Let me just say this now: I love Pavement. One my fondest memories is getting plastered with my buddy Gabe and singing Slanted and Enchanted in it’s entirety… well, almost entirely, anyways. The cops came somewhere around ‘Loretta’s Scars’. Damn fine run though.
So fast forward to Sunday when I find out there’s a new Stephen Malkmus CD (Real Emotional Trash). First impression? I think Stephen has been listening to Comets on Fire. There are lots of psuedo-freakouts and wildly oscillating… oscillators? Oh yeah, and there’s an f’n 10 minute track on there. Here’s the deal kiddos, I have nothing against long tracks, but please keep it interesting. The track is mediocre and could have easily been a 5 minute cut. Not to mention the drums/bass were mixed a bit low for my tastes.
That being said, there are lots of catchy and great tracks on this one. It’s toe tapping with random bursts of piano or guitar and non-sense lyrics. I won’t lie, If you were on the 405 today and saw some idiot playing air drums in his car, that was me listening to this CD. Check out ‘Cold Son’ and ‘Out of Reaches’ for some classic SM moments. ‘Hopscotch Willie’ is pretty good too, once you get past the fact it’s about someone being framed for murder.
This album is like a good friend you haven’t seen in a while. If you had just met for the first time, it would be amazing. Unfortunately, the whole experience is tainted by the fact that you want it to be exactly like it was when you first met and it’s just not. I was expecting a good listen, but not classic Pavement. Guess what? I was totally right. I know this is a new band, NOT Pavement and it’s probably a bit unfair to criticize a band based on fond memories, but I don’t care. I want another S&E.
DOWNLOADS
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Out of Reaches
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Cold Son
i want to smash my soul on your brain
