Pinback - Crutch

Pinback rose from the terrible ashes of two of San Diego’s most celebrated bands, Three Mile Pilot and Thingy/Heavy Vegetable. Zack Smith and Rob Crowe combined their disparate skills to create an indie super group par-excellence. Pinback works so well because of Smith’s power to infuse Crowe’s normally frivolous pocket songs with development and compassion on songs like Crutch.

Rob Crowe and Zack Smith of Pavement
Rob Crowe and Zack Smith of Pavement

While recording their eponymous debut album, Pinback, their drummer quit. He was unceremounsiously replaced with a dinky drum machine. But it doesn’t mater. Smith’s melodic bass, the tiny guitar riffs, and Crowe’s falsetto all flow together in a hypnotic tapestry. Crowe’s literal lyrics about insignificant topics contrast nicely with the verve of Crutch.

It kicks in like an ugly sound
And a split divides me.
Skull collides.
Such a long way down.
Such a big big bad.
Such a bright white light.
Rubber crutch lands so hard.

All the elements of Pinback’s future greatness are on display - but who the hell thought that keyboard was a good idea?

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Photo by Fenchurch