Anyone in the orbit of music understands the pressures of a sophomore album. They’ve been discussed to a pint of nausea in these retrospectives and not for no reason. Exploring the transition from a successful debut to an experimental sophomore is one of the most exciting occurrences in all of music. Seeing a young band garner critical acclaim and commercial success from their first outing is great, following up that outing is where timeless acts separate themselves from any notion of luck.
In 1992, Pavement introduced themselves to the world on their studio debut Slanted and Enchanted. The latter word in the title is exactly what Pavement did, their debut record is filled with pure indie rock bliss. The album left an immediate mark on the indie rock world and positioned Pavement as the next golden child of the genre. Once again, a successful and creative debut leads to the weight of the world’s eyes on your every musical move and the infamous question every artist must ask around their sophomore album; repeat or change. Ironically, the best sophomore albums find the middle ground, holding on to the nuances that make them unique while stretching those elements to new heights. Pavement did just that on their iconic and highly important sophomore record Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.
Originally released thirty years ago on February 14, 1994, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain established Pavement as the creative force of nature they are remembered as today. Compared to their debut, Crooked Rain has a more honed and polished sound while keeping the grit and wit that made their debut so hypnotic. Mixing dusty balladry with searing rock tunes, the tracklist bounces from one tone to the next with immense ease, keeping things exciting and consistent all at once. The album features one of the band’s biggest hits “Cut Your Hair” with its sinfully sweet harmonies and poetic lyrics along with the jazzy instrumental track “5-4=Unity”. The contradictions of these tracks are exactly why Crooked Rain continues to receive high praise even after three decades.
The album kicks off with “Silence Kid”, a murky yet electric intro. Famously, the original packaging of the album had the track slated as “Silence Kit” due to some miscommunication and spillage from the band’s pen when writing out the tracklist, the song’s title was printed incorrectly. Regardless it is a booming intro to an unforgettable LP. The band produced the record themselves which explains how these lofty ideas became such potent and impactful realities. Even the biggest hits on this record fall in line with the breezy guitar-driven tones that are at the core of these songs, combining the band’s witty songwriting with crisp production that is undeniably Pavement.
In the world of indie rock, Pavement’s sophomore album is an essential listen. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain sounds as relevant now as it did thirty years ago when it hit the shelves and seemingly changed the world of indie rock on its head. The band was able to stick to their guns while still sounding new and refreshing, a difficult accomplishment for any artist. When you throw in the pressures of a widely successful debut and the attention that comes with it, the authenticity of Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain feels all the more palpable and cements the album as one of the most impactful releases of the ’90s.
