he could be happy in a polyamorous relationship, but that conversation should happen *before* you start seeing another person. I like how he justifies it to himself as being 'the simple stuff I need.'

Unfair

I really like the flip of the typical view of California. You can tell this song was written a real love of Northern California, and frustration that Southern California gets all the attention.

Gold Soundz

This song is very light feeling compared to the rest of the album, and it's difficult to pull apart.

5-4=Unity

Little jazzy instrumental.

Range Life

Yearning for a settled life instead of one full of uncertainty. I like the slight folksy sound and the use of animal noises.

Heaven Is a Truck

Kinda a meh song for me.

Hit the Plane Down

Criticism of the prevalence of drugs in the music scene. I like how the drugs are personified and are almost taunting the listener. The dissonance of the music helps contribute to the dark tone of the song.

Fillmore Jive

Good song to end on. Feels like a culmination of many of the themes & ideas explored in the album.