Spudhole

A compilation of their very first releases, Westing displays the underground kings of slackdom, kicking back in what sounds like a tool shed, discovering their sound. All the noisy, lo-fi, jangly, disparate influences are on display here. The punky goodness of Debris Slide to the instant classic smalltown abandonment that is Box Elder. Hell, the single version of their first genuine hit, Summer Babe, is on here. Essential listening for any wannabe indie prophet.

This is the beginning of the end of Pavement. Essentially a Malkmus solo album, he and Nigel Goodrich, frustrated with the other players' "lack of skill", micromanaged the rest of the team, leading to an album that no longer shines with the classic era Pavement unpretentiousness and spontaneity. A disappointing ending to a tremendous band. They bloated The Hexx and forgot to include Harness your Hopes! These seem like serious oversights that some other members may have had ... read more

Underrated. Her last album before a 10+ year hiatus.
Plus this record has the only Kate and Prince collab on "Why should I love you?"

Kris Kristofferson's debut is a fine example of a writer starting out their career, finding their way, their own voice and doing just that. He wrote most of these tracks whilst working on oil rigs flying choppers. And while most of these tunes are far more famous when performed by others: Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, and Al Green, to name but a few, Kris' own delivery is charming. To Beat The Devil would be hard for anyone else to do a better job. Kris' whiskey-soaked baritone ... read more