Slay Tracks (1933–1969) is the debut extended play (EP) by the American indie rock band Pavement. The group, then consisting of founding members Stephen Malkmus (pictured in 2005) and Scott Kannberg, recorded Slay Tracks with producer and future member Gary Young during a four-hour session on January 17, 1989. The EP was released as a 7" vinyl record on the band's own record label Treble Kicker. The music in Slay Tracks is influenced by indie and punk rock bands, including Swell Maps and The Fall, and many of the lyrics are inspired by life in the band's hometown of Stockton, California. Although only 1000 copies were pressed, the EP became an underground hit. Most of its initial reviews were from independently produced zines, and it met with generally positive reactions. The songs on Slay Tracks would later appear on the 1993 compilation Westing (By Musket and Sextant), reaching a wider audience than the EP's limited initial release. The release of Slay Tracks was significant to Pavement's signing to Drag City, and later to Matador Records. All of the songs from it were played live throughout Pavement's history.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slay_Tracks_(1933%E2%80%931969)

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1377:

Pope Gregory XI moved the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon, effectively becoming the last Avignon Pope. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_XI

1524:

Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano set sail westward from Madeira to find a sea route to the Pacific Ocean. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_da_Verrazzano

1781:

American Revolutionary War: American forces won a surprising victory over the British at the Battle of Cowpens, one of the most pivotal battles of the war. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cowpens

1989:

Patrick Purdy opened fire in an elementary school in Stockton, California, killing five and wounding 30 others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Elementary_School_shooting_(Stockton)

1991:

Harald V, the current King of Norway, succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father Olav V. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_V_of_Norway

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

indigent: Poor; destitute; in need. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/indigent

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

All I know is that I'm tired of being clever Everybody's clever these days. Take a win Take a fall I never wanted your love But I needed it all…      --Zooey Deschanel https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Zooey_Deschanel