Spiral Stairs — The Real Feel

The Real Feel

Matador/Beggar's Banquet

Brian Pascual (CHARTattack)

10/20/2009 1:06pm

News of Pavement's glorious (sort-of) reunion to tour in 2010 aside, there has been plenty of output to talk about from some of the heralded indie band's members since its dissolution in 1999.

While Stephen Malkmus has always received most of the attention, Scott Kannberg has quietly released two underrated albums with the band Preston School Of Industry, and has now finally recorded a proper solo debut under his (nick)name, Spiral Stairs.

Due to Kannberg's music heritage, The Real Feel will be unfairly considered indie rock, but to do so would severely overlook what he has done here. Effortlessly moving between catchy Badfinger-esque riffs ("Sobiaco Shuffle" and "Maltese T") to Sleeps With Angels-era Neil Young's twangy, hard-edged grunge ("Call The Ceasefire"), Kannberg has clearly moved past the shambling, lo-fi mess of his Pavement days.

Two of the album's best moments are also two of the quieter ones: "A Mighty Mighty Fall" and "Blood Money," which both showcase Kannberg's impressive songwriting, revealing him as a heartbreaking folk country troubadour, who's equal parts Tom Petty and Jeff Tweedy.

And just to make sure you don't think he's gone soft and all "mature" on you, Kannberg throws in the punchy "Stolen Pills," which imagines what Mark E. Smith fronting Guided By Voices would sound like. Take that, Malkmus!

Get it from