Pavement
The Secret History, Vol. 1
Matador Records [2015]
If you’re here, chances are you’re already knee-deep in the Pavement universe—and The Secret History, Vol. 1 is an easy add-on if you judge it purely by the music. The B-sides are essential for the faithful, and the live cuts show just how much these songs expand onstage; a few studio moments practically sprout new limbs once they hit the PA.
But here’s the catch: if you already own the Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe edition, you’ve heard all of this before. This double-vinyl pressing is a fun artifact for completists, but casual collectors should tread carefully—you might be paying for a stack of tracks you already shelved years ago.
Still, if you skipped that earlier reissue or just want a clean, consolidated way to revisit this era, The Secret History, Vol. 1 remains a solid stopover in the Pavement archives. A worthwhile listen, just not an essential purchase for anyone already deep in the vault.
A lifelong fan of new music—spent the '90s working in a record store and producing alternative video shows. In the 2000s, that passion shifted online with blogging, diving headfirst into the indie scene and always on the lookout for the next great release. Still here, still listening, and still sharing the best of what’s new.
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
