Straight outta Stockton! The classic debut LP from Pavement. Whether you’re a diehard fanboy that still cops Malkmus solo records or one of the haters that decries them as Fall rip-off artists, you’ve gotta admit that Pavement smashed the indie rock game with this one. “Summer Babe” is about as perfect as an album opener gets, but then they follow it with “Trigger Cut,” “No Life Singed Her” and… Okay, I could sit here and footnote the rest of the album, OR you could do yourself a favor and click “add to cart” right now if you’ve never had the pleasure of meeting this little lo-fi gem. Also includes the kitschy “Two States,” the weeper “Here” and “Perfume-V.” A hearty personal recommended.

• 30th anniversary edition
• red, white & black splatter colored vinyl
• printed insert
• original release year: 1992
• music label: Matador 2022

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 04/2007