Pavement Album: “Pacific Trim [EP]”

While other Pavement EPs have gone on to classic status, this one has been largely ignored, which is a shame since it showcases the band at their best and most experimental. 'Give It A Day", the first track, is a bit of lazy Malkmus pop made interesting by his stream of conscious, first person lyrics which gradually reveals an unfocused story culminating in the lead explaining to his girl that he got in a fight with her father. "Gangsters and Pranksters" is one of the more interesting tracks the band ever recorded; the background sounds almost like an upbeat loop of a a catchy guitar melody followed by some feedback and hissing. Again, Pavements songs have often been debased for not being about anything, but these lyrics read like an expressionistic poem about the infamous merry pranksters, it's very clever. "Saganaw" sounds like the Velvet Underground would have if they had let John Cale have more of an influence. Finally, "I Love Perth" is a throw away track, a little over a minute of lazy pop, but it's fun in that respect. Anyone who is already a Pavement fan (and has all of the full lengths) really can't go wrong with this purchase.

'Give it a day', the first track, is outstanding...admittedly the rest of the EP doesn't quite live up to it, but buy it for the first three minutes anyway. It's beautiful, and it'll get in your head.

The 7" is a limited pressing and worth having. Vinyl is the way to go.

first off, let me just say that saganaw sucks. it's simply horrible, the worst pavement song i've ever heard. but, give it a day is worth the price of admission alone, so this is a must have. the second song is ok, but nothing to get hot over.