This week on Polyphonic Press, the random album generator serves up a 90s indie rock staple: Pavement's 1994 sophomore effort, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Widely considered the record that transformed the band from underground lo-fi heroes to alt-rock defining icons, we dive into its slacker-rock aesthetic, cryptic lyrics, and surprisingly strong songwriting.
But does this DIY darling actually hold up as one of the greatest albums of all time?
Jeremy finds himself vibing with the loose, experimental, 60s-inspired song structures, while Jon isn't entirely convinced, pointing out the unpolished vocals and “demo-like” quality that leaves him wanting a bit more refinement.
In this episode, we also cover 5 deep-dive facts about the album:
- The Lollapalooza Feud: How Stephen Malkmus's tongue-in-cheek lyrics on “Range Life” infuriated Billy Corgan and almost got Pavement booted from the Lollapalooza main stage.
- Stolen Art: The truth behind the album's chaotic cover—a repurposed collage lifted directly from a 1978 issue of National Geographic.
- Silence Kid vs. Silence Kit: The story of how a stray smudge of ink on a handwritten tracklist caused a decades-long debate over the opening track's actual title.
- A Rhythmic Shift: How replacing their eccentric, cabbage-tossing original drummer with a museum security guard gave the band the laid-back groove they needed.
- Apartment Sessions: Why this MTV breakthrough record was actually recorded in an audio engineer’s bare-bones New York City apartment, surrounded by cereal bowls.
Host Highlights
- Jon's Picks: 5-4=Unity, Cut Your Hair, Hit the Plane Down
- Jeremy's Picks: Cut Your Hair, Unfair, Range Life
Did we get it right, or are we missing the genius of 90s slacker rock? Let us know what you think at polyphonicpress.com/contact.