There was little question that the majority of the day was just one big lead-up to the night's main event: Pavement's first appearance in Chicago since reuniting. First though, the group brought out Drag City mainstay Rian Murphy to deliver an introduction that was so dry and witty that pretty much no one caught onto how funny it actually was. Instead, the guy got stuff thrown at him and then got booed off the stage. I'm sure it amused Stephen Malkmus to no end. As for the show itself, the song choices weren't too obscure, but they definitely covered all their bases (although I could have done with more from Wowee Zowee, but that's just me). "Shady Lane," "Spit on a Stranger," "Grounded" and "Conduit For Sale!" were the tracks that I enjoyed hearing most. The only thing that got me down was the way Malkmus essentially looked as if he was going through the motions, with every song punctuated by agitated looks and general impatience directed towards the rest of the band. As much as it pains me to admit this, it made the whole reunion look like little more than a cash grab. The tension that broke the group up is very much still present, but I'm sure the paychecks make it tolerable... at least until the tour wraps up. There's no way we'll see another album from these guys, so seize the chance to see them while you still can. The music is just as sloppy and liberating as ever, and even if it doesn't live up to seeing them in their heyday, I'm glad I got the chance to experience the next best thing. Hell, I'll probably pay to do it again.
July 23, 2010
Live Review: Pitchfork Music Festival 2010
There was little question that the majority of the day was just one big lead-up to the night's main event: Pavement's first appearance in Chicago since reuniting. First though, the group brought out Drag City mainstay Rian Murphy to deliver an introduction that was so dry and witty that pretty much no one caught onto how funny it actually was. Instead, the guy got stuff thrown at him and then got booed off the stage. I'm sure it amused Stephen Malkmus to no end. As for the show itself, the song choices weren't too obscure, but they definitely covered all their bases (although I could have done with more from Wowee Zowee, but that's just me). "Shady Lane," "Spit on a Stranger," "Grounded" and "Conduit For Sale!" were the tracks that I enjoyed hearing most. The only thing that got me down was the way Malkmus essentially looked as if he was going through the motions, with every song punctuated by agitated looks and general impatience directed towards the rest of the band. As much as it pains me to admit this, it made the whole reunion look like little more than a cash grab. The tension that broke the group up is very much still present, but I'm sure the paychecks make it tolerable... at least until the tour wraps up. There's no way we'll see another album from these guys, so seize the chance to see them while you still can. The music is just as sloppy and liberating as ever, and even if it doesn't live up to seeing them in their heyday, I'm glad I got the chance to experience the next best thing. Hell, I'll probably pay to do it again.
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