1. Pavement - Westing (By Musket and Sextant) (1993) (Admittedly not an album, just a compilation, but whatever) This is a confusing work because it compiles their first 3 EPs and first single. The music is sloppy but fun and interesting. It doesn't really sound like any of their other stuff (although being vaguely reminiscent of Slanted at times), and the band has stated that they weren't really serious at the time of making this stuff, and it shows. It doesn't sound like a band that was trying to get out there to the public, and that is made clear immediately from starting out the first EP with 10 seconds of guitar static to the surreal lyrics ("Spent week in Nevada dancing with old lady full of nickels", "Last time I was there you were out on the couch pressed into a little electric 2", "Just because I'm faking doesn't mean I'm wrong. I bought you for a price yeah, you know I got it at cost"), it's like the most cryptic stuff ever but it's very endearing somehow. I dig it, and the songs are simple but interesting. Pretty good for the first stuff they ever did. 9/10 Favorite tracks: You're Killing Me, Box Elder, Maybe Maybe, Price Yeah! (also my favorite song title), Forklift, Spizzle Trunk, Internal K-Dart, Heckler Spray, Angel Carver Blues, Debris Slide, Home 2. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! (2021) This is probably my favorite post-reunion album that they have released. It has a pretty similar essence to Skinny Fists with the field recording breaks and radio transmissions, and also, it's a lot more hopeful than a majority of what came before. The shorter compositions are great tracks. Sort of like the second half of 9-15-00 from Yanqui U.X.O. but 2 of them. It's a pretty happy album (although the 2 shorter songs are a little sad sounding), and maybe that's why I like it so much. Very good, very cool. 9/10 Favorite tracks: All of them, but specifically the first half of Glacier and the second half of Cliff
