RSSStephen Malkmus [extended]
- Stephen Malkmus [Matador, 2001] A-
- Pig Lib [Matador, 2003] ***
- Face the Truth [Matador, 2005] B+
- Real Emotional Trash [Matador, 2008] ***
- Sparkle Hard [Matador, 2018] ***
- Traditional Techniques [Matador, 2020] **
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Consumer Guide Reviews:
Stephen Malkmus [Matador, 2001]
The Artist Formerly Known as S.M. has blown his chance, because if ever an album cried out to be called Eponymous Solo Debut, Stephen Malkmus is that album. Exactly the unpredictable effort you'd expect, it utilizes a new bunch of Portland buddies to render the old noises into background music as it explores such themes as Yul Brynner's makeover and piracy on the coast of Montenegro. Either he kicks off from the latter to create gangsta alt, or he bites the bullet and turns into an incisive musical observer of manners and mores. Another possibility, I admit it: He shrivels into irrelevancy. A-
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: Pig Lib [Matador, 2003]
should have figured he'd turn fussbudget on us eventually ("1% of One," "Vanessa From Queens") ***
Face the Truth [Matador, 2005]
Solo for real, Malkmus plays just about everything on this consistently enjoyable, predictably inconsequential recording. "You're the maker of modern minor masterpieces for the untrained eye," goes "Post-Paint Boy." As he must know--he's so knowing--substitute "ear" for "eye" and the self-portrait could make a lesser man afraid to look in the mirror without some company. B+
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: Real Emotional Trash [Matador, 2008]
A jam band for middle-aged neurotics who gather where most of their kind gather--their living rooms ("Hopscotch Willie," "Dragonfly Pie"). ***
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: Sparkle Hard [Matador, 2018]
On his best album in years, his two most fetching melodies power his most representational lyrics ever ("Bike Lane," "Refute") ***
Stephen T. Malkmus: Traditional Techniques [Matador, 2020]
It's more than cool, as it had better be, that he's matured from willfully acerbic to willingly pretty, but he's too smart not to know in the heart he's proud to have that while acerbic feeds on chaos, pretty is better off explaining itself ("Xian Man," "Cash Up") **