Rating: 
Summary: If you've never seen them live....
Review: "Slow Century" was just the DVD that I've been jonesing for since the apparent end of Pavement a few years ago. It has all of the elements that fill in the blanks for someone like myself that has heard but rarely seen the band perform. Disc One has a documentary and all of the videos and alternates from 1989 to 1999. I'd only seen two of their videos to date and I can tell you that Pavement videos come in three styles. The Touring Video. The Kind of Higher Budgeted Concept Video. And The Zero Budget, Let's Throw On Some Costumes And Make Like Monkees Sort of Concept Video. I gotta say that I was mesmerized by all of them in one way or another. Drummer Steve West is a trip to watch. His beard length and eyewear frequently change throughout the course of this anthology. And is it me, or does he clearly resemble "Revenge Of The Nerds" character, Poindexter, in the "Rattled By The Rush" video?The documentary is a no-frills, low-key document of the band's history. There are a few live versions of songs not featured in the concerts on disc 2, ("Silence Kit" being my favorite). It was also nice to see how all of the members of Pavement fit into the fold. I never realized how much Spiral Stairs did in the group. Also, I always thought that Bob Nastanovich only did call and response bits (via a performance of "Stereo" on Conan in 1997). Watching the documentary and concert footage, I now know that he played a moog, a small drum kit and other percussion instruments. Toward the end of the doc, watch for Malkmus and the band rehearsing "Discretion Grove" which would ultimately end up on his solo debut. The concert footage isn't spectacular, but it does offer a glimpse of the live experience that many Pavement fans have not had. Though heavy on "Terror Twilight" songs, the concert covers each of the Pavement records. Finally, check out the outtakes from the documentary to hear commentary from Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Gordon's recollections of Courtney Love's failed attempts to seduce Malkmus are priceless. Also, there is an easter egg on the main menu for the documentary that leads to some live concert performances of two songs (one including an early, unfinished version of the song that would ultimately become the R.E.M. tribute "Unseen Power of the Picket Fence". If you are a Pavement fan, this is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: I haven't seen it yet...
Review: ...but then again, do I really need to? I know it's amazing and so do you. It's Pavement, what more do you need? If I could get an IV that filled my body with 10,000% of the daily amount of Pavement recommended by the RDA (who drastically under-estimates the correct dosage by the way) only by giving my left kidney, I'd definitely say, "Do it! Do it fast! Do it NOW!" People often ask me, "What in the world is better than Pavement?" The answer: NOTHING (except maybe more Pavement or possibly most Pavement) I've been getting the shakes recently knowing that this DVD is finally coming out. I can't type anymore, I MUST go listen to Pavement and if you're smart, you'll do likewise.
Rating:
Summary: It truly was a Slow Century
Review: ...I bought the last copy of...a now out of print DVD. Anyway, I guess this is the part where I go on like everybody else who reviewed this DVD. It's just awesome. For [$] bucks you get so much. An hour long documentary, 16 music videos with seperate commentaries from both band and director on each video. The second disc, and this is where the juice of the DVD is, contains 2 full live concerts. This is just truly amazing I think. Pavement was one of the greatest, most defining rock bands in the 90's PERIOD, not just the indie scene. As Malkmus (I believe it was Malkmus) said himself, since the release of Slanted and Enchanted in 1991, over a thousand Weezers have sprung up (including Weezer) I thought that was a very appropriate way to put it, and I hope that Pavement continues to live on in all of our hearts despite their demise in 1999. I know they will in mine. It's truly been a slow century...Ryan Folks
Rating:
Summary: A "must-have" for Pavement fans
Review: A friend just got me this as an early Xmas present, and I couldn't be more thankful. I miss Pavement so much it hurts. And this DVD filled a void in me that hasn't been filled in a long time. Included are many many interviews and back story bits about the band, and their evolution..from the beginning up and into the recording of "Terror Twilight". Very insightful stuff. Also included are all their videos, which is a nice little bonus, but what's more enjoyable are the myriad of live performances. There's live stuff from here and there, and then there's two full shows here as well. Yes, Pavement's gone. And it sucks big time. But this DVD does help you feel a little better about it.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: Back when Pavement started I was living in the mid-west and they were this mysterious band that none of the major magazines were writing about, and you couldn't find much about them on MTV either. At the time Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and Sound Garden were the major alternative groups but there was a lot of discontent with how commercial these bands had become. The amazing thing about Pavement was they were a phenomenon that every one was raving about but they never got any recognition from any major media outlets. That was the start of the indie rock movement for me, and just about everyone I know. This documentary covers the early beginnings as well as the later years of Pavement. From their early gigs where the sound was close to shambles but still brilliant, to the later Terror Twilight Years where the band was predictable but still amazing. Some of the high lights for me was the live footage of 'Baptist Blackstick' that song is a forgotten classic, the live version of 'Box Elder' in front of the Philadelphia Record Exchange, the woes of the Lollapalooza tour especially the fiasco in West Virginia, and just about anything that had to do with the eccentric Garry Young. The two concerts are great, and are far better performances than any of the times I saw them on the Terror Twighlight tour. My only complaint is that I wish they had more live concert footage from the Crooked Rain or Wowee Zowee eras instead of two shows from the Terror Twighlight era. In my opinion they peaked as live performers around those two albums. From crazy improvisations, to really long extended jams anyone that knows what I'm talking about will remember that just about anything could happen at a Pavement show back then.
Rating:
Summary: It's all here...
Review: Considering what you get for your hard-earned bucks, this is probably the best value ever in a rock band DVD. The extras range from hilarious (KROQ DJ makes an fool of himself introducing the band) to merely funny to fascinating. If you love Pavement, you need this.
