Pavement - Westing (by Musket and Sextant)

Soon after the success of Slanted & Enchanted, this release was not their second album, but a compilation of their early singles, various tracks and so on made before Slanted. This is nearly better than Slanted & Enchanted, we can say it.

(if anyone wants more Pavement albums, just ask. You can find them easily in other blogs but if you're a bit lazy, I'll be happy to help ;) )

Pavement - Slanted & Enchanted

Well, is there any need to talk about this album ? In 1992, Pavement had a huge impact on the indie scene with Slanted & Enchanted. They put on fame the "lo-fi" movement, invented a new way of creating album covers, had a non-star attitude (the singer, traditionnaly interviewed as the leader, let the other members talk to journalists), and on top of that had a lot of humour (their first drummer was standing at the door before the concerts, shaking hands or saying hello to people who came to see them play). And of course, this album is fantastic.

Compilation - Petite Oreille

So here is a special one, especially for parents and old punks that have got children. This was a compilation made by Boucherie Prod in 1996 with all the label's bands, and dedicated to children. So you can find there industrial bands, punk bands, folkish bands, even britanny folk, anything, in a crazy funny melting-pot. This is perfect to listen to in your car with your children, and I must admit it comes to my ears regularly since it was issued. And you can sing along with your son and daughter without feeling stupid, and hoping they will become angry punks one day and do what you failed in : change society. Yes, it's a must indie-family have. To name but a few : The Garçons Bouchers, Sttellla, Near Death Experience, Kni Crik, Les Elles, Alan Stivell, Charlélie Couture, Gabriel Yacoub, etc.

Becketts - Myth

Myth was issued in early 1992 if I remember well. I saw them live in a little place, I remember one of them (Michael Chinaski, the singer ?), very well, he was so, how can I say... clumsy, fragile. The kind of people that could have become a huge star... or the last loser you ever wanted to meet. Oh I forgot to say : the Becketts were produced by John Parish (who recently issued an album with PJ Harvey), he also played on a few songs.

Becketts - Three Songs EP+Western Lands EP

Let's talk a bit about Shoegaze. (The) Becketts didn't last long, but their 2 singles and one album were great stuff, far away from stardom. Those who liked the Pale Saints we'll be very happy to discover this band. They had all for them in the world of "shoegaze" : they were sad, shy, not looking good, and make a very noisy and sensitive music. Here are their only 2 singles (same link on both images). For those who will recognize another song in the one called "Chance", yes, you're not wrong, it's an amazing version of "Dreams Never end" by New Order (well I think so ;) ).

fIREHOSE - Fromohio

And finally the third one (1989). They issued after that 3 others albums.

fIREHOSE - If'n

And then the second one (1987). Note the cover, with an Hüsker Dü poster on the wall ;)

fIREHOSE - Raging', Full-On

This is the first album of fIREHOSE (the band that succeeded to the Minutemen), issued in 1986. Quite good, but I think less amazing than the Minutemen.

The Beloved - Where It Is

Back in 1987, just before I became a bad boy listening to noise rock (boooh) I remember being very impressed by this album, the first one of The Beloved. And I now understand why : all in this is very close to Dreams Never End (New Order). The bass sound is really the one of Peter Hook ! You can read on All Music Guide a bad review, but well I really disagree, it's a great record.
Then The Beloved, or at least the founding member, Jon Marsh, changed completely their music and went into dance-pop, like the Shamen, or a lot of people at the time.