The biggest news the music world experienced in the past few weeks revolves around a band whose best album took 15 years to sell 150,000 copies. The early '90s saw Nirvana unleash grunge, the Red Hot Chili Peppers maintain edgy alternative and Boyz II Men top the charts for months at a time. But instead, it is the reunion of Pavement, indie-rock icons from the same period, shaking up music fans around the world as much as the death of the King of Pop.
Mainstream media outlets may not give a shit because Pavement isn't one of those universally known names with a sensational story to boot. But alternative media outlets for music (online blogs, music webzines, etc.) are blowing up. This refreshing contrast reminds me of the doors the Internet opened, which created an ocean of options to sift through and answered the prayers of music addicts everywhere. By the way, most of them agree that Pavement deserves this attention.
It may seem an unnecessary observation, but without the Internet, where would Pavement be today? Certainly not idolized by a subsequent generation of indie latecomers and definitely not selling out Central Park in a minute.
Likewise, Beck's Record Club, an excuse for Beck and his musical friends to cover a classic album they love in one sitting, embodies a breath of fresh air for music nerds. Only in the Internet age is it so easy to record albums and distribute them so casually. What's more, this club is a medium for exposure.
Wilco and Beck collaborating to cover Alexander ""Skip"" Spence's Oar—an album and artist whose decline were the result of off-the-stage issues rather than lack of talent—stands as a tribute and public endorsement equal to a ""Best New Music"" tag from Pitchfork. And it's small bodies of profound work from introverted, troubled artists like Skip Spence providing the best gems rediscovered online; just note how steadily names like Nick Drake, Moby Grape and the foreign music from the Ethiopiques jazz series increasingly receive mention (meta moment!).
Vintage and obscure, these artists represent an unavoidable combination for avid listeners, leading us to dive into blogs, torrent searches and music stores every day looking for those rarest of discoveries. This never-ending well contains the nourishment for avid music listeners, and it is the Internet.
And one of the first major catches any new music fan comes across is surely Pavement. The poster child for anti-industry success, Pavement is becoming that household name they never aspired to be, but based on their ticket sales, I don't think they mind.
In truth, nobody who cares for the integrity of the industry should mind anything the Internet has contributed to music. Ironically, the Internet came along and saved music just in time. Otherwise the profit-happy teen-poppers from Disney might still be an unavoidable force of industry.
So while this media boom created laziness in TV programming and threatens ticket and DVD sales for movies, music was saved, and now flourishes, creatively. This is a fact buried beneath the Recording Industry Association of America suing individuals who download music and the labels grasping at the last of the money to be made through reissues.
But anytime you hear news of a band or an album you have never heard about before, just remember, it's an opportunity for personal discovery never available before. And it's all thanks to the very enemy whom the RIAA (the people who should be promoting the art form) so determinedly base their attacks around: the Internet.
So while the RIAA attempts to stop this already blazing cultural shift, the news of a Pavement reunion should distract the attention of genuine music lovers and as a result, get the indie toes wet of a significant number of more casual music fans by simply creating and celebrating the music many love.
But wait, isn't that supposed to be the job of the RIAA? Maybe if they stop suing for a second, they'll be able to harmonize their end of the industry with the Internet. But until then, dive in and download Pavement while you're at it.
Think Pavement is overrated? Well, then you're stupid. But e-mail Justin anyway and attempt to justify your foolish viewpoint at jstephani@wisc.edu.
