Brighten the Corners

iTunes Review

Pavement virtually defined indie-rock for the 1990s with their collapsing rhythms, sudden discordant guitar jabs, and cheeky, ironic lyrics delivered with near indifference. 1997’s Brighten the Corners was the band’s “return to form” after the experimental — and in hindsight now much appreciated — Wowee Zowee failed to connect with the immediacy of their previous output. Corners is more song oriented; the band’s ramshackle arrangements still lead the way, but the melodies are quicker to the point. The opening track, “Stereo,” sounds as if the band is still setting up the equipment as the tape rolls but the chorus reels everything in, while “Shady Lane” and “Date With Ikea” explode with urgent pop energy from their opening notes. Effective mellotron usage adds a trippy vibe to “Transport is Arranged.” “We Are Underused” employs classic southern-rock guitar licks. The band has matured without losing the excited spark of discovery that invigorates every cliché that’s turned on its head.