sorry, that was xpost to my previous comment.
Al - do you have a link to that interview where he says he's moving? i haven't seen that one.
― alpine static, Friday, 18 May 2018 18:24 (five years ago) link
It was a podcast, I think either Emil Amos or Vish Khanna or ??? My short-term memory is terrible.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Friday, 18 May 2018 18:26 (five years ago) link
I'm a rare mega-Pavement fan who feels that his solo work (& American Water) is stronger than BTC & TT...
I def. rate “American Water” above BTC / TT... not his solo stuff, tho. Except the “Pig Lib” bonus disc – that was as special thing.
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Friday, 18 May 2018 18:28 (five years ago) link
Mirror Traffic is better than any of the other albums after Pig Lib, right?
yes.
― geoffreyess, Friday, 18 May 2018 18:30 (five years ago) link
new one is sounding better than mirror traffic imho
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 18 May 2018 18:53 (five years ago) link
who's doing PR for this one? A different company than for previous SM albums? Because isn't that all we're talking about here? Matador springing for a major PR push? Call me cynical.
― Paul Ponzi, Friday, 18 May 2018 19:35 (five years ago) link
yes. but why now, is what i'm saying. what changed.
it's not a huge deal, i'm just interested in that kind of stuff.
― alpine static, Friday, 18 May 2018 19:46 (five years ago) link
he's one of a few whose new stuff is pretty eagerly awaited i'd say and discussion doesn't need much pushing from matador or billions or whoever
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 18 May 2018 19:47 (five years ago) link
Maybe Malkmus and Matador just feel he has a strong record here and want to give it the push it deserves? Sparkle Hard definitely sounds more carefully crafted and has a higher standard of quality than most Jicks albums. I'd be proud of it too.
― bunny slopes, Friday, 18 May 2018 20:26 (five years ago) link
This is the guy who greeted his last album with a pull quote that "nothing classic is probably going on here, let's face it" so I take the increased push now as a way to broadcast that this album is a little more special than your usual Jicks release
― bunny slopes, Friday, 18 May 2018 20:36 (five years ago) link
“America’s Favorite Slacker Grows Up and Buckles Down” I guess Corgan was right all along, Malkmus says, looking genuinely contrite as he gazes into his coffee cup. It took me all these years to realize the importance of a rock ‘n roll work ethic. I hope Billy accepts my apology...
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Friday, 18 May 2018 20:51 (five years ago) link
bunny slopes probably otm
― alpine static, Friday, 18 May 2018 22:58 (five years ago) link
Anyone who hasn't read the Washington Post story needs to
― The Harsh Tutelage of Michael McDonald (Raymond Cummings), Friday, 18 May 2018 23:38 (five years ago) link
“Slanted and enchanted” his greatest turn of phrase imho
― calstars, Saturday, 19 May 2018 00:14 (five years ago) link
Should make its way to the OED
― calstars, Saturday, 19 May 2018 00:16 (five years ago) link
“America’s Favorite Slacker Grows Up and Buckles Down” /I guess Corgan was right all along,/ Malkmus says, looking genuinely contrite as he gazes into his coffee cup. /It took me all these years to realize the importance of a rock ‘n roll work ethic. I hope Billy accepts my apology.../
― calstars, Saturday, 19 May 2018 00:17 (five years ago) link
Just some speculative fiction (lol)
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Saturday, 19 May 2018 00:19 (five years ago) link
― two cool rock chicks pounding la croix (circa1916), Saturday, 19 May 2018 01:36 (five years ago) link
I think that was “Crooked Rain (x2)”?
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Saturday, 19 May 2018 02:02 (five years ago) link
“The title Slanted and Enchanted is taken from the title of a cartoon made by Silver Jews frontman David Berman.”From wiki. Not sure about Crooked Rain. Great title nonetheless. Enjoy them both immensely as lyricists, as different as they are. Always be a Berman man myself if I had to choose, though.
― two cool rock chicks pounding la croix (circa1916), Saturday, 19 May 2018 02:07 (five years ago) link
Oh wow. I didn’t think DB could improve in my estimation but yet.
― calstars, Saturday, 19 May 2018 02:38 (five years ago) link
DB:slanted and enchanted::SM:wowee zowee
― calstars, Saturday, 19 May 2018 02:39 (five years ago) link
well there is a Zappa song called Wowie Zowie
― salt sugar fat, that's where it's at (rip van wanko), Saturday, 19 May 2018 03:01 (five years ago) link
Hence also the ingeniously triple-entendre–titled odds ’n ends bootleg “Stuff Up the Cracks” (also a Zappa title) – which I think actually came out before “WZ,” so not sure how they anticipated the title?
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Saturday, 19 May 2018 03:19 (five years ago) link
DB:slanted and enchanted::SM:wowee zowee― calstars, Friday, May 18, 2018 7:39 PM (three hours ago)
― calstars, Friday, May 18, 2018 7:39 PM (three hours ago)
another nope:
The album's title is an homage to former drummer Gary Young, who would frequently yell "Wowee zowee!" when excited.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Saturday, 19 May 2018 06:00 (five years ago) link
really into "solid silk"
― k3vin k., Tuesday, 22 May 2018 04:06 (five years ago) link
yes, this album is really good, one of his best. "bike lane" is Malk at his most political and angry
― well bissogled trotters (Michael B), Tuesday, 22 May 2018 07:11 (five years ago) link
i'm at peace with my mentors
― reggie (qualmsley), Tuesday, 22 May 2018 12:26 (five years ago) link
This is really good. Highlights after the first few listens:
-the little instrumental breaks after the verses on "Bike Lane"-Kim Gordon!
