Stephen Malkmus - Traditional Technqiues
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 25 / 6 / 2020
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Stunning return to form from former Pavement front man who is aided by critically acclaimed guitarist Matt Sweeney
Matt Sweeney is the right man to drag Malkmus from the languishing back-to-essentials music of his last few albums. Not unplugged nor sounding likea bunch of demos, 'Traditional Techniques' goes back to basics in refined fine style. Whereas Will Oldham with the help of Matt Sweeney still remained as tedious as ever, Sweeney has lent a more than welcome helpful hand here and squeezed out some of Malkmus's best work. Sweeney learnt exquisite string picking from Indian raga and Sahara desert blues music which in superb manner melts with his steel guitar arrangements. It is superb to the extent that one starts to ponder about the many years Sweeney wasted with Oldham. Malkmus can barely surpress his thrills and shrieks, and appears totally rejuvenated. On 'Shadowbanned' Malkmus sounds close to a crooning singer; the absence of a thick bassline keeps a few songs on 'Traditional Techniques' from turning into a gospel funk LP. 'Brainwashed' flirts with Isley Brothers' styled slide guitar licks and adds to the feel of a blue soul music album. Buying LPs deemed not vital now, I cannot pick up the copy I already purchased, but please do use traditional techniques and buy from your local record store.
Track Listing:-
1 ACC Kirtan2 Xian Man
3 The Greatest Own In Legal History
4 Cash Up
5 Shadowbanned
6 What Kind Of Person
7 Flowin' Robes
8 Brainwashed
9 Signal Western
10 Amberjack
11 Juliefuckingette
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Malkmus-The-Jicks/56710584421http://stephenmalkmus.com/
https://twitter.com/malkmusandjicks
http://stephenmalkmusandthejicksblog.tumblr.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.dominorecordco.com/https://www.facebook.com/DominoRecordCo
https://twitter.com/DominoRecordCo
https://www.youtube.com/user/DominoRecords
https://plus.google.com/+DominoRecords
interviews |
|
Interview (2008) |
|
| Mark Rowland speaks to former Pavement front man Stephen Malkmus the night after playing a show to a packed audience in London about both his latest band the Jicks and their recently released compplex latest album, 'Real Emotional Trash' |
reviews |
|
Wig Out at Jagbags (2014) |
|
| Eccentric but wonderful return to form on sixth album from ex-Pavement front man Stephen Malkmus and his present band the Jicks |
| Real Emotional Trash (2008) |
| Kindling For The Master (2006) |
| Face The Truth (2005) |
| Pig Lib (2003) |
| Stephen Malkus (2001) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Sukie Smith - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Kim Wilde - Photoscapes
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart