Webcuts Music

The smell of reunion is in the air as Pavement’s back catalogue is harvested for the new-comers in this career-spanning collection.

Having had the release of his first solo album The Real Feel eclipsed by that of the forthcoming Pavement reunion and scramble to get tickets, Spiral Stairs would probably be feeling a little robbed, but then again come next year, as the reunion-cash floods in, whatsitgonnamatter? “Stolen Pills” is a kinda The Fall meets Flying Nun records hybird, jangling guitars and distorted vocals. It’s a sweet return to the ragged lo-fi rock of Pavement, and is a firm two fingers in the face of the prog-noodling of his ex-counterpart Stephen Malkmus. Stolen Pills, I love’em. The Real Feel is out on Domino Records this week.

As the headline implicitly states, indie slackers Pavement are set to follow in the footsteps of Pixies, My Bloody Valentine etc to reform for shows next year. As thousands of fans worldwide rejoice, a small minority shrug their shoulders and sneer “you should’ve been there in ’92, man”.

After the demise of Pavement and the closure of the Preston School of Industry, Scott Kannberg AKA Spiral Stairs returns after a 5 year absence to deliver his first proper solo album The Real Feel on October 19.

In the final Australian festival wrap up for the Summer we brave the laneways of Brisbane to report on No Age, Jay Reatard, The Hold Steady, Cut Off Your Hands, The Drones, Stereolab, Spiral Stairs, Augie March and more.

Phew, it’s been a hectic January/February for Australian/NZ gig-goers but there’s one last festival of the Summer and it’s almost upon us — St Jerome’s Laneway festival. We made it last year to the Brisbane leg and had a great time swaying to Damn Arms, The Devastations, Feist, Stars and Broken Social Scene. Once again [...]

Expanded and remastered fourth album tour de force from Stockton, CA quintet. High-ho silver ride!