...and it can't get up

The General Theory of Pavement: Anything is possible and possibly good. Although Pavement do not violate themselves as they Brighten the Corners, the album qualifies this physical law. The new Special Theory reads: Anything is better the first time. Pavement have fallen into a groove, something unheard of until now.

Pavement's previous full-lengths somehow found the wonderful in directions our rock 'n roll compasses had good reason not to point. Moreover, each album showcased a different spectrum of influences. Pavement's last, Wowee Zowee, was a grab bag that sent compasses spinning even between tracks, but usually sent its contestants to the showcase showdown. Anything was possible...

Now Brighten the Corners steals more Anything from that album than Michael Bolton from Motown. Brighten repeats harmonies, tones, chord progressions, effects, lyrics, and most importantly, attitude. The formula produces good songs, but it also trivializes the band's creativity.

Only the loungy "Blue Hawaiian" finds Pavement in new territory, and even it disappoints.. The most striking moment on the album comes in "Transport is Arranged," where Pavement finally yields to the sampling revolution in a characteristically anti way.

On "Old to Begin," Pavement commands, "Embrace us in our genius." I'm still embracing, but I've loosened my grip.

--Tom Treynor

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