The 500 - #135 - Slanted and Enchanted - Pavement

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by New York-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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Album: #135
Album Title: Slanted and Enchanted
Artist: Pavement
Genre: Indie Rock, Noise Pop, LoFi
Recorded: Louder Than You Think Studio (Stockton, California); South Makepeace Studio (Brooklyn, New York)
Released: April, 1992
My age at release: 26
How familiar was I with it before this week: Not at all
Is it on the 2020 list? Yes, at position #199, dropping 74 spots
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Conduit For Sale

In recent years, I’ve reshaped how I approach writing fluency in my Grades 6 and 7 classroom. Instead of assigning a major graded task every few weeks, I now focus on enhancing learning and confidence through regular entries in our Writer’s Notebooks. At the heart of the shift is the “Quick Write” strategy -- posted prominently in our class room (see below) -- which encourages students to get their ideas down without overthinking grammar or spelling. The approach is simple. I want them to write freely and often using topics that are generated from our class discussions or novel readings. I read each entry and offer one piece of targeted advice, helping them grow without overwhelming them with a page full of red ink editing suggestions. The goal is progress, not perfection. Later, they can choose their favourite piece and edit it thoroughly for grading.

This approach to writing came to mind as I researched the recording of Slanted and Enchanted, the debut record from California rockers Pavement. Created in a makeshift home studio on a shoestring budget, the band embraced a lo-fi aesthetic that favored raw energy over polish. The sessions were described as relaxed and spontaneous. Drummer Gary Young reportedly hit record on the tape machine and ran to his kit, capturing “takes” that were imperfect but authentic. The result was a landmark indie rock album, celebrated for its disheveled charm, jagged guitar riffs, and off-kilter melodies. Like a Quick Write, Slanted and Enchanted wasn’t about perfection, it was about capturing something real, unfiltered, and emotionally resonant. That spirit of creative freedom is exactly what I hope to foster in my students’ writing.

Pavement (circa 1992).

Until last year, Pavement had slipped under my radar. It wasn’t until May, 2024, when guest blogger T.J. Gillespie wrote about their fourth album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (#212 on The 500) that I gave a proper listen. The record’s offbeat charm and melodic grit pulled me in. So when I noticed their debut, Slanted And Enchanted, ranked higher than Crooked Rain on The 500 list, I was eager to learn more. 

I'll admit, Slanted And Enchanted was a tough listen at first. The album’s lo-fi production and a raw, unpolished sound, felt chaotic and the vocals seemed a little pitchy. Yet, as I sat with it, I began to appreciate its scrappy brilliance. It wasn’t trying to be perfect, it was trying to be honest. That same spirit is what I aim to cultivate in my classroom – a space where students can create freely, without fear of flaws, knowing that the real magic often lives in the rough edges.

A stack of Writer's Notebooks from my current class, 
ready to be picked up for their next Quick Write opportunity.

I’m thrilled with the growth I’m seeing in my young writers. This week, we’re diving into seven strategies for crafting irresistible introductions, a skill that will elevate their writing instantly. I can’t wait to read their next Quick Write and see how they experiment with these techniques before applying them to a reworked polished piece. Just as writing this weekly blog has sharpened my own skills, their progress shines through every opportunity I give them...even when the work is raw, unpolished, and a little chaotic. As we've learned from Pavement, that’s where the magic begins.