FROM early vinyl-only scratchings to the fully rounded grown up production of their last recordings, Pavement always had a little something extra that set them apart from countless Dinosaur Jr copyists and Nirvana wannabes. In fact, such was their quirkiness, they managed to feed back into the British guitar pop they were obviously in thrall too.
Gold Soundz is a ripping opening shot, packed with vim and brio, but there’s wilful oddness afoot on the sneering Cut Your Hair. Sweet harmony underpins Shady Lane/J vs S offset by the shoegazing thrum of Summer Babe and the knowing country rock anthem-in-waiting Range Life. By the time you’ve heard REM tribute, Unseen Power of the Picket Fence you’ll be itching to see the reformed Pavement.
