Wowee Zowee
Encyclopedia
Wowee Zowee is the third studio album by Pavement
. The album showcased a more experimental and spontaneous side of the group, returning them to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the classic rock
vibe of 1994's Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
. The cover art was painted by New York-based artist Steve Keene
and resembles the cover of Guru Guru
's 1972 album, "Känguru."
Rolling Stone
speculated that the relative success of their previous album (having sold 169,000 copies by this time) was a reason for this album's eclectic nature; the magazine's review claimed Pavement were afraid of success. Stephen Malkmus
later refuted this, attributing the stylistic shift to excessive marijuana consumption. Rolling Stone
voted Wowee Zowee the 12th Coolest Album of all time.
The songs "Grounded," "Flux=Rad," "Pueblo," and "Kennel District" were originally written at the same time as the songs that became Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, and rough versions appear on Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins
disc 2.
The album was recorded at Easley Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, with the exception of some tracks recorded at Random Falls, in NY.
"Motion Suggests Itself" is featured on a Grandaddy
compilation entitled "Below the Radio". The song is mistitled "Motion Suggests" on the original release due to a transcription error and was not corrected until the expanded reissue eleven years later.
The album's title is an homage to former drummer Gary Young, who would frequently yell "Wowee zowee!" when excited. The title is also an alternate spelling of the Frank Zappa
song "Wowie Zowie" from the album Freak Out!
Matador Records
released an expanded 2CD edition of this album under the title Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition
on November 6, 2006. http://www.matadorrecords.com/pavement/
In 2010, author Bryan Charles wrote a book about the album as part of the 33⅓ book series.
, otherwise noted.
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
. The album showcased a more experimental and spontaneous side of the group, returning them to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
vibe of 1994's Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is an album released by Pavement in 1994. With this album, the band abandoned the lo-fi sound displayed on Slanted and Enchanted...
. The cover art was painted by New York-based artist Steve Keene
Steve Keene
Stephen Keene is an American artist who believes in mass producing hand painted works of art for the masses. He was called the "Assembly-Line Picasso" by Time magazine...
and resembles the cover of Guru Guru
Guru Guru
Guru Guru is a German Krautrock band formed in 1968 as The Guru Guru Groove by Mani Neumeier , Uli Trepte and Eddy Naegeli later replaced by American Jim Kennedy...
's 1972 album, "Känguru."
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
speculated that the relative success of their previous album (having sold 169,000 copies by this time) was a reason for this album's eclectic nature; the magazine's review claimed Pavement were afraid of success. Stephen Malkmus
Stephen Malkmus
Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
later refuted this, attributing the stylistic shift to excessive marijuana consumption. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
voted Wowee Zowee the 12th Coolest Album of all time.
The songs "Grounded," "Flux=Rad," "Pueblo," and "Kennel District" were originally written at the same time as the songs that became Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, and rough versions appear on Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins is a double album by Pavement released on October 26, 2004. It contains the band's second album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain in its entirety, as well as 37 of the band's other songs from that era, 25 of which were previously unreleased...
disc 2.
The album was recorded at Easley Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, with the exception of some tracks recorded at Random Falls, in NY.
"Motion Suggests Itself" is featured on a Grandaddy
Grandaddy
Grandaddy was an American indie rock band, formed in 1992 in Modesto, California by singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch. Guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden later joined the band in 1995...
compilation entitled "Below the Radio". The song is mistitled "Motion Suggests" on the original release due to a transcription error and was not corrected until the expanded reissue eleven years later.
The album's title is an homage to former drummer Gary Young, who would frequently yell "Wowee zowee!" when excited. The title is also an alternate spelling of the Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
song "Wowie Zowie" from the album Freak Out!
Freak Out!
Freak Out! is the debut album by American band The Mothers of Invention, released June 27, 1966 on Verve Records. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, the album is a satirical expression of frontman Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture...
Matador Records
Matador Records
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
released an expanded 2CD edition of this album under the title Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition
Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition
Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition is a two CD compilation album by Pavement released on November 7, 2006. It contains the band's third album, Wowee Zowee in its entirety, as well as 32 of the band's other songs from that era, 18 of which were previously unreleased.Matador Records offered extra...
on November 6, 2006. http://www.matadorrecords.com/pavement/
In 2010, author Bryan Charles wrote a book about the album as part of the 33⅓ book series.
Track listing
All songs written by Stephen MalkmusStephen Malkmus
Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
, otherwise noted.
- "We Dance" – 3:01
- "Rattled by the RushRattled by the Rush"Rattled by the Rush" is Pavement's first single from their 1995 album Wowee Zowee. The song also appears on the EP Rattled by la Rush, issued the same year....
" – 4:16 - "Black Out" – 2:10
- "Brinx Job" – 1:31
- "Grounded" – 4:14
- "Serpentine Pad" – 1:16
- "Motion Suggests" – 3:15
- "Father to a Sister of ThoughtFather to a Sister of Thought"Father to a Sister of Thought" is a song written by Stephen Malkmus of Pavement that appears on the band's third album, Wowee Zowee . On June 20, 1995, the song was released as the second single from the album in 7" vinyl and CD-single formats; the track list is the same for both versions...
" – 3:30 - "Extradition" – 2:12
- "Best Friend's Arm" – 2:19
- "Grave Architecture" – 4:16
- "AT & T" – 3:32
- "Flux = Rad" – 1:45
- "Fight This Generation" – 4:22
- "Kennel District" – 2:59 (Spiral Stairs)
- "Pueblo" – 3:25
- "Half a Canyon" – 6:10
- "Western Homes" – 1:49 (Spiral Stairs)
Personnel
- Stephen MalkmusStephen MalkmusStephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
: Vocals, Guitar - Bob NastanovichBob NastanovichRobert "Bob" Nastanovich is a member of the indie rock band, Pavement, as well as former member of 1990s bands Ectoslavia, and Pale Horse Riders...
: Percussion, Vocals - Scott KannbergScott KannbergScott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg is a musician best known for being a founding member of the indie-rock band Pavement.-Career:...
: Vocals, Guitar - Steve WestSteve West (pavement)Steve West replaced original drummer Gary Young in the critically acclaimed indie rock band Pavement. He is a graduate of Trinity High School in Richmond, VA. He now sings in the band Marble Valley, which released their fourth album, "Slash & Laugh," on in 2008.-References:...
: Drums, Percussion - Mark IboldMark IboldMark Ibold is a New York-based bass guitarist, member of the indie band Pavement from 1992 to 1999, and again as of their 2010 reunion. He is also currently in the alternative rock band Sonic Youth....
: Bass - Doug Easley: Pedal steel guitar ("Father to a Sister of Thought")
- Sibel Firat: Cello ("Fight This Generation")
- Engineered by Doug Easley, Davis McCain and Mark Venezia
- Mixed by Bryce Goggin, Jan BL, Stephen Malkmus and Rich Costey
- Mastered by Gregory Hull