PAVEMENT - Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement

Pavement. The kings of slacker rock. The definition of '90s indie rock. PAVEMENT.

I've been listening to the album and writing my review at the same time but I've just gone in and deleted everything I already wrote. Because what hasn't been said about Pavement already? Nothing I say here will be groundbreaking at all.

I guess I just want to let everyone know that this Best-Of now exists. But what's the point, really, of this record? If you like Pavement, you probably/should already know everything on here. If you don't like Pavement, you don't care about this release at all because it doesn't even contain any new material for you to potentially hate on. And if you've never heard of Pavement, you should start with their 1993 debut album, Slanted and Enchanted, not this gobbledy-gook of a record that ignores the chronological order of the band's releases. It's so hard to pick out what should be on a Pavement "Best-Of" (since they didn't have any huge hit singles); there's bound to be material on their actual albums that you like more than some of the selections on here.

"Silence Kid" is not on here, so clearly this collection is not "The Best of Pavement," as it advertises.

Also, I don't understand the cover art.

But Pavement is still awesome. Listen to their actual albums.

MATT and KIM - Matt and Kim; MATT and KIM - Grand

Matt & Kim's self-titled debut was released in 2006, and Grand, the follow-up, was released in 2009. I'm reviewing them now because, while scouring the internet for shows coming to my area, I found that this Brooklyn-based duo is scheduled to play around here very soon. Not many bands playing original music play near where I live, so when there is one coming to town, I usually try to go. Unless the band is awful. I set out on a quest to see if Matt & Kim are awful or if I should plan to go check them out.

The overwhelming verdict after listening to their albums is that I am most definitely going to go to their show. Both of the albums are similar in sound, so no need to split up their reviews. Upbeat drumming, keyboards, a girl drummer (represent!), and a vocalist who sings like a way cooler version of John Darnielle, though still in a very nerd-esque manner? Count me in. The songs are fun and full of energy. I dig the lyrics, too. A better, more rocking version of Mates Of State. Matt & Kim are a band that I have overlooked the past few years and I am very happy to finally have introduced my ears to them.

I can only hope that the show is filled with lots of dancing, jumping around, singing out loud, and general hijinks. See you there, hipster friends.

www.myspace.com/mattandkim
www.mattandkimmusic.com

THIS PROVIDENCE - Who Are You Now?

Who Are You Now? is This Providence's third full-length album. This Providence are a four-piece band out of Seattle, Washington, and this is their second album to be released by Fueled By Ramen records.

I was initially interested in checking out this album after hearing the fifth track on the album, "Keeping On Without You". That song reminded me of the songs on Sloan's Pretty Together, an album I hold near and dear to my heart. "Keeping On Without You" features melodic guitar with a peaceful male vocal and is one of those songs that you like immediately. While it's my favorite song on the album, there are a number of other good ones on here as well ("Squeaking Wheels and White Light," "Letdown," and "That Girl's A Trick" are just a few I especially liked).

The overall sound of This Providence could be described simply as power pop-rock. At times, the vocalist reminds me of what Jonathan Visger of Mason Proper would sound like if he fronted a pop-punk band (It's a strange comparison, I know). The songs are polished, catchy, and filled with hooks and anthemic choruses that will get you dancing and singing along right away. If you are a fan of any music in this genre, This Providence's newest will be a fine addition to your collection.

This Providence will be embarking on an extensive United States tour from March 25 through May 1, 2010; dates and venues may be viewed on their websites.

www.myspace.com/thisprovidence
www.thisprovidence.com