Heaven & Earth

David Bowie, star and genius, never stopped reinventing himself throughout his fascinating, shape-shifting musical career. A unique case in the history of rock.

Thirty years ago, Pavement set a road map for '90s indie rock—lo-fi, whip-smart, Gen-X cynical—with their career-defining Slanted and Enchanted. (And yes, the band came to define the term "slacker rock.") You can still hear their influence on artists like Courtney Barnett, Deerhunter, Beabadoobee, Parquet Courts, Kiwi Jr., and many more. And, of course, they famously, majorly inspired Blur's 1997 self-titled album, in effect changing the face of Brit-pop without even meaning to. As Pavement continues on their first tour since 2010, here's a look back at the band's history through their epochal records.

In the twilight of the ’70s, as the shrapnel of the punk explosion was still settling, the movement was already inspiring new groups. As New Wave unfurled, the post-punk movement represented a tortured, even radical turn. From pioneers Joy Division and The Fall to current bands Shame and Fontaines D.C., here’s a close-up on the landmark albums that electrified the entire music world and continue to fascinate the rock’n’roll underground.