It is easy to forget how important Pavement are. Their latest fan is Damon Albarn, who pushed Blur towards Pavement's crumpled style when trying to atone for The Great Escape. They nestle somewhere between Beck and Sonic Youth in the vanguard of cool American music and in Slanted and Enchanted and Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain they have produced at least two great albums.

It's also easy to forget how dang weird they are. They concoct sounds a deranged synthesiser manufacturer would be hard-pressed to name and lay them over two guitars, both very nearly in tune and, in true Doctoring The Tardis style, twin drums. Combined with their decidedly no-action style, a plethora of vocalists who all sound as if they are choking and a whole lot of nonsense, it makes a refreshing mix. Underneath all the sonic frippery and strangulated vocals there is a solid base of fine songs and even the odd moment of beauty, especially when the guitar tunings combine to make chords that are slightly askew yet strangely pleasing.