Pavement - Terror Twilight

Song-oriented pop with plenty of character

Pavement's final album is probably their easiest to like. The jagged edges of their earlier sound are sanded down here by producer Nigel Godrich's heavy hand. It feels like a culmination of the band's more mellowed out style which was seen as early as Wowee Zowee and sharpened on Brighten the Corners. Not that the songwriting isn't top notch most of the time.
Stephen Malkmus wrote all of the songs here, reportedly because no one else in the band had any to offer at the time. Therefore Terror plays like a showcase for Malkmus' eccentricities, for better and worse. At best it's infectious, mind-blowing and witty, everything you could want from a Stephen Malkmus record. In places however (the schmaltzy "Major Leagues", for example) it lacks the spontaneity, the energy, and the group effort feel which had always made Pavement such a special studio band. August 17, 2008

Too Fluffy

This is as bad as it gets for Pavement. It's too girly and touchy feely. They really started to come off the tracks with this one. The magic is gone on this effort. Still... it's Pavement, which makes it better than most of the other stuff out there. February 8, 2008

The finest guitar playing of any Pavement album . . .

and I say this having worshipped the lo-fi post-punk of Slanted and Enchanted and the classic rock (sorta) anthems of Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. There is something really interesting going on with the guitars on this album and I don't know if it was Nigel Godrich cleaning everything up and insisting on perfection in the guitar tracks or if it was because it's essentially the Malkmus show. Who cares. Chances are, if you liked Malkmus' solo prog-inspired stuff you'll be interested in what he's doing here. Songs like "The Hexx" are a revelation of clean over dirty-and-menacing guitar.
It's complex enough that it warrants many repeat listens simply for musicality (and really, how many albums can you say that for?), but it's incredibly fun, direct, and emotional. It's as straightforward as Pavement ever gets, and that's not a bad thing. Quite honestly it's my go-to Pavement album and will not disappoint. December 18, 2007

Decent swan song for seminal band hardly capitolizes on their true indie brilliance

3 1/2

Legendary alternative band's final outing was a partially successful synthesis of the cerebral pop hooks and angular sonic assaults the band had become known for. This partially succeeds only because one can hear too much strain in trying to get that synthesis correct. It was a beautiful and appropriate way to go, but Terror Twilight holds fewer compelling songs then past albums. A strong 1-2 finish brings to light the unnecessary distractions that a possibly splintering band indulged while spraying excessive off-kilter sentiment all around some of their more accessable basic melodies, and only in a determined minimalist approach guided by the haunted guitar melodies from Malkmus (The Hexx), does it seem we are once again reminded of Pavement's true genius. May 8, 2007

Reap the Benefits

Like most music I have come to Pavement, in the words of Giant Sand, "always late and a day behind"; glad I did though, because through their music I have come to realize their place, mine as well, in modern rock & roll. Being of the Generation X variety, I was sucked into the Nirvana/Alice in Chains/Pearl Jam, etc. vortex of alternative rock without the proper introduction to bands like The Minutemen and later, Pavement. It seems like California and Seattle shared the same scene with the development of alternative/indie rock, with Seattle gaining more commercial notoriety, in my opinion. In any case, Pavement's status seems cemented, and after listening to Terror Twilight, I believe it. After listening to this record I could certainly hear the similarity of sound and thematic development currently harnessed by bands like Modest Mouse, the late great Grandaddy and even Wilco. This being Pavement's last release, it is the lasting impression I take from the band. Though I've listened to their other albums, which I have no problems with, none comes off as cohesive and polished like `Terror Twilight', though `Brighten the Corners' comes close.

Through and through, the album is consistently solid with the laid-back yet intense machinations of the `genius slacker' mentality. Surprising that after only one listen I couldn't find a song I didn't like. There are real standouts here...'You are a Light', 'Cream of Gold', `Folk Jam', `Major Leagues', `Billie', `...and Carrot Rope' come to mind immediately. The complexity of the lyrics is evident; you know you've found a good band that delivers something new upon each listen. Even when the rhythm and melodies are so catchy that the lyrics take a back seat, that's a great sign too. In any case, I'm glad I found Pavement. Not my favorite band, but `Terror Twilight' is becoming a favorite album.
May 2, 2007

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