Slanted and Enchanted
Encyclopedia
Slanted and Enchanted is the debut studio album
by American indie rock
band Pavement
, released in April 1992 on Matador Records
. The album was distributed to critics as early as 1991, months before its official release; the original distribution did not feature the entire band as several members joined during its production. The recording sessions were split between South Makepeace Studios in Brooklyn, New York (recorded December 24, 1990) and Louder Than You Think Studios in Stockton, CA
(recorded January 13–20, 1991). It was said that Gary Young's drumming was so shaky that Bob Nastanovich
kept time for him, in addition to working as tour manager. . In 2003, the album was ranked number 134 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
.
A two-disc expanded version of the album, Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe
, was released in 2002. Along with the original 14 tracks, it includes an additional ten tracks from recording sessions on disc one, and disc two consists of the four-track Watery, Domestic
EP
, seven other songs from recording sessions, and 13 live tracks (from a show at the Brixton Academy in London
on December 14, 1992).
The album's name is taken from the title of a cartoon made by Silver Jews
frontman David Berman. Artwork was created by appropriating that of an existing album, Ferrante & Teicher
's Keyboard Kapers - itself a re-released form of Dynamic Twin Pianos "re-packaged to conform with the brilliant 'New Look' of the United Artists Records product".
As of 2007, the album has sold 150,000 copies.
Music videos were shot for the songs "Here" and "Perfume-V" but they were not in rotation on MTV
and were later included on the Slow Century
DVD.
albums of all time. AllMusic' s Stephen Thomas Erlewine, in a five out five stars review, called Slanted and Enchanted "a left-field classic" and "one of the most influential records of the '90s". In 2002, Pitchfork
awarded the album their maximum grade of 10.0/10.0 in a review of the album's reissue and ranked it as the 5th greatest album of the 90s in 2003. Robert Christgau
, in a highly favourable review, awarded the album an A grade, claiming that Pavement are "good at both tune and noise" yet Slanted and Enchanted yields "a message complex enough to offer hope". Blender named Slanted and Enchanted the greatest indie album of all time.
(*) designates unordered lists.
, except "Two States" by Scott Kannberg
The Japanese release of the album featured the songs "Sue Me Jack" (3:02) and "So Stark (You're a Skyscraper)" (3:01) after "Our Singer".
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
, released in April 1992 on Matador Records
Matador Records
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
. The album was distributed to critics as early as 1991, months before its official release; the original distribution did not feature the entire band as several members joined during its production. The recording sessions were split between South Makepeace Studios in Brooklyn, New York (recorded December 24, 1990) and Louder Than You Think Studios in Stockton, CA
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
(recorded January 13–20, 1991). It was said that Gary Young's drumming was so shaky that Bob Nastanovich
Bob Nastanovich
Robert "Bob" Nastanovich is a member of the indie rock band, Pavement, as well as former member of 1990s bands Ectoslavia, and Pale Horse Riders...
kept time for him, in addition to working as tour manager. . In 2003, the album was ranked number 134 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
.
A two-disc expanded version of the album, Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe
Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe
Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe is a double album by Pavement featuring a remastered version of the band's first studio album Slanted and Enchanted, as well as outtakes & live tracks from the same era as the original release...
, was released in 2002. Along with the original 14 tracks, it includes an additional ten tracks from recording sessions on disc one, and disc two consists of the four-track Watery, Domestic
Watery, Domestic
Watery, Domestic is an EP by Pavement.The record marked the recording debuts of both Bob Nastanovich and Mark Ibold on percussion and bass respectively - although both had been touring members for some time, the debut album, Slanted and Enchanted and the preceding EPs had been recorded by a trio of...
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, seven other songs from recording sessions, and 13 live tracks (from a show at the Brixton Academy in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on December 14, 1992).
