Editing Wowee Zowee (section)

{{Short description|1995 studio album by Pavement}}
{{good article}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Wowee Zowee
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Pavement (band)|Pavement]]
| cover        = WoweeZowee.jpg
| alt          = 
| released     = April 11, 1995
| recorded     = {{ubl|November 14–24, 1994|February 10–14, 1995}}
| studio       = {{ubl|[[Easley McCain Recording|Easley Recording]], [[Memphis, Tennessee]]|Random Falls, [[New York City]]}}
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Indie rock]]|[[experimental rock]]}}
| length       = 55:51
| label        = [[Matador Records|Matador]]
| producer     = Pavement
| prev_title   = [[Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain]]
| prev_year    = 1994
| next_title   = [[Pacific Trim]]
| next_year    = 1997
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Wowee Zowee
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = Rattled by the Rush
 | single1date = March 30, 1995 
 | single2     = [[Father to a Sister of Thought]]
 | single2date = June 27, 1995
}}
}}

'''''Wowee Zowee''''' is the third studio album by American [[indie rock]] band [[Pavement (band)|Pavement]], released on April 11, 1995 by [[Matador Records]]. Most of it was recorded at [[Easley McCain Recording|Easley Recording]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], where some members of the band had previously worked on [[Silver Jews]]' 1994 album ''[[Starlite Walker]]''. The album showcases a more [[Experimental rock|experimental]] side of the band, marking a return to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the more accessible sound of their 1994 studio album ''[[Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain]]''. Its eclectic nature ranges from mellow yet [[Distortion (music)|distorted]] melodies to [[Noise rock|noise]] and [[punk rock]], while the lyrics generally explore humorous and cryptic themes. At nearly one hour long, ''Wowee Zowee'' is Pavement's longest studio album, filling three sides of a [[vinyl record]]. Side four was left blank.

Upon release, ''Wowee Zowee'' received mixed reviews from critics, being generally deemed as a sloppy effort in comparison to its acclaimed predecessor. However, some reviewers highlighted its adventurous style and [[Stephen Malkmus]]' lyricism. Two songs from the album, "Rattled by the Rush" and "[[Father to a Sister of Thought]]", were released as [[Single (music)|singles]] in 1995, but neither were successful. Despite being notable for ruining any opportunity Pavement had to capitalize on the success of ''Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain'', ''Wowee Zowee'' has retrospectively been reappraised in highly positive terms, with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' including it in the magazine's 2020 edition of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]. A compilation containing the album in its entirety as well as [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]] and other rarities, titled ''[[Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition]]'', was released in 2006.