Search - Pavement :: Major Leagues [EP]

A Pavement grab bag

WrtnWrd | 08/24/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pavement has a tradition of putting out great EPs. While this might not be the all time greatest EP ever, it does give a good overview of the band's sound. The first track is Major Leagues, a solid song from the band's final album that made for an undeniably weak single due to it's whispiness. The EP picks it up a notch with two songs by Spiral Stairs that are worth the price of admission. "Stub Your Toe" sports the trademark backing vocals and some slick guitar work. It's a fast, smooth number, and provides a welcome contrast to SS's precedding track, "Your Time To Change." It's a little bit more epic, and contains some interesting (and appropriate, given the title) time changes. This song still lives on in Preston School of Industry's live set, and it's easy to see why. The fourth track is the demo version of Major Leagues, complete with some keyboard playing that is both terribly cheesy and amazingly wonderful at the same time. One can't help but wonder if this is what Terror Twilight would have sounded like had it not been produced by Nigel Godrich. The rest of the album consists of a lazy demo sung half in French, a wonderful cover of "The Killing Moon", and then a little burst of Malkmus energy in the form of "The Classical." This EP is a great deal of fun, but it's certainly not grade A material. Still, Pavement fans will be pleased that it was even released in the first place, and while it occasionally fails to awe like the band's best work can, it never disappoints."

Will you pass the mustard?

Joel Gaddis | Portland, OR | 09/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is worth the admission price for one of Spiral's best and most gorgeous songs: Stub Your Toe. The other tracks here range from the Doors-y "Your Time to Change", to the goofy "Decouvert de Soleil". The two cover songs (Echo and the Bunnymen's "Killing Moon" and the Fall's "Classical") are also pretty good."

Not my favorite - but still Pavement

David C. Anderson | Baltimore | 08/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A decent EP from the last album from 90s supergroup Pavement. It was nice to see Gary Young show up for what was the group's sad swan song - and this EP leaves a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Highlights are Stub your Toe and Malkamus crooning in the cover of Echo & the Bunnymen's Killing Moon (also featured on the first Matador anniversary comp.) I could have done without the Casio inspired version of Major Leagues - even with the "You Kiss Like a Rock/ But You know I need it anyway". In all a good ep - so sad it was their last."