Pavement: More Than Just Slacker Rock? New Documentary Explores the 90s Alt-Rock Legacy
Pavement, the 90s alt-rock band known for their slacker aesthetic and influential sound, is the subject of a new documentary, Pavements. But is it just another nostalgia trip? The film blends documentary footage, biopic parodies, and even a jukebox musical to paint a multifaceted portrait of the band and their legacy.
Director Alex Ross Perry takes an unconventional approach, creating a hybrid film that reflects the band's amorphous sound and countless interpretations. Pavements includes archival footage from Pavement's 2022 reunion tour, a biopic focusing on their 1995 album Wowee Zowee, and a mockumentary featuring Joe Keery (Stranger Things) mimicking frontman Stephen Malkmus's drawl. Perry even orchestrated a temporary Pavement museum and a short-run jukebox musical to further explore the band's inscrutability.
As Perry explains, his goal was to represent the idea that every Pavement song feels different. He drew inspiration from Wowee Zowee, an album known for its scattered complexity. Perry states, "The movie needed to be some version of that."
The film also delves into the band's impact on a dedicated fanbase. As one article puts it, “to explore this other time line, Perry commissioned a musical set to Pavement’s songs, which he titled “Slanted! Enchanted!” He also wrote a serious, straightforward rock bio-pic called “Range Life” and shot scenes with the actors Joe Keery (of “Stranger Things”) and Jason Schwartzman."
Interestingly, while the band members were wary of the "legacy trap," they allowed Perry creative freedom. The film questions the nature of rock biopics, with their tendency to idealize or distort the truth. Keery is quoted in the film saying the "style captures the message," highlighting Pavement's unique approach to music and performance.
One review describes it as “a true fanatic’s take, it aspires to be as heady and as weird as the band itself. Perry’s aggressively clever story about Pavement is different from what mine would be, yet I recognized a fellow-traveller. In making something so intensely loving, he points out the banality of modern-day fandom, in which we’re all expected to be brand ambassadors, reciting someone else’s gospel."
Whether you're a die-hard Pavement fan or curious about 90s alt-rock, Pavements promises a unique and thought-provoking experience.
The film's release comes amidst a broader trend of rock biopics. While some critics worry about these films becoming sanitized versions of history, Pavements aims to offer something different: an exploration that's as unconventional and enigmatic as the band itself.
What do you think? Is Pavement's influence still relevant today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
