Gauge 16: Brighten The Corners

kgreg31
Oct 20
3 min read

Characterized by fuzzy, overdriven guitar and unconventional tuning, along with a unique style of singing that I’d say is halfway in between speaking and singing that's almost sarcastic or satirical. You may have heard of the band Pavement or their song “Harness Your Hopes - B-side” that has recently gotten popular on tikitok, quickly becoming their most streamed song on spotify. I will admit that the lead singer Steven Malkmus’ singing is more of an acquired taste, but his stylistic way of haphazard singing and intentional low-fidelity instrumental work pairs perfectly with the cynic nature of his songs that makes you feel a melancholic, carelessness that you fall into when you really listen to it.

Starting out as a small recording project in 1989 by lead singer and guitarist Steven Malkmus and Scott Kannberg, the band Pavement steadily grew more popular in the indie rock scene over the years, becoming one of the defining bands of the genre in the 90s. After word of Pavement had gotten around in the scene for some of their EP’s and singles their first album “Slanted and Enchanted” (1992) has been regarded as a foundational and influential record.

While "Slanted and Enchanted" is a great album I really wanted to give a review for their 1997 album "Brighten the Corners" because it holds a special place in my heart. My dad always talks about how if he was stuck on a deserted island and he had to choose only a handful of records, this would be one of those records that he'd bring with him. The memory I always associated with this album is when I was a kid one time we went go to Portillo's after a rough day and on the way back he put on this whole album and took the long way home that went across some corn fields while I fell asleep in the passenger seat. When I was deciding on what to write for this blog I realized that I had never really listened to "Brighten the Corners" in its entirety and decided that I should do a review on it. When I was listening to this album it felt really nostalgic because I knew all the songs but didn't know their names and listening to this record made me miss home a lot. So I went back home with my sister and I'm writing this from my couch while my dad is watching the walking dead. I'll be reviewing some of my favorites from this album and then giving an overall rating so if you have the time listen to the whole album.

Stereo - (9/10)

This song like many of pavements songs, are very open to interpretation lyrically, but this song talks about the struggles of signing on to a major label while making a satirical jab at the idea of trying to make a radio hit versus something with authenticity and meaning.

Shady Lane - (9/10)

I like the simplicity of this song and how its just about a girl who went on a bad blind date with some guy, but musically its really beautiful and calming with a sort of trippy outro.

Transport is Arranged - (10/10)

This is my favorite song on the album because it starts off a beautiful introduction and shows how Steven Malkmus uses a lot of fragmented nonsensical lyrics that can be interpreted in their own context. Then the song eerily builds up to a loud and overdriven part that abruptly stops which then goes back to the original chorus.

Type Slowly - (10/10)

The lyrics for this song sound so emotional yet mean absolutely nothing and just seem like random thoughts conjoined together to form a beautifully abstract song that I vividly remember falling asleep to and dreaming about some of the lyrics when I was a kid.

Embassy Row - (10/10)

Embassy Row is the song right after "Type Slowly" and the intro for it follows the same sort of woeful soothing tone before switching to a more upbeat and dissonant chorus. My dad would always put this song on in the car and its always been a favorite of mine ever since I was a kid

If I were to give you my personal rating on the whole album id say that its 10/10 because of the unorthodox lyrics and unusual guitar chords that blend particularly well to create an artistically unique and fresh sound.