[rating=3]
Most, who are old enough at least, will better know Stephen Malkmus as frontman for 90’s Indie band Pavement which was initially conceived as a recording project. Over time it took on a more polished sheen which managed to work them in from the sidelines to mainstream pop success. This appears to have paid some dividends in the latest wave of 90’s nostalgia and a planned reformation and tour.
Stephen Malkmus and his current band, known as the Jicks have released their 5th album (although could be their 3rd or 4th due to inconsistent labeling) titled Mirror Traffic. This time around he [Stephen] decided to engage old friend Beck Hansen (better known as Beck) as producer. With 40 odd years experience between them something good had to come of it all. The casual feel of the album makes it easy to overlook the musical and lyrical inventiveness that’s going on. For the man that invented slacker that’s not so surprising.
I can’t say that many tracks will make the playlist, this isn’t indie-folk after-all, no matter how hard you stretch it but one track will…No One Is (As I Are Be)
Download Track:
Senator
Buy Link
Amazon UK: Mirror Traffic