― cwkiii, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 23:36 (five years ago) link
not sure I'm ready for Woke Malkmus tbh
― Paul Ponzi, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 00:28 (five years ago) link
I don't know what that even means tbh
― cwkiii, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 00:59 (five years ago) link
"Malk at his most political and angry" sounds exactly like "Malk not being political and angry at all" to me fwiw
― cwkiii, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 01:02 (five years ago) link
I mean he literally namechecks Freddie Gray which is kinda tough to imagine on...any other Malkmus record
― Simon H., Wednesday, 23 May 2018 01:24 (five years ago) link
Oh I know, I was just saying that it still sounds like Stephen Malkmus, and in no way did it even occur to me that someone would hear it and think "oh man, I am not prepared to process this stage of this man's career."
― cwkiii, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 01:41 (five years ago) link
he did write Senator on the last record though - which i took to be obviously political - i think he should do more of this stuff - to my ears it was his best song in an age because it seemed to be so pointed
― clouds (peanutbuttereverysingleday), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 02:08 (five years ago) link
But Senator was two records ago! #justiceforjagbags
― cwkiii, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 02:09 (five years ago) link
oh sorry i am sure you are right - yep - just making the point that he hasn't been entirely apolitical this whole time
― clouds (peanutbuttereverysingleday), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 02:15 (five years ago) link
(apologies for the unnecessarily pedantic post that really was just an excuse to post a hashtag that I thought was funny)
― cwkiii, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 02:31 (five years ago) link
He referenced Bob Packwood's sexual harassment scandals about 15 years ago in "Vanessa From Queens".
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 03:24 (five years ago) link
― cwkiii, Tuesday, May 22, 2018 9:41 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
wasn't thinking "oh man, I am not prepared to process this stage of this man's career," was thinking "this artist who has built a career on sarcasm and above-it-all ironic detachment is now obliquely referencing social justice in a way that seems conspicuous and a tad insincere given that he has been basically shrugging at such things for decades"
― Paul Ponzi, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 12:18 (five years ago) link
I guess if part of what someone enjoys the most about him is his sarcasm and above-it-all ironic detachment then if they pay attention to the lyrics of this one song they might be slightly let down? But it's a really good song! Especially if you dig him as a guitarist.
I get how that could bug you but it was kind of a bummer to think that it would dissuade you from checking out the record because, like I said before, it still sounds like a Malkmus song and it doesn't scan as like, preachy or whatever.
― cwkiii, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 13:25 (five years ago) link
it's like processing that joe strummer grew up relatively privileged
― reggie (qualmsley), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 13:25 (five years ago) link
fwiw, he did write that Pavement song “Grounded”
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 14:15 (five years ago) link
conspicuous? yes.a tad insincere? i don't hear/believe that.a little disjointed / not fully formed as a concept / political statement? yes, i think that's a fair criticism.
― alpine static, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 15:43 (five years ago) link
Writing a (good) politically / socially conscious song must be particularly challenging for even a good songwriter
― i’m still stanning (morrisp), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 15:51 (five years ago) link
Maybe "insincere" is harsh, I take that back. I mean, I'm quite sure the guy's heart is in the right place. I just don't listen to Malkmus wanting or expecting social commentary. Does anyone?
FWIW I repped hard for Jagbags (see upthread) and am definitely a fan, in case that wasn't clear.
― Paul Ponzi, Wednesday, 23 May 2018 15:52 (five years ago) link
I care quite a bit more about Malkmus' songwriting than your opinion of it, if that's what you're asking.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 23 May 2018 16:15 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKpi9cAmnfo
malk doing "solid silk" on the 12-string <3
― k3vin k., Friday, 25 May 2018 04:03 (five years ago) link
I had missed this interview, it's great: https://www.spin.com/featured/stephen-malkmus-and-tim-heidecker-in-conversation-fleetwood-mac-internet-trolls-and-hating-frank-zappa/
Heidecker: What’s your take on Frank Zappa?Malkmus: I’m not a fan, to be honest.Heidecker: I have never met a fan! I’ve never met a fan!Malkmus: Yeah, I don’t think it’s good music. I know a lot of people compare me to him, especially in Brazil. For some reason, the Frank Zappa underground there thinks of me as Zappa-esque. It’s parody in the end, but you can’t put all your chips on parody unless it’s full parody. Weird Al is one thing, he’s awesome. But that’s a different thing.
Malkmus: I’m not a fan, to be honest.
Heidecker: I have never met a fan! I’ve never met a fan!
Malkmus: Yeah, I don’t think it’s good music. I know a lot of people compare me to him, especially in Brazil. For some reason, the Frank Zappa underground there thinks of me as Zappa-esque. It’s parody in the end, but you can’t put all your chips on parody unless it’s full parody. Weird Al is one thing, he’s awesome. But that’s a different thing.
― stan in the place where you work (morrisp), Monday, 17 September 2018 19:40 (five years ago) link
Wow, that's a better (off-the-cuff) take on Zappa than I think I've ever been able to put together the many times I've tried to explain my distaste. Zappa fans have much in common with the neckbeard ime
― rip van wanko, Monday, 17 September 2018 20:34 (five years ago) link