It would be uncontroversial to say that Pavement was the best American band from the 90s beginning with “P” and ending with “ment.” (Any views to the contrary can be forwarded to our complaints department.) And while the world still struggles to wrap its head around just how important they were as a band, as an idea, and as the musical embodiment of everything it meant to be alive in the late 20th century, we get regular memory jolts via comprehensive reissue series and essays to try and unlock the mystery of Pavement.
Now Matador Records have thrown a spanner in our attempts to fully understand the awesome factor of Pavement by suggesting that for every one of the five genius albums Pavement recorded, there is a “shadow album” of outtakes, B-sides, and rarities that is totally worth a listen. Hence, on 11 August, Matador will be releasing The Secret History Vol. 1, which is promised to be the companion piece to their debut record Slanted and Enchanted, featuring all the live and rare songs the band created during that period.
Discerning Pavement scholars might be quick to point out that a lot of the tracks included on The Secret History Vol. 1 were included in the redux reissue of Slanted and Enchanted, but most of this material hasn’t been released on vinyl before. Besides, it’s Pavement — who are you to suggest when we’ve all had too much Pavement?
The Secret History Vol. 1
01. Sue Me Jack
02. So Stark (You’re A Skyscraper)
03. Summer Babe (7” Version)
04. Mercy Snack: The Laundromat
05. Baptiss Blacktick
06. My First Mine
07. Nothing Ever Happens
08. Here (Alternate Mix)
09. Greenlander
10. Circa 1762 (Peel Session 1)
11. Kentucky Cocktail (Peel Session 1)
12. Secret Knowledge Of Backroads (Peel Session 1)
13. Here (Peel Session 1)
14. Rain Ammunition (Peel Session 2)
15. Drunks With Guns (Peel Session 2)
16. Ed Ames (Peel Session 2)
17. The List Of Dorms (Peel Session 2)
18. Conduit For Sale [Live Brixton 1992]
19. Fame Throwa [Live Brixton 1992]
20. Home [Live Brixton 1992]
21. Perfume V [Live Brixton 1992]
22. Summer Babe [Live Brixton 1992]
23. Frontwards [Live Brixton 1992]
24. Angel Carver Blues Mellow Jazz Docent [Live Brixton 1992]
25. Two States [Live Brixton 1992]
26. No Life Singed Her [Live Brixton 1992]
27. So Stark (You’re A Skyscraper) [Live Brixton 1992]
28. Box Elder [Live Brixton 1992]
29. Baby Yeah [Live Brixton 1992]
30. In The Mouth Of A Desert [Live Brixton 1992]
• Pavement: https://www.facebook.com/pavementtherockband
• Matador: http://www.matadorrecords.com
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