The album's name is taken from the title of a cartoon made by Silver Jews
Silver Jews
Silver Jews was an indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman remained throughout and was the only constant member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band...
frontman David Berman. Artwork was created by appropriating that of an existing album, Ferrante & Teicher
Ferrante & Teicher
Ferrante & Teicher were a duo of American piano players, known for their light arrangements of familiar classical pieces, movie soundtracks, and show tunes.-Career:...
's Keyboard Kapers - itself a re-released form of Dynamic Twin Pianos "re-packaged to conform with the brilliant 'New Look' of the United Artists Records product".
As of 2007, the album has sold 150,000 copies.
Music videos were shot for the songs "Here" and "Perfume-V" but they were not in rotation on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and were later included on the Slow Century
Slow Century
Slow Century is a two-disc DVD retrospective of the band Pavement filmed and compiled by filmmaker Lance Bangs. The first disc contains Slow Century itself, a 90-minute documentary with extensive interviews with the band members and considerable live concert footage from across their career...
DVD.
Acclaim
Since its release in 1992, Slanted and Enchanted has appeared on many best-of lists and has been frequently cited as among the best albums of the 1990s and one of the most influential indie rockIndie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
albums of all time. AllMusic
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
awarded the album their maximum grade of 10.0/10.0 in a review of the album's reissue and ranked it as the 5th greatest album of the 90s in 2003. Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
, in a highly favourable review, awarded the album an A grade, claiming that Pavement are "good at both tune and noise" yet Slanted and Enchanted yields "a message complex enough to offer hope". Blender named Slanted and Enchanted the greatest indie album of all time.
| Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitchfork Media Pitchfork Media Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock... |
US | Top 100 Albums of the 1990s | 2003 | 5 |
| Rolling Stone Rolling Stone Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J... |
US | Essential Recordings of the '90s | 2002 | * |
| 500 Greatest Albums of All Time | 2003 | 134 | ||
| Slant Magazine Slant Magazine Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :... |
US | Best Albums of the '90s | 2011 | 40 |
| Spin Spin (magazine) Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard... |
US | Top 90 Albums of '90s | 1999 | 5 |
| Top 100 Albums of the Last 20 Years | 2005 | 4 | ||
| 125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years | 2010 | 9 |
(*) designates unordered lists.
Track listing
All songs written by Stephen MalkmusStephen Malkmus
Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
, except "Two States" by Scott Kannberg
Scott Kannberg
Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg is a musician best known for being a founding member of the indie-rock band Pavement.-Career:...
- "Summer Babe (Winter Version)Summer Babe"Summer Babe" is a 1992 song by Pavement. It was the last single released on Chicago's Drag City label before the band moved to the New York-based Matador label. The songs on this single would later be included on the Drag City compilation Westing , and on Matador's Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe...
" – 3:16 - "Trigger CutTrigger Cut"Trigger Cut" is a 1992 single by indie rock band Pavement. The title song was featured on their debut album, Slanted and Enchanted. The B-sides, "Sue Me Jack" and "So Stark ," were recorded at the same sessions as the Watery, Domestic EP. Both B-sides were among the bonus tracks featured on the...
/Wounded-Kite at :17" – 3:16 - "No Life Singed Her" – 2:09
- "In the Mouth a Desert" – 3:52
- "Conduit for Sale!" – 2:52
- "Zürich Is Stained" – 1:41
- "Chesley's Little Wrists" – 1:16
- "Loretta's Scars" – 2:55
- "Here" – 3:56
- "Two States" – 1:47
- "Perfume-V" – 2:09
- "Fame Throwa" – 3:22
- "Jackals, False Grails: The Lonesome Era" – 3:21
- "Our Singer" – 3:09
The Japanese release of the album featured the songs "Sue Me Jack" (3:02) and "So Stark (You're a Skyscraper)" (3:01) after "Our Singer".
Personnel
- Stephen MalkmusStephen MalkmusStephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
: Vocals, Guitar - Scott KannbergScott KannbergScott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg is a musician best known for being a founding member of the indie-rock band Pavement.-Career:...
: Vocals, Guitar - Gary Young: Drums, Percussion
- Cy Jameson: engineer ("Here")