If you don't love Pavement, you will after you watch this. In 10 years they made some very different records, but I'm glad I own every single one of them. And I still listen to them all the time. How many bands can you say that about? The Slanted and Enchanted re-issue is also an excellent package/bargain. Get it!
Rating:
Summary: The English Biscuit Phenomenon
Review: Dear readers; as I write this review, I look to the DVD case for inspiration. I haven't slept in almost a week due to the fact that these two DVDs are continually rotating in my player and mind. I think I might have lost my job. And worse yet, the pizza guy refuses to deliver to my house anymore. I may die of Pavementitis. That would be tragic - hopefully my family might be able to sue S.M., Spiral, Bob, Ibold and Steve - ha, even that Young guy, too. He is most at fault. Anyway, on with the review! This thing is pure rock and roll. If only K-Rock could release more Pavement stuff, more of the world might turn on to this band. The "Cream in the Coffee" exhibit is a personal favorite. All though the thought of Spiral working at a Millestone Coffee outlet is a little disturbing. Who knew Preston would be the ruin of his life? Quel Dommage. The live footage of the band is good, I never knew they went through a "GWAR" phase. If only I lived in Stockton during those early days. Shows at the Donner Club looked absolutely goofy! Closed circuit to S.M. No. My spaceship does not run on crack, silly guy. Another favorite "chapter" is the tirade Ibold has about semi-colon usage; he couldn't get it off his chest apparently. Ibold, Ibold, Ibold; setlists don't need semi-colons! And to think that almost brought an end to the band in '93. The videos are included, but with a special twist I don't want to give away. Let me write two words as a clue to you all: Veruca Salt. Nothing more than that kids! There is an Easter Egg where Malkmus and Spiral give a guided tour of the Whitney "after hours." I opened it once and was not able to do it again - maybe you can only see it once. I highly recommend it. I title this part "Oh, Bob!"
The Nast is in full effect my friend. Like the other reviewer I, too, do not understand why there is a blue cube over his crotch throughout the footage - even the live stuff from '81. (Oh, did you know that they were around then, too?) Even at a show I remember being at when they came to Minneapolis has the blue cube - and I know he didn't have anything out in public. Bob is a really good, guy. If only we could have known him longer. Alas, reports of his death are greatly exaggerated, or something. The scenes with he and his horses got a little old - especially when he went on a bender and started quoting lines from the book Seabiscuit. No, Bob, I know you will never be as short as Red Pollard! (The reason I answer the band is because the DVD left me feeling like I knew them - it is that good!) The cage match between West and Young highlights the "dummers" segment. So that's how West got in the band! I always wondered how he landed with them. Who knew he was such a great wrestler? Then again, look at Young. He couldn't - and wouldn't - hurt a caterpillar. Anyway, insight into the world of rock dumming. And if you really want insight to these two DVDs, learn how to score at least 500 a game in Scrabble. I have a friend who can and he left the viewing of the discs with mush more than I could. In the end, with rumors of a reunion silenced, it is just you, the band and the setting sun. The way it should be. Support the boys - especially Spiral who needs to stop selling coffee - and buy the DVD. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: hark the herald and angels sing
Review: finally, the slow century has arrived every so slowly. i teared open the package in the mailbox and see the beautiful artwork: a painting of a tree and a house at night. clearly this is what coomes to mind when i think of the great indie-pendent band pavement the rock band. the slow century contains two dvd discs, a nice booklet explaining how to use dvd discs, and a special compartment containing a ritz cracker (stevin' malkmus' favorite dvd snack food of course (an inside joke for pavement fans of the old-school variety)). every part of the dvd is well produced. the power light on my player seems to glow a little brighter than with normal dvds, but that is to be expected, as is explained on the back of the dvd case. the main problem with this dvd was all the phone calls i got while trying to watch it, the back of the case explains that the power light on your phone may not function correctly when running this movie, but it also explains how to use scissors to disconnect the phone line so meg will stop calling in the middle of the movie. another thing you'll notice about the music videos on this set is that they are a little grainy. the use of a blue-screen in the filming of the videos may have helped this issue, which i only mention for future reference to the video director lance bangs if he decides to make a sequal or even sea squall at some point. this would be appreciated, as the documentary portion only documentaries the main elements of the band: stephens' eccentric guitar stylings and spirals' staircase collection. it seems rude to me also to put a blue box over bob nastanovich's crotch in the photos section, even though he was known to always wear pants in public. so it seems this was unnecessary. when all is said and done and said though, it becomes obvious that slowly creeping to your local indie-pendent rock band dvd documentary video collection market and purchasing this tape is a good idea for fans of the band and non-fans alike, who may be interested more in meeting other customers than shelling out the money for the video. you can of course buy it from amazon too!
Rating:
Summary: just about all you want
Review: good history/nostalgia coverage. very professional and dreamy artwork all over the place. two shows. videos. perhaps we can call this the *eek* Your quintessential Pavement bookend.
Rating:
Summary: Long awaited, doesn't disappoint....ultra complete
Review: I got this double DVD (which I have been waiting for since the original release date in 1999) along with the Slanted and Enchanted Luxe and Reduxe a week early. Both are a must have for any pavement fan. THis double DVD set has two shows with 2 angles on each, a documentary (which was pretty good, could have been better, but hey)all of their videos and alternates, with and and director commentary features....(which are funny as hell)....The live material on the DVD is a little heavy on Terror Twilight songs (a good album, but generally considered the worst pavement album)...but it's an incredible set, it gets 5 starts, and I wish more good bands would have sets this complete released. Here's a hint, for one of the hidden items, click on the "P" in pavement on the second menu, first disc...
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